Interdisciplinary Physical Scientist/Chemist

Summary

This position is with Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Technical Support, Analytical and Laboratory Division.

MSHA works to prevent death, illness and injury from mining; promote safe and healthful workplaces for U.S. miners. MSHA carries out the provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) as amended by the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

Help

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.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
• 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 Collegeof 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:o 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, oras computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; oro 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 requiredcourses 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 thenational scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. Membership in a freshman honor society cannotbe 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.

Education

Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.

If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum coursework requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.

Additional information

The mission of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to protect the welfare of workers and job seekers, improve working conditions, expand high-quality employment opportunities, and assure work-related benefits and rights for all workers.

Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

As a condition of employment, all personnel must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities, systems, information and/or classified materials before they can enter on duty: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

This position is inside the bargaining unit. If the duty location is within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the Local 12, AFGE bargaining unit. If the duty location is outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the NCFLL bargaining unit.

This position is subject to the confidential financial disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). Therefore, if selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest(s) and your prospective position with DOL. This information will be required annually.

All MSHA employees and their spouses, and minor children are prohibited by regulation from having any interest, direct or indirect, in any mine or mining company that may be directly affected by the work of MSHA through its investigations, technical research, or other activities. These interests are prohibited under the Department of Labor's Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct Regulations at 5 CFR 5201.105. Certain MSHA employees are required to file a financial disclosure report. For questions, please contact Kizzie Stokes at [click to reveal email address] View email address on us.fitly.work or [click to reveal phone number]View phone number on us.fitly.work.

Based on agency needs, additional positions may be filled using this vacancy.

The Department of Labor may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government to attract highly qualified candidates. Click here for Additional Information.

The Fair Chance Act (FCA) prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOL employee has violated your rights under the FCA, you may file a complaint of the alleged violation following our agency's complaint process Guidelines for Reporting Violations of the Fair Chance Act. Note: The FCA does not apply to some positions specified under the Act, such as law enforcement or national security positions.

All Department of Labor employees are subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Program under Executive Order 12564 and Public Law 100-71.

Expand Hide additional information

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.

Benefits

Help

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.