Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current permanent competitive service Department of Defense (DoD) employees. Veterans eligibilities include 30% or more Disabled Vet, Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) and Eligible Veterans (VRA). Military Spouse P{reference (MSP), Retained Grade Preference (RGP) and Military Reserve and National Guard Technician eligibles may also apply.

As a Physical Science Technician (Health Physics) at the GS-1311-11/12 some of your typical work assignments may include:

• Participate as a member of the Technical Support Group (TSG) to deploy in support of Combatant Commander and other federal D/As in WMD emergency response events and training.
• Develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive Radiation Safety Program for the Technical Support Group (TSG) in an effort to monitor and reduce the levels of radiation exposure with emphasis on the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) philosophy.
• Provide initial education and training to new employees regarding safety procedures for all personnel using radioactive materials and continuous training to clients and existing employees.
• Monitor the exposure levels of all employees working with radioactive materials: monitors all purchase of radioactive materials.
• Independently survey and evaluate all areas using ionizing radiation for proper security, shielding, use and ventilation; prepares new license applications and amends existing licensure when necessary.
• Responsible for the TSG Radiation Safety Program, Hazardous Materials shipping program and all aspects of Health Physics and Radiation Control for the TSG.
• Responsible for all shipping and receiving functions, which includes hazardous materials.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation. Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECURITY/SCI security clearance.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Work Schedule: Fulltime
• Overtime: Overtime/compensatory time may be required to accommodate operational needs of the organization. Must be willing to work overtime during exercise play and real-world crisis.
• Recruitment Incentives: Authorized, https://www.dtra.mil/Careers-Opportunities/DTRA-Opportunities/
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Non-Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Not Required
• Telework Eligibility: This position may be eligible for limited, situational telework subject to supervisory approval and not to exceed current Agency guidelines. This position is not eligible for remote telework.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test screening and pass subsequent periodic random drug testing. Multiple failures to pass periodic drug testing will result in termination from federal service.
• Must be willing to spend up to (but not limited to) 90 days annually in temporary duty travel, sometimes on short notice, in the United States and foreign countries.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical prior to entry onto duty and annual deployment physical exams. Must meet the physical and medical requirements for deployment before and throughout employment.
• Must be capable of lifting and carrying for short distances, loads up to 50 pounds, standing for long periods (8 hours), and be able to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including body armor and a protective mask.
• May be exposed to CBRN and hostile enemy threats. May be required to participate in the DoD Immunization Program. The work may require long hours in a field environment and under austere conditions.
• This position is Emergency-Essential (E-E).
• This position authorizes the incumbent to carry a firearm.
• This position may require the incumbent to be exposed to ionizing radiation. Radiation monitoring may be required IAW DoDI 6055.08 Occupational Ionizing Radiation Protection Program to ensure compliance.
• Certification required as a shipper of Dangerous and Hazardous Materials and as a driver of vehicles transporting dangerous and hazardous materials or be able to obtain such certifications within six months of employment.
• Must be able to support the operation and maintenance of a NRC Radioactive Materials License or be able to obtain such certifications within six months of employment.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-11, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. For the GS-11 grade level: I have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade (GS-9) or equivalent in the federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector). Specialized Experienced is defined as:

• Applying radiological health physics and safety principles, practices, regulations, procedures, methods, techniques, and standards and emerging practices and methods.
• Applying principles involving the capabilities, limitations, operations, design characteristics and in the functional use of a wide variety of types and models of health physics equipment and systems.

You may qualify at the GS-12, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. For the GS-11 grade level: I have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade (GS-11) or equivalent in the federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector). Specialized Experienced is defined as:

• Applying radiological health physics and safety principles, practices, regulations, procedures, methods, techniques, and standards and emerging practices and methods while working with regulated radioactive sources.
• Managing and applying principles involving the capabilities, limitations, operations, design characteristics and in the functional use of a wide variety of types and models of health physics equipment and systems.
• Administering a radiological safety program which supports the organization's acquisition, storage, transportation and use of radioactive sources.

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.

In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 1311 series.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the Occupational Questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Competencies:

• Education And Training
• Hazardous Materials
• Health Physics

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP):This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria AND 2) be rated well-qualified for the position AND 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. Well-qualified means you possess the type and quality of experience that exceeds the position's minimum qualifications.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP): To receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the (RGP) eligibility. If you are claiming RGP and are determined to be Well Qualified for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant.

Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible (PPP DoD MRNG):In order to receive this preference, you must choose the (PPP DoD MRNG) eligibility, and fill out and submit the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist and copies of the appropriate documentation.

Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) (PPP MSP): In order to receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the(MSP) (PPP MSP) eligibility. If you are claiming MSP (PPP MSP) and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant.