Cartographer

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration • Silver Spring, MD

9d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Office of Coast Survey (OCS), Marine Chart Division (MCD), with one vacancy in Silver Spring, MD. This position is also announced under vacancy number NOS OCS-26-13077404-DE, which is open to all US Citizens or Nationals. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.

Requirements

• Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
• Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
• If you are a Federal employee applying for a promotion (under merit promotion procedures) you must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• One year probationary period may be required.
• Payment of relocation expenses (PCS) is not authorized.
• This position requires a Low Risk Security Clearance.
• Background investigation will be required.
• Continued employment is subject to applicant's successful completion of security investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, for those required to serve a 1-year probationary period, we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: Your performance and conduct; Needs and interests of the agency; Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of then Federal service.
• Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active.
• Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.
• Degree: cartography; or a major that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in cartography and/or directly related science, and related mathematics. Such course work includes, but is not limited to, cartography, astronomy, geodesy, photogrammetry, physical and geological oceanography, computer science, land surveying, geophysics, physical geography, and remote sensing. The 30 semester hours must have included at least 6, but no more than 15 semester hours of college level, non-business mathematics or statistics (i.e., college level algebra, trigonometry, calculus, or scientific mathematics or statistics requiring equivalent college-level courses as prerequisites).
• Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in cartography, or a major that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in cartography, and/or directly related science, and related mathematics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
• To qualify at the ZP-2 or GS-07 level: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above,applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-1 or GS-05 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Assisting in interpreting and applying cartographic data using geographic information system (GIS) software; and Contributing to the development of nautical charts using mapping data.
• SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: One year of graduate-level education.
• SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT : As demonstrated by a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with one of the following. A grade point average (GPA) of 2.9 or higher based on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last 2 full years of undergraduate study; A GPA of 3.5 or higher based on a 4.0 scale for required courses completed in a major field of study, or those courses completed in a major field of study during the last two years of undergraduate study; Class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision of the college; Membership in a national Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College Honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies.
• 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.
• To qualify at the ZP-3 or GS-11 level: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-2 or GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Interpreting and applying cartographic and mapping data using geographic information system (GIS) software; Conducting research to resolve discrepancies between existing and new charting data; and Reviewing nautical charts for accuracy and compliance with applicable standards.
• SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and apply a wide variety of cartographic and mapping data using geographic information system (GIS) software in order to maintain the national navigational database used to produce nautical charts.
• Compile this information into the database using established charting policies, standards, and procedures as documented in the Nautical Charting Manual and other documentation.
• Research historical information and charting records to resolve discrepancies between existing charted information and new data.
• Use knowledge of map projections and datums, both horizontal and vertical, to process and transform incoming mapping data to a form appropriate for use in nautical charting.
• Produce electronic navigational charts from the database and use validation software and procedures to ensure that the charts conform to the applicable international standards.
• Review the work of other Marine Chart Division cartographers and contractors for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with the Nautical Chart Manual and other documentation.
• Recommend changes to processes, procedures, and software to improve the efficiency of chart production.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Learn more about federal benefits .

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level