This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Military spouses
Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.
National Guard and reserves
Current members, those who want to join or transitioning military members.
Clarification from the agency
This announcement is open to All U.S. Citizens, and is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority (DHA) for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense. Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612)(NonComp Mil Sp), Priority Placement Program (PPP) Retained Grade Preference (RGP), and PPP Military Reserve and PPP National Guard Technician eligibles may also apply.
Duties
This position may be filled using Direct Hire Authority and is in the Department of Defense (DoD) Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project (AcqDemo): Z5CAV/Direct-Hire Authority (Certain DoD Personnel) PL 118-31, Sec 125OB (i)(2), 12/22/2023.This position is being filled under the memorandum from the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)) "Expansion of Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense," dated August 12,2024.
As a PHYSICAL SCIENTIST at the GS-1301-12/13 some of your typical work assignments may include:
- Participate as a member of the Technical Support Group (TSG) to deploy in support of Combatant Commander and other federal D/As in R/N emergency response events and training.
- Provide expert scientific, technical, policy advice, opinions and recommendations.
- Serve as focal point by providing support and input into program planning, management, review, and oversight of specific Research and Development programs related to radiological/nuclear matters.
- Develop authoritative analysis and reports.
- Conduct formal presentations and briefings within DTRA, other DoD components and agencies, federal D/A's, and allied partners on R/N response capabilities, technical challenges, program, and policies.
- Provide input to the planning and conducting of major studies of extreme difficulty involving key DTRA and DoD national defense and other U.S. D/As/R/N programs, national security policies, and regulatory requirements, to include relevant Host-Nation (HN) and international requirements, to provide findings and technical solutions.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
- Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation. Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECURITY/SCI security clearance.
- May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
- Work Schedule: Fulltime
- Overtime: Overtime/compensatory time may be required to accommodate operational needs of the organization. Must be willing to work overtime during exercise play and real-world crisis.
- Recruitment Incentives: Authorized, https://www.dtra.mil/Careers-Opportunities/DTRA-Opportunities/
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Non-Exempt
- Financial Disclosure: Not Required
- Telework Eligibility: This position may be eligible for limited, situational telework subject to supervisory approval and not to exceed current Agency guidelines. This position is not eligible for remote telework.
- Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test screening and pass subsequent periodic random drug testing. Multiple failures to pass periodic drug testing will result in termination from federal service.
- Must be willing to spend up to (but not limited to) 90 days annually in temporary duty travel, sometimes on short notice, in the United States and foreign countries.
- Must pass a pre-employment physical prior to entry onto duty and annual deployment physical exams. Must meet the physical and medical requirements for deployment before and throughout employment.
- Must be capable of lifting and carrying for short distances, loads up to 50 pounds, standing for long periods (8 hours), and be able to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including body armor and a protective mask.
- May be exposed to CBRN and hostile enemy threats. May be required to participate in the DoD Immunization Program. The work may require long hours in a field environment and under austere conditions.
- This position is Emergency-Essential (E-E).
- This position authorizes the incumbent to carry a firearm.
Qualifications
You may qualify at the GS 12 , if you fulfill the following qualifications:
A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, military or private sector:
- Analyzing radiological/nuclear (R/N) threats and related detection problems in order to provide operational and scientific solutions to the organization and supported units
- Utilizing field radiological/nuclear (R/N) detectors and apply knowledge of field detection capabilities and limitations, with experience interpreting both detection and spectroscopic R/N data
- Calculating the effects of radiation shielding for both detection and force protection
- Applying knowledge of radiological threats in support of emergency response events
- Participating in radiological/nuclear (R/N) response operations, exercises or training
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, military or private sector:
- Analyzing radiological/nuclear (R/N) threats and related detection problems in order to provide operational, scientific and policy solutions to the organization and supported units
- Utilizing field radiological/nuclear (R/N) detectors and apply knowledge of field detection capabilities and limitations, with experience interpreting both detection and spectroscopic R/N data and making operational recommendations
- Calculating the effects of radiation shielding for both detection and force protection
- Applying knowledge of nuclear weapon designs and radiological threats in support of emergency response events
- Participating in radiological/nuclear (R/N) response operations, exercises and training
In addition to specialized experience, this position requires an individual occupational requirement:
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.
