Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to provide professional and scientific knowledge in performance of work requiring the application of engineering, mathematics, statistical analysis, modeling/simulation, and/or other scientific principles, methods, and techniques.
In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions and the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the GS-0800 Engineering Series, GS-1515 Operations Research Series and GS-1550 Computer Science Series. BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: 0854/0855: A Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; 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. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. 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. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration or licensure, Written Test, Specified Academic Courses, or Related Curriculum. Computer Engineering Series 0854 (opm.gov) Electronics Engineering Series 0855 (opm.gov) BASIC REQUREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENT: GS-1515: A Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in operations research; or at least 24 semester hours in a combination of operations research, mathematics, probability, statistics, mathematical logic, science, or subject-matter courses requiring substantial competence in college-level mathematics or statistics. At least 3 of the 24 semester hours must have been in calculus. Operations Research Series 1515 (opm.gov) BASIC REQUREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENT: GS-1550: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in computer science or bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions. Computer Science Series 1550 (opm.gov) NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts with your application. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-07: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-05, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes expertise in engineering/scientific concepts, principles, methods, techniques, and standard practices sufficient to perform conventional projects with complete responsibility, or limited portions of difficult but well-precedented assignments and /or projects. Proficiency in security procedures to maintain control of classified material and to analysis, evaluation, fact-finding, and investigative techniques in order to gather data, identify significant factors, and recommend a solution from a number of possible alternatives. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-09: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-07, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes expertise engineering/scientific concepts, principles, methods, techniques, and standard practices sufficient to perform conventional projects with complete responsibility, or limited portions of difficult but well-precedented assignments and /or projects; knowledge of analysis, evaluations, fact-finding, and investigative techniques in order to gather data, identify significant factors, and recommend a solution from a number of possible alternatives. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-11: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes expertise in concepts, principles, theories, and practices involved in engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science to perform studies, modify standard practices, and/or resolve issues related to the planning, development, fielding, and sustainment of complex electrical systems; knowledge of security procedures to maintain control of classified material(s); skill in applying analytical and evaluative techniques to identify, investigate, and resolve complex issues or problems. NOTE: You must submit a copy of official transcripts. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-12: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes expertise in concepts, principles, theories, and practices involved in engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science to perform studies, modify standard practices, and/or resolve issues related to the planning, development, fielding, and sustainment of complex electrical systems; knowledge of security procedures to maintain control of classified material(s); skill in applying analytical and evaluative techniques to identify, investigate, and resolve complex issues or problems. NOTE: You must submit a copy of official transcripts. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-05 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-07 level. One year at the GS-07 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 level. One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. 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: Continues on Education PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
1. Applies cross-functional knowledge in the planning, research, design, development, test, evaluation, integration, acquisition, dissemination, sustainment, modification, and/or exploitation of complex systems to support the organization's mission objectives. 2. Performs technical assignments and utilizes scientific inquiry in the development of new or substantially improved software, equipment, materials, instrumentation, devices, systems, mathematical models, processes, techniques, and/or procedures. 3. Provides technical guidance, advisory support, and assistance. 4. Attends meetings, conferences, briefings, and seminars related to program planning, advanced technologies, and support system concepts. 5. Accomplishes professional development and maintains technical proficiency.