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Summary

This position is part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 08/03/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 3, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—This position is an in-person position at facilities located at Kirtland AFB, NM. 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.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—May be authorized if funds available and with approval from hiring manager
Salary
$107,592 - $139,871 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
25% or less - 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
Yes
Security clearance
Top Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High 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
DTRA-26-13007514-DH
Control number
877068200

This job is open to

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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), Priority Placement Program (PPP) Retained Grade Preference (RGP), and PPP Military Reserve and National Guard Technician eligibles may also apply.

Duties

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As a PHYSICAL SCIENTIST at the GS-1301-13 some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Directs the formulation, development, implementation, and dissemination of a significant component of DTRA's research and development efforts involving Nuclear Weapons Effects (NWE) and to provide technical expertise on these research matters.
  • Technical expert in nuclear phenomenology and able to perform a wide range of functions either individually or through the coordinated efforts of other technical and managerial staff at DTRA, contractor organizations, government laboratories, and universities.
  • Provides expert advice and consultation on legacy NWE modeling and simulation (M&S) test data. Work emphasizes NWE test data and M&S tools that are of direct application to enhancing the effectiveness of the warfighter, and that can serve as initial or exploratory work for future direct applications.
  • Develops required programmatic and fiscal documentation to support the planning, programming, and budgeting system. Develops and prepares contract, Military Intergovernmental Purchase Request (MIPR), Interagency Order (IO), or any other packages necessary to implement projects. Executes all functions necessary to bring procurement actions to a successful conclusion. Provides a high degree of management and technical innovation to provide a quality product that meets requirements at the lowest cost. Maintains required liaison with personnel within DTRA, the military services, DoW agencies, Department of Energy (DOE) and any other organizations.
  • Plans, conducts and chairs meetings to address technical problems concerning area of responsibility, keeping informed and advised on significant developments. Represents DTRA at meetings and as a member on panels and working groups. Keeps abreast of latest scientific theories, experiments, and technology trends which may have bearing upon activities of the Division. Provides scientific advice to the supervisor and DTRA management.

Requirements

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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: Occasionally
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible
  • Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized if funds available and with approval from hiring manager
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible
  • Must consent to and pass pre-employment drug testing and be subject to periodic random drug testing thereafter.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET clearance and access to NATO, CNWDI, RD and Special Compartmented Information
  • Overtime/compensatory time may be required to accommodate operational needs of the organization.
  • Travel in the performance of temporary assignments may be required up to 25% of duty time.
  • This is an Acquisition Workforce position in the Engineering, Technical and Management (EMT) career field. The incumbent will be required to become certified Level Practitioner in the applicable career field 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.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid passport.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS 13 , if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. For the GS-13 grade level, one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, military or private sector:

  • Operating as a Physical Scientist in the nuclear science field
  • Overseeing complex and diverse research, development test, evaluation and assessment nuclear weapon effects efforts independently
  • Leading nuclear weapon effects projects by following guidelines
  • Managing acquisition, development, analysis or evaluation of scientific and technical solutions to Nuclear Weapon Effects Domain problems
  • Utilizing acquisition, development, analysis or evaluation of scientific and technical solutions to NWE domain problems
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 1301, series as listed below:

A. 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.

B. 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

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 Engineering, Technical & Management (EMT) 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.

Defense Threat Reduction Agency

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency provides cross-cutting solutions to enable the DoD, the United States Government, and international partners to DETER strategic attack against the United States and it's allies; PREVENT, reduce, and counter Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and emerging threats; and PREVAIL against WMD-armed adversaries in crisis and conflict.This position is part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

Agency contact information

DTRA Servicing Team
Phone
614-693-0259
Fax
(215) 516-6068
Email
DHRC-DDTRAHR@dla.mil
Address
Defense Threat Reduction Agency
8725 JOHN J KINGMAN ROAD
MSC 6201
FT BELVOIR, VA 22060-6201
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Defense Threat Reduction Agency, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.dtra.mil

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