Summary

NIST is seeking a Standards and Conformity Assessment Scientist to drive national strategy by analyzing technical policies and collaborating with federal and private stakeholders to shape international standards. Responsibilities include developing solutions for conformity assessment challenges and ensuring global standards support U.S. innovation.

Duties

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The Standards Coordination Office at NIST initiates and manages various programs, tools, and activities designed to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. industries in technical standards and conformity assessment. It also aims to improve the coordination of federal agencies in their involvement with the development and use of these standards.

In this position, you will:

• Apply knowledge, experience, and expertise in leadership to issues related to U.S. competitiveness in critical and emerging technology (CET) standardization.
• Develop and implement proposals for products that address identified issues in standards development and conformity assessment, consistent with the NIST mission.
• Analyze technical policies to formulate strategies that support the development and adoption of standards that underpin innovation and improved trade opportunities for U.S. industry in the global economy.
• Collaborate with appropriate stakeholders on standards development activities.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment
• Completion of Confidential Financial Disclosure, Form OGE-450
• Bargaining Unit Position: No

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

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.

In addition to the above basic requirements, this position requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least at the GS-14 (ZP-IV at NIST) level. Specialized experience is defined as: experience leading, implementing, and coordinating technical standards-related engagements and partnerships with stakeholders, including, but not limited to, government agencies and private-sector standards development organizations within and outside the United States, on standards issues and policies.

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.

The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.

If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration

Education

This position has an education requirement. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required before a final offer of employment.

Use of foreign education for qualifications. An accredited organization must evaluate education completed outside of the U.S. to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with course-by-course listing) is required with your application.

Additional information

This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Learn more about the APMS here!

• We may share your application package with other selecting officials. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.
• Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.
• You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY to be considered for this position.
• All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations.

• A probationary period may be required.
• This position requires filing an OGE-450 Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of onboarding and annually thereafter.

NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities. For more information, please visit our Careers website.

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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.