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Professional Staff - Materials Engineer/Scientist

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Arlington, Virginia
Closing date
Aug 22, 2019
Duties

Summary

The U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board offers unique opportunities to address complex environmental challenges of national and international importance while working on a team of professionals from a variety of scientific and technical disciplines.

Please click "Learn more about this agency" for more information regarding the Board.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

KEY REQUIREMENTS:
  • Resume and supporting documents (See Required Documents).
  • Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Qualifications as listed in the "Qualifications Required" section of this announcement.
MAJOR DUTIES:

Members of the Board's Professional Staff:
  • Have knowledge and experience in a discipline related to understanding the properties of materials, especially corrosion of metals, as related to the management and geologic disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.
  • Take responsibility for drafting reports based on the Board's multidisciplinary evaluation of DOE's technical and scientific activities related to the management and geologic disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.
  • Develop background information to assist the Board in its deliberations by reviewing reports prepared by DOE and its contractors, as well as reports in the open literature.
  • Follow general direction on work assignments as provided by the Executive Director, with latitude to initiate new work and new directions of inquiry.
  • Identify and present to the Board recommendations on new areas of inquiry that should be considered for evaluation.
  • Organize and participate in public meetings, technical discussions, and workshops that are held as part of the Board's review of DOE activities.
  • Maintain knowledge of scientific and engineering developments within their assigned areas of responsibility.
  • Represent the Board at meetings and conferences, including making presentations on the results of the Board's review of DOE activities.
  • Have opportunities for professional development in their fields of expertise through participation in, and contributions to, scientific and technical meetings.
  • Prepare reports for the Board summarizing and analyzing information obtained during visits to technical facilities and meetings, and from document reviews.
  • Work across disciplines considering some of the issues that require multidisciplinary considerations and approaches.
  • Assist other professional staff members in executing their duties when assigned to do so.


Travel Required

Occasional travel - Some international travel may be required.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
00 - Merit increases in salary commensurate with performance, potentially up to the maximum of the pay range.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment


BACKGROUND CHECK:

A background check will be required prior to the Board extending an offer of employment.

Qualifications

Applicants must have:
  • A master's degree or higher, or equivalent experience, in a relevant scientific or engineering field, such as materials science or engineering, chemistry or chemical engineering, nuclear engineering, geochemistry, or other similar or related fields.
  • A solid understanding of topics or disciplines related to the properties of materials, especially corrosion of metals, relevant to the interim storage, transportation, and geologic disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.
  • The ability to evaluate the potential performance of different waste forms and engineered barrier systems in repository environments and identify potential problem areas for Board review.
  • Superior communication, synthesis, and writing skills, including the ability to accurately summarize Board deliberations and prepare draft reports based on those deliberations in a timely manner.
  • Ability to analyze technical information from multiple disciplines and communicate the results of the analyses clearly and effectively in written reports and presentations to Board members, Congress, and Department of Energy senior management, as appropriate.
  • Ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team, including Board members and staff, and to assist with reviews being performed by other staff members.
  • The necessary skills to organize teams, manage meetings, and supervise the production of reports and other documents.
Additional desirable qualifications:
  • Familiarity with the U.S. program and/or programs in other countries for managing and disposing of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.
  • Experience in completing and/or evaluating field, laboratory, and/or modeling studies.
  • Potential for effective participation in teams with respect to planning, coordinating, and executing projects. Relevant project experience may include participation on interdisciplinary teams, project management, and workshop-coordination.


Education

Foreign Education: In order to demonstrate that education completed in other countries meets the qualification requirements, applicants must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by an organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs, and that such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. program. Otherwise, proof must be provided to show that full credit has been given for the courses at an accredited U.S. college or university. For further information, visit:
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

BENEFITS:
The Board offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part: paid vacation, sick leave, ten Federal holidays per year, life insurance, and medical benefits. The selected applicant's salary will be based upon the applicant's education, background, and professional experience.

OTHER INFORMATION:
  • This position is subject to the financial disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978. The selected applicant will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days after appointment to this position. This information will be required annually.
  • Relocation expenses or relocation incentives as described in 5 U.S.C. § 5753 may be authorized in accordance with applicable travel regulations, agency policy, and available funding.
  • A background check will be required prior to the Board extending an offer of employment.
The Board is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for appointment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

A panel of the Board's staff will initially evaluate each application on the basis of the resume, the written statement, the most recent performance appraisal (if the applicant is a current or former federal employee), and any other documents submitted by the applicant to support the application. The evaluation process may also include contacting referees provided by the applicant to obtain references. Based on this initial evaluation of the applications, the panel will recommend which candidate or candidates should be interviewed by an interview board. The interview board may include the Chair, other Board members, the Executive Director, and members of the Board staff. Candidates may be requested to provide additional documents and may also be required to demonstrate writing capabilities during the selection process. The Board may evaluate applications, identify one or more candidates to be interviewed, and extend one or more offer(s) of employment prior to the closing date for this job announcement.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

Applicants' packages must include the following:
  • Resume;
  • A written statement presenting the applicant's key qualifications, experience, and skills and discussing how these relate to the required and desirable qualifications indicated above, and to the duties of the position;
  • Most recent Performance Appraisal (for current or former federal employees); and
  • Phone and e-mail contact details for three individuals familiar with the applicant's professional skills and experience. The applicant should indicate when those individuals might be contacted to request a letter of reference and/or a telephone call.
Incomplete applications may be rejected.

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.

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