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Physical Scientist (Environmental)

Department of the Army
United States Army Installation Management Command
Directorate of Public Works Environmental Division

Summary

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

About the Position: Works as a Physical Scientist with the Environmental Division of the Directorate of Public Works.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/25/2026 to 04/06/2026
Salary
$74,678 to - $97,087 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Fort Knox, KY
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
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
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
MCFS-26-12921497-DHA
Control number
862482000

Duties

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  • Serves as physical or biological scientist with responsibility for planning, developing, measuring, analyzing, and describing Solid and Hazardous Waste resources.
  • Resolves issues by personal decision or through contact with higher headquarters, other governmental agencies, etc.
  • Prepares studies, briefing charts, reports, correspondence, etc. on various technical and administrative matters pertaining to the program and presents briefings.
  • Identifies and analyzes generated waste streams at the point of generation and determines waste identification and profiling of the waste streams.
  • Performs field inspections of activities for compliance and monitors condition and operation of various support equipment and instrumentation.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
  • This position may require the employee to work under adverse environmental conditions.
  • Must possess or obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license, and any installation, DOD and/or Federal license or certification required for vehicle operated.
  • Required to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450, (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I Confidential Financial Disclosure Reports) upon entering the position and annually.
  • Incumbent must be proficient in the use of desk top computers and common software to include database, word processing, presentation/publication, electronic mail and internet.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the 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.

Basic Requirement for Physical Scientist:

A. Degree:
Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in 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

B. Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to one of the majors, as 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.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which include 1) Managing one or more environmental programs (i.e. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Clean Air Act, Pollution Prevention Act or Water Pollution Control Act) ; 2) Developing program guidance for implementation throughout the installation and/or serviced area ; and 3) Preparing environmental documents for an organization. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).

OR

Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Physical Science or Environmental Engineering.

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 the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.



Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Additional information

  • 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.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • This position requires you to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter.
  • 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.
  • This is a(n) Engineers & Scientists (Non-construction) Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
  • Recruitment, Relocation, and Retention Incentives may be authorized.
  • Student Loan Repayment Program may be authorized.
  • Salary negotiations for candidates new to Federal service may be authorized.
  • Credit for prior non-Federal experience and certain military service for leave accrual rates MAY be authorized, but must be established prior to entry on duty.

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.

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. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

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.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicants will receive preference consideration at the full-performance grade level only.

Only PPP applicants currently occupying a formal training program position are entitled to exercise their priority status.

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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