Resource Protection Coordinator

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Full-time

Monterey, CA, USA · Key West, FL, USA · Key Largo, FL, USA

Posted on Jul 16, 2026

Duties

As a Resource Protection Coordinator, you will perform the following duties:

  • Directly support national marine sanctuaries through policy formulation, analysis, coordination and evaluation for resource protection, conservation science, and collaborative management in support of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) mission and vision.

  • Assure close cooperation and coordination on management priorities within ONMS, and with key external governmental and non-governmental partners interested in improving sanctuary management.

  • Provide technical expertise to advise the Superintendent on opportunities for programmatic advancement and maturation, internal ONMS history, analysis of other organizations, and proactive participation in training or other learning opportunities. Recommend initiatives or actions to senior leadership that support the timely and effective development and implementation of priority policy objectives.

  • Represent the Superintendent, as needed, at appropriate meetings, conferences, or other events with relevant government entities, private organizations, academia, and other key partners.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

  • This position requires the operation of a Federal motor 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. Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license to operate a government vehicle

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel System (CAPS). Under CAPS, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band. The ZA-4 is equivalent to the GS-13/14.

Key Requirements:

  • Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.

  • Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.

  • More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Additional Information.

  • 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.

Additional Considerations:

  • One year probationary period may be required.*

  • Payment of relocation expenses (PCS) is not authorized.

  • Payment of relocation incentives may be authorized. Note: Relocation incentives are for current federal employees only.

  • This position requires a Moderate 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.

Qualifications

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-4 or GS-13 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZA-3 or GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

  • Analyzing and compiling marine sanctuary or environmental resources management policies in order to develop reports and papers;

  • Collaborating with governmental and non-governmental partners for the improvement of resources management for a marine sanctuaries or environmental program; and

  • Presenting reports and recommendations related to environmental resources or marine sanctuaries programs and policies to internal and external partners.

Education

Substitution of education for specialized experience is not applicable to this vacancy.

Additional information

During the application process you will have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

ICTAP and CTAP Candidates: Eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about ICTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at: Employee Guide to Career Transition.

ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:

  1. Copy of your RIF separation notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; notice of disability annuity termination; certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;

  2. Copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc;

  3. Copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and

  4. Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:

  1. Copy of your specific RIF notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice).

  2. Copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", noting current position, grade level, and duty location;

  3. Copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and

  4. Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

Non-Competitive Reinstatement to a Higher Grade/Band than Previously Held MUST submit the following documents:

  1. SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action": You must provide the most current Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) that verifies career/career-conditional status, title, series, and highest grade level held on a permanent basis for your previous position, AND the SF-50 that verifies your separation date; AND

  2. Performance Appraisal: Most recent performance appraisal showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable.

NOAA participates in e-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.

The Federal Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is an equal opportunity employer.
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