Specialized Experience:GS-15:You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. Examples of qualifying specialized experience at the next lower level for this position include: (a) Mastery of advanced ocean plastics and sustainable urban development principles and practices that enable the incumbent to investigate and provide consultative services on the entire range of scientific questions and complex technical policy questions; (b) Mastery of and skill in formulating, evaluating, and promoting the generation and exchange of new ocean plastic pollution and sustainable urban development approaches to design strategies, projects and activities for public and private sector investment; AND, (c) Mastery of emerging ocean plastic pollution and sustainable urban development priorities to plan, evaluate, and execute short- and long-range programs that enhance world-wide USAID development impact.

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, relevant to the duties of the position to be filled, including volunteer experience.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates will be referred to the selecting official if they are found well qualified. Well-qualified means an eligible employee who possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities which clearly exceed the minimum requirements of the position. A well-qualified employee must meet the qualification and eligibility requirements of the position, including any medical qualifications, suitability, and minimum education and experience requirements, meet all selective factors (where applicable); meet quality ranking factors and are assigned to the Silver Category or higher Category; be physically qualified with reasonable accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position; meet any special qualifying U.S. OPM-approved conditions; AND be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry without additional training.

A well-qualified candidate will not necessarily meet the definition of highly or best qualified when evaluated against other candidates who apply for a particular position. In the absence of selective and quality ranking factors, selecting officials will document the job-related reason(s) for qualification determinations.