Interdisciplinary Physical Scientist (Facility Representative)

Summary

This position is part of the Office of Science - ORNL Site Office, Department of Energy. As a Interdisciplinary Physical Scientist (Facility Representative), you will evaluate contractor environmental, nuclear safety, operations, safety, and health contract compliance within a specified U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) facility or facilities.

Duties

As an Interdisciplinary Physical Scientist (Facility Representative), you will: Perform daily, on-site evaluations, inspections, and walk-throughs of DOE contractor facilities to ensure compliance with industrial, environmental, radiation safety, general safety, and health laws, regulations, and directives. Assess contractor performance, maintenance, quality assurance, and management systems to identify operational trends, systemic weaknesses, and areas needing safety or program enhancements. Lead and participate in investigations of abnormal events or accidents to determine root causes, evaluate corrective action plans, and ensure processes are established to prevent recurrence. Act as the primary technical point of contact between DOE management and the operating contractor for facility notifications, operational status updates, and emergency event response. Apply expert technical knowledge to enforce safety standards, evaluate operational readiness, and exercise immediate stop-work authority when conditions pose imminent danger to worker health or safety. Advise management and contractors on the implementation of Integrated Safety Management System (ISMS) objectives, safety envelopes, and procedures for the safe stabilization and resumption of facility operations. Qualifications

You must meet both the Basic Requirement and the Specialized Experience to qualify for this series as described below. See the Education section for the Basic Requirement. BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR 1301 SERIES 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 Combination of education and experience: education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-13 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting ALL of the following: 1) Conducting or leading technical assessments, inspections, or evaluations of complex industrial, nuclear, chemical, research, or environmental facilities, projects, or operations to assess compliance with applicable safety, engineering, operational, environmental, or quality assurance requirements. 2) Evaluating significant technical issues, equipment failures, operational events, safety concerns, or project-related deficiencies; assessing associated risks and causes; and evaluating or verifying the adequacy of corrective actions. 3) Providing technical oversight of contractor activities and communicating with contractor management or senior technical stakeholders to address safety, operational, engineering, or compliance deficiencies and influence the implementation of appropriate corrective measures. NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for the GS-14 level. "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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. CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section. You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

This vacancy has a positive education requirement. In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible". Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR 1301 SERIES 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 Combination of education and experience: education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. How You Will Be Evaluated

This position is announced under a government-wide Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) for Interdisciplinary Physical Scientist (Facility Representative) positions in the 1301 series. Under the DHA, applicants who meet the Education and Qualification requirements listed in this announcement will be referred for consideration. Veteran's Preference, category rating, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply under the DHA process. Appointments made under the DHA are processed as "new" appointments. Current Federal employees may be required to serve a new probationary period (5 CFR 315.802(b). USA Hire: Your application will be assessed based on your responses to an online assessment that measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you fail to meet the established proficiency threshold or fail to complete the assessment. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., two-page resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, the result of the USA Hire assessment, and a minimum qualification review. CTAP/ICTAP Eligible Applicants: To receive selection priority, you must submit the following documentation with your application: Proof of Eligibility: A copy of your agency-issued Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, a copy of your separation SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) noting transition/displaced status, or other official agency documentation confirming your eligible status. Proof of Performance Rating: A copy of your most recent performance appraisal/rating of record, which must include: Your final rating (must be at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent); and The rating scale/guide (explaining what each level/numeric score means), unless the rating scale is clearly defined on the appraisal document itself. You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (11/18/2026) of this announcement. To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13114165 Other Information

Shared Certificates: The Department of Energy shares lists of applicants among its internal Departmental Elements and organizations. You may be referred for consideration to other DOE Hiring Managers throughout the Department for more than one position based on this application. By applying to this announcement, you understand your application materials may be shared with multiple Hiring Mangers throughout DOE. If additional positions are filled from this announcement conditions of employment may differ. You will be notified if you are referred for additional positions. The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE. For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov Hiring incentives may be authorized in accordance with agency policy and if funding is available. EEO Policy: https://www.energy.gov/justice/eeo-complaint-process Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement. Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://www.energy.gov/hc/articles/reasonable-accommodation-and-personal-assistance-service-procedure Veterans Information: https://www.energy.gov/careers/veterans-military-spouses Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/ The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged noncompliance by completing the Fair Chance Act Intake Form and submitting it to the Administrative Investigations Program at [email protected]. CTAP/ICTAP Note: While a formal performance appraisal is highly recommended and requested to expedite your evaluation, if your agency-issued RIF separation notice or other official separation documentation explicitly states that your performance was at least "Fully Successful" (or equivalent) and notes your rating of record, it may be accepted in lieu of a formal performance appraisal. Failure to provide any documentation proving a rating of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent will result in the loss of your priority consideration.