Gas Metrologist Technician

Summary

NIST is seeking a Physical Science Technician to support the production of Reference Materials. This role is analytical focused on supporting the NIST Standards program through high-level measurement science. The core responsibility is to use advanced laboratory instruments, like chemiluminescence, to analyze samples and certify official Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) for gas metrology applications.

Duties

• In this position, you will: Perform measurements of gas standards contained in compressed gas cylinders using analytical instrumentation and following internal procedures. Summarize measurement data using existing statistical methods and author and/or contribute to reports of analysis. Assist and/or prepare primary gas standards following internal procedures.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, applicants must possess one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-8 (ZT-II at NIST) level. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience performing gas standard measurements using a variety of analytical instrumentation including a chemiluminescence detector. Experience using simple statistical methods to summarize measurement data and value assign gas reference materials. Experience contributing to analytical reports. Experience assisting in the preparation of gas primary standards utilizing a gravimetric technique. -OR- Master's degree in a field of study that is directly related to the work of the position -OR- Two full years of graduate education (36 semester hours) in a field of study that is directly related to the work of the position -OR- An equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate education beyond the first 1 1/2 years (27 semester hours) of progressive graduate study. Graduate education must be in a field of study that is directly related to the work of the position. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook. If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration

Education

This position allows applicants to qualify with education. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required before a final offer of employment. Use of foreign education for qualifications. An accredited organization must evaluate education completed outside of the U.S. to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with course-by-course listing) is required with your application.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments, and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: USAJOBS Help Center - How to see your application and job status. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.