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General Physical Scientist

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

Summary

DOE's Clean Energy Corps is made up of the staff from more than a dozen offices across DOE. As vacancies become available, applicants may be required to go through the DOE Clean Energy Corps hiring pipeline where you may be evaluated based on competencies through a core competency /technical interview(s). You are strongly encouraged to express interest through the Clean Energy Corps Applicant Portal for consideration. Failure to do so may result in loss of consideration for BIL positions.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
08/01/2022 to 12/31/2022
Salary
$54,727 to - $176,300 per year

Pay will vary by geographic location and the grade level you are selected.

Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 15
Locations
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Golden, CO
Washington, DC
Idaho Falls, ID
Germantown, MD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
22-CEC-01301-11578214-DH
Control number
668656600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens; This direct hire public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

Duties

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This series includes positions that involve professional work in the physical sciences and may include work in a combination of physical science fields.

This series covers positions managing, supervising, leading, and/or performing professional and scientific work.

  • Vacancies filled under this public notice may have varying levels of promotion potential and supervisory level, if any.
  • Positions may be filled as permanent, term, or temporary with a full-time or part-time work schedule.

As a General Physical Scientist you will:

  • Provide scientific advice and guidance to officials, managers, scientists, and engineer.
  • Serve as an expert for a significant segment of a specific area in one or more of the following: advanced scientific computing research; basic energy sciences; biological and environmental research; fusion energy sciences; high energy physics; nuclear physics; and workforce development.
  • Provide technical guidance on proposed research projects and programs of interest.
  • Coordinate, implement, and evaluate segments of research programs in the assigned area of responsibility.
  • Assemble essential information on topics of assigned segments of research through various source materials.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Subject to satisfactory security and suitability requirements.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Positions may be filled as permanent, term, or temporary with a full-time or part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location.
  • The vacancies filled through these appointments have varying levels of background investigative requirements, up to a Top Secret DOE "Q" clearance.
  • These positions are to be filled under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA - P.L. 117-58).

Qualifications

You must meet the Basic Education Requirement listed in the "Education Requirements" section and the "Specialized Experience" to qualify for this series as described below.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS GS-09: 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-07 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as:

  • Assisting with environmental regulation concepts and principles; AND
  • Gathering and analyzing information concerning environmental impacts; AND
  • Analyzing environmental or scientific information; and preparing or reviewing reports.
OR: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED.

OR: You may qualify on a combination of education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the specialized experience requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the educational requirement must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate level education more than the first 18 semester hours (27 quarter hours) may be combined to be considered for qualifying education. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED.


SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS GS-11: 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-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as:
  • Researching environmental data and making recommendations for efficiencies; AND
  • Performing projects using standard techniques and models related to environmental processes; AND
  • Analyzing environmental or scientific information; and preparing or reviewing reports.
OR: 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree orPh.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED.

OR: You may qualify on a combination of education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the specialized experience requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the educational requirement must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate level education more than 36 semester hours (54 quarter hours), may be used to combine education and experience. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED.


SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS GS-12: 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-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as:
  • Researching and interpreting program related laws, regulations, guidelines, and procedures related to environmental regulations and compliance, AND
  • Preparing technical reports as it relates to environmental issues; AND
  • Monitoring program implementation and making recommendations on the allocation of resources.
NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-12 level.


SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS GS-13: 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-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as:
  • Researching and interpreting program related laws, regulations, guidelines, and procedures related to environmental regulations and compliance, AND
  • Preparing technical reports as it relates to environmental issues; AND
  • Monitoring program implementation and making recommendations on the allocation of resources; AND
  • Applying analytical techniques for assessing the effectiveness or efficiency of environmental operations or work processes.
NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-13 level.


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:
  • Developing environmental regulatory program guidance, procedures, and policies to guide organization in effective program execution; AND
  • Researching and interpreting program related laws, regulations, guidelines, and procedures related to environmental regulations and compliance, AND
  • Preparing technical reports as it relates to environmental issues; AND
  • Applying analytical techniques for assessing the effectiveness or efficiency of environmental operations or work processes.
NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-14 level.


SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS 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:
  • Leading a team of environmental professional to develop and/or manage technical programs and/or projects pertaining to environmental aspects; AND
  • Developing environmental regulatory program guidance, procedures, and policies to guide organization in effective program execution; AND
  • Researching and interpreting program related laws, regulations, guidelines, and procedures related to environmental regulations and compliance, AND
  • Managing time and resources to develop various products or meet program objectives.
NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-15 level.


"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.

OPM Qualification Standards for the GS-0401 series can be found at the following website: General Physical Science Series, 1301 (opm.gov).

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

This public notice may be used to fill multiple positions as needed; therefore, applicants must meet the qualifications at the time the applications are reviewed.

Education

All grades for the 1301 series have a positive education requirement that must be met.

Basic Requirements:

  1. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a Bachelor's degree or higher in 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.
Since this position does have a positive education requirement. You MUST provide documentation supporting any education claims in your application. This documentation can include unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned and final grade.

If selected, official transcripts will be requested.

Additional information

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

  • Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
  • Due to COVID-19, the agency is currently in a maximum telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to telework upon your appointment. As employees are permitted to return to the office, you may be required to report to the duty station listed on this announcement, even if your home/temporary telework site is located outside the local commuting area. Your position may be eligible for workplace flexibilities which may include remote work or telework options, and/or flexible work scheduling. These flexibilities may be requested in accordance with the DOE Workplace Flexibilities policy.
  • This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
  • For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov
  • Status and Non-Status applicants from outside DOE selected under this authority are required to serve a mandatory one (1) year probationary period. A DOE career status employee selected for this position may be required to serve a new one (1) year probationary period, pursuant to 5 CFR 315.802.
  • 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.
  • This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.
  • More than one selection may be made under this hiring authority.
  • Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year.
  • Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
  • Positions may be filled at varying levels of leadership, ie Team Lead, Manager, Supervisor.
  • Supervisory positions may require a 1-year probationary period, if not yet completed.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Relocation or Recruitment Incentive may be authorized.
  • This position may be 100% remote.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Reasonable_Accommodation_Policy_Statement
Veterans Information: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Veterans_Information
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.

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

This position is announced under a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) for General Physical Scientist positions in the GS- 1301 series. Under this Direct-Hire authority, applicants are required to meet minimum qualification requirements at the grade level(s) of interest. Veteran's Preference, Schedule A, Category Rating, and other methods of consideration DO NOT APPLY under Direct-Hire Authority regulations.

Appointments made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the Civil Service. Current Civil Service employees would, therefore, be given new appointments to the Civil Service. Current Federal employees may be required to serve a new probationary period (5 CFR 315.802(b).

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.

Successful candidates will possess the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Problem Solving
  • Reasoning
  • Technical Competence


You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (12/31/2022) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, clickhttps://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11578214.

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