Interdisciplinary Biologist / Physical Scientist (Assistant Administrator)

DEFINITIONS: Undergraduate Education: A year of undergraduate education is 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours or the equivalent of college study. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent was a prerequisite. Graduate Education: In the absence of specific graduate program information, a year of graduate education is 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours of graduate level college course work, or the number of credit hours the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. Experience: One year of work experience is twelve months working full-time (at least 35-40 hours per week). Part-time experience can be pro-rated (i.e., a year at 20 hours per week is credited as 6 months of experience). If your position consisted of mixed duties, experience credit is given for the percentage of time that you spent on qualifying duties (i.e., if you held a position for 2 years, full-time, consisting of 25% personnel work and 75% budget work, and then applied for a budget position you could calculate your experience as follows: 2 years = 24 months. 24 months x 75% [percentage of time spent on budget duties] = 18 months of qualifying experience.) This position is interdisciplinary and may be filled in either of the occupational job series listed. You must meet the educational requirements of at least one of these occupational series, in additional to the Minimum Requirement listed below, in order to be found qualified and referred for consideration. BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: GS-0401–BASIC REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Biologist occupational series. A. Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR B. Combination of education and experience–courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position), plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in “A” above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE). GS-1301–BASIC REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Physical Scientist occupational series: A. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics; OR B. A combination of education and experience–education equivalent to one of the majors shown in “A” above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science, engineering, or mathematics) that included at least 24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science and/or related engineering science as described above, plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in “A” above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE). MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: GS-14: In addition to meeting on of the Basic Education Requirements stated above, applicants must possess at least one year of specialized experience, at or equal to the next lower grade level, that has equipped them with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. At this level, the work provided wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment to perform scientific work of marked difficulty and responsibility. These scientists typically represent an authoritative source of consultation for other scientists and program specialists; are called upon to resolve issues that significantly affect physical science programs; make long range and controversial proposals; and defend their findings and recommendations in public or high-level forums. Examples of GS-13 level experience may include performing biological and/or physical science work such as: 1) serving as a senior expert involved in scientific work for which technical problem definitions, methods and/or data were highly incomplete, controversial, or uncertain and whose evaluations and recommendations were accepted by others as those of a technical expert. 2) planning and leading scientific projects of substantial depth and/or breadth; 3) analyzing and interpreting scientific project data with novel and obscure problems and publishing or preparing results of findings; 4) developing new or significantly modified scientific techniques, methods, or criteria; and 5) providing advisory, planning, or reviewing services as a technical specialist on a scientific issue. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.
Salary Information: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01. The nationwide salary range listed is based on the associated General Schedule Locality pay tables as determined by the Locality Pay Area Definitions. See the Additional Information section for more information.