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.
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.
Education
Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.
Additional information
Other Notes:
This position is Emergency-Essential (E-E). In the event of a crisis situation, the incumbent, or designated alternate, must continue to perform the E-E duties until relieved by proper authority. The incumbent or the designated alternate may be required to take part in readiness exercises. The position cannot be vacated during a national emergency or mobilization without seriously impairing the capability of the organization to function effectively; therefore, the position is designated "key" which requires the incumbent, or designated alternate, to be screened from military recall status.
This position authorizes the incumbent to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, U.S.C., Section 922 (g) (91). Candidates who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are not qualified for this position. Candidates under consideration will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of such an offense. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment (Title 18, U.S.C. Section 1001).
Incumbent must be able to qualify with a pistol according to U. S. Army standards.
This position requires pre-employment and annual deployment physical exams, which will be evaluated by DTRA Occupational Health professionals to determine if deployability criteria are met. The incumbent must meet the medical requirements for deployment before and throughout employment.
Subject to rotational assignments to locations in the U.S. and to locations outside the continental U.S.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid passport.
Incumbent will participate in specialized classroom and field training related to the position.
Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements: Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
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
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))
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
We will review your resume and supporting documents, to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified below, required for this position.Traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply to this vacancy. Your application (resume and supporting documentation) will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required as listed on the announcement under qualification requirements.
For information on entitlement see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx
Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612) (NonComp Mil Sp): To receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the " Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612) (NonComp Mil Sp)" eligibility. If you are claiming Military Spouse eligibility and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager. Information and required documentation for claiming Military Spouse eligibility may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below.
Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible:- Submit a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as the notification letter you received showing you are no longer eligible for military or NG membership (through no fault of your own) and that you have completed at least 15 years of technician service and a minimum of 20 years of service creditable for non-regular retirement.
Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible:- You must provide a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist, DD3145-1 (whs.mil), a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF) 50 effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.
Required Documents
The documents you are required to submit vary based on the authority you are using to apply (i.e., applying as a veteran, applying as a current permanent Federal employee, applying as a reinstatement, etc.). Your complete application includes your COMPLETE resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further. The following documents are REQUIRED. Your resume:
- IMPORTANT UPDATE: Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages. If your resume exceeds the two-page limit, you will be removed from consideration for this announcement. The resume and required supporting documentation should provide the minimum qualifications and relevant experience for the announced position. Must include the work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment, and duties performed. If multiple resumes are submitted by an applicant, only the last resume submitted will be reviewed for qualifications and referred for selection consideration, if eligible. The resume must not be more than 5MB and should be saved and uploaded as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. We also accept GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, TXT, PDF, ODT or Word (DOC or DOCX). We do not accept PDF portfolio files. Page margins should be 0.5 inches, and font styles must be legible. Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text. We recommend using a font like Lato, if available. Other widely available options are Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open San Source Sans Pro, Roboto or Noro Sans.
- Additional guidance on writing a federal resume can be found at: USAJOBS Help Center - How do I write a resume for a federal job? The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started.
2. Transcripts:
- This position has a degree or education requirement so you are required to submit a copy of your transcript
- College transcript (s), required if qualifying based on education. We accept unofficial transcripts, as long as they contain your name, the name of the school, the date and degree that was awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned.
3.
SF50
- All current and former civilian Federal employees should submit a copy of your MOST RECENT SF50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your tenure, grade and step, salary, and type of position occupied (i.e., Excepted or Competitive); or similar Notification of Personnel Action documentation, i.e., Transcript of Service, Form 1150, etc.
4. Veteran's Documents:
- If applying using veteran's preference or under a Veteran's hiring authority you must submit the following documents: DD214 showing character of service, SF-15 Form and VA letter showing final percentage, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty.
PLEASE REVIEW THE BELOW LINK FOR OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS needed for proof of eligibility: https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DODCustomersRequiredSupportingDocumentation.pdf?
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.