Physical Science Technician

Summary This position provides technical assistance and laboratory services for the inspection program within the Mine Safety and Health Administration, Enforcement. The primary focus is the calibration and repair of sampling instruments used by inspection personnel and ensuring instruments and supplies are readily available to the inspection force. Learn more about this agency Requirements Conditions of Employment Must be a U.S. Citizen. Must be at least 16 years old. Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met. Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level. Qualifications To qualify for this position, your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience and/or education requirements as defined below. If qualifying based on experience, be sure these types of examples are evident in your resume. The Physical Science Technician Series, GS-1311, has basic occupational requirements for positions covered by this standard. Applicants must meet the following basic requirements (IOR) to qualify: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to a least the next lower grade level, GS-06 in the Federal Service. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include work in the fields of astronomy, physics, geophysics, chemistry, hydrology, health physics, engineering, electronics, geology, oceanography, and metallurgy. Experience as a laboratory mechanic or in a trade or craft may be credited as general or specialized experience when the work was performed in close association with physical scientists or other technical personnel and provided intensive knowledge of appropriate scientific principles, methods, techniques, and precedents. In addition to the Basic Occupational Requirement listed above, applicants must meet the following to qualify for the GS-07: Specialized experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower level, GS-06 of Federal service in at least two of the following: 1) Tests and calibrates mine hazard detection instruments; 2) Reads schematics and comprehends relevant technical literature; 3) Follows respirator fit testing procedures; 4) Operates, maintains, and uses self-contained self-rescuers; 5) Follows procedures and requirements for certification of dust samplers; and/or6) Analyzes and evaluates data/information. OR Education: One full year of graduate level education that is directly related to physical sciences; OR An equivalent combination of specialized experience and education as described above. Education Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service. If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum coursework requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information. Additional information Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Reference the Required Documents section for additional requirements. This position is inside the bargaining unit. If the duty location is within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the Local 12, AFGE bargaining unit. If the duty location is outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the NCFLL bargaining unit. GS-7 Click here for Career Ladder Promotion Information All MSHA employees and their spouses, and minor children are prohibited by regulation from having any interest, direct or indirect, in any mine or mining company that may be directly affected by the work of MSHA through its investigations, technical research, or other activities. These interests are prohibited under the Department of Labor's Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct Regulations at 5 CFR 5201.105. Certain MSHA employees are required to file a financial disclosure report. For questions, please contact Kizzie Stokes at [email protected] or 972-850-4462. The mission of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to protect the welfare of workers and job seekers, improve working conditions, expand high-quality employment opportunities, and assure work-related benefits and rights for all workers. As such, the Department is committed to fostering a workplace and workforce that promote equal employment opportunity, reflects the diversity of the people we seek to serve, and models a culture of respect, equity, inclusion, and accessibility where every employee feels heard, supported, and empowered. Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES As a condition of employment, all personnel must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities, systems, information and/or classified materials before they can enter on duty: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION Based on agency needs, additional positions may be filled using this vacancy. The Department of Labor may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government to attract highly qualified candidates. Click here for Additional Information. The Fair Chance Act (FCA) prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOL employee has violated your rights under the FCA, you may file a complaint of the alleged violation following our agency's complaint process Guidelines for Reporting Violations of the Fair Chance Act. Note: The FCA does not apply to some positions specified under the Act, such as law enforcement or national security positions. All Department of Labor employees are subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Program under Executive Order 12564 and Public Law 100-71. Read more 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. 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.