Physical Scientist

Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position?

This is a term appointment not to exceed 13 months with possible extensions up to total of 4 years without further competition.

Appointment to this position will not convey permanent status in the Federal service.

Salary :

GS-5 $39,576 (Step 1) - $51,446 (Step 10)

GS-7 $49,025 (Step 1) - $67,733 (Step 10)

GS-9 $59,966 (Step 1) - $77,955 (Step 10)

NOTE : First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01 .

This job is open to

Duties

As a Physical Scientist within the Central Midwest Water Science Center, some of your specific duties will include :

• Working as the lead project chief or assist the lead project chief on the design and execution of surface, groundwater, and water quality projects.
• Managing, collecting, analyzing, and visualizing hydrologic, geospatial, and climate data to assist with data retrieval, QA / QC, and routine analysis.
• Developing, testing, and documenting code for statistical analyses and predictions of water resources data to support projects investigating water quantity, quality, and use.
• Preparing reports of findings, tables, and graphical materials summarizing results of hydrologic investigations for use in technical reports and presentations.
• Operating a government-owned or leased vehicle in the performance of your official duties.

Physical Demands :

The work requires some physical exertion and may require prolonged standing in the laboratory environment. Field assignments involve outdoor work where there is considerable walking and climbing over rough or mountainous terrain.

Some work requires physical exertion such as lifting heavy objects over 50 pounds and crawling in restrictive spaces.

Work Environment :

Work performed in the laboratory may involve use of equipment which can result in exposure to dust, toxic chemicals, mechanical and electrical hazards, and noise.

Special safety precautions are required including use of laboratory coats, safety glasses, dust masks, gloves, etc. Work in the field may involve exposure to extreme outdoor weather conditions with exposure to poisonous growth and insects involving a high risk with exposure to dangerous situations.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Key Requirements :

• Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period.
• Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record.
• Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam.
• More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment.

Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued.

You will be required to operate a government-owned or -leased vehicle in the performance of your official duties. Applicants for this position must meet the following requirements : (1) possess a valid State license, and (2) possess a safe driving record.

If selected, you will be required to provide proof of a valid State license & a copy of your driving record.

• Taking and passing a pre-employment medical examination at Federal expense is required due to the physical demands of this job.
• A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.

Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active.

Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.

Qualifications

For GS-05 :

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT : Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Physical Scientist, all grade levels.

A. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science and / or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.

B. A combination of education and experience education equivalent to one of the majors shown in "A" above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science, engineering, or mathematics) that included at least 24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science and / or related engineering science as described above, plus appropriate experience and / or additional education for a total of 4 years.

The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above.

CLICK FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)

For GS-07 :

In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-07 level :

One year of successfully completed graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or the equivalent) in physical science or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled.

OR Superior Academic Achievement based on undergraduate study. (CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT) .

OR one year of appropriate professional experience that is in or related to the duties of the position to be filled is qualifying if it is equivalent to at least the GS-5 level in the Federal service, and if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.

Examples of GS-5 level experience could include taking measurements and collecting information; learning to take proper samples;

conducting routine calculating, plotting, and checking of numerical data; preparing graphs and data profiles; and accomplishing routine analyses.

This work experience would have involved receiving clear, specific, and detailed instructions as to the methods, procedures, and guidelines to use.

OR a combination of successfully completed graduate level education, as described above, and professional experience, as described above.

CLICK FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)

For GS-09 :

In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-09 level :

Two years of progressively higher-level graduate education (36 semester hours, 54 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a master's degree in physical science or other directly related field of study or master's or equivalent graduate degree in physical science or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled.

OR one year of appropriate professional experience that is in or directly related to the duties of the position to be filled is qualifying if it is equivalent to at least the GS-7 level in the Federal service, and if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.

Examples of such experience may include performing a variety of observations, computations, compilations and analyses in assisting higher-level scientists in carrying out physical science assignments.

This work experience would have involved following established methods and procedures, or detailed instructions; using some judgment in applying basic principles and procedures;

and independently completing recurring assignments, but referring deviations, problems, and unfamiliar situations to a designated person for decision or help.

OR a combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education, as described above, that is beyond the first year of graduate study and professional experience, as described above.

CLICK FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

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.