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Physical Science Technician

Department of the Army
U.S. Military Academy
Office of the Dean, Department of Physics
This job announcement has closed

Summary

About the Position: The U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY is an academic institution located in the Hudson River Valley, 50 miles from New York City. The historic site is the oldest continuously occupied military post in America. West Point is a self-contained city with housing, a Department of Public Works, libraries, hospital, fire department, chapels, and restaurants. Employees have access to Eisenhower Hall Theater, Hudson Valley's performing arts center, and recreational facilities.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
03/06/2020 to 03/12/2020
Salary
$67,320 to - $87,517 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 10
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
West Point, NY
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
NEBR203067720222
Control number
561608400

Duties

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  • Conduct laboratory experiments and projects that focus primarily on operating the 1.7 MV Pelletron accelerator and department machines.
  • Analyze data acquired in a variety of laboratory settings.
  • Perform difficult and complex physics experiments in support of the Department of Physics.
  • Guide cadets and instructors in the proper use of all laboratory equipment and components.
  • Guide laboratory instructors and cadet work groups during lab periods in collecting data (e.g. instrumentation readings, measurements, graphs, etc.).
  • Operate and maintain a 1.7 MV Pelletron accelerator and associated equipment.
  • Provide a wide range of instructional support operations including the use of complicated machinery, including a computer numeric controlled (CNC) mill, CNC lathe, laser cutter, and 3-D printer to fabricate parts and items from raw stock.
  • Responsible for the utilization, functioning, setup and procurement of all equipment in the accelerator lab and metal, wood, and welding shops supporting cadet academic instruction.
  • Act as the Department Safety Officer.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment to this position is subject to a background investigation to determine the incumbent's suitability for Federal employment.
  • Appointment to this position is subject to a two year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 315.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

  • Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
  • Current Permanent Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
  • Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
  • Executive Order (E.O.) 12721
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI)
  • Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998
  • Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA)


In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) Utilize computer numeric controlled milling machine, lathe and/or laser cutter to fabricate parts to support classroom, laboratory and/or research activities; 2) Assist with conducting a full range of technical laboratory exercises in the department; 3) Assist with setting up classroom laboratories for instructional proposes; and 4) Maintain laboratory tools and/or equipment for the organization.. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:
  • Applies Technology to Tasks
  • Attention to Detail
  • Oral Communication
  • Self-Management


Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-09).

Education

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • Two year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • This position is eligible for situational telework only, including emergency and OPM prescribed "Unscheduled Telework".
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a Career Program (CP) 16 - Engineers and Scientist (Non-Construction) position.
  • You may claim military spouse preference (MSP).
  • If a MSP applicant is determined best qualified and selected, placement must be at the full performance level for priority consideration.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your résumé and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your résumé and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

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