Training Specialist - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/ EDUCATION: There is no positive education requirement for this position. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. To qualify at the ZA-3 or GS-11 level: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZA-2 or GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Providing advice and guidance for dive-related trainings or diving operations; Providing guidance as a dive instructor or trainer and supporting a variety of dive operations; and Participating in scientific diving operations under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) compliant scientific diving guidelines. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree with a major study in education or a subject area related to the position to be filled or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of successfully completed graduate-level education and specialized experience may be used to meet the total experience requirements. Note: Only graduate-level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience. -AND- SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: Selective Placement Factor: Essential to performing the duties of this position, the incumbent must hold and maintain an active SCUBA Instructor qualification from a nationally recognized training agency. If you do not meet the requirements of this Selective Placement Factor, you will be rated ineligible for this announcement. Applicants must provide documentation with their application to support meeting this Selective Placement Factor. As a Training Specialist, you will perform the following duties: Coordinate, promote, certify personnel, and execute effective training and provide oversight for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Diving Center (NDC) in order to promote safe diving practices per OSHA compliant scientific diving guidelines, minimizing the likelihood of diving accidents. Issue certifications through a nationally recognized SCUBA training agency. Support several areas of the NDC program including equipment and facilities maintenance and operations, diving and hyperbaric chamber operational support, supervision and training of divers, and diving unit inspections. Develop, schedule, and provide instruction in NOAA diving and dive-related training, including but not limited to, NOAA diver, Divemaster, and Diving Medical Technician. Serve as dive instructor or trainer, dive supervisor, standby diver, and tender as required to support NDC course offerings. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This position has physical requirements. Able to swim and work in a water column; walk, stand, bend, stoop, lift/carry up to 60 pounds on land and aboard small vessels. Utilizes SCUBA equipment underwater. Perform duties indoors in typical office setting, outdoors and in small boats exposed to weather, and in water conditions including cold temperatures, low visibility, and hazardous marine life. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Train and re-certify as required to maintain basic National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) diving and diving related medical proficiency and qualifications. Meet physical requirements for NOAA Diving as described in the NOAA Diving Medical Standards and Procedures Manual. Successfully complete a NOAA Diving physical exam and receive clearance to dive from the NOAA Diving Medical Officer at entry on duty. Must be able to serve aboard a NOAA Ship as divemaste