INTERDISCIPLINARY Physical Scientist

About the Role

This is a one-year developmental program for recent graduates, offering training, professional development, an Individual Development Plan (IDP), and mentorship. Successful completion may lead to non-competitive conversion to a term or permanent position. The full performance levels can range from GS-11, GS-12, or GS-13 equivalent.

Key Responsibilities

• 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 DOE 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.

• GS-9 Physical Scientist (Recent Graduate):

• Research, analyze, interpret, evaluate, and carry out difficult but conventional scientific and/or engineering assignments.

• Conduct preliminary scientific and/or engineering analyses to assist higher graded scientists and engineers on large and complicated projects.

• Review reports, plans, specifications, change orders, modifications, and other documents to identify discrepancies or potential issues.

• Prepare, provide, and evaluate conventional plans, designs, design specifications, and related documentation.

• Provide input into and prepare recurring technical reports to inform stakeholders of project status and issues that may impact objectives and goals.

Conversion Requirements

DOE has the option to non-competitively convert a Recent Graduate to a permanent or term position upon successful completion of program requirements. This conversion is at the discretion of the hiring manager and employing office. To be eligible for conversion, you must:

• 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.
• Successfully complete 1 year of continuous service.
• Demonstrate successful job performance of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent.
• Meet the Office of Personnel Management's qualification standards for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Must be a U.S. Citizen, National, or Foreign National who meets both Immigration and Annual Appropriations Laws.
• Employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• 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.
• Recent Graduates serve a trial period for the entire duration of their excepted service appointment.

Qualifications

You must meet eligibility and qualifications within 4 months of the closing date of this announcement.

• General Recent Graduate Eligibility:

• 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.

• Preference eligible veterans who were prevented from applying during the two-year period due to their military service obligation may begin their two-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed six years after degree or certificate completion.

• GS-7 Qualification Pathways:

• Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level. Specialized experience includes:

• Assisting in project execution using basic engineering/scientific principles.

• Documenting engineering/scientific findings.

• Education: One year of graduate-level education.

• Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): A bachelor's degree AND meet one of the following:

• Class standing in the upper third of the graduating class.

• Grade-point average (G.P.A.) of 3.0 or higher out of 4.0 based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on the final 2 years; OR 3.5 or higher on required courses in the major field or the required courses completed during the final 2 years.

• Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.

• Combination of Education/Experience: A combination of qualifying graduate education and experience.

• GS-9 Qualification Pathways:

• Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level. Specialized experience includes:

• Conducting scientific/engineering research and analysis to interpret technical data for project support.

• Drafting concise technical reports and scientific/engineering communications.

• Education: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or a master's or equivalent graduate degree.

• Combination of Education/Experience: A combination of qualifying graduate education (beyond the first year) and experience.

• Basic Education Requirement (1301 Physical Science Series):

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study 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, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

• Valid Certificate Program:

• Post-secondary education at a qualifying educational institution equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study.

• OR a qualifying career or technical education program of at least one year that awards a recognized postsecondary credential.

Additional Information

• This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies.
• Telework availability will be based upon mission requirements and supervisory determination.
• Incentives may be available.
• Positions may be covered by a bargaining unit.
• Salary will be determined based on the duty location after selection.
• 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.