What are the responsibilities and job description for the PHYSICAL SCIENTIST position at Defense Threat Reduction Agency?
The incumbent serves as a Scientific Advisor to the assigned Technical Support Group (TSG) Chief in the Contingency Operations Department (CZ-CO) and provides scientific and technical expertise to DoW, National Security Staff, and other US Government Department/Agencies (D/As) senior officials to prevent, protect from, respond to, and recover from radiological and nuclear (R/N) threats or incidents.
A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, military or private sector:
A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, military or private sector:
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.
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.
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.
As a PHYSICAL SCIENTIST at the GS-1301-12/13 some of your typical work assignments may include:
Qualifications:
You may qualify at the GS 12 , if you fulfill the following qualifications:A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, military or private sector:
- Analyzing radiological/nuclear (R/N) threats and related detection problems in order to provide operational and scientific solutions to the organization and supported units
- Utilizing field radiological/nuclear (R/N) detectors and apply knowledge of field detection capabilities and limitations, with experience interpreting both detection and spectroscopic R/N data
- Calculating the effects of radiation shielding for both detection and force protection
- Applying knowledge of radiological threats in support of emergency response events
- Participating in radiological/nuclear (R/N) response operations, exercises or training
A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, military or private sector:
- Analyzing radiological/nuclear (R/N) threats and related detection problems in order to provide operational, scientific and policy solutions to the organization and supported units
- Utilizing field radiological/nuclear (R/N) detectors and apply knowledge of field detection capabilities and limitations, with experience interpreting both detection and spectroscopic R/N data and making operational recommendations
- Calculating the effects of radiation shielding for both detection and force protection
- Applying knowledge of nuclear weapon designs and radiological threats in support of emergency response events
- Participating in radiological/nuclear (R/N) response operations, exercises and training
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.
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.
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.
Responsibilities:
This position may be filled using Direct Hire Authority and is in the Department of Defense (DoD) Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project (AcqDemo): Z5CAV/Direct-Hire Authority (Certain DoD Personnel) PL 118-31, Sec 125OB (i)(2), 12/22/2023.This position is being filled under the memorandum from the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)) "Expansion of Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense," dated August 12,2024.As a PHYSICAL SCIENTIST at the GS-1301-12/13 some of your typical work assignments may include:
- Participate as a member of the Technical Support Group (TSG) to deploy in support of Combatant Commander and other federal D/As in R/N emergency response events and training.
- Provide expert scientific, technical, policy advice, opinions and recommendations.
- Serve as focal point by providing support and input into program planning, management, review, and oversight of specific Research and Development programs related to radiological/nuclear matters.
- Develop authoritative analysis and reports.
- Conduct formal presentations and briefings within DTRA, other DoD components and agencies, federal D/A's, and allied partners on R/N response capabilities, technical challenges, program, and policies.
- Provide input to the planning and conducting of major studies of extreme difficulty involving key DTRA and DoD national defense and other U.S. D/As/R/N programs, national security policies, and regulatory requirements, to include relevant Host-Nation (HN) and international requirements, to provide findings and technical solutions.
Salary : $102,415