Physical Science Technician

Role overview

The U.S. Pacific Fleet is seeking a Physical Science Technician in San Diego, CA. In this role, you will support radiological control work tied to shipyard nuclear reactor plant maintenance and refueling activities, with a strong focus on safety, compliance, and incident prevention.

What you will do

• Suggest updates to work methods and trade procedures so radiological controls are strengthened, inefficiencies are reduced, exposures to radiation are minimized, and incidents are avoided.
• Decide on and carry out actions needed to contain and manage radiation effects, direct the movement of personnel, assign emergency tasks to other federal staff, and determine when other work can safely continue.
• Evaluate or look into unusual radiological control situations.
• Review problems, underlying deficiencies, and incident causes that lower-level technicians were unable to resolve completely.
• Assess work processes and recommend safer, more effective methods for radiation- and contamination-related operations.
• Help stop and manage incidents and accidents during complex operations.

Employment conditions

• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• You must be found suitable for federal employment.
• Enrollment in direct deposit is mandatory.
• New Department of the Navy employees must successfully complete the E-Verify employment verification process.
• If you are already a federal employee applying for a GS position, you generally need at least one year at the next lower grade level by the closing date of the announcement.
• Retired military members applying for civilian roles within the Department of Defense within 180 days of retirement are subject to 5 U.S. Code 3326.
• Men born after 12-31-59 must be registered with Selective Service.
• This role is part of a bargaining unit.
• You must obtain and maintain the required interim and/or final security clearance before starting work.
• Personal protective equipment such as helmets, gloves, coveralls, glasses, goggles, respirators, and safety shoes must be worn throughout the shift.
• Work may take place around harmful physical and chemical agents such as fumes, dust, heat, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, and chemicals, and participation in medical surveillance programs is required.
• Travel may be required from the normal duty station to CONUS and OCONUS locations, including remote or isolated sites, and you must be able to travel for extended periods on military and commercial aircraft.
• The position may require an uncommon work schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays, with possible overtime, night differential pay, or unusual duty hours.
• You must be willing and able to lift or carry up to 50 pounds.
• You must be willing and able to climb ladders and scaffolding.
• You must be willing and able to work in small and/or confined spaces.

Qualifications

For GS-11, you need at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to GS-10 in federal service or comparable private/public sector experience. The experience should include monitoring and analyzing shipyard nuclear reactor plant maintenance or refueling operations to identify radiological control gaps or non-compliance with radiological safety and exposure-control requirements, and then recommending and implementing corrective action.

For GS-10, you need at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to GS-9 in federal service or comparable private/public sector experience. The experience should include monitoring shipyard nuclear reactor plant maintenance or refueling operations for radiological safety deficiencies or exposure-control non-compliance and taking corrective action.

Additional qualification details may be available through the Office of Personnel Management.

Additional information

• This position falls under the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program.
• More than one vacancy may be filled through this announcement.
• A tentative job offer can be withdrawn if pre-employment requirements are not completed, including attending required appointments.
• During application, you may choose to make your resume visible to hiring managers in the agency for similar local positions.
• Depending on the hiring organization and the position filled, requirements such as security clearance, travel, drug testing, financial disclosure, and bargaining unit status may differ.
• Other hiring managers may offer relocation reimbursement or recruitment incentives, subject to funding and policy.
• If you opt in and are referred on a certificate, your resume may remain available to other hiring managers for 180 days after the announcement closes.
• Opting in does not affect this application and does not guarantee consideration for other openings.
• Annuitant selection is subject to Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy.
• PPP candidates will be placed at the full performance level if they are determined well qualified.
• ICTAP applicants must meet all qualification requirements and receive a highly qualified rating of 85 or higher, and must provide the required documentation.
• Military spouse preference candidates will be placed at the highest grade for which they applied and are determined best qualified.
• Certain incentives, including recruitment or relocation incentives, may be authorized for eligible selectees.
• A relocation incentive may be offered as a single payment to help offset moving costs.
• Vacancies from this posting may be filled at any of the listed grade levels.
• If appointed below the full performance level, you may be promoted noncompetitively to the next higher grade after meeting all requirements and receiving management recommendation; promotion is not guaranteed.
• Candidates are expected to support a more efficient federal government, respect the ideals of the American republic, and uphold the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
• Federal employees and their families may have access to a comprehensive benefits package, with eligibility depending on appointment type and work schedule.

Benefits

As a federal employee, you may receive access to a broad benefits package. The exact benefits available depend on whether the role is full-time, part-time, or intermittent, and you should contact the hiring agency for details.

Eligibility

U.S. citizens who meet the federal suitability, security, and grade-based experience requirements may apply. Preference and priority programs such as PPP, ICTAP, and military spouse preference may also apply where eligible.