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Physical Scientist (Environmental)

Full Time
$41,966 – $104,217 Per Year
Closing on Sep 30, 2025

Location:
Multiple Locations
Requires Relocation:
No
Start Date:
28/10/2024
End Date:
30/09/2025
Offering Type:
Multiple Appointment Types
Hiring Paths:
Recent graduates Students The public
Service Type:
Competitive
Travel Percentage:
Occasional travel

About Air Force Civilian Career Training

The mission of the United States Air Force is: To fly, fight, and win … Airpower anytime, anywhere. To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance, Global Reach and Global Power. That vision orbits around three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations. Core competencies and distinctive capabilities are based on a shared commitment to three core values — integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. Eligible applicants: Air Force Employee (Current Permanent Competitive Service Career/Career-Conditional Employee) Area of Consideration is limited to permanent internal Air Force employees currently serving in the Civil Engineer career field; all other candidates will be outside the area of consideration. This assignment is temporary and limited in duration to 36 months. This vacancy announcement is for one formal career broadening opportunity in the Civil Engineer career field community. The organizational location of this position is Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA..

Job summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for IMPORTANT additional information. The primary purpose of this position is: Under the direct guidance of a higher grade Environmental Professional, to serve in a developmental capacity in Physical Science , performing management, execution, and operations for an assigned program element(s). This is a formal Air Force intern position, established under the PALACE Acquire (PAQ) program.

Major duties

GS-07 - Performs work assignments that are moderately difficult and complex including phases of a broader assignment of a higher-grade environmental professional. - Responsible for executing moderately difficult assigned projects, in-house and by contract, to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local environmental laws and policies. - Assists with the coordination of curricula and training for assigned program areas on the installation. - Provides advisory services on questions, issues, and projects in assigned program areas. - Complies with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures, and performs work that enhances the safety of the work environment. GS-09 - Uses prescribed methods to perform specific, and limited work assignments that are normally minor phases of a broader assignment of a higher-grade environmental professional. -Performs assignments meant to familiarize incumbent with execution of typically assigned projects, in-house and by contract, and with all applicable federal, state, and local environmental laws and policies. - Assists with the coordination of curricula and training for assigned program areas on the installation. - Assists in providing advisory services on questions, issues, and projects in assigned program areas. - Complies with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures, and performs work that enhances the safety of the work environment.

Qualification

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. INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL 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 in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. 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: GS-07 Professional knowledge of environmental concepts and principles as well as the ability to apply standard environmental professional practices, methods, and techniques to perform relatively difficult but well precedented assignments. Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local environmental laws, regulations, or integration principles and practices, and other guidance to make recommendations concerning assigned restoration, compliance, conservation, pollution prevention projects. Ability to search technical reports, manufacturers' catalogs, and other guidelines and publications to obtain information, prepare reports, and perform moderately difficult assignments. Knowledge of environmental disciplines to be aware of ramifications of their findings and actions inherent in assigned environmental projects, studies, and programs. Ability to make selections and adaptations of environmental applications and alternatives and, after review by the supervisor or higher-grade engineer, carry out the assignment. GS-09 Knowledge of professional environmental principles, practices, techniques, and procedures to effectively perform basic project development, execution, training, and minor advisory services in assigned projects. Knowledge to grasp troubleshooting techniques and methods to identify and solve routine environmental problems requiring straightforward investigation of unsanitary or questionable conditions in assigned projects or program(s). Ability to search technical reports, manufacturers' catalogs, and other guidelines and publications to obtain relevant information. Ability to use relevant software programs and use data bases to gather information and prepare reports and communicate critical information. Ability to work cooperatively as a team member in the accomplishment of environmental projects. 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.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience; transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Evaluations

For DHA Positions: These positions are being filled under Direct-Hire Authority for the DoD for Post-Secondary Students and Recent Graduates. The Secretary of the Air Force has delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to directly appoint qualified students and recent graduates directly into competitive service positions; positions may be professional or administrative occupations and located Air Force-Wide. Positions may be filled as permanent/term with a full-time/part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location. *** The term "Current post-secondary student" means a person who is currently enrolled and in good academic standing at a full-time program at an institution of higher education; and is progressing toward a baccalaureate or graduate degree; and has completed at least 1 year of the program. *** The term "recent graduate" means a person awarded a degree by an institution of higher education not more than 2 years before the date of the appointment of such person, except in the case of a person who has completed a period of obligated service in a uniform service of more than 4 years. Your latest resume will be used to determine your qualifications. Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job. Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.