Physical Scientist
What you'd do
This position is located within the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National Park Service - Southeast, Office of Natural Science Studies located in Homestead, Florida. This is a temporary promotion not to exceed 1 year, and can be extended up to 5 years. Salary Range GS-9: $65,735 - $85,460 per annum *First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level.
Major duties
At the full performance level GS-09 the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: The incumbent serves as a technical advisor in the physical sciences for one or more parks. The physical scientist is responsible for program development and implementation including field activities related to geology, soils, hydrology, hydrogeology, air quality, acoustics, paleontology, caves and/or karst formations. As directed, develops and prepares segments of the resources management plan dealing with the physical sciences. In concert with the supervisor or a higher graded specialist, prepares specific actions plans needed to manage and protect the physical components of natural resources. Unusual or difficult problems are discussed with the supervisor before carrying out assignments. Develops and maintains liaisons and effective working relations with related groups and individuals, agencies, and the public. Attends management and professional conferences and other events for the purpose of exchanging information and advancing advocacy for park stewardship. Carries out statistically valid data collection protocols for the monitoring of physical resources and the results of protection, mitigation, and restoration projects. Performs data collection using technology such as field electronic data collectors. Performs data entry. Conducts analysis of standard data. Makes recommendations to higher graded staff. Incorporates appropriate GIS technology into job to provide comprehensive and scientifically sound answers to inquiries from managers and others. Uses automatic methods of data collection, analysis or illustration. Inputs data into digital form and uses computer applications for data analysis, manipulation, and presentation.
What you need to qualify
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/21/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position you must meet the Basic Educational Requirements AND Specialized Experience AND/OR Education for the series/grade to which you are applying. Basic Educational Requirements: Please Note: This position requires specific educational coursework to qualify. You MUST provide transcripts (unofficial are acceptable) in order to verify that the educational requirements have been met. This information must be received by the closing date of the announcement. Failure to provide this information may result in you receiving an "INELIGIBLE" rating. Physical Science Series, 1301: Individual Occupational Requirements Basic Educational Requirements: To be eligible for this position, you must meet either A or B below for the series to which you are applying. 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. OR 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. -AND- In addition to meeting the Basic Educational Qualification requirements, applicants must have either A. Specialized Experience or B. Education (directly related) or C. Combination of Education and Experience to qualify for the grade to which you are applying. A. Specialized Experience: GS-9 To qualify for the GS-9, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: Performing assigned hydrology tasks; AND Processing field data utilizing database management and recording techniques; AND Performing program management to include administration of budgets, contracts, and personnel; AND Utilizing principles and techniques associated with measuring physical resources together with modifying or adapting standard techniques, processes, and procedures to access, select, and apply precedents and devise strategies to achieve program goals. MUST MEET ALL. -OR- B. Education: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. -OR- C. Combination of education and experience: A combination of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level that totals 100% of the requirement for this grade level. Volunteer Experience: 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.
Before you apply
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