PHYSICAL SCIENTIST

Summary

This position is part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

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Duties

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As a PHYSICAL SCIENTIST at the GS-1301-13 some of your typical work assignments may include:

• Directs the formulation, development, implementation, and dissemination of a significant component of DTRA's research and development efforts involving Nuclear Weapons Effects (NWE) and to provide technical expertise on these research matters.
• Technical expert in nuclear phenomenology and able to perform a wide range of functions either individually or through the coordinated efforts of other technical and managerial staff at DTRA, contractor organizations, government laboratories, and universities.
• Provides expert advice and consultation on legacy NWE modeling and simulation (M&S) test data. Work emphasizes NWE test data and M&S tools that are of direct application to enhancing the effectiveness of the warfighter, and that can serve as initial or exploratory work for future direct applications.
• Develops required programmatic and fiscal documentation to support the planning, programming, and budgeting system. Develops and prepares contract, Military Intergovernmental Purchase Request (MIPR), Interagency Order (IO), or any other packages necessary to implement projects. Executes all functions necessary to bring procurement actions to a successful conclusion. Provides a high degree of management and technical innovation to provide a quality product that meets requirements at the lowest cost. Maintains required liaison with personnel within DTRA, the military services, DoW agencies, Department of Energy (DOE) and any other organizations.
• Plans, conducts and chairs meetings to address technical problems concerning area of responsibility, keeping informed and advised on significant developments. Represents DTRA at meetings and as a member on panels and working groups. Keeps abreast of latest scientific theories, experiments, and technology trends which may have bearing upon activities of the Division. Provides scientific advice to the supervisor and DTRA management.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Occasional Travel
• Work Schedule: Full-time
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Overtime: Occasionally
• Tour of Duty: Flexible
• Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized if funds available and with approval from hiring manager
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Required
• Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible
• Must consent to and pass pre-employment drug testing and be subject to periodic random drug testing thereafter.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET clearance and access to NATO, CNWDI, RD and Special Compartmented Information
• Overtime/compensatory time may be required to accommodate operational needs of the organization.
• Travel in the performance of temporary assignments may be required up to 25% of duty time.
• This is an Acquisition Workforce position in the Engineering, Technical and Management (EMT) career field. The incumbent will be required to become certified Level Practitioner in the applicable career field within 5 years.
• The incumbent is required to acquire a minimum of 40 continuous learning points (CLPs) every fiscal year as a goal and 80 CLPs being mandatory within 2 years.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid passport.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS 13 , if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. For the GS-13 grade level, one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, military or private sector:

• Operating as a Physical Scientist in the nuclear science field
• Overseeing complex and diverse research, development test, evaluation and assessment nuclear weapon effects efforts independently
• Leading nuclear weapon effects projects by following guidelines
• Managing acquisition, development, analysis or evaluation of scientific and technical solutions to Nuclear Weapon Effects Domain problems
• Utilizing acquisition, development, analysis or evaluation of scientific and technical solutions to NWE domain problems

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.

In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 1301, series as listed below:

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

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional information

Other Notes:

ACQUISITION POSITION: This is an Acquisition Workforce position in the Engineering, Technical & Management (EMT) functional area. The incumbent will be required to become certified in the Practitioner tier within 5 years. The incumbent is required to acquire a minimum of 40 continuous learning points (CLPs) every fiscal year as a goal and 80 CLPs being mandatory within 2 years.

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:

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.

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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.