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Physical Scientist (ESS Terrestrial)

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Germantown, Maryland
Closing date
Sep 14, 2019
Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Science, Office of Biological and Environmental Research, Climate and Environmental Sciences Division. This position serves as a Physical Scientist responsible for Environmental System Science, with a particular focus on subsurface research, involving in particular process level understanding and predictive modeling of hydro-biogeochemistry, hydrology, geomorphology, and the fate and transport of energy-related contaminants.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

As a Physical Scientist, you will:
  • Serve as a recognized technical expert in the process-level science and modeling of subsurface systems, with expertise that includes hydro-biogeochemistry, hydrology, geomorphology, and the fate and transport of energy-related contaminants.
  • Manage, plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate research programs in this field on a national and international level in consultation with the supervisor and senior program managers in the office.
  • Evaluate contractor, DOE laboratory, and grantee research proposals and performance via own scientific and technical judgment, merit review, site visits/reviews, and panel reviews.
  • Prepare, justify, and support the program's portion of the budget. Proposes and implements adjustments to the program during the budget approval process and in the case of unanticipated developments.
  • Contribute to timely accomplishment of team goals and objectives within team-oriented management approach, as a member of office ad-hoc teams.


Travel Required

Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a United States Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
  • Resume and question responses must be submitted online.
  • Subject to satisfactory security and suitability determinations.


OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
  • This position is included in the bargaining unit.
  • Work occasionally requires travel away from the normal duty station.
  • Selection made under this announcement will be processed as a new appointment to the Civil Service
  • Status and Non-Status applicants from outside DOE selected for this position 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.
  • This is a public Trust Position.


Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

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 for the GS-13 level of this position is defined as:

Specialized experience at the GS-13 is defined as experience involving support of management and evaluation processes involving research projects and/or programs relative to the environmental sciences, with particular emphases involving biogeochemistry, hydrology, analytical methods, experimental efforts, and numerical modeling.

Experience as a technical reviewer of proposals or program support processes, such as panel reviews, where scientific and/or technical judgment is a critical component of the process.

Specialized experience for the GS-14 level of this position is defined as:

Experience managing and evaluating research programs relative to the environmental sciences, with particular emphases involving biogeochemistry, hydrology, analytical methods, experimental efforts, and numerical modeling.

Experience participating in the evaluation of contractor, laboratory, and grantee research proposal and performance through scientific and technical judgment, merit review, site visits/review, and panel reviews.

Specialized experience for the GS-15 level of this position is defined as:

Experience managing, planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating research programs relative to the environmental sciences, with particular emphases involving biogeochemistry, hydrology, analytical methods, experimental efforts, and numerical modeling.

Experience evaluating contractor, laboratory, and/or grantee research proposals and performance through scientific and technical judgment, merit review, site visits/review, and panel reviews.

Experience recommending and initiating proposal denials and program terminations relative to the environmental sciences.

Experience developing, coordinating, and organizing funding allocations for assigned scientific programs.

Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the KSAs identified below. Cite specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position. DO NOT write "see resume" in your application!
  • Knowledge and skill in the application of advanced concepts, theories, principles, and practices of the physical science field.
  • Ability to evaluate and make authoritative technical and programmatic judgments on concepts, proposals, experiments, and alternative solutions to technical problems.
  • Knowledge of the principles, methods, and practices of program management review and appraisal techniques to review and evaluate contractor plans, policies, and proposed procedures necessary for implementation of operational policies and procedures.

  • "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.

    CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

    You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

    The unofficial transcripts must be legible and include your name, major, school name/location, course title/number, date completed, grade and number of credits earned.

    Education

    EDUCATION:

    This announcement has a positive education requirement. You must provide transcripts with your application to receive consideration.

    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.

    BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR GS-1301, PHYSICAL SCIENTIST:

    TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE PROVIDED

    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.

    In addition to meeting the "Basic Requirements" described above, applicants must also have at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service.

    Additional information

    The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
    • New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn 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.
    • 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.
    • More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.
    • Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year.
    • Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
    • 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
    Telework: www.telework.gov
    Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/

    How You Will Be Evaluated

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

    Under this Direct-Hire announcement, all applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements at the grade level they are applying will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration.

    Candidates will be referred to the Selecting Official, when requested, throughout the open period of this announcement.

    "This announcement is open to the public. This position is announced under a new special hiring authority (5 U.S. Code § 2102)

    Under this special hiring authority, Veteran's Preference, category rating, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply. If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet minimum qualifications for the position to be referred for consideration."

    You will be notified via email when you are being considered for any new position that becomes available. If your resume is incomplete or if you fail to submit required documentation, you may be rated 'ineligible' or 'not qualified'.

    You can make updates to your resume and/or documents during the open period of the announcement.

    To preview questions please click here .

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance
    Other

    Drug test required
    No

    Required Documents

    Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants.
    If you are unsure, click the link for each document type to read more.

    ALL APPLICANTS: You must submit a about what is expected in your resume." href="https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/How_to_create_your_resume" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">resume supporting your specialized experience and responses to the online questionnaire.
    • Your resume should list all work experience (paid and unpaid); you must list the full name and address of the each employer.
    • For all types of work experience, you should indicate the start and end dates (include month, day, and year); you must also list the average number of hours per week that you worked.
    • For paid work experience, please indicate your starting grade/salary for each position and the highest grade/salary you earned (if different).
    • Your resume should also include any education and training you have completed (list the program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
    • For more information about what to include in your resume, please view this USAJOBS Resume Tutorial video on YouTube.

    Most DOE offices will allow you to submit a resume in the format of your choice (as an attached document or as a USAJOBS Resume Builder format). However, some offices may require one specific format. You will be notified at the time you click 'Apply Online' which type of resume is acceptable. It is important that you are complete and thorough in your resume. If any of the above information is not included in your resume, we may not be able to fully credit you for your experience.

    Current and former Federal employees: Most recent SF-50 (Standard Form 50 - Notice of Personnel Action).

    To properly verify status eligibility, your SF-50 must show the following. If you do not submit an appropriate SF-50, we cannot verify your status eligibility!
  • Full position title;
  • appointment type;
  • occupational series;
  • pay plan, grade, and step;
  • tenure code; and
  • service computation date (SCD).

  • If specific educational requirements are indicated for this vacancy: experience." href="https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Education" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Documentation verifying your educational claims which can include unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned and final grade. Please see the Education section for more information.

    Veterans: authorities and the documentation you need to submit" href="http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/index.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">veteran eligibility documentation (DD-214 Member #4 Copy, VA Letter, Standard Form (SF) 15 as applicable). Please note: If you are a veteran who has not yet been discharged, you may provide a statement of intent to discharge from your agency to receive Veterans Preference under the VOW (Veterans Opportunity to Work) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011.

    Persons with Disabilities: Individuals with intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities may apply for appointment through the Schedule A hiring authority. flexibilities for persons with disabilities" href="https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Certified verification of a disability from a licensed medical professional; a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist; or any Federal, state, or District of Columbia agency or U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits will be required.

    Displaced Federal employees who qualify for CTAP/ICTAP: If you are a former Federal employee who was displaced due to a Reduction-in-Force (RIF) or surplused by some other means, please submit a copy of the separation letter or RIF notice from your agency. To be selected under I/CTAP, you must still be found well-qualified for this position. Please see the OPM Guide to Career Transition for more information.

    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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