Physical Scientist

Summary

This position is part of the Office of Environmental Management - Carlsbad Field Office, Department of Energy. As a Physical Scientist, you will be managing the National Transuranic (TRU) waste transportation services across the nation and to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).

Duties

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As a Physical Scientist (Transportation Logistics Manager), you will:

• Oversee the planning, design, and safe execution of scientific and engineering projects supporting the National Transuranic (TRU) waste program, including packaging (Type A and Type B) and shipments to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).
• Analyze technical data, emerging technologies, and operational challenges to resolve engineering uncertainties, mitigate risks, and establish improved operational criteria and standards.
• Participate as a technical specialist on the Incident/Accident Response Team to respond to radioactive release risks, assess shipping package integrity, and coordinate recovery operations.
• Monitor and enforce strict adherence to Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, state, and tribal requirements governing hazardous and radioactive materials transport.
• Serve as an authoritative technical advisor on national task forces, interagency working groups, and public forums to defend DOE policies and negotiate agreements with federal, state, tribal, and industry entities holding conflicting viewpoints.
• Serves as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), preparing statements of work, establishing budgets, and negotiating multi-million-dollar contractual and cost-sharing terms with commercial carrier services.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
• If selected, your appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
• Occasional travel required.
• This position is not included in a Bargaining Agreement.
• You will be required to complete an OF-306, "Declaration for Federal Employment" form to (a) determine your suitability for Federal employment.
• At the GS-14 level, you're required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, at the GS-14 level, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually.
• Must be able to acquire and maintain FAC-COR 2 within 2 years of accepting position.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR 1301 SERIES

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 REQUIREMENTS:

GS-13: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting at least 2 of the 4 of the following:

1. Coordinating the transportation logistics of hazardous, radioactive, or dangerous materials across highway, rail, or multimodal networks in accordance with applicable federal, state, or commercial transport regulations.
2. Evaluating hazardous or radioactive containment systems and packaging for structural integrity, safety standard compliance, or incident/emergency response readiness.
3. Monitoring contractor or commercial carrier performance, developing technical statements of work (SOWs) or specifications, and tracking project milestones, schedules, or resource allocations.
4. Analyzing data to resolve transportation/system anomalies, mitigate operational risks, or improve safety and process efficiencies.

GS-14: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-13 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting at least 2 of the 4 of the following:

1. Directing or overseeing the operational logistics, scheduling, carrier allocation, and dispatching of hazardous, radioactive, or dangerous materials shipments across inter-facility, regional, or nationwide transport networks.
2. Interpreting and enforcing multi-jurisdictional transportation regulations and assessing certified containment systems.
3. Serving as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), technical monitor, or commercial contract lead by preparing statements of work (SOWs), evaluating technical proposals, monitoring operational performance, and recommending contractual adjustments.
4. Conducting scientific or engineering analyses to resolve technical uncertainties, address transportation or packaging anomalies, and participate as a technical specialist in accident or incident emergency response involving hazardous or radioactive material containment.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

This vacancy has a positive education requirement. In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible". Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

Additional information

• Shared Certificates: The Department of Energy shares lists of applicants among its internal Departmental Elements and organizations. You may be referred for consideration to other DOE Hiring Managers throughout the Department for more than one position based on this application. By applying to this announcement, you understand your application materials may be shared with multiple Hiring Mangers throughout DOE. If additional positions are filled from this announcement conditions of employment may differ. You will be notified if you are referred for additional positions.
• This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
• For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov
• Hiring incentives may be authorized in accordance with agency policy and if funding is available.
• Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement.
• Veterans Information: https://www.energy.gov/careers/veterans-military-spouses
• Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/
• The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged noncompliance by completing the Fair Chance Act Intake Form and submitting it to the Administrative Investigations Program at [redacted].
• CTAP/ICTAP Note: While a formal performance appraisal is highly recommended and requested to expedite your evaluation, if your agency-issued RIF separation notice or other official separation documentation explicitly states that your performance was at least "Fully Successful" (or equivalent) and notes your rating of record, it may be accepted in lieu of a formal performance appraisal. Failure to provide any documentation proving a rating of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent will result in the loss of your priority consideration.

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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.

Benefits

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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 windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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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.