JOB SUMMARY: This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Office of Coast Survey (OCS) Center of Excellence (COE) for Operational Ocean and Great Lakes Mapping with one vacancy in Durham, NH. This position is also announced under vacancy number NOS OCS-25-12664648-ST, which is open to Status Candidates. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both. MAJOR DUTIES: This position will assist the newly established Center of Excellence with training, development, and technical activities in support of NOAA's mapping missions. As a Physical Science Technician, you will perform the following duties: - Ensure continuous and efficient operation of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) mapping platforms. Provide timely support of operational hydrographic equipment and systems, in-house and third party software, the integrations of these systems and software, and best practices for its use. Conduct training on new systems and technologies undergoing transition to operational use and existing operational systems and technologies. Deliver hands-on training and classroom instruction on hydrographic and ocean mapping technology and operation as part of a comprehensive training program. - Initiate, test, and evaluate new technologies for use in hydrographic surveying, such as sonars, positioning systems, uncrewed systems (UxS), and data acquisition and processing systems. Plan and perform field testing of new systems, technologies, and procedures and analyze and report on the results. - Identify and diagnose problems in the operation of hydrographic and ocean mapping systems deployed on hydrographic and ocean mapping ships and uncrewed survey vessels. Establish and implement strategies, with input from system vendors and specialized experts, to bring or restore the systems to optimal performance. POSITION REQUIREMENTS: This position requires the operation of a Federal motor vehicle. Incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license to operate a government vehicle. Position requires driving a government vehicle for field work, movement of equipment and/or supplies between buildings, acquisition of supplies, or meetings at other locations. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Physical Scientist Technicians engaged in the technical support mission are deployed to NOAA field units up to 40 days per year. The employee must work aboard small boats on inland and near coastal waters in extreme environmental conditions and choppy seas. Personnel deploying in small boats for operations will have to ascend and descend a rope ladder. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This position has physical requirements. Incumbent must be able to work aboard a moving vessel and occasionally lift equipment that weighs up to 50 lbs. All persons embarked on a NOAA ship must be able to perform normal work functions and possibly personal emergency response functions while the ship is underway. During an abandon ship event, personnel will have to don a survival suit and/or descend a rope ladder to a life raft or rescue craft. A person at sea should be able to don a survival suit in one minute while fully clothed without having to remove their shoes. To deploy on a NOAA vessel, personnel must complete a NOAA Form 57-10-01 Health Services Questionnaire and be medically cleared by NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations. Employees must be capable of working up to 12 variable hours per day while deployed to field units for up to 40 days including weekends. IMPORTANT: Click the 'Apply for this job' button to view a complete job description.
