NOAA
National Ocean Service (NOS)
National Centers for Coastal
Ocean Science (NCCOS)
JOB OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR INTERGOVERNMENTAL PERSONNEL ACT (IPA)
Reference Number: NOS-NCCOS-IPA (RESTORE ACT)
Open Period: March 25, 2014 to April 23, 2014 (or until filled)
Title: RESTORE ACT SCIENCE PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Duty Station: Gulf of Mexico. Full-time co-location at a federal NOAA facility (e.g,. Stennis, MS; Mobile,
AL; St. Petersburg, FL) during the tenure of the position is expected.
No relocation expenses will be authorized.
Area of Consideration: Employees of State and local governments, Indian tribal governments,
institutions of higher education and other eligible organizations may serve in Federal agencies.
Security Level: Must be able to obtain security clearance
Background: NOAA announces a search for a professional to serve as Program Director for the NOAA
RESTORE Act Science Program (restoreactscienceprogram.noaa.gov) to be based in the Gulf of Mexico.
The mission of the NOAA RESTORE Act Science Program, as directed in the RESTORE Act, is to initiate and
sustain an integrative, holistic understanding of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and support, to the
maximum extent practicable, restoration efforts and the long-term sustainability of the ecosystem,
including its fish stocks, fishing industries, habitat, and wildlife through ecosystem research, observation,
monitoring, and technology development. Projects submitted to the program for consideration are
anticipated to be multidisciplinary in scope, addressing complex ecosystem questions in support of
broad restoration and management needs.
Further information about the RESTORE Act Science Program can be found here. This announcement will
be open for 30 days, beginning March 25, 2014.
Duties: As the Program Director for the NOAA-administered Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Science,
Observation, Monitoring, and Technology Program, you will lead the Program through planning and
implementation, with continuous assessment of its strategic vision and mission and consistent with the
goals and requirements of Section 1604 of the RESTORE Act. Leadership also includes administrative or
managerial duties, such as grant management, budgeting, and resource allocation. The Program has the
potential to provide significant amounts of funding to outside parties through a large number of grants
and cooperative agreements. The Director will be the primary point of accountability for the Program.
You will coordinate science, observation, monitoring and technology initiatives for the Program. You will
manage the Science Support Team, which consists of NOAA and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
personnel with a diversity of expertise, including ecology, fish and wildlife biology, oceanography, and
economics. You will build coalitions and maintain effective relationships with other institutions, consortia,
or entities focused on science and restoration for the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. You will acquire and
apply recent advances and research findings on ecosystem-based management. You will will lead
NOAA’s responses to formal program and fiscal audits and other evaluations by outside groups.
You will work with leadership from the National Ocean Service (NOS) and National Centers for Coastal
Ocean Science (NCCOS) where the program will be housed within NOAA. You will also be the primary
program liaison with the Program’s Executive Oversight Board (EOB), which has representation across all
of NOAA’s line offices and the USFWS. The NOAA Science Advisory Board has established a Working
Group for the RESTORE Act Science Program. The Director will be the primary liaison with the Working
Group and must facilitate the communication web with the EOB, the Advisory Board and the Working
Group.
Qualifications: A degree in the area of natural resources, marine ecology, physical, chemical, or
biological oceanography, or related disciplines, including several years of successful research, research
administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position, including managing large teams
and administering grants, and adapting programs to ever-changing conditions.
Specialized Experience:
1. Experience in advanced scientific work in the Gulf of Mexico large marine ecosystem.
2. Experience in budget formulation and execution, development of meaningful measures for
program performance, program reporting, environmental compliance, and overall program
administration.
3. Experience demonstrating effective coordination and positive relationships with stakeholders,
keystone partners and comparable science and restoration programs in the Gulf.
4. Experience that shows possession of oratory skills for public presentations before large
audiences and the media.
5. Experience demonstrating politically astuteness and engagement with state government
officials, federal agency representatives, and members of Congress and their staff as necessary.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
1. Knowledge of the Gulf of Mexico large marine ecosystem.
2. Ability to coordinate with a diversity of partners and constituents in the Gulf, including partners
internal to NOAA, State and Federal agencies, academic institutions, not-for-profit groups, and
other entities focused on Gulf of Mexico ecosystem restoration and management.
3. Ability to effectively communicate orally.
4. Ability to effectively communicate in writing.
5. Ability to apply analytical and evaluative methods to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of
a program.
6. Knowledge of budget formulation and execution.
7. Knowledge of strategic planning techniques and process.
Physical Requirements:
This position is sedentary and may require occasional lifting.
HOW TO APPLY: Interested individuals are encouraged to contact the RESTORE Act Science Program
Associate Director, Shelby Walker (301-734-1049 or shelby.walker@noaa.gov). To apply for the
position, please submit a cover letter addressing your experience and the requirements of the position,
curriculum vitae, and the names of three references to Shelby Walker (shelby.walker@noaa.gov) with
the subject line – NOS-NCCOS-IPA (RESTORE ACT). Applications are reviewed by the program and a
committee composed of 3-4 personnel from throughout NOAA. Hiring recommendations will be made to
the NCCOS Director, where the RESTORE Act Science Program is located within NOAA.
Interested parties should submit their application materials no later than April 23, 2014.
The position will be filled under the Intergovernmental Personnel Assignment (IPA) Act: Assignment
agreements can be made for up to two years and may be extended for an additional two years.
The goal of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act mobility program is to facilitate the movement of
employees, for short periods of time, when this movement serves a sound public purpose. Mobility
assignments may be used to achieve objectives such as:
● strengthening the management capabilities of Federal agencies, State, local and Indian tribal
governments, and other eligible organizations;
● assisting the transfer and use of new technologies and approaches to solving governmental
problems;
● facilitating an effective means of involving state and local officials in developing and
implementing Federal policies and programs; and,
● providing program and developmental experience which will enhance the assignee’s
performance in his or her regular job.
5 CFR part 334 provides definitions of organizations and individuals covered by the Intergovernmental
Personnel Act provisions of 5 USC section 3372(a)(1). Individuals excluded from participation in the
Intergovernmental Personnel Act mobility program include:
● Federal, State or local government employees serving under time-limited, temporary or term
appointment, non-career or limited SES appointments, or Schedule C appointments;
● Elected Federal, State or local government officials;
● Members of the uniformed military services and the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health
Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and
● Students employed in research, graduate, or teaching assistant and similar temporary positions.
For more information on the Intergovernmental Personnel Act mobility program, please visit:
http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/intergovernment-personnel-act/#url=Ov
erview
NOAA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO EMPLOYING A HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF
THAT REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF OUR NATION.