Physical Scientist

Summary

This position is located at Bureau of Engraving and Printing, within the Office of Quality Operations. As a Physical Scientist, you will serve as a Physical Scientist working with other scientists, engineers, production personnel, Materials Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs), quality personnel, product managers, and project managers.

This job is open to

• Recent graduates
  
  Individuals who have graduated from an accredited educational institute or certificate program within the last 2 years or 6 years for Veterans.

Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals who are Recent Graduates and have completed a degree or certificate from a qualifying education institution within the previous 2 yrs or students who are within 9 months of graduating may apply. Veterans unable to apply within 2 yrs of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, have a full 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. The eligibility period for veterans must be within 6 years of degree completion.

Duties

The following are the duties of this position at the GS-12. If you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform all these duties, and will receive training to help you grow in this position.

As a Physical Scientist, you will:

• Conduct routine to complex analyses that require exercising independent judgment; engage in independent or team efforts or scientific investigations to confirm test results or resolve any problems associated with BEP products and raw materials; inform peers, CORs, Quality personnel, production personnel and supervisor of nonconforming results.
• Conduct method development activities that incorporate knowledge of sample preparation and analytical instrumentation techniques to analyze incoming and processed materials.
• Incorporate QA/QC attributes to ensure that new developed methods are reproducible/reliable; applies statistical analysis principles to demonstrate method suitability; and prepare applicable documentation following QMS (e.g. Standard Operating Procedure, Work Instructions).
• Operate a full range of laboratory equipment, which includes chemical, physical, and optical test equipment, such as titrators, density meters, crumple testers, abrasion testers, UV/IR lamps, image capture/analysis systems, micrometers, fold testers, tear testers, spectrometers, gas chromatographs, microscopes and universal mechanical testing systems; reviews testing methods and submit changes when necessary; coordinates, train and assist lower level scientists, chemists and technicians in the use of laboratory equipment; develop test plans and conduct special investigations.
• Independently, or as part of a team, develop new quality assurance procedures and standards that result in improvements of methods for product quality assessment or material performance prediction to include the assessment of new technology, providing technical specifications for the acquisition of equipment, writing Standard Testing Methods (STM), Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Work Instructions (WI) and trainings for users.
• Provide technical support and solutions to currency manufacturing production problems and/or participate in investigative trouble shooting, which may involve such activities as collecting, analyzing and testing raw materials, finished products, and by-products in support of process product improvement, procurement, and contract administration.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or volunteer service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year and indicate number of hours worked per week on your résume.

Key Requirements:

1. Please refer to "Conditions of Employment."
2. Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
3. Must be U.S. Citizen or U.S. National
4. All selectees must sign a Pathways Participant Agreement.

SUITABILITY, CLEARANCE & REQUIREMENTS: A background investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for disqualification in the hiring process. The background investigation process conducted by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is very thorough. Therefore, it is imperative that applicants exercise candor and honesty when answering background questionnaires, especially as it relates to arrest, employment, education, finances, illegal drug use, and/or other criminal history. Falsification discovered in security documents or during the background investigation process may result in an immediate negative suitability determination or immediate revocation of your interim clearance (if applicable).

Qualifications

You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

To be eligible for the Recent Graduates Program, applicants must have, within the previous 2 years*, completed all educational requirements for a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying institution; [or intended graduation is no more than 9 months from date of application. (However, you must graduate prior to being appointed to the position.)] if applicable. For more information on education requirements go to Treasury's Pathways Program.*Veterans who, due to a military service obligation, were precluded from applying to a Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2 year eligibility period may have their eligibility period extended so that they receive the full 2 years of eligibility. The remaining 2-year eligibility period will begin upon his or her release or discharge from active duty. The veteran's eligibility period may not extend beyond 6 years from the date of completion of all requirements of an academic course of study.

For the GS-9, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for the GS-9 is one year of experience at the GS-7 level or equivalent, that is directly related to the position as listed in this announcement and which has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Specialized experience to qualify at the GS-9 level is defined as:

- Applying principles and concepts of general engineering and science in order to research, interpret and carry out assignments; AND

- Communicating basic level technical analysis information through oral discussions/presentations and written fact sheets/reports; AND

- Investigating and analyzing data trends

OR

Education: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree,

OR

You may qualify by a combination of experience and education.

Education

Education Requirements: The education generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Refer to the OPM instructions.

Individual Occupational Requirements for the Physical Scientist:

Basic Requirements:

A. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in 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.

Individual Occupational Requirements for the Chemist:

Basic Requirements:

A. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics. OR

B. Combination of education and experience course work equivalent to a major as shown in A above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

RECENT GRADUATE INFORMATION:Recent Graduates Program affords developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. Successful applicants are placed in a dynamic, developmental program with the potential to lead to a civil service career in the Federal Government. Following the completion of program requirements, selectees may be considered for non-competitive conversion to a career-conditional or term appointment. All conversion requirements will be identified in the Participant Agreement. Program requirements include but are not limited to:

• Successful completion of at least 1-year of continuous service;
• Completion of at least 40 hours of interactive training;
• Demonstration of successful job performance; and
• Meet the qualification standards for the position to which the Recent Graduate may be converted.

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PATHWAYS PROGRAM? For additional information regarding the Pathways Program, please refer to the following website: www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads

Additional information

OTHER INFORMATION:

• We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.
• This is a non-bargaining unit position.
• We offer opportunities for telework.
• We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules.
• The facility typically shuts down annually between Christmas and New Year's Day. As such, all BEP employees must take leave for workdays during the shutdown period.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• A one-year Trial period may be required.
• Public Trust - Background Investigation will be required.
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
• This position requires that the successful candidate undergo personnel vetting, which includes a background investigation and enrollment upon onboarding into "Continuous Vetting." Enrollment in Continuous Vetting will result in automated record checks being conducted throughout one's employment with Treasury. The successful candidate will also be enrolled into FBI's Rap Back service, which will allow Treasury to receive notification from the FBI of criminal matters (e.g., arrests, charges, convictions) involving enrolled individuals in near real-time. For more information about individual rights, Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights - FBI, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI, and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov).
• Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
• Obtain and use a government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
• Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment.
• Weekend work and overtime, if applicable, will be scheduled when needed based on production requirements as determined by Management.

