General Engineer/Physical Scientist Job

Vacancy No. 25-XA-NNSA-12576819-DH Department National Nuclear Security Administration
Salary $51,332.00 to $159,950.00 Grade 2 to 4
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/17/2024 Close Date 4/23/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Livermore, CAWashington, DCScoville, IDGermantown, MD


Summary

This General Engineer/Physical Scientist public notice announcement may be used to fill many vacancies across NNSA as needed.

Therefore, applicants must meet the qualifications at the time the applications are submitted. This public notice may or may not result in a referral or selection.

Note: The salary range listed reflects base pay only. The actual final salary will be based on the geographic location (to include locality pay) and pay band for which selected.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This position is announced under Direct Hire Authority for General Engineer/Physical Scientist positions. This position is open to United States Citizens; Veteran's Preference, category rating, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply under the Direct Hire process.

Duties

Note: Vacancies filled under this public notice may have varying levels of promotion potential, if any.

As the employee progresses in the position, they are delegated a higher degree of responsibility for independently making decisions concerning both technical and administrative policies and for resolving controversial problems and/or conflicting points of view.

The duties performed as a General Engineer/Physical Scientist are based on the organizational program office selected for. Some of the duties may be to:

NN-02:

  • Monitor project operations, performance, and quality assurance and advise about National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) policies and regulations.
  • Participate in program or project information planning sessions, phase, milestone and final project reviews.
  • Prepare, provide, and evaluate plans, design specifications, designs, and related documentation.
  • Develop project materials and executing project plans.
  • Prepare technical correspondence, reports, briefings, and presentations outlining methods used, findings, and conclusions.
NN-03:
  • Provide technical guidance and assistance to senior agency program managers in the application of the advanced principles, practices and techniques of a specialized field of engineering/science.
  • Review and interpret headquarters' guidance, program plans and strategies.
NN-04:
  • Provide scientific/engineering advice, guidance and assistance to NNSA program offices or site managers on the interpretation and application of technical requirements and policies, execution of priorities and schedules, implementation of data exchanges and standardization, evaluation of significant modifications and/or alternative approaches, and initiation of revisions or corrective actions as required.
  • Review budget input from contractors, make revisions as appropriate.
  • Recommend revisions to program schedules and resource information.
  • Establish and track performance against technical milestones.
  • Review progress of engineering/scientific technical activities; compare costs and schedule to established baseline; and provide timely and accurate status reports to management.
*Vacancies filled under this public notice may be filled at the NN-02, NN-03, or NN-04 grade levels. There may or may not be promotion potential depending on the position being filled and the office making the selection.

**Positions may be filled at varying levels of leadership (i.e., Team Lead, Manager, Supervisor).

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Subject to Random Drug Testing
  • Must pass a pre-employment drug test.
  • Favorable suitability determination required.
  • Financial Disclosure is required.
  • Must be able to obtain/maintain a Q level Security Clearance.
  • You must be a United States Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
  • Compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity which will require that you provide two forms of identification.
  • More than one position may be filled from this vacancy announcement.
  • If you are a current federal employee, appointed under the direct-hire authority, you will be given a new appointment.
  • You will be required to serve a mandatory one (1) year probationary period unless you meet the exceptions in 5 CFR, part 315.802.
  • If selected for a supervisory position, a one (1) year supervisory probationary period under 5 CFR, part 315.901 may be required.
  • Must be able to obtain certification in the DOE's Technical Qualification Program (TQP) within 18 months of start date. This position is covered by the Technical Qualification Program (TQP), which requires the incumbent to acquire and demonstrate competencies identified in the TQP Functional Area Qualification and Field Office specific standards and requires certification of the competencies by NNSA supervision and TQP qualifying officials. https://ntc.doe.gov/student/stp/techqualprogram
  • Position may require Human Reliability (HRP) Certification.

Qualifications

Note: Educational transcripts must be submitted with your application package, unofficial transcripts will be accepted during the initial phase of application.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements listed under the Education section, you must possess the following specialized experience depending on the grade you're applying for:

NN-02:
A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA pay band level or GS grade level (NN-01 or GS-09) in the Federal Service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as:
Experience applying general engineering or physical science principles and practices to address portions of engineering and/or scientific programs and projects; analyzing facts, conditions, and data to draw conclusions and making recommendations; and drafting technical reports, papers, and or memoranda and orally communicating technical findings.

-OR-

Completion of three full years of graduate level education or all of the requirements for a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a field directly related to Engineering or Physical Science;

-OR-

A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience.

NN-03:
A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA pay band level or GS grade level (NN-02 or GS-11) in the Federal Service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as:
Experience in applying at least two of the following: ensuring regulatory compliance of programs and projects; reviewing guidance, program plans and strategies; developing review plans for assessments; familiarity with processing systems and equipment in a nuclear or non-nuclear facility; recommending solutions to scientific, engineering, or program management problems and issues; or evaluating operating practices and procedures against regulatory requirements.

NN-04:
A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA pay band level or GS grade level (NN-03 or GS-13) in the Federal Service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as:
Experience in at least three of the following: applying engineering or physical science disciplines to enforce regulatory compliance of programs and projects; independently providing guidance to program plans and strategies; recommending solutions to complex scientific, engineering, or program management problems and issues associated with nuclear and non-nuclear projects or facilities; demonstrating knowledge and ability to evaluate mechanical, electrical, and/or chemical process equipment issues in a nuclear or non-nuclear facility; demonstrating knowledge in root cause analysis and various industry codes and standards; or demonstrated experience evaluating operating procedures and practices against regulatory safety standards for a nuclear facility.

Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the following competencies. 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!

  • Communication
  • General Engineering
  • Partnering
  • Project Management
  • Technical Competence


"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

0801/1301:
To qualify for the (0801) Engineering series, you must possess:

A degree in professional engineering. The curriculum must: 1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology as a professional engineering curriculum; or 2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: a) statics, dynamics; b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; d) thermodynamics; e) electrical fields and circuits; f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.

-OR-

A combination of education and experience- for more information, please refer to the OPM Qualification Standards at Professional Engineering Qualifications (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/all-professional-engineeringpositions-0800/).

To qualify for the (1301) Physical Science series, you must possess:

A degree in 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-

A combination of education and experience. For more information, please refer to the OPM Qualification Standards at Physical Science Qualifications (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/general-physical-science-series-1301/)

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

EDUCATION: Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. A written evaluation of any foreign education must be provided with your application in response to this vacancy announcement or be received by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide this evaluation will result in you being found unqualified for the position. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education, see the Department of Education website, and for a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, visit The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.

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.

**If you are selected, official transcripts will be required.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. A written evaluation of any foreign education must be provided with your application in response to this vacancy announcement or be received by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide this evaluation will result in you being found unqualified for the position. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education, see the Department of Education website, and for a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, visit The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Please Note: If your foreign education has already been accepted by an accredited U.S. educational institution as part of a degree program with that institution, you do not need to provide an evaluation of foreign education but must submit a copy of the transcripts listing the degree from the U.S. accredited institution that accepted your foreign 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.

Additional information

  • The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
  • 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 Click HERE for more information.
  • If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website Click HERE 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.
  • A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified applicant in accordance with Agency policy..

EEO Policy: Click HERE.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Click HERE.
Veterans Information: Click HERE.
Telework: Click HERE.
Selective Service Registration: Click HERE
Information about the NNSA Demonstration project can be found by clicking HERE.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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 General Engineer/Physical Scientist positions in the0801/1301 series. Under the DHA, all applicants who meet the Qualification requirements listed in this announcement, at the grade level they are applying, will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration. Veteran's Preference, category rating, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply under the DHA process.

Federal employees eligible for career transition assistance plans such as CTAP, or ICTAP, requesting selection priority, must meet the Qualifications requirements listed in this announcement and be found "well qualified" for the position. Well-qualified is defined as: experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, including any selective factors, demonstrated by proficiency in most of the requirements of the job, requiring only limited training or orientation to perform effectively.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', or not qualified,

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.

To preview the application questionnaire, click the link below.
https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12576819

Required Documents

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 resume supporting your specialized experience and responses to the online questionnaire.

  • Your resume shall 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 shall 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, you shall indicate your starting salary for each position and the highest 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).
  • You may list all incentive awards on your resume.
  • Please limit your resume to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

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!

  1. Full position title;
  2. appointment type;
  3. occupational series;
  4. pay plan, grade, and step;
  5. tenure code; and
  6. service computation date (SCD).

If your current position SF50 does not indicate you have competitive service status or does not reflect the pay plan and grade of the highest position you have held in the competitive service, in addition to your current SF50, you must provide your previous SF-50s that provide the proof of competitive status and highest grade held on a permanent basis.

For Professional, Scientific and Engineering Positions: If qualifying on the basis of an alternate method, i.e., professional license, you must submit official documentation to support your claim with your application package.

Veterans: 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. 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 Click HERE for more information.

Applicants using education to qualify (if allowed): Documentation verifying your educational claims which can include unofficial transcripts. Education cannot be substituted for experience in some positions at higher grade levels. Please see the Education section for more information.

Performance Appraisals: Submit your two (2) most recent performance appraisals. Your performance appraisals and incentive awards will be given due consideration in the selection process based on their relation to the duties of the position and the consistency with which they may be considered in evaluating you against other applicants. If the performance appraisals are not available, please provide a written statement of explanation and upload as a separate document.

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.

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration.

The application process is as follows:

  1. You must have a login.gov account to sign into USAJOBS: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/account/.
  2. To begin the application process in USAJOBS, click the Apply Online button.
  3. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation.
  4. You must click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 pm (ET) on the announcement closing date.

You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account, select Update Application: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

To verify the status of your application, during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account; applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

If you need help with login.gov or USAJOBS (e.g., account access, Resume Builder) visit the USAJOBS Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/

If you experience difficulty applying on USAJOBS, after clicking the Apply Online button, or you are experiencing a significant hardship hindering your ability to apply online, the Agency Contact listed in the announcement can assist you during normal business hours. If you receive any system error messages, take screenshots if possible, to aid technical support.

Agency contact information

Anne Burghardt
Address
National Nuclear Security Administration
24600 20th St SE
Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5507
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

After each step in the recruitment process, your status will be updated in our application tracking system. Once this happens, if you have elected to receive e-mail updates, you will be notified through your USAJOBS registered e-mail address. If you have not elected for e-mail updates, you can review your current application status in USAJOBS at any time. Please check that your USAJOBS profile contact information is current and correct each time you apply to a job--this will ensure we are able to contact you as quickly as possible. In addition to changing your status online, the system will send you e-mail notifications at each major step in the process, to include: application received, eligible or not eligible, referred or not referred, selected or not selected.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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