Biologist or Physical Scientist

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Executive Office of the President (EOP), Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA).

The incumbent will serve as a Scientist Analyst and Scientific Expert, specializing in biological or physical sciences such as biology, ecology, environmental or marine sciences, ecology, pharmacokinetics or toxicokinetics, epidemiology, public health, earth science, chemistry, physics, hydrology, or related fields.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: All applicants must meet the qualification requirements outlined below to be considered minimally qualified for this position.

The qualification requirements are in accordance with the OPM Qualification Standards. ALL QUALIFICATIONS MUST BE MET BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must meet one of the following criteria listed below in order to meet the basic requirement for Biologist or Physical Scientist, 0401/1301.

UNOFFICIAL TRANCRIPTS REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION. Basic Requirements for Physical Scientist - General Physical Science Series, 1301: 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.

Basic Requirements for Biologist - General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series, 0401: A.

Degree: 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, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

-And- SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility comparable to the next lower grade or comparable pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector.

You may qualify at the GS-13 level, if you meet the following minimum qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector that demonstrates: 1) Using qualitative and quantitative analytic skills to identify and resolve complex problems in the regulatory policy space, such as environmental, energy or ecological outcomes;2) Developing practical alternatives to problems identified in the regulatory policy space; AND 3) Drafting or advising staff on regulatory policy, legislative or budget issues.

You may qualify at the GS-14 level, if you meet the following minimum qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector that demonstrates:1) Using qualitative and quantitative analytic skills to identify and resolve complex problems in the regulatory policy space, such as environmental, energy or ecological outcomes;2) Developing practical alternatives to problems identified in the regulatory policy space; 3) Drafting or advising senior officials on regulatory policy, legislative or budget issues; AND 4) Collaborating in interagency or interdepartmental review of regulatory policy, such as environmental science, ecological, or public health issues.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service program (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. Major Duties:

As a Biologist or Physical Scientist GS 0401/1301 13/14, your typical work assignments may include the following: Responsible for promoting the quality, objectivity, relevance, and integrity of the information collected, analyzed, and disseminated by the Federal Government.

Serves as a Scientific Analyst and Scientific Expert, working collaboratively in support of OIRA economists, statisticians, and policy analysts by evaluating the scientific analyses underlying environmental health and safety, chemical fate and transport, or other analyses submitted to OIRA by Federal agencies for review under Executive Orders 12866 and 14192, the Information Quality Act, and other administration policies.

Responsibilities for this role also include the coordination and review of actions submitted to OIRA under Executive Order 14215, Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies, which concerns the review of actions submitted by all regulatory agencies.

Uses quantitative and qualitative skills to evaluate chemical, biological, statistical, and related scientific models, including underlying assumptions about the environmental fate, transport, hazards, intake, uptake, and associated human and environmental health effects underlying proposed public health, safety, and environmental policies.

Coordinates inter-agency review of health and environmental risk assessments, and related documents (e.g., human or environmental exposure assessments), as well as play a lead role in inter-agency groups established (or chartered) to foster common understanding on issues related to scientific issues underlying such health and safety assessments and guidance.

Implements existing guidance and contribute to new guidance designed to strengthen the objectivity, accuracy, integrity, and transparency of scientific analyses underlying Federal policies.

Develops and gives briefings for OMB management and policy officials and Executive Office of the President officials regarding the scientific merits and implications of agency analyses.

Serves as a professional scientist, and as expert advisor on matters of science policy and information quality, as requested by colleagues and officials from the Executive Office of the President and across federal agencies.