Physical Scientist

Environmental Protection Agency•Athens, GA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is in Region 4, Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division, Laboratory Services Branch. This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis.

Requirements

You must meet time-in-grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement.
This position is designated as High Risk and requires a background investigation.
Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation.
All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date.
If you are selected, you must complete (or have already completed) a 1-year supervisory or managerial probationary period.
Upon acceptance of an initial appointment to a supervisory or managerial position with the EPA, you agree to complete all elements of the EPA Successful Leaders Program.
If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter.
NOTE: You must meet qualification requirements, including any requirements described in the Education section, by the closing date of this announcement.
To qualify for the GS-15 level, you must have 1 year of full-time specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 level defined as providing leadership and oversight of laboratory operations; developing technical guidance and standards for the evaluation/analysis of chemical samples; and advising teams, stakeholders and/or senior leadership on the development or implementation of programs related to laboratory results.
You will need the following competencies in order to perform the duties of this position successfully: Administration and Management Program/Project Management/Evaluation Scientific Integrity Laboratory Tools and Equipment Leadership Planning and Evaluating Decision Making Influencing/Negotiating Risk Management Policy Planning and Execution
You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
If you have part-time work experience, read this: Part-Time Experience .
Biologist: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR a combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major, as listed.
Environmental Engineer: You must have one of the following: Successful completion of a professional engineering degree at an accredited university or college OR Combination of college level education or training AND technical experience that has furnished you with (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration as an engineer. Evidence of passing the Engineer-in-Training written test. Successful documented completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences as described by OPM. Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field and at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.
Physical Scientist: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university 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 a combination of education and experience with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Are you a Displaced Federal Employee? If so, please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information on the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP
NOTE: To be entitled to selection priority, you must be rated well-qualified (i.e., you must have a score of 87 or higher--see the How You Will Be Evaluated section).
The area of consideration for this announcement is limited to eligible applicants in the commuting area.
This means that you must currently primarily live or work in a geographic area in which you can reasonably be expected to travel back and forth daily to the work location stated in this announcement.
If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA.
Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility.
This position is not in the bargaining unit.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Nice To Haves

For information about accreditation requirements, visit Accreditation .
Please review the OPM page on specifics about required curriculum and for more information on qualifications, please visit GS-800: All Professional Engineering Positions qualifications .

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, and direct organizational priorities and resources to manage and oversee laboratory operations.
Exercise supervisory responsibilities to foster an environment that empowers employees to participate in and contribute to mission success.
Represent the Agency to stakeholders by building effective working relationships, providing policy and procedural guidance, and resolving issues as they arise.
Serve as a technical advisor and on issues related to environmental laboratory analysis, procedures, and results.
You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits .
Benefits will not change for current permanent EPA employees.
If you are selected for this position, situational telework may be approved by your supervisor if you meet eligibility requirements, as allowable by agency policy and/or applicable collective bargaining agreement.
EPA policy only allows telework to be approved situationally.
Situational telework is for work or assignments of specific limited duration on an occasional, emergency, or ad hoc basis.
NOTE: If you are an EPA employee who currently works at a remote work location (i.e., full-time telework), your approval for remote work does not transfer to this position, subject to Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.