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Summary This position is in the Sciences Branch, Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (OHMS), Sciences and Engineering Division, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). The mission of PHMSA is to protect people and the environment by advancing the safe transportation of hazardous materials. Responsibilities The Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (OHMS) Sciences and Engineering Division supports all agency functions with technical analyses related to hazardous materials properties, classification, containment, and emergency response. As a Health Physicist, you will: Provide authoritative technical recommendations regarding program direction and policy development based on independent evaluation and personal expertise of the hazards, risk, and control of radioactive materials affecting safety, health, the environment, and security. Provide key technical leadership in the development of U.S. proposals for national and international standards regarding the methods and approaches used in testing materials, hazard evaluation, classification of radioactive material affecting safety, health, the environment, and security. Provide definitive technical expertise required to develop regulatory standards, compliance guidance, test methods, and criteria to evaluate the types and degrees of hazards associated with radioactive material in transportation. Perform the hazard, dose, and exposure analyses and characterizations necessary to support the effective risk management of radioactive material transportation. Develop comprehensive and practical regulatory proposals, policy options, risk management, material testing, and classification ideas and initiatives based upon sound scientific, hazard, risk, cost/benefits, and policy evaluations. The ideal candidate for this position would possess knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices in the field of radiation protection, to include experience developing radiation protection programs for employees, emergency responders, and the public. The ideal candidate would also have knowledge of the domestic and international regulations governing the safe transport of radioactive materials and either be, or working to become, and Certified Health Physicist. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. citizen & meet specialized experience to qualify Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date Required documents must be submitted by the closing date. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). Qualifications To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet either the education or specialized experience requirements for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include: Experience reviewing technical guidance related to safety, security, emergency response, and environmental impacts of transportation and other issues regarding radioactive materials. To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application. To qualify for the GS-12 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include: Experience providing technical skills and assistance required to support development of compliance information and/or test programs to evaluate the type and degree of hazard of radioactive materials. Experience applying domestic and international regulations governing the transport of radioactive materials. You cannot qualify on education at the GS-12 level; you must have experience. To qualify for the GS-13 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12 it must include: Experience providing technical skills and assistance required to support development of compliance information and/or test programs to evaluate the type and degree of hazard of radioactive materials. Experience applying the concepts, standards, and techniques for protection of employees, emergency responders, and the public from the hazards of radioactive materials. Experience applying domestic and international regulations governing the transport of radioactive materials. You cannot qualify on education at the GS-13 level; you must have experience. 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: Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. Health Physics: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods pertaining to the protection of people, their environment, and equipment from hazards (for example, radiation or hazardous chemicals) and the control of radioactive material. Technical Credibility: Understands and appropriately applies principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise. Transportation: Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including costs and limits. For all types of consideration, 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 For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/ Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date. Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education A. Degree: Natural science or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in health physics, engineering, radiological science, chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, and/or calculus. OR B. Combination of education and experience: Courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or other education; or certification as a health physicist by the American Board of Health Physics, plus appropriate experience and other education that provided an understanding of sciences applicable to health physics comparable to that described in paragraph A. Additional Information TRAINING: You must successfully complete a residential 6-week formal training course including any pre- and/or post-course training requirements. Travel to and from this residential training will be paid as allowed by government travel regulations. Individuals who do not successfully complete the training academy may be separated from employment with the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, [email protected]. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. Qualified CTAP/ICTAP candidates receive priority and will be referred to the hiring manager.