SummaryThis position is with Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Technical Support, Analytical and Laboratory Service Division.
MSHA works to prevent death, illness and injury from mining; promote safe and healthful workplaces for U.S. miners. MSHA carries out the provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) as amended by the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006.
DutiesHelp
- Technical authority for MSHA on the weighing and evaluation of dust concentrations encountered in coal and metal/nonmetal mining.
- Develops new procedures related to the efficient and economic processing of respirable dust samples.
- Develops, institutes, and maintains laboratory quality control procedures necessary to ensure the quality of sample weighing and that cassette manufacturers are maintaining the required specifications.
- Provides expert consultation and advisory services to mine operators, Office of the Chief Information Officer, and the various MSHA Enforcement District Offices and field offices as well as to other government agencies.
- Develops procedures and provides expert advice to MSHA Headquarters for the safe shipment and analysis of repirable dust samples collected by MSHA Enforcement personnel.
- Serves as an expert witness in hearings and criminal court proceedings on procedures developed, tested, and instituted for the processing of min operator respirable dust samples.
- Resolves complex unprecedented and novel problems related to technical problems in the respriable dust sampling and analysis program.
- Modifies state-of the-art robotic systems to permit the accurate weighing of samples having, in some cases, less than 10 micorgrams of mass.
- Conducts extensive statistical analyses of respirable dust data to provide information needed to prepare reports.
- Prepares technical reports based on findings.
- Based on the results of studies, prepares, or modifies standard operating procedures for the processing of coal mine dust samples.
RequirementsHelp
Conditions of employment- Must be a U.S. Citizen.
- Must be at least 16 years old.
- Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.
- Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
- Subject to financial disclosure requirements.
- Requires a supervisory probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
- Requires a valid driver's license.
QualificationsYou must meet the Basic Requirements to qualify for Physical Scientist/Chemist, as described below.
Transcripts must be submitted to verify education requirements.
Basic Requirement - Physical Scientist: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
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:In addition to the basic requirements as described above, your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience defined below.
Be sure these types of examples are evident in your resume.Specialized experience is the experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform the duties of the position successfully, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.
Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-12, in the Federal Service that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, experience and skills to successfully perform the duties of the position.
GS-13: Specialized experience must include at least three of the following:
- Perform modifications of robotic systems.
- Apply scientific methods to conduct field or laboratory testing applicable to weighing and analyzing respirable dust samples or instrumental analysis of health samples.
- Evaluates scientific data to prepare technical reports, analytical data reports, or briefing papers.
- Assists in the development and recommendation of policies and procedures which govern engineering aspects of mine ventilation, air quality, air contaminant monitory, and other associated areas.
- Testify in mining related court cases or evaluate and supply data to support litigation.
- Maintain automated data tracking systems for scientific data.
There is no substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level.
EducationAny 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.
BenefitsHelp
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.
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.
