Duties

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As a PHYSICAL SCIENTIST at the GS-1301-14 some of your typical work assignments may include:

• Translate highly complex customer and end-user capabilities/vulnerabilities into actionable technical objectives for soliciting advanced scientific S&T research for chemical and biological detection.
• Serve as an authoritative subject matter expert for all phases of chemical and biological detection solutions, delivering early-warning capabilities to the warfighter.
• Lead the development and technical validation of fieldable chemical and biological detection prototypes.
• Coordinate, setting rigorous scientific standards for, and review multi-faceted R&D efforts conducted across diverse geographic locations, contractor sites, academic institutions, and federal laboratories.
• Provide senior executive-level technical advice to the RD-CBPD Branch Chief and RD-CBP Division Director across a broad spectrum of physical and life sciences, including but not limited to applied physics, physical/analytical/organic chemistry, cheminformatics, microbiology, virology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics.
• Drive the execution of high-priority S&T investments utilizing advanced portfolio management tools and collaborative stakeholder engagement.
• Conceive, plan, conduct, and review pioneering work in chemical and biological detection, especially in highly novel scientific areas with limited existing theoretical frameworks.
• Perform technological forecasting, evaluate research achievements, and assess the strategic impact of scientific breakthroughs.
• Maintain comprehensive oversight of assigned portfolios to ensure absolute compliance with policy, budget, and DTRA mission priorities, while hitting strict obligation and expenditure targets.
• Help develop highly visible, authoritative inputs for critical agency reports, including the annual Chemical and Biological Defense (CBD) Report to Congress.
• Coordinate and integrate technical aspects of detection programs across the DTRA R&D Directorate, Joint Staff, Service laboratories, Combatant Commands (CCDRs), and contracting agencies.
• Represent the Branch and Division during high-level technical briefings, conferences, and program reviews, articulating progress and addressing technical challenges before senior DoD leadership.
• Direct critical administrative and financial components of program execution, to include generating Statements of Work (SOWs), Procurement Requests (PRs), and official program budget submissions.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Occasional Travel
• Work Schedule: Full-time
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Overtime: Occasionally
• Tour of Duty: Flexible
• Recruitment Incentives: Subject to approval by hiring manager
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Required (OGE 450)
• Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET/Special Compartmentalized Investigation (SCI) security clearance
• Incumbent is required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE 450, upon entering the position, annually, and upon termination of employment, in accordance with DOD Directive 5500.7-R, Joint Ethics Regulation, August 30, 1993.
• Travel up to (25%) is required. Travel may be required to locations within and outside the continental United States
• The employee must be willing to comply with each Combatant Command (COCOM) travel medical requirement to include vaccinations.
• Valid passport required.
• Must consent to and pass pre-employment drug testing and be subject to periodic random drug testing thereafter.
• This is an Acquisition Workforce position in the Engineering and Technical Management functional area. The incumbent will be required to become certified in the Practitioner tier within 5 years.
• The incumbent is required to acquire a minimum of 40 continuous learning points (CLPs) every fiscal year as a goal and 80 CLPs being mandatory within 2 years.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS 14 , if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the 13 grade level in the Federal service, military, or private sector:

• Serving as an authoritative expert and senior program manager, creating novel and innovative research solicitations, leading complex technical projects, managing the financial and programmatic execution of projects, and delivering advanced chemical and biological detection technologies that address critical joint warfighter requirements
• Utilizing technical and scientific expertise with advanced acquisition and programmatic knowledge to drive revolutionary technology development modernizing how agency actively address, detect, and mitigate evolving chemical and biological threats
• Generating long-term S&T strategies and managing complex research and development portfolios within fiscal constraints
• Leveraging interagency, academic, and international network to forge strategic partnerships, align shared goals, and eliminate duplication of effort.

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

In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 1301, series as listed below:

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.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional information

Other Notes:

ACQUISITION POSITION: This is an Acquisition Workforce position in the Engineering and Technical management functional area. The incumbent will be required to become certified in the Practitioner tier within 5 years. The incumbent is required to acquire a minimum of 40 continuous learning points (CLPs) every fiscal year as a goal and 80 CLPs being mandatory within 2 years.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements: Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses

RE-EMPLOYED ANNUITANT: This position DOES NOT meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Who Needs to Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov))

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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.