Physical Scientist

Minimum Qualification Requirements:
To qualify for this position you must meet the Basic Educational Requirements AND Specialized Experience for the series/grade to which you are applying.

(1) Basic Educational Requirements:

Please Note: This position requires specific educational coursework to qualify. You MUST provide transcripts (unofficial are acceptable) in order to verify that the educational requirements have been met. This information must be received by the closing date of the announcement. Failure to provide this information may result in you receiving an "INELIGIBLE" rating.

Physical Science Series, 1301:
Individual Occupational Requirements
(1) Basic Educational Requirements:

To be eligible for this position, you must meet either A or B below for the series to which you are applying.

1. 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

2. 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.

(2) Specialized Experience
To qualify for the GS-13, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:
1) Utilizing marine minerals expertise to prepare and/or review technical documents with a focus on geological and geophysical data and data management;
2) Supporting and managing marine mineral activities and advising colleagues and/or management on marine mineral exploration;
3) Independently evaluating internal processes and preparing findings; AND
4) Coordinating internal procedures related to marine mineral exploration, environmental reviews and/or leasing within an organization.
MUST MEET ALL.

NOTE: After the closing date of the vacancy announcement, you will receive two narrative technical questions via email. These two questions were developed by subject-matter experts. You will be required to respond to all narrative questions, addressing each question separately within 48 hours. Please give a complete and detailed answer for each question. Do not enter "Refer to Resume" to explain your answer. Applications directing the reader to search within the application or to "See Resume" or failure to submit a narrative for each response in the given timeframe will be considered incomplete and WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Your responses to the questions will be evaluated by a subject matter expert. Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for removing you from further consideration. Please note that a complete application is required for consideration. (Please review the "Required Documents" section of this job announcement to see what must be included in a complete application).

Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties.

The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.

NOTICE: This employer participates in E-Verify and will utilize your Form I-9 information to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.
A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work with the U.S. Department of the Interior. The preliminary background check consists of a search of Office of Personnel Management and Department of Defense background investigation files and an FBI National Criminal History Fingerprint Check; it may take up to 3 weeks to complete. If selected for this position, you will be extended a tentative offer of employment pending a satisfactory background check. Current Federal employees or individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check; these will be handled on a case-by-case basis in coordination with the Bureau security office.