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Physical Scientist

Department of Energy
Department of Energy - Agency Wide
This job announcement has closed

Summary

A successful candidate in this position will serve as a Physical Scientist responsible for air chemistry, aerosol physics, cloud physics, atmospheric transport, atmospheric observing systems and analysis research.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
06/13/2019 to 06/19/2019
Salary
$117,191 to - $166,500 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14 - 15
Location
few vacancies in the following location:
Germantown, MD
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Recruitment Incentives may be offered subject to availability of funding, however, Permanent Change of Station expenses will not be offered.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
15 - This position has promotion potential to the GS-15 grade level.
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
TN-19-SC-00510-DH
Control number
536472400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens This position is being announced under the government-wide Direct Hire Authority for Physical Scientist positions in the 1301 series.

Duties

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As a Physical Scientist (Atmospheric) at the full performance level, you will:

  • Serve as the technical authority and expert in atmospheric chemistry, aerosol physics, cloud physics, observing technologies, transport processes, and analytical methods.
  • Serve as a Program Manager determining scientific focus and direction of an atmospheric systems research program.
  • Prepare, justify, and support portions of the budget relative to atmospheric sciences.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a United States Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • See "Other Information" section regarding Selective Service requirements.
  • Resume and question responses must be submitted online.
  • Subject to satisfactory security and suitability determinations.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

  • Selection made under this announcement will be processed as a new appointment to the federal service.
  • You will be required to serve a mandatory one (1) year probationary period unless you meet the exceptions in 5 CFR part 315.802.
  • This position requires a Tier 2, Public Trust, background investigation.
  • Selection for this position may require you to disclose information about your financial holdings and/or interests in order to assure no conflicts of interest exist.
  • If selected, applicants will be required to submit a copy of transcripts to demonstrate educational requirements have been met prior to on-boarding.  However, we HIGHLY encourage you to do so with your application.

Qualifications



SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for the GS-15 level of this position is defined as:

  • Experience managing, planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating research programs relative to atmospheric chemistry, aerosol physics, cloud physics, observing technologies, transport processes, and analytical methods.
  • Experience participating in development of research directions involving the atmospheric sciences.
  • Experience evaluating contractor, laboratory, and/or grantee research proposals and performance through scientific and technical judgment, merit review, site visits/review, and panel reviews.
  • Experience recommending and initiating proposal denials and program terminations relative to atmospheric chemistry.
  • Experience developing, coordinating, and organizing funding allocations for assigned scientific programs.

Specialized experience for the GS-14 level of this position is defined as:

  • Experience managing and evaluating research programs relative to atmospheric chemistry, aerosol physics, cloud physics, observing technologies, transport processes, and analytical methods.
  • Experience participating in the evaluation of contractor, laboratory, and grantee research proposal and performance through scientific and technical judgment, merit review, site visits/review, and panel reviews.
  • Experience developing funding allocations for assigned scientific programs.

Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the KSAs identified below. Cite specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position. DO NOT write "see resume" in your application!

  1. Knowledge of and skill in applying scientific principles of atmospheric chemistry, aerosol physics, cloud physics, observing technologies, transport processes, and analytical methods.
  2. Skill in applying expertise, theories, principles, concepts, standards, and methods to provide evaluation, direction, management, and coordination of all facets and functions of the assigned scientific program.
  3. Ability to plan, budget, and justify funds among a variety of competing programs and requirements.
  4. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

EDUCATION:

This position has a positive education requirement.  Your transcripts MUST be submitted prior to on-boarding if selected.  However, we HIGHLY encourage you to do so with your application.

Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

Education requirements for the 1301 series are:

  1. Degree: 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

  2. Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

The link to the qualification requirements for this series is:  https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/general-physical-science-series-1301/

Additional information

The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

  • New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify
  • Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
  • If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section.
  • More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.
  • Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year.
  • Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
  • All males born after December 31st 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
  • This position is eligible for telework, however, approval is at the discretion of the supervisor.
  • This position is included in a bargaining unit.

EEO Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/EEO_Policy_Statement

Reasonable Accommodation Policy:  https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Reasonable_Accommodation_Policy_Statement

Veterans Information: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Veterans_Information  
Telework:  www.telework.gov
Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/

How you will be evaluated

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

Under this Direct-Hire announcement, all applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements at the grade level they are applying will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration.

Veteran's Preference, Schedule A, Category Rating, and traditional ranking and rating of candidates DO NOT APPLY for this announcement under Direct-Hire Authority.

Your application is rated based on the extent and quality of your experience, education (when applicable), and training as described in your resume and applicant assessment. Your credentials are measured against the established duties of the position at the grade level(s) being advertised.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly.


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