Biologist or Physical Scientist

As a Biologist or Physical Scientist GS 0401/1301 13/14 your typical work assignments may include the following:

• Responsible for promoting the quality objectivity relevance and integrity of the information collected analyzed and disseminated by the Federal Government.
• Serves as a Scientific Analyst and Scientific Expert working collaboratively in support of OIRA economists statisticians and policy analysts by evaluating the scientific analyses underlying environmental health and safety chemical fate and transport or other analyses submitted to OIRA by Federal agencies for review under Executive Orders 12866 and 14192 the Information Quality Act and other administration policies. Responsibilities for this role also include the coordination and review of actions submitted to OIRA under Executive Order 14215 Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies which concerns the review of actions submitted by all regulatory agencies.
• Uses quantitative and qualitative skills to evaluate chemical biological statistical and related scientific models including underlying assumptions about the environmental fate transport hazards intake uptake and associated human and environmental health effects underlying proposed public health safety and environmental policies.
• Coordinates inter-agency review of health and environmental risk assessments and related documents (e.g. human or environmental exposure assessments) as well as play a lead role in inter-agency groups established (or chartered) to foster common understanding on issues related to scientific issues underlying such health and safety assessments and guidance.
• Implements existing guidance and contribute to new guidance designed to strengthen the objectivity accuracy integrity and transparency of scientific analyses underlying Federal policies.
• Develops and gives briefings for OMB management and policy officials and Executive Office of the President officials regarding the scientific merits and implications of agency analyses.
• Serves as a professional scientist and as expert advisor on matters of science policy and information quality as requested by colleagues and officials from the Executive Office of the President and across federal agencies.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national
• Selective Service registration if a male born after December 31 1959
• Subject to pre-employment and random drug tests
• Direct Deposit is required
• RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID
• Suitability for Federal employment
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
• Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level).

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: All applicants must meet the qualification requirements outlined below to be considered minimally qualified for this position. The qualification requirements are in accordance with the OPM Qualification Standards.

ALL QUALIFICATIONS MUST BE MET BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must meet one of the following criteria listed below in order to meet the basic requirement for Biologist or Physical Scientist 0401/1301. UNOFFICIAL TRANCRIPTS REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION.

Basic Requirements for Physical Scientist - General Physical Science Series 1301:
A. 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
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.

Basic Requirements for Biologist - General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series 0401:
A. Degree: Biological sciences agriculture natural resource management chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major as shown in A above plus appropriate experience or additional education.

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SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
Applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility comparable to the next lower grade or comparable pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector.

You may qualify at the GS-13 level if you meet the following minimum qualification requirement:One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector that demonstrates: 1) Using qualitative and quantitative analytic skills to identify and resolve complex problems in the regulatory policy space such as environmental energy or ecological outcomes;2) Developing practical alternatives to problems identified in the regulatory policy space; AND 3) Drafting or advising staff on regulatory policy legislative or budget issues.

You may qualify at the GS-14 level if you meet the following minimum qualification requirement:One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector that demonstrates:1) Using qualitative and quantitative analytic skills to identify and resolve complex problems in the regulatory policy space such as environmental energy or ecological outcomes;2) Developing practical alternatives to problems identified in the regulatory policy space; 3) Drafting or advising senior officials on regulatory policy legislative or budget issues; AND 4) Collaborating in interagency or interdepartmental review of regulatory policy such as environmental science ecological or public health issues.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience including volunteer work done through National Service program (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.