Physical Scientist

Selective Placement Factors: This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified: Required to obtain Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) certification (level 1) within one year of employment, and a COR level 2 within an appropriate amount of time aft er the COR level 1 is achieved. In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements – please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. In addition to the Basic Education requirements, to qualify at the GS-13 level you must meet the following: Specialized Experience: Applicants must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 level equivalent in difficulty and complexity to perform the duties of a Physical Scientist. Qualifying specialized experience includes: Coordinating remedial actions for hazardous waste disposal; identifying and coordinating the mitigation of environmental and physical safety hazards; preparing assessment plans, and/or overseeing assessment studies and analyses; planning and implementing of clean-up efforts for targeted areas posing potential health and/or safety hazards; interpreting guidance on remedial actions and/or providing information to management based on regulations. Please note there are no educational substitutions at this grade level. 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. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade requirement in accordance with 5 CFR 300.604. If you are a current Federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level. Physical Demands: The incumbent will utilize various modes of transportation to travel and perform assignments with little or no advance notice. Assignments may require performing duties under adverse weather conditions (extreme heat or cold). Considerable walking, stooping, bending, and climbing such as in performing construction activities, observe and study work operations, and conducting field inspections of potential hazardous material disposal sites. Duties may require protective equipment including a containment suit and donning of respiratory equipment. Failure to comply with established standards could result in the endangerment of the incumbent and co-workers. Incumbent may be required to lift equipment and samples weighing up to 50 lbs. Work Environment: In addition to working in an office setting, the work involves regular and recurring exposure associated with superfund cleanup sites. The incumbent must adhere to HAZWOPER standards, policies, practices, and procedures when participating in hazardous waste, emergency response, and cleanup operations involving hazardous substances. Known exposures include moderate risk, discomfort, and unpleasantness related to toxic chemicals, a variety of temperatures, potentially adverse weather conditions, contagious diseases, carcinogenic materials, noxious fumes, flammable liquids, radiation, and/or potentially pathogenic bacteria. HAZWOPER training and strict compliance with OSHA standards aims to prevent and minimize the possibility of worker injury and illness resulting from potential exposures to hazardous substances. Specialized safety training is required in order to meet field health and safety standards. Special safety precautions such as protective clothing and gear are necessary.
Explore a new career with the BLM – where our people are our most precious resource. This position is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Information about Salt Lake City and the surrounding area can be found here. We expect to fill one vacancy at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.