Skip to main content
U.S. flag
 

Summary

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

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 08/17/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 17, 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 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.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Subject to approval
Salary
$121,785 - $158,322 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
Yes - OGE 450
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
DTRA-26-13023235-DH
Control number
878398400

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

  • Serves as a subject matter expert on the development of prototypes in areas such as detection, protection, modeling and simulation, and hazard mitigation.
  • Translates customer requirements into technical objectives and provides alternatives for achieving them.
  • Develops, executes, and assists in the management of assigned projects and investments on behalf of branch and division leadership.
  • Provides expertise to leadership in physical sciences, including applied physics and various fields of chemistry.
  • Represents the division by participating in committees, seminars, and advisory boards to exchange technical information and coordinate on projects.

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: Occasionally
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible
  • Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET/Special Compartmentalized Investigation (SCI) security clearance
  • Incumbent is required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE 450, upon entering the position, annually, and upon termination of employment, in accordance with DOD Directive 5500.7-R, Joint Ethics Regulation, August 30, 1993.
  • Travel up to (25%) is required. Travel may be required to locations within and outside the continental United States.
  • Must consent to and pass pre-employment drug testing and be subject to periodic random drug testing thereafter.
  • 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 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.
  • Valid passport required
  • 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 13 , if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the 12 grade level or equivalent in the federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector). Specialized Experienced is defined as:

  • Conducting research development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) of advanced technologies in physical sciences (e.g., applied physics analytical chemistry, organic chemistry)
  • Translating end-user or customer requirements into concrete technical objectives and specifications for science and technology research projects, particularly in the context of chemical and biological defense
  • Managing and executing technical programs and projects, including coordinating investments, conducting programmatic reviews, and monitoring progress within a Department of Defense (DoD) or government laboratory setting
  • Serving as a technical representative or liaison on advisory boards, committees, or interdisciplinary teams, responsible for communicating technical positions and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders
  • Developing and demonstrating capabilities across multiple areas relevant to countering weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including detection, protection, modeling and simulation, and hazard mitigation.
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:

Basic requirements established by OPM for the 1301 series position:

A. Possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees.
OR
B. Possess a 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 and Technical 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.

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
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

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.