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Physical Scientist

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 Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: Perform major work efforts in support of Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP) by establishing environmental compliance and conservation strategies that are effective, sustainable, and support mission readiness.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted this week · Apply by 07/09/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 9, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$57,055 - $109,777 per year

Currently, this position is authorized 1.49% Cost of Living Allowance in addition to the salary listed.

Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 11
Promotion potential
11
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
IPA1-26-12992467-DHA
Control number
874454900

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Duties

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  • This is a developmental position; duties listed below will be performed in a developmental capacity at the GS-07 grade level. At the full performance, GS-11, the incumbent will:
  • Conduct and/or coordinate the environmental program at the installation.
  • Plan, scope, coordinate and oversee detailed hazardous waste site investigations, feasibility studies, risk assessments, and site remediation.
  • Provide guidance, reporting, and surveillance of Environmental program.
  • Select work techniques, methods and procedures for accumulating, assessing, abstracting and collating data.
  • Prepare studies, surveys, specifications, and cost estimates for environmental related projects.

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.
  • Temporary Duty (TDY) travel may be required up to 5% of the time.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience 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:
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:

GS-07
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes explaining environmental issues and problems pertaining to contaminated sites; and collecting and recording environmental data and field reporting observations, and data quality review. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service GS-05.
OR
Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
OR
Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:
(1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR
(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR
(3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achshonor.org/).
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) by 18. Add the two percentages.

GS-09
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes assisting in conducting scientific studies, analyses, and/or tests related to environmental studies of contaminated sites. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service GS-07.
OR
Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 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 biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
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 first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.

GS-11
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes applying federal, state, and local laws and regulations as they relate to environmental management and conducting scientific studies, analyses, and/or tests. 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 biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
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.
  • This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • 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) Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • 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 or Relocation Incentive are not authorized.
  • Management may select any grade level announced for this position.
  • This position does not confer automatic promotion to the target grade.
  • Incumbent may be eligible for non-competitive promotion to target position upon meeting time-in-grade restrictions and the following requirements:
    • Incumbent demonstrates ability to perform at target grade level;
    • Supervisor recommends promotion;
    • Incumbent completes all required training, and conditions of employment; and
    • Incumbent completes all regulatory requirements for career ladder promotions. Consequently, promotion is not guaranteed.
  • Further certification from this announcement may take place up to 90 days beyond the closing date of this announcement.
  • Since Alaska is considered a non-foreign overseas location, statutory return rights for current DoD employees are applicable in many circumstances.
  • Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
  • Applicants must comply with the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) requirements as outlined in the DoD Instruction 1315.19. For more information on EFMP, please visit the following link: https://www.armymwr.com/programs-and-services/personal-assistance/exceptional-family-member-program.

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.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

United States Army Installation Management Command

Civilian employees serve a vital role in supporting the Army mission. They provide the skills that are not readily available in the military, but crucial to support military operations. The Army integrates the talents and skills of its military and civilian members to form a Total Army.

Looking to make a difference?

Join our team! Army Materiel Command (AMC) is the Army's primary logistics and sustainment command, responsible for managing the global supply chain and ensuring installation and materiel readiness across the Total Force.

AMC is one of the Army's largest commands with nearly 165,000 military, Army Civilian and contractor employees, impacting all 50 states and more than 150 countries. Since 1962, AMC has played a significant role in supplying our forces during wars, conflicts and contingencies, and providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief. From managing the Army's global supply chain to providing quality of life programs for Soldiers and families; from providing financial management and contracting capabilities to leading the way in data analytics, AMC's missions are wide ranging and critical.

AMC's workforce is at the core of the command's support to the Warfighter. If you are ready to take your career to the next level and be part of a culture that puts people first, we have an extensive array of career paths available. Join today and be the power behind ensuring the best equipped and sustained fighting force in the world.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
A1-W6L7AA US ARMY INSTALLATION MGMT CMD-ALASKA
DO NOT MAIL
Fort Wainwright, AK 99703
US

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https://www.amc.army.mil

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