Summary This position is part of the Department of Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Associate Administrator For Environment, Safety And Health (NA-ESH), Office Of Safety, Chief Of Defense Nuclear Safety Division. A successful candidate in this position will provide expert analysis and advise to the Chief of Defense Nuclear Safety Division (CDNS), and other senior NNSA officials on nuclear safety-related topics. Responsibilities As a General Engineer/Physical Scientist you will: Apply advanced civil and structural engineering principles, including seismic and natural phenomena hazard analysis, to ensure the safety and reliability of complex facilities and infrastructure. Evaluate and resolve complex or unprecedented engineering problems involving incomplete or conflicting information, using sound judgment, innovation, and technical expertise to develop effective solutions. Lead and manage safety programs and technical activities by planning, executing, and overseeing engineering projects, studies, and assessments related to facility design, operations, and risk mitigation. Provide expert technical guidance and advisory services on hazard analysis, safety systems, and protective controls; adapts and improves engineering methods and practices to address emerging risks and challenges. Review and oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of systems and controls intended to prevent or mitigate hazards and ensure safe, compliant facility operations. Requirements Conditions of Employment Subject to Random Drug Testing Must pass a pre-employment drug test. Favorable suitability determination required. Financial Disclosure is required. Must be able to obtain/maintain a Q level Security Clearance. You must be a United States Citizen. This employer participates in the e-Verify program. Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements. Compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity which will require that you provide two forms of identification. A two (2) year trial period may be required. Employees serving on a trial period may be terminated at any time during the trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service. More than one position may be filled from this vacancy announcement. Must be able to obtain certification in the DOE's Technical Qualification Program (TQP) within 18 months of start date. This position is covered by the Technical Qualification Program (TQP), which requires the incumbent to acquire and demonstrate competencies identified in the TQP Functional Area Qualification and Field Office specific standards and requires certification of the competencies by NNSA supervision and TQP qualifying officials. https://ntc.doe.gov/student/stp/techqualprogram Please limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications. Your full resume will be made available to the hiring manager if you are referred. Trial periods are required for all excepted service employees. Trial periods served in the same position and agency with no break in service will satisfy the requirement. Qualifications A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA pay band level or GS grade level in the Federal Service, i.e. EN/NN/NQ-04 or GS-15. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: experience and in-depth knowledge of nuclear safety with a specific specialty in applying seismic analysis to understand the structural response of safety-related structures systems and components (SSCs) and implementation of the current state of practice for industry standards. Examples of Specialized Experience but not limited to: 1. Leading the development and implementation of seismic safety policies and programs for nuclear facilities, ensuring compliance with DOE directives and national/international consensus standards. 2. Providing authoritative technical advice and comprehensive analyses on seismic risks and hazards impacting nuclear and high-hazard facilities to senior management and external regulatory bodies. 3. Managing projects focused on the design, integration, and risk assessment of seismic safety controls for new construction or modifications of nuclear facilities. 4. Serving as a recognized technical expert, interpreting broad policy guidelines, and resolving complex technical and programmatic issues related to natural phenomena hazards in nuclear operations. 5. Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including regulatory agencies and contractors, to achieve organizational goals in nuclear and seismic safety. Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the following competencies. Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the competencies. identified below. Cite specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position. DO NOT write "see resume" in your application! Job Related Competencies: General Engineering - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of engineering and their practical applications. Problem Solving/Critical Thinking - Identifies and analyzes problems; uses sound reasoning to arrive at conclusions; finds alternative solutions to complex problems; distinguishes between relevant and irrelevant information to make logical judgements. Leadership - Leadership: Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations. Technical Competence - Understands and appropriately applies procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise (for example, engineering, physical science, law, or accounting); maintains credibility with others on technical matters. Safety Engineering - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods to identify, control, mitigate, and eliminate safety hazards in the design and use of facilities, equipment, operations, and work processes. "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. You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education All applicants must meet the basic requirements of the General Engineer/Physical Science occupational series. Transcripts or other proof of required education MUST be included in application package. 801 - Degree: professional engineering. The curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR Combination of education and experience: college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. There are alternate methods to meeting the engineering educational requirement (e.g., holding current professional engineering registration, having passed the EIT examination, or having completed specified academic courses or a related degree). Please refer to the OPM Qualification Standards at Professional Engineering Positions. 1301- 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. Please refer to the OPM Qualification Standards at Physical Science Positions.If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: EDUCATION: Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. A written evaluation of any foreign education must be provided with your application in response to this vacancy announcement or be received by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide this evaluation will result in you being found unqualified for the position. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education, see the Department of Education website, and for a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, visit The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. 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. If you are selected, official transcripts will be required. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. A written evaluation of any foreign education must be provided with your application in response to this vacancy announcement or be received by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide this evaluation will result in you being found unqualified for the position. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education, see the Department of Education website, and for a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, visit The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Please Note: If your foreign education has already been accepted by an accredited U.S. educational institution as part of a degree program with that institution, you do not need to provide an evaluation of foreign education but must submit a copy of the transcripts listing the degree from the U.S. accredited institution that accepted your foreign 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. Additional Information Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website. More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement. All positions require successful completion of a background investigation. All males born after December 31,1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government. A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified applicant in accordance with the Agency policy and applicable regulations. In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answers to these questions are not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration. EEO Policy: Click HERE. Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Click HERE. Veterans Information: Click HERE. Telework: Click HERE. Selective Service Registration: Click HERE