• Benefits
  
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application includes your résumé, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your résumé includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your résumé may result in a "not qualified" determination.

Rating: Your application will be evaluated in the following areas:

• Education and Training
• Specialized Experience
• Analytical
• Technical
• Communication

Category rating will be used to rank and select eligible candidates. If qualified, you will be assigned to one of three quality level categories; Gold (highest quality category), Silver (middle quality category), or Bronze (minimally qualified category), depending on your responses to the online questions, regarding your experience, education, and training related to this position. A subject matter expert may be used in the evaluation. Your rating may be lowered if your responses to the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application.

Veterans' preference is applied after applicants are assessed. Preference-eligibles will be listed at the top of their assigned category and considered before non-preference-eligibles in that category.

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview. We will not reimburse costs related to the interview such as travel to and from the interview site.

If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)) you must be assigned the middle category or better to be rated as "well qualified" to receive special selection priority.

• Benefits
  
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
  
  All applicants must submit a résumé showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed. All applicants are required to submit arésumé either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their own choosing. (Cover letters are optional.) We suggest that you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your résumé to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions. Please view résumé tips.
  
  All applicants must submit vacancy assessment question responses: All applicants are required to complete vacancy question responses by clicking the apply online button of this vacancy announcement.
  
  VETERANS' PREFERENCE DOCUMENTATION: If you are claiming veteran's preference, please see applicant guide for required documentation. In order to be considered for veteran's preference, you must submit all required documentation as outlined in the applicant guide.
  
  CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (CTAP) OR INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP) DOCUMENTATION: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee, click CTAP/ICTAP for eligibility and a detailed list of required documents you must submit in order to be eligible.
  
  EDUCATION DOCUMENTATION:
  
  For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses showing title, number of credits, grade, and date of completion.
• How to Apply
  
  You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, please contact us by noon ET on the announcement's closing date.
  
  To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
  
  • Follow the prompts to select your résume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
  • You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
  
  The Bureau of Engraving and Printing provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us if you require this for any part of the application and hiring process.
  
  For additional information on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the ADA, please click on the links below:
  
  • The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (eeoc.gov)
  • ADA.gov homepage
  
  If you wish to make changes/updates to your application and the vacancy is still open, you can click on the job announcement and "Update Application" to be taken back to your application. No updates can be made once the announcement has closed.
  
  For additional information on how to apply, please visit the Partnership for Public Service's Go Government website.
  
  The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Treasury and its bureaus from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. ?Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Treasury by email at, FairChanceAct@treasury.gov.
  
  To learn more, please visit our page at: Treasury.gov/fairchanceact.
  
  To preview the assessment questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12533847
  
  Agency contact information
  
  Applicant Call Center
  
  Phone
  
  304-480-7300
  
  Email
  
  bepinquiries@fiscal.treasury.gov
  
  Address
  
  Office of Quality Operations
  
  Administrative Resource Center
  
  Parkersburg, WV 26101
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account at https://www.usajobs.gov. On the Home page, scroll down and locate your job application. Once the job has been located, click the "Track this application" link on the right under the application date. The page will refresh to display the Agency's Application Information page where you can scroll down and review any notifications the agency has sent you. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated.
  
  For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
  
  Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

All applicants must submit a résumé showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed. All applicants are required to submit arésumé either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their own choosing. (Cover letters are optional.) We suggest that you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your résumé to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions. Please view résumé tips.

All applicants must submit vacancy assessment question responses: All applicants are required to complete vacancy question responses by clicking the apply online button of this vacancy announcement.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE DOCUMENTATION: If you are claiming veteran's preference, please see applicant guide for required documentation. In order to be considered for veteran's preference, you must submit all required documentation as outlined in the applicant guide.

CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (CTAP) OR INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP) DOCUMENTATION: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee, click CTAP/ICTAP for eligibility and a detailed list of required documents you must submit in order to be eligible.

EDUCATION DOCUMENTATION:

For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses showing title, number of credits, grade, and date of completion.

How to Apply

You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, please contact us by noon ET on the announcement's closing date.

To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

• Follow the prompts to select your résume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
• After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
• You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us if you require this for any part of the application and hiring process.

For additional information on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the ADA, please click on the links below:

• The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (eeoc.gov)
• ADA.gov homepage

If you wish to make changes/updates to your application and the vacancy is still open, you can click on the job announcement and "Update Application" to be taken back to your application. No updates can be made once the announcement has closed.

For additional information on how to apply, please visit the Partnership for Public Service's Go Government website.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Treasury and its bureaus from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. ?Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Treasury by email at, FairChanceAct@treasury.gov.

To learn more, please visit our page at: Treasury.gov/fairchanceact.

To preview the assessment questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12533847

Agency contact information

Applicant Call Center

Phone

304-480-7300

Email

bepinquiries@fiscal.treasury.gov

Address

Office of Quality Operations

Administrative Resource Center

Parkersburg, WV 26101

US

Next steps

To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account at https://www.usajobs.gov. On the Home page, scroll down and locate your job application. Once the job has been located, click the "Track this application" link on the right under the application date. The page will refresh to display the Agency's Application Information page where you can scroll down and review any notifications the agency has sent you. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated.

For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request