This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/474540800. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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Summary
About the Position: Serve as the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command's (USASMDC & ARSTRAT's) Physicist (Recent Graduate).
The city of Huntsville is nestled between the edge of the Appalachian Mountains in north Alabama and the Tennessee River. The Huntsville area has one of the largest research parks in the U.S. It is also home to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, championship golf courses, museums, professional theater, symphony, and sport franchises.
Position(s) will be filled under the Department of the Army Recent Graduates Program. Click herefor more information on Pathways program participation. After Program completion, Department of the Army Recent Graduates MAY be converted to a permanent position or to a term position (a project-based term of employment lasting between one and four years).
To be eligible for conversion to a permanent or term position, Recent Graduates must:
- Successfully completed at least 1-year of continuous service in addition to all requirements of the Program.
- EXCEPTION: Positions in the Instructional Systems (GS-1750) series, Operations Research (GS-1515) series, Accounting and Budget (GS-05XX) series, and all occupations covered by the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) require a 24-month appointment period in order to complete the training and/or certification requirements specific to each occupation prior to conversion.
- Demonstrate successful job performance.
- Meet the Office of Personnel Management's qualifications for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted
To learn more, please visit the Office of Personnel Management webpage, Hiring Authorities: Students & Recent Graduates.
Who May Apply:
Positions are open to:
- Recent graduates who have completed, within the previous two years, a
qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational
or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. Students may apply within nine months of meeting their education requirements.
- Preference eligible veterans who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their two-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed six years after degree or certificate completion.
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Overview
- Reviewing applications
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Open & closing dates
07/17/2017 to 07/28/2017
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Salary
$50,958 - $96,072 per year
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Pay scale & grade
GS 09
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Location
3 vacancies in the following location:
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Travel Required
Occasional travel - This position requires up to 15% temporary duty travel which may include overnight stays away from the permanent duty station.
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Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
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Appointment type
Permanent
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Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
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Service
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Promotion potential
12
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Job family (Series)
-
Supervisory status
No
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Security clearance
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Announcement number
SCBK179944371987547RG
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Control number
474540800
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Duties
At the full performance level of the target conversion position (GS-12), you will:
- Serves as a Physicist responsible for performing professional work in the field of photonics, optics, electro-optics, and lasers.
- Designs, tests, and evaluates unique systems and components for such applications in photonics, optics, and lasers.
- Conducts information gathering and analyses to identify and define technical problem areas and to generate possible solutions.
- Prepares technical plans and specifications for development of new electro-optical and laser systems, components, or techniques required to meet Army needs.
After program completion, Department of the Army Pathways Recent Graduates MAY be converted to a permanent or term appointment without further competition.
This position is being filled at the GS-09 level with potential conversion to a position with a full performance level at GS-12.
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Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Other Requirements: Click here for expanded definitions.
- Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
- You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
- Two year trial/probationary period may be required.
- Direct Deposit of Pay is Required.
- Recent Graduates must sign a Participant Agreement with the Agency.
- This is a Career Program (CP) 16 Position
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- This position requires Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) level II certification in the SPRDE-Science Technology Manager acquisition career field within two (2) years of entry on duty into this position.
- This position requires a Secret Clearance.
- This position requires up to 15% temporary duty travel which may include overnight stays away from the permanent duty station.
- This position requires a valid state issued Driver License to drive a motor vehicle in activities such as inspections of installed equipment and visits to field locations.
Qualifications
Basic Education Requirement:
This position has a positive education requirement. To view the education requirements for the Physicist (Recent Graduate) position (GS-1310 Series) go to View Assessment Questions.
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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Specialized Experience:
To qualify at the GS-09 grade level: Example: You may qualify based on specialized experience, education OR a combination of education and experience. To qualify based on experience, you must possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-07 level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service doing the following duties with performing professional work in the field of photonics, optics, electro-optics, and lasers; experience and skills in scientific design and development to improve or create new measurement methods and techniques involving electrical, electronic, electromagnetic, physical, dimensional, mechanical, thermodynamic, optical, electro-optical, and ionizing radiation measurement parameters.
