Interdisciplinary General Engineer/Physical Scientist - Recent Graduate

Department of Energy Headquarters • Anchorage, AK

10h • Onsite

About The Position

This is a one-year developmental position in the Federal Government’s Pathways Recent Graduates Program. Participants receive training and professional development, complete an Individual Development Plan, and are assigned a mentor. After successfully completing the program requirements, participants may be eligible for noncompetitive conversion to a term or permanent civil-service position; conversion is discretionary and not guaranteed.

The position may be filled at GS-7 or GS-9, with varying full-performance levels (such as GS-11, GS-12, or GS-13 equivalent) depending on the selecting Program Office’s needs. The work supports engineering and scientific projects and includes planning and carrying out assignments, evaluating technical information, preparing reports, and collaborating with other engineers and scientists. Specific grade-level responsibilities will be discussed during interviews.

This is not a remote position. The employee must report to the selected duty station. Applicants are asked to identify their top two locations where they are willing to report or relocate. Salary depends on duty location. The position is non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act, may be covered by a bargaining unit, and may involve financial disclosure, drug testing, or DOE Technical Qualifications Program requirements depending on the position.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or Foreign National who meets applicable Immigration and Annual Appropriations Laws.
• Must meet Federal employment suitability requirements following a background investigation.
• Must sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement and serve a trial period during the entire excepted-service appointment.
• Must meet Recent Graduates eligibility requirements: generally, completion of a qualifying degree, certificate, or career or technical education program within the previous two years; students may qualify if they will meet the education requirements within two months of the announcement closing date, but cannot be appointed until they graduate. Certain veterans whose military service obligation delayed application may have up to six years after completing their degree or certificate to apply.
• Must meet the basic education requirements for the 0801 engineering series or 1301 physical science series, as applicable.
• GS-7 qualification: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5, including assisting in project execution using basic engineering or scientific principles and documenting findings; or qualifying graduate education, superior academic achievement with a qualifying bachelor’s degree, or an allowable combination of education and experience.
• GS-9 qualification: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7, including scientific or engineering research and analysis to interpret technical data for project support and drafting concise technical reports or communications for varied audiences; or qualifying graduate education or an allowable combination of education and experience.
• Must meet the eligibility and qualification requirements within two months of the announcement closing date.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must provide DD214 documentation if applying under the veteran provision for military service that precluded application during the standard eligibility period.
• Depending on the position, may be required to submit an OGE-450 financial disclosure report within 30 days of entering the position and annually; undergo applicant and random drug testing; or complete DOE Technical Qualifications Program requirements within 18 months of entering the program, or within 12 months if previously qualified.
• For the 0801 series, must satisfy the specified engineering degree or an accepted combination of education and experience, including applicable engineering coursework, registration, licensure, or examination routes.
• For the 1301 series, must have a qualifying four-year degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics with 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, or qualifying equivalent education and experience.
• Foreign education must be shown to be equivalent to U.S. education through appropriate credential evaluation documentation.
• Candidates should be committed to improving Federal government efficiency, the ideals of the American republic, the rule of law, and the United States Constitution.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional engineering or scientific support for projects assigned to higher-grade engineers.
• Plan work procedures and select standard practices and data for engineering or scientific assignments and identified problems.
• Assist with coordinating and carrying out limited, well-defined engineering and/or scientific projects.
• Research and evaluate basic engineering or scientific designs, specifications, and related documentation; perform and interpret calculations and determine whether factual information is relevant, accurate, and useful.
• Prepare routine, recurring engineering or scientific reports for higher-grade engineers or to communicate factual technical data and information.
• Perform a variety of general scientific and/or engineering tasks supporting larger projects.
• Research, analyze, interpret, evaluate, and carry out difficult but conventional scientific or engineering assignments supporting programs and projects.
• Review reports, plans, specifications, change orders, modifications, and other documents prepared by others, applying knowledge of technological advances to identify discrepancies or potential issues.
• Work with other scientists and engineers to identify and interpret factors, situations, and conditions and discern relationships among scientific or engineering methods, processes, and activities.
• Attend organizational-unit and intradepartmental meetings to plan, coordinate, or advise on technical work and identify solutions to typical issues or operating problems.

Benefits

• A comprehensive Federal employee benefits package is available; specific eligibility depends on position type and other factors.
• Relocation expenses or incentives may be available.
• Recruitment incentives may be available.
• Student loan repayment may be available.
• Advance in hire based on superior qualifications may be available.
• Creditable service may be available.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level