Interdisciplinary Physical Scientist/Chemist

US-Mine-Safety-and-Health-Administratio; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) within the Department of Labor seeks qualified candidates for advanced laboratory roles in its Analytical and Laboratory Division in Seattle. Positions require expertise with XRD, FTIR, and ICP‑OES, plus a strong foundation in physical sciences and math.

Candidates should demonstrate experience with mining-related analytical tasks and laboratory quality control.

Qualifications

• Degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics with relevant coursework

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute complex laboratory projects involving respirable dust and mining environments

Skills

XRD

FTIR

ICP-OES

Analytical chemistry

Industrial hygiene sampling

Education

Physical science / engineering / mathematics degree with 24 semester hours

Chemistry coursework incl. calculus & physics

Tools

Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrophotometer

Elemental Carbon Analyzer

Job description

This position is with Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Technical Support, Analytical and Laboratory Division.
MSHA works to prevent death, illness and injury from mining; promote safe and healthful workplaces for U.S. miners. MSHA carries out the provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) as amended by the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006.

You must meet the Basic Requirements to qualify for Physical Scientist/Chemist, as described below. Transcripts must be submitted to verify education requirements.

Basic Requirement - Physical Scientist

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.

Basic Requirement - Chemist

Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics.

OR

Combination of education and experience -- course work equivalent to a major as shown in A above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to the basic requirements as described above, your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience defined below. Be sure these types of examples are evident in your resume.

Specialized Experience is the experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform the duties of the position successfully, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.

GS‑07

Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS‑5, in the Federal Service that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, experience and skills to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience must include the following:

• Experience in using chemistry and/or physical science principles, theories, practices, typically used to perform limited standardized tests and analyses in accordance with accepted methods; and
• Experience in using a variety of analytical instruments to perform routine and limited analyses.

OR

Applicants must have one full year of graduate level education (coursework directly related to position being filled).

OR

Superior Academic Achievement:
1) Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
2) Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.
3) Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society -- Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the
national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision. (Proof of membership must be submitted.)

OR

An appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above.

GS‑09

Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS‑7, in the Federal Service that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, experience and skills to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience must include the following:

• Experience utilizing the operation, maintenance and calibration of analytical instruments (x‑ray diffractometer, FTIR spectrometer, inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometer, or elemental carbon analyzer) and applying the techniques for their use.
• Experience utilizing techniques used to analyze metals, ores and mineral samples to perform a variety of established tests and analyses.

OR

Applicants must have two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree (coursework directly related to position being filled).

OR

Applicants must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree (coursework directly related to position being filled).

OR

An appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above.

GS‑11

Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS‑9, in the Federal Service that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, experience and skills to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience must include the following:

• Independently plan and execute complex laboratory projects involving respirable dust and other industrial hygiene samples from mining environments; adapting established methods (e.g., XRD, FTIR spectrometer) to resolve analytical issues and produce scientifically sound results.
• Evaluate sample acceptability; document analytical methods and modifications; assess the impact of quality‑control deficiencies on data usability; prepare technical reports/manuscripts and consult with laboratory personnel/externals.
• Using scientific software to process laboratory data; apply knowledge of chemistry/physical sciences, geology, industrial hygiene, and statistics to present data in a scientific manner and communicate findings orally and in writing.

OR

Applicants must have three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree (coursework directly related to position being filled).

OR

Applicant must have a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree (coursework directly related to position being filled).

OR

An appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above.