Duties
The following are the duties of this position at the GS-13. If you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform all these duties, and will receive training to help you grow in this position.
As a General Physical Scientist (SENIOR SCIENTIST), you will: - Perform appropriate literature research, design experiments, coordinate test activities, document results in approved formats and presents results to management and stakeholders.
- Perform independent market research and develop requirements and other required documents.
- Work with the other BEP Offices including Product Development, Production, Engineering and staff from US Secret Service, Federal Reserve, etc. resolving technical problems deemed important by the Bureau and its customers.
- Review and evaluate data from technical literatures, agency and industry publications on materials characterization, new methods of analysis, quality testing equipment and quality standards.
- Initiate, lead, coordinate, conduct, monitor, and evaluate investigations and studies to validate material compliance to specifications and requirements, to identify the material key characteristics or properties, and identify and resolve critical, complex, or novel material performance or product quality issues related to the production, quality, durability, and security of U.S Currency and other BEP security products.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or volunteer service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year and indicate number of hours worked per week on your résumé.
Key Requirements:
- Please refer to "Conditions of Employment."
- Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
- Must be U.S. Citizen or U.S. National
SUITABILITY, CLEARANCE & REQUIREMENTS: A background investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for disqualification in the hiring process. The background investigation process conducted by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is very thorough. Therefore, it is imperative that applicants exercise candor and honesty when answering background questionnaires, especially as it relates to arrest, employment, education, finances, illegal drug use, and/or other criminal history. Falsification discovered in security documents or during the background investigation process may result in an immediate negative suitability determination or immediate revocation of your interim clearance (if applicable).
Qualifications
You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
For the GS-13, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized Experience for this position includes:
- Serving as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for laboratory operations related to Analytical Chemistry, Ink Testing, Paper Testing, Banknote Durability Testing, Banknote Processing System, Microscopy or Advanced Instrumentation (e.g. Spectroscopy, Thermal Analysis and Rheology).
Examples of such experience includes:
- Participating, as SME, on technical projects, Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) investigations, or crossfunctional teams.
- Coordinating laboratory activities in an ISO regulated environment
- Developing and validating methods for Quality Assurance testing
For the GS-12, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized Experience for this position includes:
- Experience completing project based assignments, analyzing data, and developing or conducting qualitative and quantitative lab test.
Examples of such experience includes:
- Developing new methods for evaluating materials properties -Writing or reviewing technical reports and work instructions
- Presenting test/lab work findings to stakeholders
- Analyzing materials and finished products
- Perform statistical analysis for method development, interpreting and validating test data
Education
Education Requirements:
Individual Occupational Requirements for General Physical Science Series, 1301
Basic Requirements:
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.
The education generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Refer to the OPM instructions.
Additional information
OTHER INFORMATION: - We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.
- This is a non-bargaining unit position.
- The facility typically shuts down annually between Christmas and New Year's Day. As such, all BEP employees must take leave for workdays during the shutdown period.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: - A one-year probationary period may be required.
- Must successfully complete a background investigation.
- Public Trust - Background Investigation will be required.
- Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
- This position requires that the successful candidate undergo personnel vetting, which includes a background investigation and enrollment upon onboarding into "Continuous Vetting." Enrollment in Continuous Vetting will result in automated record checks being conducted throughout one's employment with Treasury. The successful candidate will also be enrolled into FBI's Rap Back service, which will allow Treasury to receive notification from the FBI of criminal matters (e.g., arrests, charges, convictions) involving enrolled individuals in near real-time. For more information about individual rights, Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights - FBI, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI, and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov).
- Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
- If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
- Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
- Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment.
- Wear required safety clothing and/or equipment required by the position. This may include safety shoes, hard hats, hearing protection, gloves, masks, etc.
- Weekend work and overtime, if applicable, will be scheduled when needed based on production requirements as determined by Management.
- Veterans Preference does NOT apply to this Direct Hire announcement.
Our comprehensive benefits are very generous. Our benefits package includes:
- Challenging work, opportunities for advancement, competitive salaries, bonuses and incentive awards.
- Eleven paid holidays, 13 days of sick leave, and 13 to 26 days of vacation time each year.
- Access to insurance programs that may be continued after you retire.
- A wide choice of health insurance plans, coverage for pre-existing conditions, and no waiting periods. We pay a substantial amount (up to 75%) of the health insurance premiums.
- Public Transportation Incentives and reserved parking available for Washington DC positions.
- A retirement program which includes employer-matching contributions.
- Learn more about Federal benefits programs at: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
- Your application includes your résumé, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your résumé includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your résumé may result in a "not qualified" determination.
A subject matter expert may be used in the evaluation. Your rating may be lowered if your responses to the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application.
Rating: Your application will be evaluated in the following areas: Technical, Analytical, Project Management, and Communication.
This announcement is issued under "Direct-Hire" authority. Consistent with 5 U.S.C 3304 and OPM regulations (5 CFR 337 Subpart B) on direct-hire: All candidates who meet all the qualification and other eligibility requirements may be referred for consideration. Competitive examining rules providing for rating and ranking and veterans' preference do not apply. A subject matter expert may be used in the evaluation. Your rating may be lowered if your responses to the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application.
Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview. We will not reimburse costs related to the interview such as travel to and from the interview site. If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) you must score an 80 or better to receive special selection priority.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
All applicants must submit a résumé showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed. All applicants are required to submit arésumé either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their own choosing. (Cover letters are optional.) We suggest that you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your résumé to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions. Please view résumé tips.
All applicants must submit vacancy assessment question responses: All applicants are required to complete vacancy question responses by clicking the apply online button of this vacancy announcement.
VETERANS' PREFERENCE DOCUMENTATION: Veterans' Preference does NOT apply to the Direct Hire Authority however, you are still encouraged to submit your documentation. Please see applicant guide for required documentation.
CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (CTAP/ICTAP) If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee, click CTAP/ICTAP for eligibility and a detailed list of required documents you must submit in order to be eligible.
EDUCATION DOCUMENTATION: For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses showing title, number of credits, grade, and date of completion.
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