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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 Office of Science, Office of Biological and Environmental Research, Climate and Environmental Sciences Division (CESD), Physical Scientist responsible for enhancing predictive modeling capabilities, through the incorporation of advanced parameterizations, adaptive mesh grids, improved physics, and software as part of Earth and Environmental system models.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
05/30/2019 to 07/29/2019
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 - Travel may be required for training purposes.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—PCS will not be authorized; however, incentives MAY be authorized, subject to availability of funds.
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-00505-MP
Control number
534872100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current Federal employees with competitive status. CTAP/ICTAP eligible. Former competitive service Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility. Current Excepted service employees in agencies with an active interchange agreement. Those eligible under Schedule A, 30% Compensable veterans, VEOA, or other non-competitive hiring authority. Proof of eligibility must be included with your application.

Duties

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As a PHYSICAL SCIENTIST (Earth and Environmental Systems Modeling), you will:

  • Serve as a recognized technical authority and expert in Earth and Environmental System modeling, including internationally recognized scientific knowledge of at least one of the following system components: atmospheric, ocean, terrestrial, and cryosphere.
  • Serve as an expert and consultant to other scientists engaged in Earth and Environmental Systems modeling science, and senior management in areas of assigned responsibility.
  • Serve as a Program Manager determining scientific focus and direction of the Earth and Environmental Systems Modeling research program.
  • Examines and ascertains pioneering research needs and opportunities of the Earth and Environmental Systems Modeling program against scientific and technological advances and of potential needs of the DOE.
  • Evaluate contractor, DOE laboratory, and grantee research proposals and performance via own scientific and technical judgment, merit review, site visits and reviews, and panel reviews

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a United States Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
  • Resume and question responses must be submitted online.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

  • Incumbent will be required to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report form. For additional information, please visit the Office of Government Ethics.
  • A preliminary background check may be completed before a new employee can begin work. Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.
  • Position subject to Public Trust Clearance - Tier 2.
  • Only experience obtained at the time of the application will be considered; however, you can update your resume and application submission at any time during the opening period of this vacancy announcement.

Qualifications

BASIC EDUCATION QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

  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 above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

More complete information on individual occupational requirements for this position can be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/general-physical-science-series-1301/

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

GS-14:  A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-13) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: consulting and negotiating with leading government and scientific personnel both nationally and internationally on sensitive issues and complex areas of importance to all involved parties; or managing, planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating research programs in Earth and Environmental Systems modeling on a national and international level in consultation with the supervisor and senior program managers in the office. 

GS-15:  A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-14) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluate research programs in Earth and Environmental system modeling on a national and international level; consulting and negotiating with leading government and scientific personnel both nationally and internationally on sensitive issues and complex areas of importance to all involved parties or preparing, justifying, and supporting the portions of the budget relating to the atmospheric sciences.

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. Ability to implement, and manage the research program, including acting on emerging opportunities, determining funding levels.
  2. Knowledge of selecting and ascertaining the qualifications and suitability of peer reviews for proposed new programs and on-going programs.
  3. Ability to evaluate the comprehensiveness, balance, appropriateness and applicability of the reviews received.
  4. Knowledge of securing essential information in all aspects of a broad range of the Earth and Environmental Modeling sciences that serves the core research programs supported by the Division.
  5. Ability to prepare calls for proposals organizing independent peer reviews, recommending funding allocations, organizing meetings, serving as a liaison on committees, and monitoring scientific progress of the program.

"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.

Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration.

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

This vacancy has a mandatory education requirement (also known as a "positive educational requirement"). Therefore, you must provide documentation supporting any education claims in 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.

Additional information

  • The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
  • 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 Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) OR 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.
  • The duties described in this announcement do not necessarily reflect all of the duties of the positions to be filled; however, they are illustrative of the type of work to be performed.
  • Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year.
  • This position is eligible for telework, however, approval is at the discretion of the supervisor.
  • 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 determine if you meet the minimum qualifications necessary for this position. Then, the HR Office and/or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will conduct a quality review of your application and supporting documentation to determine if your qualifications meet the criteria for referral to the selecting official.

We will also verify that you are eligible for Merit Promotion positions by reviewing your previous Federal employment to ensure you meet Time-in-Grade requirements. If you are eligible to apply to Merit Promotion announcements based on Veteran or other non-competitive statuses, we will verify your supporting documentation prior to referral.

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 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.
To preview questions please click here.

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