Physical Scientist

Duties

As a Physical Scientist at the GS-1301-14 some of your typical work assignments may include:

The position requires the individual to act as a subject matter expert in physical sciences, such as applied physics and chemistry, to guide the development of advanced technology prototypes for detection, protection, modeling, and hazard mitigation of chemical and biological threats. Key duties include:

• Serve as a senior technical expert and authority on medical diagnostics, providing scientific leadership and oversight for the research, development, and evaluation of advanced assays and systems to detect chemical and biological threats.
• Conceive, plan, and direct complex research and development programs in areas with limited precedent, originating new scientific methods and technological approaches to address critical capability gaps in chemical and biological defense.
• Manage the full lifecycle of multifaceted Science & Technology (S&T) programs, including strategic planning, financial oversight, and execution to ensure integrity, quality, and compliance with DoW mission priorities and budgetary goals.
• Represent the agency as a subject matter expert on technical committees, review panels, and in collaborations with inter-agency partners, international allies, academia, and industry to synchronize and integrate diagnostic development efforts.
• Develop and prepare authoritative analyses, program budget submissions, and high-level reports for senior leadership and external stakeholders, including the annual Chemical Biological Defense (CBD) Report to Congress.
• Lead and coordinate program activities with diverse stakeholders, conducting briefings and managing the technical review process to facilitate the rapid transition of innovative technologies to the warfighter.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Occasional Travel
• Work Schedule: Full-time
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Overtime: Occasionally
• Tour of Duty: Flexible
• Recruitment Incentives: Subject to approval
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Required
• Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
• Subject to pre-employment drug testing and periodic drug testing thereafter.
• This is an Acquisition Workforce position in the Engineering and Technical Management. functional area.
• The incumbent will be required to become certified in the Practitioner tier within 5 years.
• The incumbent is required to acquire a minimum of 40 continuous learning points (CLPs) every fiscal year as a goal and 80 CLPs being mandatory within 2 years.
• Incumbent must file a Financial Disclosure Statement.
• Periodic CONUS and occasional international travel is required.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS 14 , if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service, military or private sector:

• Directing operational deployment of medical diagnostic tools, assays, and systems to detect chemical and biological threat agents
• Developing financial plans associated with multi-project research and development portfolios
• Managing financial resources to achieve obligation and expenditure goals
• Directing the technical evaluation and regulatory navigation of complex diagnostic assays and platform technologies, ensuring scientific rigor and compliance with mission-critical performance standards for identifying emerging and persistent chemical and biological threats.

In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 1301, series as listed below:

• 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.
• 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

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional information

Other Notes:
ACQUISITION POSITION: This is an Acquisition Workforce position in the Engineering and Technical Management functional area. The incumbent will be required to become certified in the Practitioner tier within 5 years. The incumbent is required to acquire a minimum of 40 continuous learning points (CLPs) every fiscal year as a goal and 80 CLPs being mandatory within 2 years.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements:

RE-EMPLOYED ANNUITANT: This position DOES NOT meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at:

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see )