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• This is a developmental position being filled at the GS-05, GS-06, GS-07, GS-08, or GS-09 levels. The full performance GS-09 level of this position entails the following duties:
• Set up, operate, and maintain a variety of instruments and/or laboratory equipment to conduct tests, laboratory experiments, and/or field sampling procedures.
• Determine equipment and other resources needed to complete the procedures.
• Calibrate sensitive measurement devices to maintain accuracy and validity of test results.
• Conduct field investigations and facility inspections.
• Anticipate supply and equipment needs for ongoing and upcoming tests.

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
• This position is a Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban commonly referred to as Lautenberg Amendment. This act bans individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence and certain others from possession or access to firearms or ammunition.
• This position meets the criteria for compliance with Federal and Department of the Army Drug Free Workplace Programs. Detection of the presence of drugs is warranted. This position is subject to a pre-employment screening and random testing.
• This position requires you to possess and maintain a valid stateside driver's license.
• This position requires you to wear personal protective equipment and/or clothing.
• This position requires you to obtain certification requirements outlined in AMC-R 350-4 - Training and Certification Program for Personnel Working in Ammunition Operations, and CAAA regulation 350-1 - Explosive Safety Certification Program.

Qualifications

About the Position: Serve as the Physical Science Technician responsible for conducting field investigations using established criteria to collect, analyze, compile, and interpret data to resolve conventional problems, questions, or situations.

Who May Apply: US Citizens

This position will be filled at the GS-05, GS-06, GS-07, GS-08, or GS-09 level. If selected at the GS-05, GS-06, GS-07 or GS-08 level, noncompetitive promotion to the full performance level is authorized.

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or 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:

GS-05 Level: One year of specialized experience which includes:

• Experience interpreting and applying procedures to collect samples or routine information;
• Experience using manual or automated systems to record analysis results; and
• Experience making operational adjustments to a variety of instruments and equipment.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04).

OR

The OPM Qualification Standard provides the following: Examples of qualifying specialized experience include work in the fields of astronomy, physics, geophysics, chemistry, hydrology, health physics, engineering, electronics, geology, oceanography, and metallurgy. Experience as a laboratory mechanic or in a trade or craft may be credited as general or specialized experience when the work was performed in close association with physical scientists or other technical personnel and provided intensive knowledge of appropriate scientific principles, methods, techniques, and precedents.

NOTE: Completion of appropriate training such as in service training programs, training acquired while serving in the Armed Forces, and government-sponsored developmental training programs will be allowed credit on a month-for-month basis depending upon its applicability. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

OR

Education: A full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (a) with major study in an appropriate field of physical science, or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as physical science, engineering, or any branch of mathematics, except financial and commercial mathematics. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education by 120. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

GS-06 Level: One year of specialized experience which includes:

• Experience maintaining records of scientific data;
• Experience utilizing computer software to collect and compile testing or sampling data;
• Experience assisting with instrument setup and calibration; and
• Experience selecting procedures to produce desired results.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

OR

The OPM Qualification Standard provides the following: Examples of qualifying specialized experience include work in the fields of astronomy, physics, geophysics, chemistry, hydrology, health physics, engineering, electronics, geology, oceanography, and metallurgy. Experience as a laboratory mechanic or in a trade or craft may be credited as general or specialized experience when the work was performed in close association with physical scientists or other technical personnel and provided intensive knowledge of appropriate scientific principles, methods, techniques, and precedents.

OR

Education: 6 months of graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position, such as Physical Sciences, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science background, Material Testing, Material Science, or Mathematics. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education (directly related to the occupation) and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 9. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

GS-07 Level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level in the federal service which includes:

• Experience interpreting and applying sample testing, principles, guidelines and procedures;
• Experience maintaining records of scientific data;
• Experience assisting with instrument setup and calibration; and
• Experience preparing, processing, or verifying samples.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-06).

OR

Education: One full academic year of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as Physical Sciences, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science background, Material Testing, Material Science, or Mathematics. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education (directly related to the occupation) and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)


GS-08 and GS-09 Specialized Experience and/or Education description listed below:

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.

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