Physical Scientist - Direct Hire Authority

National Park Service•Orick, CA

About The Position

The Physical Scientist serves with Redwood National Park and develops and implements programs in geology, soils, hydrology, hydrogeology, air quality, acoustics, and related physical sciences. The position supports stewardship of internationally significant redwood forests, watersheds, and coastal resources through scientific analysis, interdisciplinary collaboration, and landscape-scale restoration efforts. The incumbent develops physical-science portions of resource management plans and action plans; represents the superintendent on physical-science matters; coordinates with agencies, adjacent lands, and the public; and identifies and oversees research projects. The role also designs and implements monitoring protocols, conducts inventories and data collection, analyzes data, and leads projects to prevent resource damage and minimize human impacts. Work is performed indoors and outdoors in varied weather and may take place in potentially hazardous terrain and settings. Duties may involve strenuous standing, walking, climbing, lifting, and carrying, as well as sedentary research and report writing. The position may be suitable for telework with supervisor approval.

Requirements

Meet the basic education requirement for the GS-1301 series through either a degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, or a qualifying combination of coursework and experience or additional education.
Meet minimum qualifications through at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service; qualifying experience must involve protection, restoration, monitoring, and management of abiotic resources in park areas or similar operations in relevant physical-science fields.
Alternatively, qualify through three full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent graduate degree directly related to the field, or an allowable combination of graduate education and experience.
Include hours worked per week for each relevant position on the resume; submit transcripts when education is used to qualify.
Be a U.S. Citizen or National and pass the required background investigation and favorable adjudication.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
Participate in direct deposit and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
Have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
Wear the required uniform and comply with uniform standards.
Complete required training and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
Serve a one-year probationary period, during which fitness and whether continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
Meet the minimum age requirement: at least 18 years old, or at least 16 and meeting one of the stated education, training, or student-employment conditions.

Responsibilities

Develop and prepare major portions of resource management plans addressing physical sciences, and prepare action plans to manage and protect physical components of natural resources.
Represent the superintendent on physical-science matters and coordinate with other agencies, adjacent lands, and the public to advance ecosystem protection.
Build and maintain relationships with related groups, agencies, and the public; attend conferences and events to share information and promote stewardship.
Identify research needs, prepare proposals, oversee research projects, and serve as a Contracting Officer's Technical Representative for contracts, agreements, and cooperative projects.
Design, develop, test, and implement scientific monitoring protocols for physical and abiotic resources.
Conduct inventories, plot distributions, and collect data using automated tools.
Perform complex data analysis and quality-control checks, and document findings to support protection, mitigation, and restoration projects.
Lead scientifically credible projects to prevent resource damage and minimize human impacts using statistically valid data collection and analysis.
Manage budgets and prepare requests for proposals as part of qualifying work.