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Physical Scientist/Health Physicist

Environmental Protection Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

At EPA, you can protect human health and the environment of all Americans. We offer great benefits and work flexibilities, and our diverse workforce connects to more than just a career.

This position is located in the Office of Air and Radiation, Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, National Analytical Radiation Environmental Laboratory, Center for Environmental Monitoring, in Montgomery, AL.

For more information on this office, visit their website: Office of Air and Radiation

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
10/23/2018 to 10/29/2018
Salary
$87,252 to - $113,428 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Montgomery, AL
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
RTP-OAR-DE-2019-0002
Control number
514596100

Duties

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You will:

- As Scientist and Quality Assurance (QA) Officer for EPA’s radiation monitoring network (RadNet), provide technical guidance on radiation monitoring;

- Review and verify adequacy of energy and efficiency calibrations performed on RadNet air monitor gamma radiation detectors; 

- Develop RadNet-specific standard operating procedures, and other QA documents;

- Serve as a contracting officer’s representative (COR) or alternate for RadNet contracts.

You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required.
  • You must submit a resume and required documents (see How to Apply section).
  • You may be required to travel 1 to 5 days per month.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • Pre-employment drug testing is required and random testing thereafter.
  • Position has educational/degree requirements (see Qualifications section).

This position is designated as High Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation.

If you are selected, you must complete a one year probationary period.

You will be required to obtain (before coming on board) and maintain a valid driver’s license and must be able to operate a Government-owned or leased motor vehicle.

This position requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

You will be required to lift items weighing up to 50 pounds.

Qualifications

You need a degree or combination of education and experience as described below to qualify for this position.

Physical Scientist: You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics; OR a combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Health Physicist: You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in natural science or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in health physics, engineering, radiological science, chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, and/or calculus; OR a combination of education and experience which included courses in the fields included in the described course work; or certification as a health physicist by the American Board of Health Physics, plus appropriate experience and other education comparable to the described coursework.

As part of the application process, you are required to submit college transcripts or a list of courses as described in the Required Documents section of this announcement.  However, if you are selected, you must provide official educational transcripts before you start work with EPA.  More information on verification of education can be found here:  EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

In addition to the educational requirements, we are looking for at least one year of specialized experience related to this position as described below:

To qualify for the GS 13 level, you need to have at least one year of full time experience equivalent to the GS 12 level defined as performing gamma spectroscopy calibration, data acquisition and analysis; and managing quality assurance of the analysis of radioactive materials in the atmosphere.

Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: 1) Knowledge of radiation monitoring and measurement using sodium-iodide detectors; 2) Ability to design and implement Quality Assurance (QA) processes and procedures; 3) Skill in performing gamma spectrometry analyses and conducting calibration and QA for gamma radiation detectors; 4) Ability to manage quality assurance under routine conditions and/or during large-scale releases of radioactive materials to the atmosphere; 5) Skill in written communication; 6) Ability to present technical results and findings to a variety of audiences; 6) Skill in contract management.


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.

Education

See Qualifications section.

Additional information

This position is not in the bargaining unit.

Are you a Displaced Federal Employee?  If so, please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures

If you have part-time work experience, read this:  EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.  

Position has portable work and selectee may be authorized to telework after meeting eligibility requirements if approved by the supervisor/manager.

If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA.  Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility.

EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is 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. For additional information:  EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

If selected, you must work at the location stated in this announcement.

Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range listed above.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements.  Your resume must address the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the Qualifications section.  If you meet basic qualification requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on your answers to the online assessment.  Your responses to the online assessment will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for the position.  You are being evaluated under the category rating method which means, if you are determined to be qualified, you will be placed into the ‘Best Qualified’, ‘Well Qualified’, or ‘Qualified’ category.

We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire.  If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.  We will evaluate your qualifications and eligibility and notify you if you meet minimum qualification requirements.  If you are referred for consideration, you may be subject to additional assessments.

NOTE:  We do not require a separate statement responding to the competencies, also referred to as Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).  However, your resume should clearly show possession of these competencies.


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