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Physical Scientist (HAZMAT) Direct Hiring Authority


Job Location:

Sacramento, CA - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 99218 - 99218
Posted: 6 October 2026 (20 days ago)
Application Deadline: 23 January 2027
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

You will serve as a Physical Scientist (HAZMAT) - Direct Hiring Authority GSworking in Sacramento California for the Division of Environmental Affairs.

First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.


Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

  • Serve as the Regional Hazardous Materials Coordinator by implementing a comprehensive environmental management hazardous materials and hazardous waste oversight program for the region which includes interpreting and encouraging compliance with local state and federal hazardous materials rules and regulations as well as Departmental and Bureau directives and policies.
  • Evaluate regional compliance with environmental laws and Reclamations hazardous materials management program through on-site audits inspections investigations and corrective action activities.
  • Advise regional leadership on environmental policies procedures and systems and how these will affect facility operation.
  • Develops and reviews environmental requirements for region-wide documents including regulatory guidance acquisition details contract specifications test plans material releases environmental site assessments hazardous materials clean-ups or disposals or other documents.
  • Project manager/activity lead for assigned projects and investigations in the areas of hazardous materials hazardous waste and regulatory environmental compliance to support environmental monitoring assessment and reporting activities.

Requirements
Conditions of employment

    Condition of employment: Must possess or obtain certification as a Contracting Officers Representative (COR).

    Probationary period: As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. 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 or trial 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 or trial 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-10/06/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

    To receive credit for experience 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. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

    In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualifications.

    Basic Requirement for 1301 series:

    Successfully completed a bachelors degree or higher degree from an accredited college or university that included a major field of study 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. ORSuccessfully completed a combination of education and experience that included course work equivalent to a major (i.e. 24 semester hours) in physical sciences and/or a related engineering science; plus appropriate experience or additional education. The quality of the combination must demonstrate that you possess the knowledge skills and abilities required to perform the work of this position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four-year course of study with a major as described above.

    Minimum Qualification GS-12:

    One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-11 in the Federal service. Experience includes 1) identifying and evaluating hazardous materials issues and problems; 2) serving as a project manager or study team leader for projects and investigations in the areas of hazardous waste and environmental compliance; 3) interpreting and providing guidance on hazardous materials rules and regulations;4) conducting environmental analysis on collected data to identify and report on emerging environmental trends; 5) preparing environmental documentation for compliance with regulatory requirements.

    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.
    Education

    This position has a mandatory education requirement.

    You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name school name grades credit hours earned major(s) grade point average or class ranking and date the degree was conferred if applicable. A typed list of courses grades semester/quarter hours GPA etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

    Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications U.S. Department of Education. information

    Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

    Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e. physical or mental) covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position after notification of the adjudication of your request you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA please review the
    Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

    All Department of Interior (DOI) employees their spouses and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim permit lease small tract entry or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

    Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

    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.

    Review our 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 Experience:

    IC