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Posted: March 11, 2026 (2 days ago)

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PHYSICAL SCIENTIST (ENVIRONMENTAL)

U.S. Air Forces, Europe

Department of the Air Force

Fresh

Location

Salary

$76,463 - $99,404

per year

Closes

GS-4 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $30,286 - $39,372

Typical requirements: 1 year general experience. 2 years college or associate degree.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves working as an environmental physical scientist for the U.S. Air Force in Europe, managing projects related to environmental protection, compliance, and conservation efforts.

The role requires handling tasks like pollution prevention and restoration while following laws and regulations.

It's a good fit for someone with a science or planning background who enjoys project management and problem-solving in environmental settings.

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in physical science, engineering, community planning, or related field, including at least 12 semester hours in planning processes and socioeconomic elements
  • One year of specialized experience at GS-11 level or equivalent, involving environmental duties, problem-solving, and adapting techniques
  • Knowledge of Federal, State, and local environmental laws, regulations, and integration principles
  • Understanding of environmental disciplines such as restoration, compliance, conservation, and pollution prevention
  • Ability to apply practices from related fields to environmental projects and programs
  • Submission of transcripts with application
  • Meeting time-in-grade requirement of one year at GS-11 for GS-12 eligibility

Full Job Description

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an environmental physical scientist with project management, execution, and operations responsibility in assigned project(s) within an environmental program element.

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions, to include the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the GS-0401, General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences; GS-0801, General Engineering; GS-0819, Environmental Engineering; GS-1301, General Physical Science; and GS-0020, Community Planning Series.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: GS-0020-12: Degree: community planning; or related field such as urban affairs, architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, sociology, geography, economics, political science, or public administration that included at least 12 semester hours in the planning process, socioeconomic and physical elements of planning, urban and regional economic analysis, and development finance.

NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts with your application.

OR COMBINATION OF EDUCAION AND EXPERIENCE: courses equivalent to a major in one of the above disciplines, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the above disciplines of which at least 12 semester hours were in the planning process, and socioeconomic and physical elements of planning, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts with your application. GS-0401-12: Click here to view occupational requirements for this position.

NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts with your application. GS-0801/0819-12: Click here to view occupational requirements for this position.

NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts with your application. GS-1301-12: Click here to view occupational requirements for this position.

NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts with your application.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems.

Examples of specialized experience includes professional knowledges and abilities applicable to a wide range of environmental duties; and the skill to modify standard practices and adapt equipment or techniques to solve a variety of problems; adapt precedents or make significant departures from previous approaches to similar projects to provide for the specialized requirements of projects; and apply standard practices of related disciplines as they relate to environmental functions.

Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local environmental laws, regulations, or integration principles and practices, and other guidance to make decisions and recommendations concerning assigned restoration, compliance, conservation, pollution prevention, and/or integration principles and practices.

Knowledge of environmental disciplines to be aware of ramifications of their findings and actions inherent in assigned environmental projects, studies, and programs.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible.

One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1.

Knowledge of professional environmental principles, practices, techniques, and procedures to effectively perform project development, execution, training, and advisory services in assigned projects or program(s).

2. Knowledge to troubleshoot environmental problems requiring investigation of unsanitary or questionable conditions in assigned projects or program(s). 3.

Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, integration principles and practices, and other guidance to make decisions and recommendations concerning assigned restoration, compliance, conservation, pollution prevention, and/or integration principles and practices; and health, safety, and security practices.

4.

Skill to integrate an interdisciplinary team of professionals to include attorneys, public health specialists, public affairs specialists, biological scientists, environmental engineers, physical scientists, general engineers, community planners, regulators, other governmental officials, and community groups.

5. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, and establish effective working relationships with others.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work.

You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that 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:

Provides extensive environmental expertise to manage assigned environmental projects or programs through application of professional knowledge and skill in Physical Scientist (Environmental), practices, processes and techniques.

Responsible for executing assigned projects or program element(s), in-house and by contract, to comply with all applicable Federal, state, and local environmental laws and policies.

Provides advisory services on specific problems, projects, programs, and functions in assigned program area.Serves as the installation's most knowledgeable technical consultant on environmental compliance laws and regulations.

Complies with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures and performs work that enhances the safety of the work environment.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 3/11/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/12/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 6Y-AFPC-12907692-164788-EGR