Physical Scientist
Job Location:
Jefferson, OH - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
This position is located within the Department of the Interior Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Oil Spill Preparedness Division (OSPD) Gulf of America Section. The incumbent will serve as a Preparedness Analyst physically located in Jefferson LA.
At the full performance level (GS-13) the major duties of this position will include but are not limited to the following:
- Provides guidance expert advice training and instruction to staff of the Branch on technical review and evaluation of oil spill response plans (OSRPs) plan holder training and exercises unannounced exercises oil spill response equipment and associated maintenance training and use records; and ensures all activities are in accordance with national policy.
- Conducts technical review and evaluation of OSRPs conducts and evaluates exercises; inspects and evaluates oil spill response equipment and associated maintenance training and use records; and engages in other oil spill program activities. Administers enforcement processes or refers cases for civil penalty review as appropriate.
- Leads assists or instructs others in the development and execution of government initiated unannounced oil spill exercises; may conduct exercises and/or serve as an evaluator.
- Prepares and reviews a broad range of complex correspondence to answer or solicit information from lessees operators oil spill removal organizations Federal and state agencies and the general public.
- Serves as the lead BSEE representative on Regional Response Teams (RRT) Area Committees and incident specific RRT calls providing support advice and expertise to the National Response System on matters pertinent to oil spill planning preparedness and response.
- Attends meetings and conferences with BSEE personnel; Federal state and industry representatives; and the general public concerning the implementation of relevant regulations policies and requirements of the OSRP review and approval process.
- During actual spills the incumbent deploys to incident command posts and serves in designated positions within the Incident Command Structure. Assesses engineering technical and scientific needs during a spill response and helps coordinate agency support to the Incident Command.
In addition to routine in-office work which is primarily sedentary this position requires 30-40 days of field work performed each year. Field work involves conducting equipment inspections unannounced exercises auditing operator-led training and exercises sometimes offshore on vessels and requires regular and recurring physical exertion related to frequent inspections and surveys. This physical exertion includes considerable standing walking climbing bending crouching stretching reaching or similar movements. All field activities require some degree of agility and dexterity for example traversing uneven surfaces climbing stairs and ladders being on offshore vessels while underway. Offshore deployments may involve extended travel on vessels over water vessel-to-vessel transfers and the infrequent need to climb into/out of emergency evacuation devices. Spill response equipment inspections in warehouse environments may involve overhead operations movement of heavy machinery and other activities that require the incumbent to look in all directions and be continuously and clearly aware of surroundings. Field work may be performed in adverse conditions such as weather temperature extremes (above 90 F Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) or below 0 F) high noise levels areas with marine and other wildlife and higher accident potential when offshore or in outdoor equipment yards and warehouse environments. The use of protective equipment (hardhats safety glasses safety- toe shoes hearing protection selected uniforms) is required. The ability to travel by auto plane helicopter or boat is required.
Salary Information:
GS-11: $74678 - $97087
GS-12: $89508 - $116362
GS-13: $106437 - $138370
*First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level.
This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available.
Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service.
Direct Deposit participation required.
You may be required to travel overnight away from home 30-45 days per year on average. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
Must have and maintain a valid drivers license throughout employment.
You must submit ALL required documents and a completed questionnaire.
Only experience and education obtained by 08/14/2026 will be considered.
In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Education Requirement and Minimum Qualification:
QUALIFICATIONS FOR GS-1301 PHYSICAL SCIENTIST:
1. 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-
2. 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.
In addition to meeting the educational requirements above your resume must clearly reflect ALL of the experience (or education for the GS-11) listed below. You must be clear and concise in describing your experience - HR will not make assumptions.
GS-11: To qualify for the GS-11 your resume must reflect one year of professional experience equivalent to the GS-09 level performing all of the following duties:
1. Independently collecting analyzing and reporting on scientific or technical data;
2. Adhering to oil spill response (or other incident management) operations policies laws regulations and statutes relative to contingency planning; AND
3. Participating in various National Preparedness System training or activities such as organized exercises/drills capabilities training or response equipment inspections required by regulation law or policy.
OR
Have 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
OR
A combination of successfully completed graduate education (only successfully completed education beyond the second year (or 36 semester hours) is creditable towards meeting this requirement) and specialized experience equivalent to the GS- 9 level that is
related to the position and total 100% of the requirement for this grade level. NOTE: Transcripts are required to verify Educational Requirements.
GS-12: To qualify for the GS-12 your resume must reflect one year of professional experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service:
1. Utilizing oil spill (or other incident management) planning preparedness response concepts and strategies including assessment of the behavior and environmental effects of contaminants;
2. Drafting or conducting technical reviews and evaluations of spill response (or other incident management) contingency plans for compliance with applicable Federal state and/or local laws regulations and policy requirements;
3. Conducting field inspections of oil-filled operational equipment or spill containment control and cleanup equipment; AND
4. Conducting or evaluating National Preparedness System exercises or training in alignment with applicable Federal state and/or local laws or regulations.
GS-13: To qualify for the GS-13 your resume must reflect at least one full year of professional experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level:
1. Managing regulatory oversight and compliance of spill response (or other incident management) requirements including issuance of corrective action and improvement plans;
2. Designing conducting and evaluating National Preparedness System exercises in alignment with the Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP) National Preparedness for Response and Exercise Preparedness (PREP) Guidelines or similar program;
3. Operating within an Incident Command Structure during incident responses or response exercises; Engaging with regulated community industry representatives general public and Federal state and local partners during conferences and meetings; AND
4. Providing technical advisement on the development and revision of spill response (or other incident management) regulations policy or strategies including considerations for unique regional scenarios.
Applicants must meet all of the experience required above to be qualified.
PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades credit hours earned major(s) grade point average or class ranking institution name and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institutions registrar dean or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however if you are selected for the position you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications International Affairs Office ().
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.
Relocation expenses are not authorized.
Probation Period:
The 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 or trial period such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period -OR- trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties.
DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify including applicant rights and responsibilities please visit position is designated as a MODERATE RISK Public Trust position. It requires a fully completed and favorably adjudicated Public Trust Suitability Background Investigation (T2S or T2RS or equivalent) that is current (within the last 5 years). This is a condition of employment.
Male applicants born after December 31 1959 must certify registration with the Selective Service System or that the applicant is exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Go to:
This is NOT a bargaining unit position.
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.
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
