Duties

Summary

This position is located in the NIST Engineering Laboratory.

Are you ready to explore your future with NIST?

Your application package may be shared with other selecting officials at NIST with opportunities like the one you are applying to. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.

This announcement will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the date the first 100 applications are received or July 15, 2019, whichever comes first.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The Engineering Technician will support the Inorganic Materials Group of the Materials and Structural Systems Division in its experimental work. Duties include the following: (a) preparing samples for microscopic analysis or structural testing, (b) performing measurements using documented procedures or ASTM International standards, (c) using highly specialized laboratory instruments and operating overhead cranes and forklift trucks, and (d) handling chemicals and other hazardous materials while contributing to the laboratory's safety culture. This position will support and advance the world-class research of engineered materials for resilient infrastructure.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
04

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen
• You must be registered for Selective Service if applicable (www.sss.gov)
• You must be suitable for Federal Employment
• Merit applicants must meet time-in-grade/band requirements, as applicable
• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment medical examination is required.

Satisfactory completion of pre-employment medical examination is required.

Applicants must meet requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Time-in-grade/band requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement unless eligible for special hiring authority, reinstatement eligible, non-current Federal employee applying as a VEOA eligible which do not require time-in-grade/band.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

FOR A ZT-III

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to a GS-5-8 (ZT-II at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as experience (a) using combinations of chemicals, cutting tools, and structural testing lab equipment to prepare specimens for testing, (b) testing specimens in a research laboratory environment with documented safety protocols, and (c) collecting and recording laboratory data and reporting results to researchers.

OR

Two full years of Graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position.

OR

A master's degree that is directly related to the work of the position.

FOR A ZT-IV

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to a GS-9-10 (ZT-III at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as experience (a) using combinations of chemicals and cutting tools to prepare specimens for microscopic analysis or structural testing, (b) certified operating of an overhead crane or forklift truck, (c) testing specimens in a research laboratory environment with documented safety protocols, (d) collecting and recording laboratory data and reporting results to researchers, and (e) independently managing one's laboratory tasks across multiple projects.

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.

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains Federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the OPM website located at http:///www.opm.gov/qualifications

Applicants may request reconsideration of their qualifications determination within three business days from the date their applicant status was changed. Applicants should email the Agency Contact listed in this vacancy announcement with their written request listing the announcement number; explaining why the original determination was improper; what factors were not considered; and, should provide any other pertinent information that would enable reevaluation.

Education

This position allows you to qualify and be considered based on your education. To receive this consideration, please submit a copy of your transcripts to document that you have met the education requirement. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, official transcripts will be required prior to a final offer of employment.

Foreign education: Individuals educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for a U.S. equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. View a listing of these accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website . Provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing.

Additional information

A probationary period may be required.

This position has physical requirements that include:

Internal Factors: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), light lifting (under 15 pounds), light carrying under 15 pounds), reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (1 hour), standing (1 hour), crawling (1 hour), kneeling (1 hour), both legs required, operation of crane, truck tractor or motor vehicle, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, ability to distinguish basic color, hearing (aids permitted), hearing,

External Factors: outside, outside and inside, dust, solvents (degreasing agents), grease and oil, working around machinery with moving parts, working around moving objects or vehicles, working on ladders or scaffolding, working with hands in water, working closely with others, working along, and intermittent noise.

This position is covered by an Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS). This system replaces the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and grade with career paths and pay bands. For information regarding how the pay bands correspond to the General Schedule, click here.

Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, salary, duties performed for each position, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level/pay band.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the job opportunity announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions). Your resume and/or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered.

The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:

* Skill in managing and conducting laboratory tests

* Skill in performing data analysis and reporting results

* Skill in maintaining, assembling or designing laboratory testing apparatus

* Knowledge of how to work in a safe laboratory environment

* Skill in performing a breadth of laboratory measurements

* Knowledge of Portland cement or concrete materials and construction-related test methods

Applying under a Special Appointing Authority (i.e., VRA , 30% or more disabled veterans , Peace Corps, Schedule A/persons with disabilities ): if you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, you will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration and may be contacted for an interview. If two or more VRA candidates apply and one or more is a preference eligible, Veterans' preference will be applied.

Applying as a Merit Candidates: Your responses to the job questionnaire will serve as the basis for identifying best qualified candidates. Best qualified Merit and Veterans Employment Opportunity Act ( VEOA ) eligibles (i.e., candidates in the GOLD category) will be forwarded for consideration to the selecting official and may be contacted for an interview. Candidates must also meet time-in-grade/pay band requirements for consideration. Non-competitive consideration will be given to those Merit candidates that have held a position with the same promotion potential as the position advertised. Documentation (in the form of an SF-50) is required to show proof of promotion potential or highest grade held.

Applying as an Agency Based candidate (i.e., outside the Federal government), your application package will be placed in one of three categories based on your responses to the assessment questions; Gold, Silver, or Bronze. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. If non-veterans can be referred, the Best qualified (i.e., candidates in the GOLD category) will be forwarded for consideration to the selecting official and may be contacted for an interview. More information about the three categories can be found at: Category Rating

Applying as a CTAP or ICTAP candidate: CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information regarding CTAP and ICTAP appointments and eligibility can be found at - CTAP/ICTAP

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

The documents you are required to submit vary based on how you're applying (i.e., as a veteran or disabled veteran, current or former Federal employee, etc.). Please review the information on the following link to determine if there are any documents you need to provide - REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Failure to submit required documents, based upon how you apply, may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Official documents are not required at the time of application, copies are sufficient. If selected, official documentation must be submitted prior to appointment.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

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.