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PHYSICAL SCIENTIST

Department of the Navy
United States Fleet Forces Command

Summary

This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants must follow the directions in the "How to Apply" section of this flyer to be considered. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer. Notice of Result letters will not be sent to applicants who respond to this flyer.

GS-09 = $ 70,623 - $ 91,815
GS-11 = $
85,447 - $ 111,087

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/06/2026 to 05/11/2026
Salary
$70,623 - $111,087 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Suitland, MD
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DE-12950645-26-EIF
Control number
867861200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. CITIZENS

Duties

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  • You will Interpret visible, infrared, synthetic aperture radar, and passive microwave sensor data to identify select environmental features.
  • You will use geographical information systems (GIS) to display data sources, perform standardized analysis, manipulation of data, answer questions regarding sea ice parameters and develop professional graphics.
  • You will use available imagery sources to produce analyses and forecasts with a tailored geographical information system (GIS) that depicts relevant information for routine products and tailored support products.
  • You will compile, analyze and interpret data sources to produce high quality ice analyses and ice forecasts on a global, regional, or tactical scale using World Meteorological Organization (WMO) standardized meteorological symbology.
  • You will demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the principles of geography, oceanography, meteorology and climatology.
  • You will identify and assist in the transition of novel capabilities and initiatives to operations for advanced analysis of satellite imagery, exploitation of model data, and outside agencies products to improve USNIC efficiency and accuracy.
  • You will participate in national and international working groups assigned in support of USNIC operational partnerships.
  • You will provide technical guidance, mentoring, training, and knowledge sharing to fellow ice analysts.
  • You will deploy aboard ship or on land as an ice analyst in support of USNIC customers on a rotational basis.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a US Citizen.
  • Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
  • Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
  • New employees to the Department of the Navy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
  • Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
  • Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (including marijuana) is required. A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if you fail to report to the drug test appointment or fail the test. You will be subject to random testing.
  • You will be required to successfully complete a pre-appointment physical examination.
  • This position is subject to work an uncommon tour, including nights, weekends, and holidays to meet mission requirements. Overtime or night differential pay and/or unusual duty hours may be required.
  • This position may require travel from normal duty station to CONUS and OCONUS and may include remote or isolated sites. You must be able to travel on military and commercial aircraft for extended periods of time.
  • You will be required to complete training, obtain, and maintain a government credit card for travel and travel-related purchases.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain a U.S. Passport.
  • Applicants may be placed on TDY and deploy aboard ships.
  • You will be required to provide medical assessment documents to the receiving duty station showing that the incumbent meets TDY requirements for medical screenings prior to traveling to the point of embarkation.

Qualifications

To qualify for a GS-09:
In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-07 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Applies knowledge of satellite imagery and model data in support of ice analyses and forecasts for regions including the Arctic, Antarctic, Great Lakes, and U.S. Northeastern coastlines.
  • Applies foundational understanding of visible, infrared, synthetic aperture radar, and passive microwave sensor data to identify and interpret select environmental features.
  • Compiles, analyzes, and interprets multiple data sources to produce high-quality analysis and forecasts on a global, regional, or tactical scale using standardized meteorological symbology.

To qualify for a GS-11:
In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-09 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
  • Experienceanalyzing satellite imagery, model data, and produces ice analyses and forecasts for the Arctic, Antarctic, Great Lakes, and U.S. Northeastern coastline.
  • Experience interpreting visible, infrared, synthetic aperture radar, and passive microwave sensor data to identify select environmental features.
  • Experience compiling, analyzing and interpreting multiple data sources to produce high quality ice analyses and ice forecasts in digital or message format on a global, regional, or tactical scale using standardized meteorological symbology.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/general-physical-science-series-1301/

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (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.

Education

Applicants must meet the following positive education qualifications requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual: Applicants must possess:

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
  1. 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.
In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements above, applicants must have specialized experience and/or directly related education as below.

GS-09: Two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.
GS-11: 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

College transcripts must be provided with application to be considered.

Additional information

This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program.

Several vacancies may be filled.

A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.

Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf.

Veteran's preference does not apply when selecting individuals under this specific hiring authority. However, if you claim veteran's preference, you will be required to submit supporting documentation with your application as described in the Required Documents section below.

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.

In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered. Resumes are restricted to no more than 2 pages. Illegible/unreadable resumes will not be considered. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience.

As vacancies occur, the Human Resources Office will review your resume to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this flyer. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume, along with your supporting documentation.

If selected, you may be required to provide additional supporting documentation.

If after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be found ineligible/not qualified.

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

All qualification requirements must be met before being considered for any vacancies.

United States Fleet Forces Command

The Navy and Marine Corps team offers innovative, exciting and meaningful work linking military and civilian talents to achieve our mission and safeguard our freedoms. Department of the Navy provides competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and extensive professional development and training. From pipefitters to accountants, scientists to engineers, doctors to nurses-the careers and opportunities to make a difference are endless.

Civilian careers-where purpose and patriotism unite!

Recruitment / Relocation Incentive may be offered

Agency contact information

Rodrecus Donnings
Email
rod.donnings@noaa.gov
Address
NAVAL ICE CENTER
4231 Suitland Road
Suitland, MD 20746
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at United States Fleet Forces Command, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Pages/Default.aspx

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