Duties

This series includes positions that involve professional work in the physical sciences and may include work in a combination of physical science fields.

As a Physical Scientist, at minimum you will:

• Conceive, design, perform and document a broad range of economic analyses and research assignments involving conditions and problems pertaining to Energy and bring such studies to meaningful conclusions.
• Evaluate impact of new technologies, systems, policies, and international market forces.
• Document study purposes, methods, assumptions, and conclusions, and briefs high-level officials. Acquire thorough parametric knowledge of subjects to perform sound, authoritative economic analyses.
• Obtain, compile, organize, and analyze economic data. Select critical elements of real world systems for inclusion in models and applies economical techniques in innovative ways.
• Monitor and conduct special studies important to agency decision makers. Analyze in innovative ways, the effects of different policies and advises high level managers of positive and negative effects of the different policies and policy options.
• Generate ideas for new programs, policies, studies and approaches in assigned subject areas.
• Brief study sponsors and high level officials on findings and conclusions of studies, and on relationships of conclusions to existing and proposed policies and policy options.
• Apply extensive knowledge of issues, problems, and subjects studies to assure results reflect real world environments.
• May serve as a project leader, assuming responsibility for the development of project planning, coordination of overall team efforts, and maintaining appropriate lines of communication.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Subject to satisfactory security and suitability requirements.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• This a remote position, the expected hours of work are covered by multiple time zones EST, CST, MST, and PST.
• The actual salary will be based on the geographic location of the individual(s) selected for this position.
• Selectee may be required to travel for limited visits to a Department of Energy office to attend trainings or meetings.
• This vacancy announcement will be used to fill STEM positions.
• The vacancies filled through these appointments have varying levels of background investigative requirements, up to a Top Secret - DOE "Q" clearance.
• Appointments made with this authority may be processed as a new appointment into the Civil Service.
• All applications will expire every 120 days. In order to continue receiving consideration for these positions, it is necessary to ensure your application remains active by re-applying/updating every 120 days.
• Positions are located agency-wide and may be filled as permanent, term, or temporary with a full-time or part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location.

Qualifications

You must meet the Basic Requirement and "Specialized Experience" to qualify for this series as described below.SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

The specialized experience listed are the minimum requirements for the series, each particular vacancy may have additional experience necessary to meet the applicable grade level.

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for these positions are defined as:

GS-11: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. Experience defined as:

• Conducting site investigations and surveys to determine compliance requirements; participating in policy and guidance development to enable organizational implementation of policy or program initiatives.
• Assisting in preparing technical reports, standard operating procedures, correspondence, and local guidance documents to achieve and support compliance with Federal and local guidelines.
• Providing research and science support information for program policy or program management.

OR

3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.GS-12: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Experience defined as:

• Communicating progress, status, and approval in order to evolve efficient and technically adequate responses.
• Providing assistance in the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of research programs; analyzing regulations to resolve environmental compliance issues during project execution.
• Leading a research group and/or project; and/or assisting with monitoring program implementation and making recommendations on the allocation of resources.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-12 level.

GS-13: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Experience defined as:

• Communicating progress, status, and approval in order to evolve efficient and technically adequate responses; preparing reports to recommend solutions to compliance issues.
• Performing consulting or other professional, scientific, technical, administrative, fiscal, or other specialized work.
• Performing management planning duties such as concept development, master integration planning, and programming design for programs or projects, taking into account feasibility, costs, and economics.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-13 level.

GS-14: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Experience defined as:

• Performing consulting or other professional, scientific, technical, administrative, fiscal, or other specialized work.
• Reviewing and evaluating program priorities and conduct periodic scientific reviews to evaluate facility performance.
• Preparing, justifying, and supporting the portions of the budget relating to the program.
• Analyzing regulations to resolve compliance issues during project execution.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-14 level.

GS-15: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service. Experience defined as:

• Evaluating the effect of technical developments on fundamental policies, objectives and goals.
• Developing new concepts, plan, and evaluate long-range programs and projects.
• Planning and executing specialized programs on scientific, technical, administrative, and fiscal matters.
• Developing and managing funding for scientific research programs, determining funding levels, and recommending proposal, denials and program determinations for assigned programs.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-15 level.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

OPM Qualification Standards for the GS-1301 series can be found at the following website: OPM Qualification Standards for the GS-1301 series.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section. This public notice may be used to fill multiple positions as needed; therefore, applicants must meet the qualifications at the time the applications are reviewed.

Education

Basic Requirement:

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.

OR

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.

This position has a positive education requirement. Therefore, you MUST provide documentation supporting any education claims in your application. This documentation can include unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned and final grade. For specific education requirements, please see the Education Requirements.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

If selected, official transcripts may be requested.

Additional information

The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
• Applications will expire 120 days after receipt.
• Applicants are limited to 4 geographic locations.
• For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov
• Status and Non-Status applicants from outside DOE selected under this authority are required to serve a mandatory one (1) year probationary period. A DOE career status employee selected for this position may be required to serve a new one (1) year probationary period, pursuant to 5 CFR 315.802.
• If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section.
• This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.
• More than one selection may be made under this hiring authority.
• Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year.
• Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
• Positions may be filled at varying levels of leadership, ie Team Lead, Manager, Supervisor.
• Supervisory positions may require a 1-year probationary period, if not yet completed.
• New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify
• Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
• All males born after December 31st 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register . If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.

EEO Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/EEO_Policy_Statement
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Reasonable_Accommodation_Policy_Statement
Veterans Information: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Veterans_Information
Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/