You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency (knowledge, skills, abilities) in the following areas:
- Knowledge of laser performance standards, systems, laser propagation theory and technicians
- Skills to use physics and engineering methods to resolve identified issues
- Ability to Communicate Orally
Education
Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you may qualify if your education meets the definitions below:
Education Substitution for the GS-09:
2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
If using education to qualify for this position you will need to submit a copy of your unofficial/official transcripts. Failure to provide this documentation will result in objection to your qualifications, and removal from consideration. You will be required to submit your official college transcript if you are selected.
The graduation education is in one or a combination of the following fields is required: the courses must have included a fundamental course in general physics and, in addition, courses in any two of the following: electricity and magnetism, heat, light, mechanics, modern physics, and sound. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
Only degrees from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education are acceptable to meet positive education requirements or to substitute education for experience. For additional information, please go to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and U.S. Department of Education websites at - http://www.opm.gov/qualifications and http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html
Foreign education must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency in order to be considered for this position. Please include this information in your resume.
Transcripts: You MUST submit your unofficial college/university transcripts with your application to include transfer courses, credit hours and grades to calculate GPA, along with your graduation date.
Additional information
- Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
- You may claim military spouse preference, see the information in the Military Spouse Preference Under Delegated Examining Procedures information sheet.
- Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
- You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
- Two year trial/probationary period may be required.
- Direct Deposit of pay is required.
- Recent Graduates must sign a Participant Agreement with the Agency.
- Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
Further certification from this announcement may take place up to 90 days beyond the closing date of this announcement.
- Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
- The state of Alabama is a tax advantage state and does not tax federal retirement benefits.
- Noncompetitive promotion potential to target grade.
- This position is being filled at equivalent grade level GS-09.
Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
Benefits
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.
The Department of Defense offers an excellent
benefits program. In addition to your take-home pay, your comprehensive
compensation/benefits package will include most of the benefits
described in the USAJOBS Resource Center.
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The ideal candidate for this position is a graduate with a degree in physics and, in addition, courses in any two of the following: electricity and magnetism, heat, light, mechanics, modern physics, and sound.
Your application package (resume, transcripts, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be reviewed to verify that you meet the basic eligibility and qualification requirements. Your responses to the questionnaire will be used to evaluate your relevant personal, educational, and work experiences. Only the most recently submitted resume will be considered.
It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. Information about an individual's employment experience will be used only to determine the person's qualifications and to assess his or her relative level of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Although an individual's personal conduct may be relevant in any employment decision, including conduct during periods of unemployment or evidence of dishonesty in handling financial matters, financial difficulty that has arisen through no fault of the individual will generally not itself be the basis of an unfavorable suitability or fitness determination.
Basis for Rating: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of three quality categories: Ideal, Strong and Eligible. Veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category.
- Ideal Candidate: This category will be used for those candidates who meet the definition of an ideal candidate as described above. Criteria include related major, grade point average, related coursework, participation in national professional human resources associations, and related academic, paid, or volunteer experiences.
- Strong Candidate: This category will be used for those candidates who meet many of the criteria described above for the ideal candidate.
- Eligible Candidate: This category will be used for those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications of the position.
Benefits
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.
The Department of Defense offers an excellent
benefits program. In addition to your take-home pay, your comprehensive
compensation/benefits package will include most of the benefits
described in the USAJOBS Resource Center.
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 Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist (External).
As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your transcript(s), your responses to the online questionnaire, your completion of the USA Hire assessment, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
- Your resume may be submitted in any format. Do not include a photograph or other inappropriate material or content. We cannot send your resume to the selecting official if there is inappropriate material in the resume or supporting documents. For qualifications determinations, your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., hours per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application will be marked as incomplete and you will not receive consideration for this position.
- Transcripts: Unofficial copies are acceptable; however, if selected, official transcripts are required. NOTE: School Audit Reports, Report of grades card, snap shot of web page of grades are not acceptable, and you will not be considered for position. See: Transcripts and Licenses
- If you are claiming Veterans Preference or Military Spouse Preference (MSP), you must submit documents with your application package to verify your claim. Documents required to support Military Spouse Preference claims are described in Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Under Delegated Examining Procedures. Documents required to support Veterans Preference are described in the Applicant Checklist (External).
