Summary Position is located in the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (OHMS), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). Serves as a national/international expert in packaging, operational control and classification of radioactive and nuclear material for the transportation of hazardous materials. Assists in developing Federal policy and regulations for safe transportation of radioactive and nuclear materials by highway, air, rail, and water. Responsibilities As a Physical Scientist, you will: Technical Expertise- Provides technical expertise to develop regulatory standards, compliance guidance, test methods, and criteria to evaluate the types and degrees of hazards and risk associated with the transportation of radioactive and nuclear. Technical Analysis and Safety Improvement - Performs scientific studies, makes calculations, analyzes plans and specifications and makes authoritative recommendations pertaining to the suitability of packaging for the safe containment of hazardous materials in transportation. The work effort is concerned with regulatory problems dealing with the design, construction, use, and testing of packaging containing radioactive and nuclear materials. Field Operations Support- Provides technical guidance to Field Operations Division of OHMS in the conduct of field surveillance and investigations of shippers and carriers of radioactive and nuclear materials to determine compliance with the requirements for packaging and shipment of hazardous materials and provides training to inspectors of the Field Operations Division on the technical aspects of radioactive and nuclear materials. Special Projects- Conceives, plans, and implements work projects to incorporate new packaging concepts and developments into the Hazardous Materials Regulations through the rulemaking process. As a national expert in the field, incumbent is responsible for ensuring that OHMS keeps abreast of developments at the cutting edge of technology. External Affairs- Frequently serves on government and industry committees on radioactive and nuclear material packaging as the Department's representative in developing compatible safety standards. The incumbent serves as a technical expert for high-level conferences and meetings concerned with developing national and international safety packaging standards. Congressional Affairs- Responds to inquiries from members the U.S. Congress, industry, and the public concerned with the transportation of radioactive and nuclear materials. Basic Requirements for All Grades: 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. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. citizen & meet specialized experience to qualify Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date Required documents must be submitted by the closing date. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. PCS/RELOCATION/RECRUITMENT: Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Relocation, and Recruitment Incentive authorization varies by position/selection and a service agreement may be required. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY: This position may be eligible for occasional and/or regularly scheduled telework. The number of telework days approved will be determined by your immediate supervisor or manager following the agency’s telework policy and guidance. If participating in the telework program, you will be required to sign a telework agreement detailing agency telework policy requirements, working conditions, and expectations for the position. Qualifications To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include: Experience providing basic level analysis in support of program and policy development based on evaluation of packaging systems, material science and testing (destructive and nondestructive), failure analysis and fracture mechanics. Experience performing basic scientific studies, making calculations, analyzes plans and specifications and presenting recommendations pertaining to the suitability of packaging for the safe containment of hazardous materials in transportation. Basic knowledge of transportation regulations, packaging systems, material science and testing (destructive and nondestructive), failure analysis and fracture mechanics. To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have: 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. You can also qualify based on a combination of higher-level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application. To qualify for the GS-12 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include: Experience providing analysis and recommendations regarding program and policy development based on evaluation of packaging systems, material science and testing (destructive and nondestructive), failure analysis and fracture mechanics. Experience in providing technical support in the development of regulatory standards, compliance guidance, test methods, and criteria to evaluate the types and degrees of hazards and risk associated with the transportation of radioactive and nuclear materials. You cannot qualify on education at the GS-12 level; you must have experience. To qualify for the GS-13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include: Experience, with guidance of higher-level supervision, providing technical expertise to develop regulatory standards, compliance guidance, test methods, and criteria to evaluate the types and degrees of hazards and risk associated with the transportation of radioactive and nuclear materials. Experience performing scientific studies, making calculations, analyzing plans and specifications and making authoritative recommendations pertaining to the suitability of packaging for the safe containment of hazardous materials in transportation containing radioactive and nuclear materials. Experience providing the U.S. delegation to the International Atomic Energy Agency with expert opinions underlying U.S. positions on proposed new standards regarding the classification, packaging and testing of packaging for radioactive and nuclear materials. To qualify for the GS-14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include: Experience providing technical expertise to develop regulatory standards, compliance guidance, test methods, and criteria to evaluate the types and degrees of hazards and risk associated with the transportation of radioactive and nuclear Experience performing a variety of complex studies and calculations on proposals for new types of packaging, analytical evaluations of the containment integrity of packaging, and calculations to develop new standards for production and in service qualification. Experience providing the U.S. delegation to the International Atomic Energy Agency with expert opinions underlying U.S. positions on proposed new standards regarding the classification, packaging and testing of packaging for radioactive and nuclear materials. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Engineering - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and application of nuclear technologies and package design including research, development, construction, operation, testing, and maintenance of systems, packages and equipment. Research - Knowledge of the scientific principles, methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results. Technical Competence - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. Safety Engineering - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods to identify, control, mitigate, and eliminate safety hazards in the design and use of facilities, equipment, operations, and work processes. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. 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. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education Additional Information The agency has the option of extending a term appointment up to the 4-year limit. This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. Qualified CTAP/ICTAP candidates receive priority and will be referred to the hiring manager.