Duties

The Department of Energy is seeking motivated and highly-qualified candidates for exciting positions available in multiple locations throughout the United States.

The mission of the Energy Department is to ensure America's security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.

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:

• Provide scientific advice and guidance to officials, managers, scientists, and engineer.
• Serve as an expert for a significant segment of a specific area in one or more of the following: advanced scientific computing research; basic energy sciences; biological and environmental research; fusion energy sciences; high energy physics; nuclear physics; and workforce development.
• Provide technical guidance on proposed research projects and programs of interest.
• Coordinate, implement, and evaluate segments of research programs in the assigned area of responsibility.
• Assemble essential information on topics of assigned segments of research through various source materials.

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 1-year probationary period.
• 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.
• Appointments made with this authority may be processed as a new appointment into the Civil Service.
• The vacancies filled through these appointments have varying levels of background investigative requirements, up toa Top Secret -DOE "Q" clearance.
• Positions may be covered by a bargaining unit. Bargaining unit will vary by departmental element, grade, and/or location.
• Positions may be included in the DOE's Technical Qualifications Program (TQP). Selectees for included positions are required to complete the TQP requirements within 18 months of entering the program or 12 months if previously qualified.
• Positions may require submittal of a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of entering the position and annually.
• Positions may be a Testing Designated Position (TDP) subject to applicant testing and random drug testing thereafter. Failure to test or a positive result on random drug tests conducted after appointment may result in removal from Federal employment.
• This position is eligible for full-time remote work. If selected, you will be required to sign a remote work agreement that details remote working conditions and expectations for the position. Work may only be performed from a location in the U.S.

Qualifications

You must meet both the Basic Requirement and the Specialized Experience to qualify for this series as described below.

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.

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 specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-09). Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting at least 2 of 4 of the following:

• Utilizing basic scientific techniques, procedures, and methods to provide support in the planning, development or implementation for components of assigned programs/projects;
• Carrying out, interpreting, and explaining basic studies to evaluate program or project performance;
• Preparing parts of reports or written evaluations to explain and convey findings related to scientific studies, programs, projects, or processes; and/or
• Assisting in identifying and resolving scientific issues which could have an impact on the program/project.

OR

Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, or Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. For this position, this is defined as a degree in physical science, engineering, mathematics or a similarly related major.

OR

Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first two years of full-time study may be credited).

GS-12: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11). Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting at least 2 of 4 of the following:

• Applying scientific practices to research, analyze, interpret, and evaluate results of studies, programs, projects, or processes;
• Planning and conducting scientific studies to evaluate and recommend ways to improve program or process efficiency;
• Performing and interpreting calculations, analyses, and computations to develop recommendations for coordinating projects or programs in an efficient and cost-effective manner; and/or
• Drafting reports or written evaluations to explain and convey findings related to scientific programs, projects, or processes.

GS-13: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-12). Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting at least 2 of 4 of the following:

• Applying advanced scientific practices to research, analyze, interpret, and evaluate results of studies programs, projects, or processes;
• Planning and conducting complex scientific studies that included determining the relevancy and use of aesthetic, factual, economic/financial, engineering or scientific information, in order to evaluate and recommend ways to improve program or process efficiency;
• Performing and interpreting calculations, analyses, and computations that involved unknown factors or relationships to develop recommendations for coordinating projects or programs in an efficient and cost-effective manner; and/or
• Reviewing scientific reports or written evaluations to ensure quality and accuracy.

GS-14: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-13). Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting at least 2 of 4 of the following:

• Analyzing the application of experimental scientific theories and/or new applications and developments for research and development;
• Devising, customizing, overseeing, and/or evaluating specialized scientific studies systems, processes, and applications;
• Developing requirements, long term goals, objectives, and schedules for the accomplishment of applied research and development, and deployment of technologies or methodologies; and/or
• Preparing, presenting, and evaluating scientific plans, designs, reports, presentations, and briefings to convey the status of research projects or programs.

GS-15: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-14). Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting at least 2 of 4 of the following:

• Developing and documenting scientific research plans that involved applying experimental theories or new applications or developments;
• Managing and successfully executing significant projects impacting an important segment of the company or agency's mission;
• Providing expert scientific advice to senior colleagues or company or agency officials responsible for broad program operations in order to advance programs or methods; and/or
• Evaluating complex technical issues and research results associated with the integration of methodologies to recommend future program research needs.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-12 through GS-15 levels.

"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 certificates are requested.

Education

This vacancy has a positive education requirement. In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible".

If substituting education for specialized experience you must submit proof of your qualifying education. Failure to provide college transcripts may result in a rating of 'Ineligible'.

Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

Additional information

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

• This public notice is to gather applications for current and future vacancies that may or may not result in a referral or selection.
• Applications will expire 90 days after receipt.
• There may or may not be promotion potential depending upon the actual position filled.
• Pay will be determined based on the duty location of the position; remote employees will receive the locality rate associated with the location of their remote worksite, typically the employee's place of residence. For more information on locality and pay scales, click here .
• 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.
• Hiring incentives may be authorized in accordance with regulation and policy.
• 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.
• 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.
• Position may require you to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USOGE, 6/08). For additional information and to obtain the form, please visit the Office of Government Ethics.
• 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/