Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results
 

Supervisory Physical Scientist

Department of Defense
Defense Threat Reduction Agency

Summary

This position may be filled using Direct Hire Authority: Z5CAV/Direct-Hire Authority (Certain DoD Personnel) PL 118-31, Sec 125OB (i)(2), 12/22/2023.This position is being filled under the memorandum from the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)) "Expansion of Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense," dated August 12,2024.

This is an acquisition position. For more information please see:
AcqDemo.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/17/2026 to 03/23/2026
Salary
$169,279 to - $197,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Fort Belvoir, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—This position is an in-person position at facilities located at Fort Belvoir, VA. 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.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DTRA-26-12912599-DH
Control number
861439300

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to All U.S. Citizens, and is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority (DHA) for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense. Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612)(NonComp Mil Sp), NonComp Appointment of DoW Civilian Employee Spouses, Priority Placement Program (PPP) Retained Grade Preference (RGP), and PPP Military Reserve and National Guard Technician eligibles may also apply

Duties

Help

As a Supervisory Physical Scientist at the GS-1301-15 some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Serves as Supervisory Physical Scientist, and Chief, Experimentation Branch, in the Strategic Engagements Division in the Research and Development (RD)-Chemical and Biological (CB) Technologies Department.
  • Incumbent is responsible for managing a portfolio aimed at evaluating emerging technologies in the broad area of Chemical and Biological Defense (CBD) for the warfighter.
  • Experimentation efforts include, but are not limited to the planning, coordination, and execution of Technology Concept Assessments, Technology User Assessments, and Advanced Technology Demonstrations.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen
  • Occasional Travel
  • Work Schedule: Full-time
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Overtime: None
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible
  • Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): 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 obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance.
  • Must consent to and pass pre-employment drug testing and be subject to periodic random testing thereafter.
  • Travel required CONUS and some travel OCONUS (25%).
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid passport.
  • This is an Acquisition Workforce position in the Engineering and Technical Management functional area. The incumbent will be required to become certified in the Practitioner tier within 4 years.
  • The incumbent is required to acquire a minimum of 40 continuous learning points (CLPs) every year as a goal and 80 CLPs being mandatory within 2 years.
  • The employee must be willing to comply with each Combatant Command (COCOM) travel medical requirement to include vaccinations

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-15, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service, military or private sector:

  • Evaluating emerging technologies in the broad area of Chemical and Biological Defense (CBD) for the warfighter and planning Technology Concept Assessments, Technology User Assessments, and Advanced Technology Demonstrations to meet missions, goals and objectives
  • Directing and guiding multi-functional development teams, providing status and decisional briefs to senior leadership and leading interdepartmental and intergovernmental relationships and agreements to accomplish programs objectives
  • Creating research and development programs/projects, including gap analysis, strategy development and implementation, and project initiation, providing direction and oversight to ensure the integrity and quality of technical program planning and execution
  • Evaluating acquisition policies and procedures to ensure program effectiveness, cost-efficiency, and achievement of goals and objectives to include the development of financial plans associated with complex multi-project research and development portfolios by managing financial resources to achieve obligation, expenditure goals and adjusting financial plans based on new requirements
  • Presenting technical and programmatic issues to varying levels and background audiences through both oral and written communication

In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 1301, series as listed below:
  • 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.
  • 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
*NOTE: Transcripts are required to apply for this position

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional information

Other Notes:
ACQUISITION POSITION: This is an Acquisition Workforce position in the Program Management functional area. The incumbent will be required to become certified in the Practitioner tier within 5 years. The incumbent is required to acquire a minimum of 40 continuous learning points (CLPs) every fiscal year as a goal and 80 CLPs being mandatory within 2 years.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements: Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses

RE-EMPLOYED ANNUITANT: This position DOES NOT meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Who Needs to Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov))

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your resume and supporting documents, to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified below, required for this position.

Traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply to this vacancy. Your application (resume and supporting documentation) will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required as listed on the announcement under qualification requirements.

For information on entitlement see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx

Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612) (NonComp Mil Sp): To receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the " Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612) (NonComp Mil Sp)" eligibility. If you are claiming Military Spouse eligibility and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager. Information and required documentation for claiming Military Spouse eligibility may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below.

Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible:- Submit a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as the notification letter you received showing you are no longer eligible for military or NG membership (through no fault of your own) and that you have completed at least 15 years of technician service and a minimum of 20 years of service creditable for non-regular retirement.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible:- You must provide a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist, DD3145-1 (whs.mil), a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF) 50 effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.