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Physical Scientist

Department of Commerce
National Institute of Standards and Technology
This job announcement has closed

Summary

NIST works with industry and science to advance innovation and improve quality of life. We're looking for a Physical Scientist to join our team!

This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
12/16/2024 to 12/30/2024
Salary
$82,764 to - $181,216 per year
Pay scale & grade
ZP 3 - 4
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Gaithersburg, MD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional Travel
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
4
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DO-109-25-12640915-DH
Control number
824065100

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Duties

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Management of the NIST NRC Postdoctoral Research Associates Program; design and implement professional development programs for NIST post-graduate and graduate programs.

In this position, you will:

  • Advise NIST leadership on academic policy development; Plan and implement academic programs to support the organization across all scientific disciplines and organizational units
  • Coordinate NIST engagement with academic institutions, other U.S. government agencies, universities and other entities engaged in postgraduate and graduate academic affairs
  • Prepare and disseminate information regarding academic programs
  • Organize NIST wide teams to facilitate outreach to STEM community on behalf of NIST
  • Represent NIST on USG committees and at other fora to advance NIST academic program; and comment on proposed legislation, policies, procedures, and directives affecting the organization's academic programs.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. citizenship
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Suitable for Federal employment
  • Bargaining Unit Position: No

Qualifications

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

To qualify for the ZP-3 position, this position requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 (ZP-2 at NIST) level. Specialized experience is defined as: Ability to conduct and direct an Academic program, exercise professional leadership, and provide technical overviews; skills in the development of policies, theories, principles, practices, and/or methods; experience in liaison to external stakeholders; demonstrated understanding of scientific internship, fellowship, and associateship programs; ability to justify, defend, negotiate, or settle matters involving significant or controversial issues and/or programs; experience in scientific writing and oral communication to diverse audiences; ability to plan and implement professional development, and mentoring activities; ability to plan, implement, and coordinate graduate, postgraduate, and STEM outreach programs and activities

or

3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree

or

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

or

combination of education and experience.

To qualify for the ZP-4 position, this position requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 (ZP-3 at NIST) level. Specialized experience is defined as: Expertise in Academic program management, professional leadership, and creating technical reports; mastery of the development of policies, theories, principles, practices, and methods; leadership experience as a liaison to USG agencies and academic institutions; demonstrated understanding of scientific internship, fellowship, and associateship programs; expertise in justifying, defending, negotiating, or settling matters involving significant or controversial issues and/or programs experience and leadership in technical activities; extensive scientific writing and oral communication experience; expertise in planning and leading career development, mentoring and coaching activities; ability to plan, implement, and direct graduate, postgraduate, and STEM outreach programs and activities; carries out duties without supervision and recommends improvements to existing systems and processes.

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). 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.

The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.

Applicant Reconsideration

Education


This position has an education requirement. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required before a final offer of employment.

Use of foreign education for qualifications. An accredited organization must evaluate education completed outside of the U.S. to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with course-by-course listing) is required with your application.

Additional information

This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Learn more about the APMS here!

  • Your application package may be shared with other selecting officials at NIST for similar opportunities and additional selections may be made from this vacancy.
  • Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.
  • All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations.
  • A probationary period may be required.
  • This position requires filing an OGE-450 Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of onboarding and annually thereafter.

NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities such as:
  • Telework
  • Flexible work schedules
  • Paid parental leave
  • Paid vacation
  • Sick leave
  • Family-friendly leave
  • Childcare subsidy program for qualifying families
  • Back-up child care program
  • Child and elder-care resources
  • On-site childcare center
  • Lactation spaces
  • Wellness programs
  • Fitness center
  • Employee assistance programs

How you will be evaluated

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

How you will be evaluated: We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documents to assess your qualifications for this position. Please be sure that your resume and supporting documents include detailed information to support your qualifications for this position. Failure to provide sufficient and/or legible evidence in your resume or supporting documents may result in a "not qualified" determination. You MUST select at least ONE eligibility (i.e., how you wish to be considered) to receive consideration for this position.

Referral: All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. Under Direct Hire Authority, applicants are not rated and ranked, and veteran preference does not apply.

CTAP or ICTAP eligibility: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must be determined eligible and rated as well-qualified to receive special selection priority. "Well Qualified" means that in addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective placement factor(s), if applicable, you must receive a score of 85 or higher. Please review the following site regarding required documents to support CTAP or ICTAP eligibility and additional information regarding this authority - CTAP/ICTAP Eligibility

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