INTERDISCIPLINARY Physical Scientist

About the Role

The Recent Graduates Program is a dynamic, one-year developmental program designed to promote careers in the Federal Government. Participants receive training, professional development, and are assigned a mentor. Successful completion may lead to non-competitive conversion to a term or permanent position.

Key Responsibilities

As a GS-7 Physical Scientist (Recent Graduate):

• Serve as a professional engineer or scientist performing general engineering or scientific work of limited scope and complexity in support of assigned projects.
• Plan work procedures and select standard practices and data for engineering or scientific assignments and identified problems.
• Assist in coordinating and carrying out limited, well-defined engineering and/or scientific projects.
• Prepare routine, recurring engineering and/or scientific reports for use by higher-graded engineers or to convey factual data and information.

As a GS-9 Physical Scientist (Recent Graduate):

• Research, analyze, interpret, evaluate, and carry out difficult but conventional scientific and/or engineering assignments in support of programs/projects.
• Conduct preliminary scientific and/or engineering analyses to assist higher-graded scientists and engineers in accomplishing work on large and complicated projects.
• Review reports, plans, specifications, change orders, modifications, and other documents prepared by others to identify discrepancies or potential issues.
• Prepare, provide, and evaluate conventional plans, designs, design specifications, and related documentation to support higher-level scientific and/or engineering efforts.
• Provide input into, and prepare, recurring technical reports to inform stakeholders of project status and issues that may impact program/project objectives and goals.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• US Citizenship or National status is required.
• Must be able to provide proof of recent graduation or completion of a qualifying education program.
• Must successfully complete a 1-year trial period.
• Must demonstrate successful job performance of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent.
• Must meet Office of Personnel Management (OPM) qualification standards for the position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must be suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• A Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement is required.
• Positions may require submittal of a Financial Disclosure Statement (OGE-450).
• Positions may be a Testing Designated Position (TDP) subject to applicant and random drug testing.
• Positions may be included in the DOE's Technical Qualifications Program (TQP).
• This position offers varying full performance levels (e.g., GS-11, GS-12, or GS-13 equivalent).

Qualifications

To be eligible for the Pathways Recent Graduate program, you must be:

• A recent graduate who has completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, technical degree, or certificate from a qualifying educational institution, OR completed a qualifying career or technical education program that awards a recognized postsecondary credential (such as a Registered Apprenticeship Program or Job Corps).
• OR a student who, within 4 months of the closing date of this announcement, will meet the education requirements and will graduate with a qualifying degree or certificate.
• OR preference-eligible veterans who were prevented from applying during the two-year period due to their military service obligation. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed six years after degree or certificate completion. You MUST submit a copy of your DD214.

Basic Education Requirement (1301 Physical Science Series)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a Bachelor's degree or higher in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science.
• OR a combination of education and experience equivalent to one of the majors shown above, including at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Qualification for GS-07

• One year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal Service, including:
• Assisting in project execution using basic engineering/scientific principles.
• Documenting engineering/scientific findings.
• OR 1 year of graduate-level education.
• OR Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) with a bachelor's degree meeting specific class standing, GPA, or honor society membership criteria.
• OR a combination of qualifying graduate education and experience.

Qualification for GS-09

• One year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal Service, including:
• Conducting scientific/engineering research and analysis to interpret technical data for project support.
• Drafting concise technical reports and scientific/engineering communications for varied audiences.
• OR 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or a master's or equivalent graduate degree.
• OR a combination of qualifying graduate education (beyond the first year) and experience.

Conversion Requirements

• Be a US Citizen or National.
• Be recommended for conversion by your manager or supervisor.
• Complete all training and development requirements within the 1-year appointment period.
• Successful completion of 1 year of continuous service.
• Demonstrate successful job performance of at least a "Fully Successful" or equivalent on performance appraisal.
• Meet the Office of Personnel Management's qualification standards for the position.

Note on Education

• Submit transcripts for all degrees earned. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application, but official transcripts will be required upon selection.
• Foreign education credentials must be evaluated by a private organization to demonstrate equivalency to U.S. education programs.