Duties

This position is being filled under the DoD Modified Direct Hire Authority.

As a PHYSICAL SCIENTIST at the GS-1301-13/14 some of your typical work assignments may include:

• Formulates research projects that require the integration of both internal and external requirements, including mission needs generated by the CCDRs, Services, Joint Staff, OSD, Allies and other DoD components.
• Plans, organizes and carries through to completion analytical studies and research to develop advanced nuclear threat detection capabilities and systems.
• Conducts analysis of alternatives and explores other disciplines to determine optimal solutions to overcome the "limitations of physics" characteristic of nuclear signatures.
• Develops and contributes new test and evaluation criteria, principles and techniques that are regarded as major advances in their field of expertise.
• Manages complex contracts with multiple tasks, multiple performers, and possibly jointly with separate agencies and international partners.
• Responsibilities at this level involve highly unstructured and interconnected problems involving both difficult technology and complex programmatic issues.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Travel in the performance of temporary assignments may be required up to 25% of duty time.
• Work Schedule: Full-time
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Overtime: Occasionally
• Tour of Duty: Flexible
• Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Required
• Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible
• COVID19: All Federal Employees must be fully vaccinated by November 22, 2021. Please see, additional information.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET/SCI security clearance.
• Must consent to and pass pre-employment drug testing and be subject to periodic random drug testing thereafter.
• Overtime/compensatory time may be required to accommodate operational needs of the organization.
• This is an Acquisition Workforce position in the Science and Technology Management (STM) career field.
• The incumbent is required to become certified, Level II in the applicable career field within 24 months, unless a position requirements waiver is approved to extend the 24 months.
• The incumbent must obtain a minimum of 80 continuous learning points (CLPs) for every 2 year CLP period, with a goal of at least 40 annually.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid passport.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS 14 , if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service as listed below:

• Extensive experience in nuclear detection techniques and systems (including, but not limited to, ionizing radiation detection) including experience in developing and directing the development of such systems to meet DoD or interagency missions, goals, and objectives.
• Extensive experience in assessing complex portfolios of research and development projects including gap analysis, strategy development and implementation, and project initiation.
• Extensive experience in planning a complex research and development portfolio comprised of multiple individual projects and managing finances toward stated obligation and expenditure goals.
• Experience in modeling and simulation, integrated sensor networks, data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning is also desired.

You may qualify at the GS 13 , if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service as listed below:

• Experience in nuclear detection techniques and systems (including, but not limited to, ionizing radiation detection) including experience in developing and directing the development of such systems to meet DoD or interagency missions, goals, and objectives.
• Experience creating, guiding, and developing research and development programs/projects.
• Experience developing financial plans associated with multi-project research and development portfolios, and managing financial resources to achieve obligation and expenditure goals.
• Experience in modeling and simulation, integrated sensor networks, data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning is also desired.

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.

In addition to meeting the specialized experience for this position, you must meet the below Individual Occupational Requirements of education and/or experience for the position.

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 Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

YOU MUST PROVIDE TRANSCRIPTS TO DEMONSTRATE HOW YOU MEET THE MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION. FAILURE TO PROVIDE TRANSCRIPTS WILL DEEM YOU INELIBLE FOR THIS POSITION.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims.

All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Foreign Education

Additional information

COVID19 - All Federal Employees must be fully vaccinated by November 22, 2021. Proof of vaccination will be required.

Due to COVID-19, the agency is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily or intermittently telework.

Other Notes:

ACQUISITION POSITION: This position requires Acquisition Workforce Level Certification Science & Technology Management (STM) career field, Level II; certification prior to hiring is not essential but must be accomplished within 24 months after entry into this position.

RE-EMPLOYED ANNUITANT: This position DOES NOT meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs: This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Who Needs to Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov) )