What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position? This is a term appointment not to exceed 13 months with possible extensions up to a total of 4 years without further competition. Appointment to this position will not convey permanent status in the Federal service. Salary: $39,578 (Step 01) to $51,446 (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

Duties

As a Physical Science Technician within the Columbia Environmental Research Center, some of your specific duties will include:

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-5 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of this position. Specialized experience may include work in the fields of astronomy, physics, geophysics, chemistry, hydrology, health physics, engineering, electronics, geology, oceanography, and metallurgy if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Examples of GS-4 level work: 1) Under close supervision and review, serves as a trainee acquiring a familiarity with laboratory and/or field environment. Analyzes, evaluates, consolidates and reports findings. Uses a large number of delicate and exacting steps and/or elaborate instruments. Possess little or no practical experience in the work but may possess theoretical knowledge related to the position gained through formal technical training; 2) Applies a limited amount of experience in accomplishing the work. Receives oral instructions concerning work methods, available equipment, and procedures to be followed on new tasks. Uses some written guides. Work is checked in progress and upon completion for adequacy and accuracy. Methods are fairly well established; makes procedural readjustments; selects auxiliary equipment and methods due to sample size, limitations of equipment, etc.; 3) Receives general oral instructions as to timeframes, anticipated technical problems, and possible sources of additional guidance. Written guides are available but do contain gaps and deviations where the technician is expected to decide possible alternatives. Work is rarely checked in progress but is checked for adequacy and accuracy at end of assignment or phase. Performs one or a few routine procedural tasks where work methods and techniques are well established. Arranges work sequences, adjusts equipment, and recognizes deviations in results obtained. **OR applicants may substitute successful completion of a full four year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (a) with major study in an appropriate field of physical science, or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours, or the equivalent, in any combination of courses such as physical science, engineering, or any branch of mathematics, except financial and commercial mathematics. **OR a combination of successfully completed post-high school education and specialized experience may be used to meet the qualification requirements for GS-5. Only progressive education in excess of the first 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours (i.e., beyond the first two years) of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement, assuming the education includes the required number of directly related semester hours, or the equivalent, in any combination of courses such as physical science, engineering, or any branch of mathematics, except financial and commercial mathematics.(CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION & SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE) You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

• 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.
• Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs .

Contacts

• Address COLUMBIA ENVIRONMENTAL RES CTR 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Mail Stop 600 Reston, VA 20192 US
• Name: Misti Wankel
• Phone: 303-236-9194
• Email: [email protected]