MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Summary

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The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a senior advisor to the AF Chief of Safety and the AF Safety Center (AFSEC) staff on mechanical safety matters for AF nuclear weapons systems.

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Duties

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• Provides professional and expert technical direction and assessment on mechanical safety issues for nuclear weapons systems.
• Functions as a professional subject matter expert for analyzing and mitigating hazards of mechanical safety issues to nuclear weapon systems, support equipment, and facilities where nuclear weapons are stored, handled, transported, and maintained.
• Develops AF policy and formulates nuclear certification design criteria for mechanicl safety aspects of all AF nuclear weapon systems.
• Serves as the AFSEC representative on various Department of Defense and AF boards, IPTs, working groups, technical interchange and interdepartmental project officers meetings with DOE.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
• Position is designated special-sensitive and requires eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), other intelligence-related Special Sensitive information, or involvement in Top Secret (CON'T)
• Special Access Programs (SAP) to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. A nondisclosure agreement must be signed.
• This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to random testing for drug use.
• May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours.
• A 4-year Batchlor's Degree in Computer Science and Engineering is desired.
• Detailed knowledge of the DoD Directives website.
• Leave accrual may be authorized upon request
• Advance in hire may be authorized if there is demonstrable proof provided on your resume
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions and the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the GS-0800 Engineering Series.

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: A Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; 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. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.

OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration or licensure, Written Test, Specified Academic Courses, or Related Curriculum. Click here to view occupational requirements for this position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must meet the basic education requirements for this interdisciplinary position and have at least one (1) year of specialized experience to the GS-13 (or higher) grade level or equivalent pay system (may have been obtained in the Federal service, military, or private sector). Examples of specialized experience include includes Professional mastery knowledge of, and skill in applying, advanced theories, concepts, and principles practiced in the science of mechanical engineering and knowledge of nuclear weapon systems, sufficient to develop novel analysis techniques to take into account emerging technologies. Knowledge shall be sufficient to provide technical direction to Air Force and industry personnel seeking guidance on how to safeguard weapons; advise on equipment and facility modification and application of protection standards; oversee the activities of, and lend technical assistance to, USAF installations on unusual problems and policy matters and resolve major safety deficiencies in facilities and equipment; keep abreast of research and development by reviewing pertinent reports and other related data to ensure proper emphasis on hazard analysis and mitigation; anticipate problems and areas of major difficulty in the mitigation of hazards, and guide installations in their resolution; prepare policy instructions and guidance material for installations; recommend design changes to improve safety and security. Mastery of, and skill in applying, expertise in advanced engineering or software theories, principles, concepts, standards, and methods sufficient to apply experimental theories and new applications or developments to extend or modify theories, concepts, and assumptions; to resolve unique or novel problems, conditions, or issues; or to significantly alter standard practices, equipment, devices, processes, and known techniques; provide expert advice to senior colleagues and/or agency officials responsible for broad program operations; provide significant and innovative recommendations for advancing programs and/or methods; and execute significant projects representing an important segment of the agency's operating programs.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-13 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-14 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Comprehensive knowledge of general engineering principles, systems mechanical safety, explosive safety requirements, and AF nuclear weapons systems operations and capabilities, and the AF and Weapons Safety organizational structure.

2. Expert knowledge of laws, regulations, and current legislative issues related to nuclear weapon system surety.

3. Expert knowledge of the operations, products, services, needs, and goals of the program(s) and the organizations studied or served, and related customers, resources, and users as well as be able to assess technical compliance and program objectives as means of negotiating an acceptable balance between mission and nuclear surety requirements.

4. Skill in assessing and evaluating broad nuclear surety program issues and providing guidance for resolving mission-critical problems impacting operations of nuclear weapon systems.

5. Skill in the interpretation of program documentation to identify nuclear surety issues that may adversely impact operations in order to plan, develop, implement and coordinate a complete nuclear safety design certification program, including the ability to analyze, plan, and adjust work operations to meet program requirements and objectives within available resources to meet deadlines.

6. Ability to communicate effectively with others both orally and in writing as well as to plan, organize, and direct the functions and mentor, motivate, and appraise the staff of senior military employees.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here .

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

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.

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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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