PHYSICIST

AF Force Renewal (DAF); Fairchild Air Force Base - Clear Lake Recreation Area (WA); On-site; USD 49,960 - 99,314; Full time

Job summary

AF Force Renewal is seeking a Physics intern under the PAQ program to support federal Air Force projects. The position covers GS-7 to GS-9 levels, with responsibilities spanning experimental and theoretical work and reporting to senior physicists.

Applicants must meet basic physics education requirements and be prepared for occasional travel. The program is federally funded and offers internship opportunities across multiple locations.

Qualifications

• Degree: Physics or related with at least 24 semester hours in physics.
• GS-7 requires Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) GPA 2.95+ or 3.45+ as described.
• GS-9 requires 2 years of graduate education leading to a master’s or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Perform work as a physicist in support of projects.
• Plan work procedures and apply standard practices and data.
• Develop written summaries for higher level physicists and contractors.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Effective communication

Scientific reasoning

Problem solving

Education

Physics degree or related with 24 physics hours

SAA GPA 2.95+ (GS-7) or 3.45+ (GS-9)

Graduate study for GS-9

Job description

Summary

Force Renewal Programs are designed to attract students & recent graduates with management/leadership potential to careers as Federal employees with the Air Force Civilian Service. This is accomplished by recruiting & selecting high-caliber candidates & training them to become competent, effective, & productive employees in a variety of career fields; providing training & developmental opportunities, & preparing them to successfully complete required training & developmental assignments.

Overview

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Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

09/29/2025 to 09/28/2026

Salary

$49,960 to – $99,314 per year

Pay scale & grade

GS 7 – 9

Locations

FEW vacancies in the following locations:

• Clear AFB, AK
• Eielson AFB, AK
• Elmendorf AFB, AK
• Little Rock AFB, AR
• Davis Monthan AFB, AZ
• Luke AFB, AZ
• Beale AFB, CA
• Edwards AFB, CA
• Los Angeles, CA
• March AFB, CA
• Travis AFB, CA
• Vandenberg AFB, CA
• Buckley AFB, CO
• Colorado Springs, CO
• Peterson AFB, CO
• Dover AFB, DE
• Eglin AFB, FL
• Hurlburt Field, FL
• MacDill AFB, FL
• Patrick AFB, FL
• Robins AFB, GA
• Pearl Harbor, HI
• Mountain Home AFB, ID
• Scott AFB, IL
• Barksdale AFB, LA
• Hanscom AFB, MA
• Aberdeen, MD
• Andrews AFB, MD
• Whiteman AFB, MO
• Columbus AFB, MS
• Keesler AFB, MS
• Malmstrom AFB, MT
• Grand Forks AFB, ND
• Minot AFB, ND
• Offutt AFB, NE
• McGuire AFB, NJ
• Cannon AFB, NM
• Holloman AFB, NM
• Kirtland AFB, NM
• Rome, NY
• Heath, OH
• Altus AFB, OK
• Tinker AFB, OK
• Vance AFB, OK
• Charleston AFB, SC
• Ellsworth AFB, SD
• Arnold AFB, TN
• Dyess AFB, TX
• Goodfellow AFB, TX
• Laughlin AFB, TX
• San Antonio, TX
• Hill AFB, UT
• Dahlgren, VA
• Langley AFB, VA
• Pentagon, Arlington, VA
• Fairchild AFB, WA
• McChord AFB, WA
• Warren AFB, WY

Remote job

No

Telework eligible

No

Travel Required

Occasional travel – You may be expected to travel for this position.

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Appointment type

Internships

Work schedule

Full-time

Service

• Competitive
• Promotion potential
• 12
• Job family (Series)

1310 Physics

Supervisory status

No

Security clearance

Top Secret

Drug test

Yes

Position sensitivity and risk

• Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
• Trust determination process

Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure

No

Bargaining unit status

No

Announcement number

K-26-DHA-12807275-MDL

Control number

846774500

This job is open to

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The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Students

Current students enrolled in an accredited high school, college or graduate institution.

Recent graduates

Individuals who have graduated from an accredited educational institute or certificate program within the last 2 years or 6 years for Veterans.

Clarification from the agency

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

Duties

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*This is a formal AF intern position in the Recent Palace Acquire Program (PAQ) and, as such, it is centrally funded by HQ AFPC/DPZS.

