Interdisciplinary Physical Scientist/Chemist

Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizens; and ICTAP/CTAP eligible(s) within in the local commuting area. Also advertised as job # MS-26-DAL-MSHA-13065628-KAS for current federal employees in the competitive service; VEOA eligible(s); Reinstatement eligible(s), Land and Base Management eligible(s); Military Spouses; OPM Interchange Agreement eligible(s); and CTAP/ICTAP eligible(s) within the local commuting area. To be considered for each vacancy, apply to both announcements.

This job is also open in another announcement to:

Federal employees - Competitive service

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Land and base management

Veterans

Military spouses

Special authorities

The responsibilities described apply to both the Physical Scientist and Chemist position titles.

• Performs complex analyses of airborne mine particulates.
• Prepares and analyzes samples for quartz using x-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
• Prepares and analyzes fume, water, and bulk samples for elemental composition using inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy.
• Analyzes diesel particulate samples using an elemental carbon analyzer.
• Analyzes dust samples for size and number concentration using microscopic and electronic counting techniques.
• Reviews the background material submitted with the samples, determining approaches as needed.
• Modifies and adapts standard methods and procedures to solve analytical problems.
• Evaluates and interprets analytical findings, reporting results and makes recommendations as needed.
• Evaluates the acceptability of samples, stating the method used, modifications of the method, the results and the impact of any quality control deficiencies on data usability.
• Interprets analytical data as it relates to project goals. Explains analytical results as needed.
• Independently works out the required test procedures and methods for the analysis of particulate samples that may require modification of standard or generally acceptable methods of analysis.
• Validates the method with known samples and prepares reports of results in the standard MSHA format.
• Keeps abreast of the latest developments in the field of industrial hygiene sample analyses and environmental chemistry and recommends new instrumentation and/or techniques which may be applicable.
• Provides technical advice to laboratory personnel and consults with outside scientists in the specialty area.
• Processes laboratory data using various commercial and custom made computer software programs.
• Prepares technical manuscripts dealing with the work conducted.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
• Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.
• Subject to financial disclosure requirements.

Qualifications

You must meet the Basic Requirements to qualify for Physical Scientist/Chemist, as described below. Transcripts must be submitted to verify education requirements.

Basic Requirement - Physical Scientist:
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 in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Basic Requirement - Chemist:
Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics.

OR

Combination of education and experience -- course work equivalent to a major as shown in A above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to the basic requirements as described above, your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience defined below. Be sure these types of examples are evident in your resume.

Specialized Experience is the experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform the duties of the position successfully, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.

GS-07:
Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-5, in the Federal Service that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, experience and skills to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience must include the following:

• Experience in using chemistry and/or physical science principles, theories, practices, typically used to perform limited standardized tests and analyses in accordance with accepted methods; and

• Experience in using a variety of analytical instruments to perform routine and limited analyses.

OR

Applicants must have one full year of graduate level education (coursework directly related to position being filled);

OR

Superior Academic Achievement:
1) Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
2) Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.
3) Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society -- Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the
national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision. (Proof of membership must be submitted.)

OR

An appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above.

GS-09:
Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-7, in the Federal Service that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, experience and skills to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience must include the following:

• Experience utilizing the operation, maintenance and calibration of analytical instruments (x-ray diffractometer, FTIR spectrometer, inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometer, or elemental carbon analyzer) and applying the techniques for their use.

• Experience utilizing techniques used to analyze metals, ores and mineral samples to perform a variety of established tests and analyses.

OR

Applicants must have two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree (coursework directly related to position being filled);

OR

Applicants must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree (coursework directly related to position being filled);

OR

An appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above.

GS-11:
Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-9, in the Federal Service that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, experience and skills to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience must include the following:

• Independently plan and execute complex laboratory projects involving respirable dust and other industrial hygiene samples from mining environments; adapting established methods (e.g., XRD, FTIR spectrometer) to resolve analytical issues and produce scientifically sound results.

• Evaluate sample acceptability; document analytical methods and modifications; assess the impact of quality-control deficiencies on data usability; prepare technical reports/manuscripts and consult with laboratory personnel/externals.

