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Physical Science Technician

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Medical Command
Public Health Command-Pacific, Laboratory Science Division
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: Serves a Physical Science Technician and POC for laboratory samples to include customer support, receiving, and shipping of environmental samples for the Division of Laboratory Services area of responsibility for countries in the Pacific Theater.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
05/31/2024 to 06/13/2024
Salary
$51,332 to - $66,731 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Zama, Camp Zama, Japan
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
FEFC240563308379HM
Control number
793249200

Duties

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  • Receives and processes environmental samples from various installations in the Pacific Theater (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines) for testing using the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) or equivalent.
  • Determines the appropriateness of incoming samples for the requested analysis (i.e. time of sample collection, holding time of samples, potential interference, proper sample type, temperatures, preservatives, etc.)
  • Controls physical and chemical condition of samples.
  • Maintains accurate documentation of records, data, and results following established procedures for processing environmental samples.
  • Ships out samples to contract lab(s) if analysis is not performed in-house.
  • Communicates with customers to resolve problems associated with sample conditions on receipts and provides guidance on proper sampling techniques and shipment of samples.
  • Coordinates shipment of samples with contract lab(s) in advance.
  • Manages and prepares laboratory records (i.e. sample files, raw data files, etc.) for archives per AR 25-400-2, DA PAM 25-403, and/or other established policies and procedures for records management and preservation.
  • Acts as a timekeeper for both in-house and contracted samples and ensure samples meet the turn-around time.
  • Monitors Laboratory Information Management System and various software applications to ensure laboratory personnel are processing samples in accordance with laboratory policies, procedures and governing regulations.
  • Conducts necessary quality control (QC) procedures. Performs internal audit and update of laboratory procedures, as necessary.
  • Operates, calibrates, maintains and troubleshoots all equipment used in screening of samples.
  • Maintains inventory of Sample and Laboratory Information Management Section (SLIMS) supplies, reagents and standards ensuring that SLIMS is properly equipped with supplies to perform sample screening.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • 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.
  • Applicants must comply with the Exceptional Family Member Program requirements as outlined in the DoD Instruction 1315.19.
  • Must be able to satisfy the requirements of the 26JUL12 DODI 1400.25 V1230, DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Employment in Foreign Areas and Employee Return Rights. Visit http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/140025v1230.pdf.
  • This position requires a Public-Trust Background Investigation.
  • This position requires the employee to use personal protective equipment provided by the employer.
  • Incumbent is required to report for duty during inclement weather, natural disasters, and other emergency situations as directed by the Commander and may be required to remain on duty after the official shift ends.
  • Incumbent must maintain a functioning telephone to aid in contact during recall/emergency situations.
  • This position has been identified as being a Key Position under the provisions of AR 690-11, Use and Management of Civilian Personnel in Support of Military Contingency Operations.
  • A Key position is defined as any Army position that cannot be vacated during a national emergency or mobilization without seriously impairing the capability of their organization to function effectively.
  • Because of the essential nature of these positions, the Secretary of the Army, or his/her designee, shall require that they not be filled by Ready Reservists or military retirees with recall obligations.
  • Prior to occupying the position, Civilians must be exempted from recall to active duty because of Reserve or retired military obligations.
  • Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

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 you are currently stationed in the overseas area, all of your overseas time will be credited toward your current overseas tour end date. Your overseas time served will not reset upon accepting this assignment.

If you have returned from OCONUS within the past 2 years or less, your time previously served in the OCONUS area will be credited to your 5 year overseas rotation upon accepting this assignment.

Specialized Experience:
One year of specialized experience which includes 1) utilizing proper handling procedures to collect environmental and occupational samples in connection with wet and general analytical chemistry; 2) applying fact-finding techniques to gather clear cut factual evidence of program compliance with regulations; and 3) utilizing technical guidelines to review, evaluate, and determine laboratory supply requirements for projects. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-08)

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-08).

Separated Military Members: Resumes will be accepted from members of the Armed Forces who indicate in their applications that they are available for appointment within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement. Military members may be appointed while on terminal/transitional leave, before the effective date of their military retirement/separation.

Military Retirees: Within the DoD (Department of Defense), including non-appropriated fund positions, the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following the retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326 or 5 U.S.C. 5305.

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

  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • U.S. citizens overseas under ordinarily resident status are not eligible for appointment under the Status of Forces Agreement.
  • Locality pay does not apply in the overseas area.
  • If an employee brings a child to an overseas location and that child is entitled to attend a DoD school on a space-required basis in accordance with DoDEA Regulation 1342.13, the DoDEA and the Military Department responsible for providing related services will ensure that the child, if eligible for special education, receives a free appropriate public education, including related services pursuant to DoDI 1342.12 and DoDM 1342.12.
  • If an employee brings an infant or toddler (up to 3 years of age) to an overseas location, and that infant or toddler, but for the child's age, is entitled to attend the DoDEA on a space-required basis in accordance with DoDEA Regulation 1342.13, then the Military Department responsible for EIS will provide the infant or toddler with the required EIS in accordance with the eligibility criteria consistent with DoDI 1342.12 and DoDM 1342.12.
  • Employees (and family members) who require medical or dental care in the overseas location will be responsible for obtaining and paying for such care. Access for civilian employees and their families to military medical and dental treatment facilities is on a space-available and reimbursable basis only.
  • Medical and dental care may be provided by host nation providers. The availability and level of care at host nation medical and dental facilities will vary by location.
  • Pay retention may be offered to selected applicants for positions at overseas locations. Pay retention will not be offered as an incentive for employees moving between overseas positions.
  • Selectees may receive certain foreign area benefits such as: Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) or government quarters, home leave, etc. Selectees will have their eligibility for foreign area benefits determined at the time of hire in accordance with Department of State Standardized Regulation (DSSR) and DoDI 1400.25 volume 1250.
  • For positions in a foreign country, that country's laws or international agreements may have a direct impact on the ability of an employee's same sex domestic partner or spouse to accompany the employee and receive certain benefits. If you believe you may be affected by these laws and agreements, you should familiarize yourself with relevant information and direct questions concerning a specific country (Foreign Duty Location) to the appropriate Army Human Resources point of contact prior to the acceptance of employment and your entrance on duty.
  • This is a CP 16 - Engineers and Scientists (Non-Construction) Career Field position.
  • The initial length of this overseas tour is 36 months.
  • Defense National Relocation Program will not be authorized.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations.
  • Student Loan Repayment/Advanced In-hire/Relocation/Recruitment Incentive/Advanced Leave Accrual/POV shipment are not authorized.

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, after reviewing your resume 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.

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.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

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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