If you fail to provide these documents, your application will be marked as incomplete and you will not receive further consideration.
If you are unable to apply online or unable to upload your supporting documents follow the directions in Faxing Applications and Documents. The Vacancy ID is 1987547. You will need the questionnaire, View Occupational Questionnaire, to complete your faxed application.
NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online
questionnaire and submit the
documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on Friday, July 28, 2017 to receive consideration. The application process will follow the bullets outlined below.
- Click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the initial online questionnaire.
- Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
- If you log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
- When you receive a notification from your USAJOBS account it may indicate that your application is complete after you submit the initial online questionnaire and documentation, however, your application will NOT be complete until you have successfully completed the next step described below.
The Department of the Army provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the servicing civilian personnel unit. Your requests for reasonable accommodation will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
Agency contact information
Central Resume Processing Center
- Address
-
DA SCR Redstone Arsenal
ATTN PECH-SCR-E
Building 5308
Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898-5070
Next steps
Once the application process is complete, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. The score is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.
To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select My Applications, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
For questions regarding the status of your application, eligibility or qualifications determination contact: USARMY.APG.CHRA-NE.MBX.APPLICANTHELP@MAIL.MIL
Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Help
NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.
Required Documents
The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist (External).
As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your transcript(s), your responses to the online questionnaire, your completion of the USA Hire assessment, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
- Your resume may be submitted in any format. Do not include a photograph or other inappropriate material or content. We cannot send your resume to the selecting official if there is inappropriate material in the resume or supporting documents. For qualifications determinations, your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., hours per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application will be marked as incomplete and you will not receive consideration for this position.
- Transcripts: Unofficial copies are acceptable; however, if selected, official transcripts are required. NOTE: School Audit Reports, Report of grades card, snap shot of web page of grades are not acceptable, and you will not be considered for position. See: Transcripts and Licenses
- If you are claiming Veterans Preference or Military Spouse Preference (MSP), you must submit documents with your application package to verify your claim. Documents required to support Military Spouse Preference claims are described in Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Under Delegated Examining Procedures. Documents required to support Veterans Preference are described in the Applicant Checklist (External).
If you fail to provide these documents, your application will be marked as incomplete and you will not receive further consideration.
If you are unable to apply online or unable to upload your supporting documents follow the directions in Faxing Applications and Documents. The Vacancy ID is 1987547. You will need the questionnaire, View Occupational Questionnaire, to complete your faxed application.
NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Help
Learn more about this agency
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online
questionnaire and submit the
documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on Friday, July 28, 2017 to receive consideration. The application process will follow the bullets outlined below.
- Click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the initial online questionnaire.
- Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
- If you log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
- When you receive a notification from your USAJOBS account it may indicate that your application is complete after you submit the initial online questionnaire and documentation, however, your application will NOT be complete until you have successfully completed the next step described below.
The Department of the Army provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the servicing civilian personnel unit. Your requests for reasonable accommodation will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
Agency contact information
Central Resume Processing Center
- Address
-
DA SCR Redstone Arsenal
ATTN PECH-SCR-E
Building 5308
Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898-5070
Next steps
Once the application process is complete, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. The score is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.
To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select My Applications, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
For questions regarding the status of your application, eligibility or qualifications determination contact: USARMY.APG.CHRA-NE.MBX.APPLICANTHELP@MAIL.MIL
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Beginning of a dialog window for the agency announcing this job. It begins with a heading 2 called "Learn more about Field Operating Offices of the Office of the Secretary of the Army". Escape will cancel and close the window.
Learn more about
U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/U. S. Army Forces Strategic Command
Transcripts from an accredited institution are required (see required documents)
Civilian employees serve a vital role in supporting the Army mission. They provide the skills that are not readily available in the military, but crucial to support military operations. The Army integrates the talents and skills of its military and civilian members to form a Total Army.
This is a Pathways Recent Graduate Announcement for the position of a Physicist. This position is a developmental position and applicants will be selected at the GS-1310-09 level and may be non-competitively promoted to the full performance GS-12 level.
Agency contact information
Central Resume Processing Center
- Address
-
DA SCR Redstone Arsenal
ATTN PECH-SCR-E
Building 5308
Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898-5070