Physical Scientist

• Serve as a technical advisor in the physical sciences for Timpanogos Cave National Monument.
• Responsible for program development and implementation related to geology caves and karst formations soils hydrology hydrogeology air quality acoustics paleontology and related fields and activities.
• Prepare management and scientific reports regarding the results of protection mitigation restoration inventory monitoring and research activities.
• Following established procedures and within a defined scope conduct scientifically credible protection mitigation and restoration projects needed to prevent resource damage and to minimize human impacts.
• Work closely with park education staff to incorporate new information into park and partner education programs.

Area/Housing Information: Timpanogos Cave National Monument is located on Utah State Hwy 92 in American Fork Canyon 10 miles east of exit 284 I-15. The monument is surrounded by the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest which includes several wilderness areas. It is located 10 minutes away from nearby cities of Cedar Hills Highland Lehi Pleasant Grove and American Fork. There are plenty of premier outdoor activities that can be experienced near the monument such as camping hunting fishing snow skiing boating rock-climbing mountaineering caving and hiking. Schools with grades kindergarten through 12 are in all of the nearby cities. A wide selection of housing options shopping facilities hospitals movie theaters banks churches and universities are available all along the Wasatch Front. The States main metropolitan population cities including Provo Salt Lake City and Ogden are all within a 1-hour drive radius. The Headquarters office elevation is 5600 feet. Temperatures can range from below 0 in the winter to above 100 degrees F in the summer. Government housing is not available.

For more information about Timpanogos Cave National Monument please visit: Timpanogos Cave National Monument (U.S. National Park Service).

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more visit time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.
• Must possess and maintain a valid drivers license throughout employment.
• You may be required to work on-call evenings weekends holidays overtime and shift work.
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You may be required to travel overnight away from home. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
• You are required to complete training obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• Vertical Caving Experience - Demonstrate the ability to safely and efficiently travel in the vertical environment negotiating Alpine Single
  Rope Technique (SRT) rigging components including rebelays redirects and traverses within 1 year of appointment.

*Additional Requirements located under qualifications*

Requirements Continued:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.

This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest meet the organization goals and mission of the agency and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the determining if your employment advances the public interest the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law the employment of an individual serving a probationary period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies in writing that the individuals employment should continue and that their appointment should be the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary period such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications:
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 09/17/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300 Subpart F.

For current Federal employees if hours worked per week are not included on your resume you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees your resume must state either full-time (or 40 hours a week) or part-time with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.

Basic Requirements for the General Physical Science Series 1301:
A. You must have a 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. You must include a copy of your transcripts.
-OR-
B. You must have a 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. You must include a copy of your transcripts.

Minimum Qualifications for the GS-09 Physical Scientist:

To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the federal service. Specialized experience is experience that demonstrates the knowledge skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position to be filled. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include but are not limited to the following: 1) Collects field data contributing to a basic natural resources inventory or monitoring program; 2) Performs a variety of technical tasks such as selecting samples interpolating missing data uncovering clear discrepancies solving minor problems and performing scientific analyses; 3) Drafts workplans and implementation strategies; and/or 4) Investigates cultural sites natural resources historic scenes and subjects to identify protect or interpret them. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a masters degree or masters or equivalent graduate degree in a related field. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to do the work. (Two years of graduate education is 36 semester hours.) You must include a copy of your transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience that together meets the requirements of the position. Only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level. For example 6 months of the specialized experience (50% of experience) and 27 semester hours of directly related graduate level college study in an accredited institution (50% of education) meet 100% of the qualification requirements. You must include a copy of your transcripts.

Volunteer Experience: 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 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.