Interdisciplinary Physical Scientist/Chemist

Summary

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

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Duties

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

• Process and analyze complex industrial hygiene samples collected within the mining industry using sophisticated analytical techniques.
• Calibrates instruments, analyzes health enforcement samples, archives laboratory data, and performs preventive maintenance on laboratory instruments and accessories.
• Maintains and demonstrates a high level of proficiency in the following program areas: the X-ray diffraction analysis of metal/nonmetal dust samples for quartz; analysis of metal fume and dust samples by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy; analysis of diesel particulate matter by NIOSH thermo-optical techniques; infrared analysis of coal mine gas samples by gas chromatography.
• Provides high-level technical assistance, consultation to the Branch, the Center, and other MSHA groups in appropriate health sampling techniques.
• Prepares and reviews technical manuscripts that document test results, analytical reports, export files, modifications of analytical procedures, quality control procedures, and other information essential to improve the standardization, accuracy and reliability of analytical results.
• Performs a preliminary review of all work done in support of health enforcement activities.
• Serves as a senior scientist and principal operator in one or more fields of testing.
• Serves as the lead analyst responsible for retention of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) accreditation for the lab functions in assigned area of responsibility.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be at least 16 years old.
• 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.
• Requires a valid driver's license.

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.

Specialized Experience:

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.

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

GS-12: Specialized experience must include at least three of the following:

• Perform complex analyses of hazardous airborne contaminants present in the mining industries such as respirable crystalline silica, diesel particulate matter, metal dusts and fumes, and volatile organic compounds.
• Independently determine test procedures and methods for the analysis of particulate samples that may require modification of standard or generally acceptable methods of analysis.
• Independently operate, maintain, and calibrate analytical instruments such as x-ray diffractometer, FTIR spectrometer, inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometer, elemental carbon analyzer, and Coulter Counter.
• Provide technical advice to laboratory personnel.
• Prepare and review technical manuscripts and reports.

There is no substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level.

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 ACCOMMODATION, 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 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 Rhonda Dory 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.

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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

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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.

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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.