Physical Scientist

**Duties**:
**As a Physical Scientist, you will perform the following duties**:

- Define technical problems requiring study and/or solution; plan and develop advanced scientific and technical studies and evaluations within the program; oversee and direct the work of assigned teams as well as other lower-level scientists.
- Support studies in pre-formulation and formulation phases of new satellite systems and/or instruments acquisition projects.
- Communicate to the scientific community via conferences, publications, and committee participation, and serve as a technical representative on panels, committees, and conferences.

**Note**: The duties are at the full ZP-04 performance level and the ZP-03 is the developmental grade level leading to such performance.

**Requirements**:
**Conditions of Employment**:
This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel System (CAPS). This system replaced the Federal GS pay plan and structure. Under CAPS, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band.

The ZP-3 is equivalent to the GS-11/12 - Salary $82,764 - $128,956.
The ZP-4 is equivalent to the GS-13/14 - Salary $117,962 - $181,216.

The full performance level of the position is ZP-4.
- A one-year probationary period is required.
- Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.
- **This position is not in the bargaining unit.**

**Key Requirements**:

- Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
- Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
- More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.

**Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?**

**Qualifications**:

- **EDUCATION**:
**To qualify for the 1301 series**:

- **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.
- **SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE**: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service.
- Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.
- 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.
- **To qualify at the ZP-3 or GS-11**:
**SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE**: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-2 or GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

- Supporting research and development for space weather satellite instruments and data use and related topics; and

**OR**

**SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION**: 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
- **OR**

**COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE**: A combination of education and experience as described above.
- **Note**: Only graduate education in excess of two years is qualifying for combination.
- **To qualify at the ZP-4 or GS-13**:
**SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE**: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-3 or GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

- Leading satellite system or subsystem development, space weather instrumentation design, space weather algorithm development and instrument calibration and validation; and
- Leading intra agency and interagency projects and activities and providing scientific oversight and guidance to space weather projects.

**Education**:
**Note**:Your college transcript is used to verify successful completion of degree, or college course work. An official college transcript will be required before you can report to duty.

**Additional information**:
**CTAP** applicants MUST submit the following documents:

- A copy of your specific RIF notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; a Certificate of Expected Separati