Physical Science Technician

Full Job Description

GPO employees possess a diverse array of talent in many administrative fields and trades.

We provide other agencies with innovative services for the printing, publishing, storage, and distribution of digital content.

If you are an energetic, inventive individual looking for a challenging, yet rewarding career opportunity, GPO may be the place for you.

This position is part of the Agency Support Operations, Government Publishing Office in Washington, District of Columbia.

To qualify for the Physical Science Technician, PG -1311-9, you must meet the following requirements: This position has a Individual Occupation Requirement for the Physical Science Technician, PG-1311 series: Specialized experience - Examples of qualifying specialized experience include work in the fields of astronomy, physics, geophysics, chemistry, hydrology, health physics, engineering, electronics, geology, oceanography, and metallurgy.

Experience as a laboratory mechanic or in a trade or craft may be credited as general or specialized experience when the work was performed in close association with physical scientists or other technical personnel and provided intensive knowledge of appropriate scientific principles, methods, techniques, and precedents.

And in addition to meeting the above individual occupation requirement, applicants must also meet the minimum qualifications as described below: Minimum Qualifications for the Physical Science Technician, PG-1311-09: one year of specialized experience equivalent to the PG-07 grade level in the Federal Service related to the work of the position.

The applicant must meet the following specialized experience: 1) Provides data summation reports to senior technicians or chemists for adaptation to final technical reports.

2) Experience collecting raw materials or finished products that include paper, inks, coating and polymers and logging the data into a database.

3) Operates instruments such as analytical instrumentation to acquire data and obtain reliable measurements. OR Two full years of graduate education or a master's degree in a related field.

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. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement(03/13/2026) to be considered.

Major Duties:

• Assists senior technicians and chemists in the analysis of materials used in printing, lamination and binding processes.
• Analyzes materials for physical durability, Spectroscopy and performs general wet chemistry analysis.
• Performs chemical and physical experiments to support QC testing, research and troubleshooting problems.
• Performs periodic control sample testing of assigned test apparatus in the laboratory.
• Adheres to fundamental safety protocols and Safe Work Practices (SWP's).