Physical Scientist
What you'd do
This position is located at the National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) in Missoula, Montana. Provides chemical knowledge, laboratory skills, and technical project development support to measure and assess the effectiveness of manufactured wildland fire chemicals for the NTDP. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Bryon Lake at [email protected].
Major duties
Duties are listed at the GS-12 grade level. Determines scientific methods of, and employs a variety of scientific methodologies to collect and evaluate data, identify potential problems, and incorporates significant factors into considerations, recommendations, and solutions. Serves on inter- and intra-agency committees to develop and/or revise federal standards for fire chemical testing and use. Serves as a technical specialist to federal and state agencies, program leaders and managers, vendors, the public, and contracted private sector laboratories. Performs computational and experimental studies, scientific and technical evaluation, correlation, synthesis, and presentation of data in the field of fire chemical science, and elements/components from related disciplines. Analyzes data and prepares reports based on data related to environmental impacts of fire chemical use for reporting to agency and private industry representatives.
What you need to qualify
In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Basic Requirement GS-1301 Series: Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in: 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 above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-11 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as one or more of the following: Used and maintained specialized equipment for chemical analysis of gases and aerosols associated with wildland fire; Conducted statistical analysis in relation to wildland fire smoke research studies; Performed science delivery including development of written technical reports and reports and oral presentations to diverse audiences; and/or Provided written descriptions of analytical approaches of chemical analyses for use in scientific reports and peer review manuscripts OR 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or a conferred Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree directly related to the work of the position which involves independent work conducting experiments and complex sample analyses in a chemistry or other physical science related laboratory or field setting (e.g., ambient air or flue gas measurements).Acceptable fields include: chemistry, atmospheric sciences, environmental sciences, or environmental engineering. OR a combination of specialized experience and graduate level education described above. Only graduate coursework more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D. is creditable for this grade level. For the GS-12 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: Investigated, evaluated, and provided expert advice on engineering and/or natural resource technical practices and techniques; Managed projects using industry accepted project management practices and concepts for projects related to the design and evaluation of equipment used in forest management, emergency response/wildland fire, aeronautics/aerospace, and/or recreation activities; Prepared detailed cost estimates for use in obtaining project funding and bid evaluation; and/or Prepared reports covering testing, studies and investigations and data analysis conducted. 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
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.