Physical Scientist

Full Job Description

As a Physical Scientist you will serve as a laboratory scientist/analyst conducting a wide range of physical, chemical, and/or biological analysis of agricultural commodities, food, and other sample types.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: 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 Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above you must also meet the following: FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Assisting with sample preparation and analysis using established laboratory methods under close supervision.

Operating laboratory equipment and instruments and performing maintenance tasks following instructions.

Entering data into a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and preparing reports or documentation for review by senior staff.

OR 1 year of graduate-level education in a related field such as physical science, engineering, or mathematics.

OR Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on superior academic achievement, you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND 1) have a class standing in the upper third of the graduating class, 2) membership in a national scholastic honor society (excluding Freshman honor societies), or 3) must meet certain GPA requirements.

GPA requirements: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on official transcripts or as computed based on 4 years of education, or courses completed during the final 2 year of the curriculum; OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required course completed in the major field or courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum (GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, e.g., 2.95 rounds to 3.0 and 2.94 rounds to 2.9).

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Performing sample preparation, analysis, and evaluation using established scientific methods and procedures.

Operating and troubleshooting analytical instrumentation, performing calibrations, and recommending repairs or updates as needed.

Evaluating data for compliance with acceptance criteria, authorizing final release of test results, and preparing comprehensive laboratory reports for scientific and non-scientific audiences.

OR 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in a related field such as physical science, engineering, or mathematics.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

TRANSCRIPTS are required: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education.

You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. You are qualifying for this position based on Superior Academic Achievement.

This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07/09 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements.

The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that 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 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:

• The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Performs routine sample preparation, sample analysis, and evaluations using established methods and procedures.
• Operates analytical instrumentation along with other laboratory equipment to perform various analysis techniques.
• Utilizes a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for sample login, sample results entry and sample report generation.
• Evaluates sample data to make decisions about the presence of analytes based on predetermined protocols.
• Generates laboratory reports and certificates and reviews for completeness, accuracy of computations, and reasonableness of results.
• Prepares packages of analytical data and test results according to standard protocols for review by the supervisor and quality management staff.