Physical Scientist

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience OR substitution of education for experience OR combination (if applicable) in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet the following requirements:

EDUCATION:

A. 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.

OR

B. 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.

SPECIALIZED

EXPERIENCE:

Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri Corps) 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.

SPECIALIZED

EXPERIENCE:

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP‑2 or GS‑09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

• Assisting in developing and evaluating hydrographic systems, technologies, and procedures used in ocean mapping systems; and
• Assisting in testing or transitioning new or existing systems or technologies into an operational environment.

OR

SUBSTITUTION OF

EDUCATION:

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 years of progressively higher‑level graduate education leading to such a degree.

OR

COMBINATION OF

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

A combination of successfully completed graduate‑level education and specialized experience may be used to meet the total experience requirements.
Note: Only graduate‑level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower level may be combined with experience.