Physical Scientist

This is not a remote position, periodic telework may be approved.

Salary is dependent on the agreed upon duty location of the position. Locality pay tables can be found here.

Note: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

Location Options Include:

New Cumberland, PA. (This position is located in the city of New Cumberland, PA, Fairview Township York County)

Bridgeville, PA.

Downingtown, PA.

Williamsport, PA.As a Physical Scientist within the Pennsylvania Water Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:

• Collect hydrologic data such as water quality data, water quality samples for analysis, surface water and groundwater level data, and makes stream flow measurements.

• Develop rating curves depicting the relationship between stage and discharge.

• Effectively managing hydrologic data, evaluates hydrologic data for accuracy, and computes accurate hydrologic records.

• Install, maintain, service, and troubleshoot a variety of hydrologic sensing, recording, and communications equipment and instrumentation; determines vertical datum at monitoring stations

• Operate a government vehicle as an incidental driver.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The work requires some physical exertion and may require prolonged standing in the laboratory environment.

Field assignments involve outdoor work where there is considerable walking and climbing over rough or mountainous terrain. Work performed in the laboratory may involve use of equipment which can result in exposure to dust, toxic chemicals, mechanical and electrical hazards, and noise. Special safety precautions are required including use of laboratory coats, safety glasses, dust masks, gloves, etc. Work in the field involves exposure to extreme outdoor weather conditions with exposure to poisonous growth and insects involving a high risk with exposure to dangerous situations.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for an appointment under the Pathways Recent Graduate Program you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be a recent graduate who has completed, within the previous two years, an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution such as an accredited technical or vocational school; a 2- or 4-year college or university; a graduate or professional school (e.g., law school, medical school); or a post-secondary home school curriculum. Note: Certificate program is defined as post-secondary education in a qualifying educational institution equal to at least one academic year of full-time study that's part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum.

Veterans: Veterans who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty; however, eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed 6 years from the date on which the degree or certificate was obtained. The date of release or discharge from active duty should be later than the date the degree or certificate was obtained.

Future Recent Graduate: You must be currently enrolled in a qualifying degree program as described above AND expect to complete your degree requirements no later than 08/01/2024. If you do not complete your degree requirements by 08/01/2024 you will be ineligible for consideration under this program.

Qualification Requirements

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A OR B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Physical Scientist, all grade levels.

A. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.

OR

B. A combination of education and experience--education equivalent to one of the majors shown in "A" above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science, engineering, or mathematics) that included at least 24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science and/or related engineering science as described above, plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.