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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 the physical scientist responsible for air chemistry, aerosol physics, cloud physics, atmospheric transport, atmospheric observing systems, and analysis research within the Climate and Environmental Sciences Division (CESD) activity involving the atmospheric sciences.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
04/15/2019 to 06/03/2019
Salary
$117,191 to - $166,500 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14 - 15
Location
1 vacancy 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
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
15
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
TN-19-SC-00491-DE
Control number
530533500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

Duties

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As a Physical Scientist (Atmospheric), at the full performance level GS 15 you will:

  • Serve as a Program Manager with responsibility and direction of the Atmospheric Systems Research program.
  • Prepare, justify, and support the portions of the budget relating to the atmospheric sciences.
  • Review reports and studies prepared by other Offices in DOE and other Federal agencies as they impact Atmospheric Systems Research program.
  • Examine and ascertain pioneering research needs and opportunities of this research program against scientific and technological advances and of potential needs of the DOE.

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: 

If selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Statement (OGE-450) upon entering the position, and annually thereafter.

This position requires a Public Trust Background Investigation

This position is part of a bargaining unit 

If you are a current federal employee appointed under Delegated Examining procedures, you will be given a new appointment.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the basic educational requirement, a 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 14 are defined as:

Assembling information on topics of assigned areas, as well as associated topics, through site visits, study of scientific and technical literature, participation in discussions with scientists, engineers, and technical program managers, laboratories, universities, private research institutions, industry and foreign research institutions; participating on a team that develops and prepares analytical documents to communicate with management and higher echelons of government on the status of programmatic phases and new developments and opportunities as they impact atmospheric processes and their impact on climate; coordinating, organizing and supporting the assigned program's portion of the budget; and participating in planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating research programs in atmospheric chemistry, aerosol physics, cloud physics, observing technologies, and transport processes, on a national and international level.

Specialized experience for the GS 15 are defined as:

Planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating research programs in atmospheric chemistry, aerosol physics, cloud physics, observing technologies, and transport processes, on a national and international level; evaluating contractor, laboratory, and grantee research proposals and performance via scientific and technical judgment, merit review, site visits and reviews, and panel reviews; and developing, coordinating, and organizing funding allocations for assigned 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 the current state of a broad range of atmospheric sciences that serve the core research programs supported by Division
  2. Ability to plan, budget, justify, and allocate funds among a variety of competing programs and requirements.
  3. Skill in organization, direction, and coordination of complex and difficult research programs or special projects of major national significance.
  4. Ability to organize and direct diverse groups in the solving of highly complex scientific problems and to identify key synergisms/leverage points that will facilitate major scientific breakthroughs.

"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 with your application package to be considered for this position.

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

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.

More information on qualification requirements for this position can be found at General Physical Science Series, 1301


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.

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.
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.

The Department of Energy uses an application tracking system to evaluate the responses you provide in the applicant assessment questionnaire to place you into an initial quality category via OPM's Category Rating procedures. Then, the HR Office and/or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will conduct a quality review of your application and supporting documentation to ensure you have been placed into the appropriate quality category.

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.

The quality categories are usually defined as "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified", and "Qualified", although they may differ slightly based on individual agency policy.

If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the definition of "well qualified" which is defined as having a score of 85 or better.

If you are a Veteran Preference eligible candidate, you will be listed at the top of whichever quality category your rating places you in. CP/CPS veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except professional and scientific positions at GS-9 and higher.

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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