• Using scientific software to process laboratory data; apply knowledge of chemistry/physical sciences, geology, industrial hygiene, and statistics to present data in a scientific manner and communicate findings orally and in writing.

OR

Applicants must have three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree (coursework directly related to position being filled);

OR

Applicant must have a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree (coursework directly related to position being filled).

OR

An appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your evaluation will be based on how well you meet the qualifications outlined in this vacancy announcement, as demonstrated through your resume and supporting documentation.

Click Application of Veterans Preference for more information.

You may preview application questions for this vacancy here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13065627

If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be evaluated against the evaluation factors below and will be placed into a category based on your vacancy question responses.

Category A - Meets the basic qualification requirements for the vacancy and has successful experience in the same or similar job that has demonstrated superior proficiency in applying critical competencies required by this position to work of increased levels of difficulty and complexity.

Category B - Meets the basic qualification requirements for the vacancy and demonstrates satisfactory proficiency in the critical competencies required by this position.

Category C - Meets the specialized experience described in the minimum qualification requirements section of this announcement and demonstrates proficiency in the basic competencies.

Clickhere for Evaluation details.

SME Resume Panel Review

Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review your resume to assess your technical qualifications based on the competencies listed below. Applicants who meet the required qualifications will advance to the next stage of the hiring process.

For each below competency, SME(s) will provide a rating of 0-Not Applicable, 1-Awareness, 2-Basic, 3-Intermediate, 4-Advanced, or 5-Expert based on the content of your resume.

Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies:

• Chemistry
• Oral Communication
• Teamwork
• Technical Problem Solving
• Writing

The information you provide may be verified by a review of your paid, unpaid, volunteer, as it demonstrates the competencies or skills required for the position to be filled. Your evaluation may include an interview, reference checks, or other assessment conducted by HR specialists, subject matter experts, or panel members and may include other assessment tools (ex. interview, structured interview, written test, work sample, etc.).

INFORMATION FOR ICTAP/CTAP ELIGIBLE(S) ONLY: If you are eligible for special priority selection under ICTAP/CTAP, you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration. ICTAP/CTAP eligible(s) who are Category B or higher will be considered well-qualified. Be sure to review the eligibility questions to reflect that you are applying as an ICTAP or CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation.

The following documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the vacancy closing date.

• Resumes: Required and applicants must provide a resume either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one from your profile. To receive full consideration for relevant and specialized experience, please list the month, year, and number of work hours worked for the experience listed on your resume. We also suggest that you preview the vacancy questions and confirm that your resume supports your question responses.
• Veterans Documents (if applicable): To be considered as a 5-point (TP) preference eligible, you must submit a copy of your DD214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Your DD 214 must show the type of discharge and dates of active duty. To claim 10-point (CP/CPS, XP) preference, you must submit a copy of your DD214 and the proof of entitlement of this preference, which is normally an official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. In addition, a Standard Form (SF-15) should be included, but is not required. (For active-duty service members expecting honorable or general discharge or release within 120 days, click Tentative Preference for Active Duty). For more information, go to Feds Hire Vets - Veterans Preference.
• Displaced Employee Placement Documents: Only required if requesting priority consideration under CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.
• Unofficial Transcript(s) (in English): If you are using education as a basis for qualifying for this position, you must submit all applicable academic transcripts demonstrating that you meet the qualifying educational requirements (ex. BA/BS, MA, JD, PhD, etc.). If specific coursework is required to qualify, you must supply an unofficial transcript from each academic institution in which the required courses were taken in order to receive credit. You may upload your unofficial transcript(s) as one document with a maximum size limit of 5 MB.

NOTE: The OFFICIAL Transcript(s) MUST BE RECEIVED if you are selected, and prior to receiving the firm offer with a start date.

Cover Letters are not mandatory and will not be used to verify experience but may be submitted.

Do not upload password-protected documents.

Applicants selected for employment who are not current DOL employees will be required to provide proof of citizenship, and the E-Verify system will be used to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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