Direct Hire Public Notice - Health Physicist/Physical Scientist (GG-11/13)

Summary

This position is located in various organizations within the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) is a hiring authority granted by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to address critical hiring needs or severe candidate shortages. Please read this carefully before applying. Your application goes to a resume database and may be used during the notice period. U.S. citizenship is REQUIRED. Direct hiring authority for the 1301/1306 series is being used.

Duties

NRC employees have responsibilities that include: protecting public health and safety; protecting the environment; protecting and safeguarding nuclear materials and plants in the interest of national security; and assuring conformity with antitrust laws. Agency employees perform these functions through: standards-setting and rule making, technical reviews and studies; conduct of public hearings; issuance of authorizations, permits, and licenses; inspection, investigation, and enforcement; evaluation of operating experience; and confirmatory research. Duties and responsibilities vary and may increase according to the grade level and series of the position.

Qualifications

This position is being filled using the agency's Direct Hire Authority. All positions, dependent upon grade levels being filled, require some level of related experience or education. (Job family series included for this vacancy are listed below in the Education section). In order to qualify for these positions, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in the Federal Service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. To qualify for GG-11: Doctorate degree (PhD) in or related to an Physical Science discipline OR Masters Degree and one year of post degree work experience OR Bachelors degree and two years of post degree work experience in or related to Physical Science. GG-12 and above: Requires 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as work experience applying professional scientific disciplines required for the positions being filled. The ideal candidate for these positions must demonstrate: 1) Knowledge of the applicable requirements, policies, practices, and programs applicable to sciences (including but not limited to nuclear reactors, the nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear materials, nuclear waste, or risk assessment); 2) Ability to plan, direct, coordinate, and manage complex, highly technical projects; 3) Ability to present technical information both orally and in writing; and 4) Ability to develop and implement successful approaches to problem solving and conflict resolution. A description of how you possess the specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate must be addressed in your resume. Applicants may also use the supplemental vacancy question to provide additional information pertaining to the specialized experience and ideal candidate criteria. PLEASE BE CLEAR AND CONCISE. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Requirements

You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this public notice and before placement in the position. All information in your resume must be true and accurate. Conditions of Employment: U.S. Citizenship Required This is a Drug Testing position This position maybe subject to Confidential Financial Disclosure reporting requirements and subject to security ownership restriction reporting requirements. Must be able to meet and maintain security & suitability requirements As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals ofthe agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

You must include an unofficial or official copy of your college and/or university transcripts with your application. Transcript must include the School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). Education must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If you have multiple degrees (e.g., BS, MS, PhD) please submit transcripts for each degree. You must meet basic education and professional knowledge requirements that apply to Federal science positions for the grade levels to which you are applying. This knowledge is met by documenting how you meet the minimum OPM qualification standards for the 1301 General Physical Science Occupational Series and/or 1306 Health Physics Occupational Series in addition to the specialized experience. 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 a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Transcripts must be uploaded with your application to verify education. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. You must include an unofficial copy of your college and/or university transcripts with your application.

How you will be evaluated

PLEASE NOTE: This is a highly competitive vacancy with a limited number of openings available. When a need exists, applications will be reviewed to determine if you meet the job requirements. Applications will be rated based on the information provided in the resume to determine level of knowledge, skill and ability related to the job requirements. If you are among the top candidates for this position, your application will be referred to the hiring manager. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to submit a concise resume. Applicants MAY BE periodically referred to Selecting Officials during the open period, your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the job requirements. Your application will be evaluated based on the information provided in your resume to determine your level of knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the job requirements. If you are among the top candidates for this position, your application will be referred to the hiring manager for possible interview and selection based upon the number of available vacancies to be filled in each office.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin an application. To be considered for this position, you must complete the online application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) 01/28/2027 on the cut-off date or the announcement closing date to receive consideration. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. For a preview of the application questions, please see https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13101775. Announcement cutoff dates: November 13, 2026 November 27, 2026 December 11, 2026 December 30, 2026 January 15, 2027 January 28, 2027 Your complete application must include your resume, responses to all required vacancy questions, and any required documents that prove your eligibility to apply. To begin your application, select the "Apply" button located on the right side of this screen. Follow the subsequent prompts to log in or register, submit all required documents, answer the questions, and complete the application process. You may either select your required documents within your USAJOBS profile to upload with your application or directly upload them during the application process. The following types of document types can be uploaded: .gif, jpg., .jpeg, .png, .rtf, .pdf, .doc, and .docx. Important Considerations: Paper Applications: Paper applications will not be accepted unless you can demonstrate hardship circumstances through the agency contact listed below. Application Extensions: Requests for application extensions will not be granted. Hardship Assistance: If you experience hardship applying online, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed below for assistance. You must reach out during business hours before the announcement closing date and speak with someone who can provide support for your online submission. The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the coordinator at (301) 415-5888 or TDD 240-482-3217. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Other information

This position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy. Applications MAY BE periodically referred to Selecting Officials both during the open period and after the closing date of this vacancy. You MAY BE referred to selecting officials based on your UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS and NRC's NEEDS. Individuals who are eligible for non-competitive appointment under an OPM special appointing authority may apply for consideration under a comparable NRC non-competitive appointing authority. Veterans, please visit: FedsHireVets The NRC is a zero tolerance agency with respect to illegal drug use. Individuals selected for these positions will be subject to pre-appointment drug testing. The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the coordinator at (301) 415-5888 or TDD 240-482-3217. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Selectees will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to being appointed to determine their suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. False statements or responses on your resume or questionnaire can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service, a transferable security clearance from another agency or a background investigation leading to a clearance is required for all new hires. To begin work at the NRC without a security clearance, you must be granted a temporary waiver of the required clearance, referred to as a 145(b) waiver. To be eligible for a 145(b) waiver you need favorable education verification, reference, credit, and criminal history checks. If a wavier is granted, the successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication are required for continued employment. If you have resided outside the U.S. for an extended period of time, the agency may not be able to (1) grant the 145(b) waiver where the required investigation cannot be completed in a timely manner, or (2) achieve timely completion of the background investigation required for a security clearance.