Duties

Summary

This position is part of the Office of Science - Headquarters, Department Of Energy. As a Physicist, you will serve as a recognized scientific authority and expert in theoretical nuclear physics, and you will plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate research programs in this field.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

As a Physicist, you will:

• Serve as a recognized scientific authority and expert in theoretical nuclear physics, and plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate research programs in this field on a national and international level.
• Examine and ascertain pioneering research needs and opportunities of this research program against scientific and technological advances; leads the development of theoretical research in all areas of nuclear physics.
• Organize, participate in, or lead committees composed of agency, interagency, and government personnel for the purpose of representing the DOE and programmatic interests.
• Prepare, justify, and support portions of the budget relating to theoretical nuclear physics. Propose and implement adjustments to programs during the budget approval process.
• Determine scientific focus and direction of the research program in theoretical nuclear physics; prepare calls for proposals, organize independent peer reviews; recommend funding allocations; and monitor scientific progress of the program.
• Evaluate contractor, DOE laboratory, and grantee research proposals and performance via own scientific and technical judgement, merit review, site visits and reviews, and panel reviews.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
15

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.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Subject to the appropriate background investigation to determine suitability or fitness for federal employment.
• You are required 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).

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the following Basic Education Requirement:

Individual Occupational Requirements
Basic Requirements:
Degree: physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics.
or
Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in physics totaling at least 24 semester hours, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In either A or B above, the courses must have included a fundamental course in general physics and, in addition, courses in any two of the following: electricity and magnetism, heat, light, mechanics, modern physics, and sound.

In addition to meeting the basic education requirements above, applicants must meet the following experience:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-14) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: experience organizing independent peer reviews, recommending funding allocations, monitoring scientific progress of theoretical nuclear physics research and/or related scientific computing; planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating research program and/or projects in the area of theoretical nuclear physics; consulting with scientific personnel both nationally and internationally on sensitive issues and complex areas of importance.

"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.

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

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 Basic Education Requirement.
• There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-15 level.
• 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 job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
• For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

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

This position is announced under a government-wide Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) for Physicist positions in the GS-1310 series. Under the DHA, applicants who meet the Education and Qualification requirements listed in this announcement will be referred for consideration. Veteran's Preference, category rating, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply under the DHA process.
Appointments made under the DHA are processed as "new" appointments. Current Federal employees may be required to serve a new probationary period (5 CFR 315.802(b).
Successful candidates will possess the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Nuclear Physics
Research
Partnering
Financial Management
Technical Competence

Career Transition Assistance Programs: If you are eligible for career transition assistance, such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the Education and Qualification requirements to be referred for consideration.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (08/02/2021) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11144949

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes:

• Your RESUME showing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
Cover Letter, optional , expressing additional information not covered in your resume.
• Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement .Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements.
Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition .

Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

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.