++GS-07:++

1. Performs work as a physicist in support of conventional projects assigned to higher level scientists.
2. Performs work as a physicist of limited scope and complexity in support of projects assigned to higher grade scientists. Plans work procedures and selects standard practices and data to be applied to work projects and identified problems.
3. Researches scientific information through a variety of data sources and scientific disciplines.
4. Carries out special assignments designed to facilitate the full use of and enhance the intern’s training and development.

GS-09:

1. Plans and conducts own work procedures to be applied in support of projects assigned to higher grade physicists.
2. Performs scientific assignments consisting of a series of interrelated tasks or problems screened by a higher grade physicist.
3. Assists higher grade physicists in finding solutions for problems requiring a variety of data sources and scientific disciplines.
4. Develops written summaries to be used by higher level physicists, contractors, and/or customers. Presents briefings or presentations as required.
5. Keeps abreast of emerging techniques and professional developments to remain current in the scientific field for application to work assignment

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Some position under this announcement may require either a secret, top secret, or special sensitive clearance.
• Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.
• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• Total salary varies depending on location of position
• PCS expenses if authorized will be paid IAW JTR and Air Force Regulations
• Recruitment incentives may be authorized
• This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Position may be subject to random drug testing
• Employee must maintain current certifications
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Grade Point Average-2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0
• You will be required to serve a one year probationary period

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS for GS-7 and GS-9:

Degree: Physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics.

You may qualify if you meet one of the following:

1. GS-7 You must have completed or will complete a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s from an accredited institution AND must have documented Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the undergraduate level in the following:

   a) Grade Point Average 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of curriculum; OR 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum.

2. GS-9 You must have completed 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or equivalent graduate degree:

   a) Grade Point Average –2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of curriculum; OR 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum. If more than 10 percent of total undergraduate credit hours are non-graded, i.e. pass/fail, CLEP, CCAF, DANTES, military credit, etc. you cannot qualify based on GPA.

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:

1. Professional knowledge of physical laws, policies, theories, principles and concepts and familiarity with other scientific and engineering disciplines.
2. Ability to analyze, interpret and apply physical laws and procedures in a variety of situations and recommend effective solutions to senior physicists.
3. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
4. Knowledge of computer operations and standard software applications.

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.

Education

This position has an education requirement. You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

Please submit copies of all Transcripts to include Transferred hours – Official copies are not required at time of application. If selected, you will be required to provide official copies of all Transcripts.

***NOTE***Degree Audits are not accepted.

If you qualify based on undergraduate education and you have not graduated prior to applying to this position. You may be offered a position contingent upon your final grade point average or class ranking.

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

For DHA Positions: These positions are being filled under Direct-Hire Authority for the Department of Defense for Post-Secondary Students and Recent Graduates. The Secretary of the Air Force has delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to directly appoint qualified post-secondary students and recent graduates directly into competitive service positions; these positions may be professional or administrative occupations and are located Air Force-Wide.

Positions may be filled as permanent or term with a full-time or part-time work schedule.

Pay will vary by geographic location.

*** The term “Current post-secondary student” means a person who is currently enrolled in, and in good academic standing at a full-time program at an institution of higher education; and is making satisfactory progress toward receipt of a baccalaureate or graduate degree; and has completed at least one year of the program.

*** The term “recent graduate” means a person who was awarded a degree by an institution of higher education not more than two years before the date of the appointment of such person, except in the case of a person who has completed a period of obligated service in a uniform service of more than four years.

Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. For additional information, click here.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 – the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017” suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Required documents

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application for this Public Notice. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.

1. Online Application – Questionnaire
2. Resume – Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under “How To Apply”.For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week (if part-time) and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees should list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs (or links to social media such as LinkedIn), inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume.
3. Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
4. Veterans: If claiming VEOA, VRA or 30% Disabled Veteran – Submit VOW certification memo or copy of the official DD Form 214, which must include the character of service (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge). This will be annotated in block 24 on member copy 2, 4, or 7 of the DD Form 214. If claiming 30% Disabled Veteran, you must also submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces. NOTE: All veterans claiming 10-point preference must also submit a SF-15 form.

• Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member
• Branch of Armed Forces
• Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s)
• Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty
• Terminal leave start date (if applicable)
• Expected character of service/discharge and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement)
• Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge
• Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.

Agency contact information

Total Force Service Center

1-800-525-0102

[e-mail]

AF Force Renewal

550 C Street W

JBSA Randolph AFB, TX 78150

US