USA Staffing

Position Title: Physical Science Technician
Agency: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
Announcement Number: 21-TTB-90-P Opens in new window
Open Period: Tuesday, September 28, 2021 to Tuesday, October 12, 2021

For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.

1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?

A. No, I do not claim Veterans' Preference

B. 0-point Sole Survivorship Preference (SSP)

C. 5-point preference based on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (TP)

D. 10-point preference for non-compensable disability or Purple Heart (XP)

E. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of at least 10% but less than 30% (CP)

F. 10 point preference based on widow/widower or parent of a deceased veteran, or spouse or parent of a disabled veteran (XP)

G. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of 30% or more (CPS)

2. Are you a surplus or displaced Federal employee eligible under the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)? Click CTAP for eligibility and a detailed list of required documents you must submit in order to be eligible.

A. Yes

B. No

3. Are you a displaced Federal employee eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)? Click ICTAP for eligibility and a detailed list of required documents you must submit in order to be eligible.

A. Yes

B. No

1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.

2. Are you currently serving or have served in the last five years in a Political Appointment in the Federal Government?

A. Yes

B. No

3. Where did you learn about this Department of the Treasury job opportunity?

A. FedExperience website

B. USAJOBS website

C. Community Organization

D. Employment Office (Federal/State or Local)

E. Friend/Relative

F. Job Fair, Conference, or Convention

G. Magazine

H. Newspaper

I. School, College, Counselor

J. Vacancy Announcement Posting

K. Professional Organization

L. Radio/TV

M. Other

4. As outlined in the vacancy announcement, you must submit a copy of your most recent rating of record(i.e; final annual performance appraisal issued and signed by appropriate management officials) dated within the last 18 months. If you have not submitted an appraisal meeting these requirements or if it is not dated within the last 18 months, you must explain why you are unable to do so. If you do not provide a copy of the performance appraisal, or a statement advising why it is unavailable, you will be removed from further consideration.

Type "yes" in the text box below if you are providing a performance appraisal meeting the above requirements with your application. If you are unable to provide a performance appraisal with your application meeting the requirements, please provide a reason in the text box below.

1. For the GS-07, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-06 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:

- Experience performing analysis utilizing modern analytical chemistry techniques (e.g., spectroscopy, liquid or gas chromatography, hyphenated techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry); OR
- Experience processing data obtained from modern analytical chemistry techniques.

OR

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: One full year of graduate education directly related to the work of the position.

OR You may qualify on combination of education and experience: To combine education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the requirement must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate level education in excess of the first 9 semester hours (14 quarter hours) may be combined to be considered for qualifying education.

For the GS-07, select the answer that best describes your experience and/or education:

A. I have one year of experience at the GS-06 or equivalent as described above.

B. I have one full year of graduate level education directly related to the work of the position.

C. I have a combination of the education and experience listed above (1 and 2) in which my percentage of specialized experience and education totals to 100%. (For example: the completion of a 9 semester hours of graduate level education: 6 months specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level).

D. I am not qualified for the GS-07 level because I do not meet any of the above education or combination of education and experience statements.

2. For the GS-6, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:

- Experience in operation of analytical wet chemistry methods (e.g., pH, titration, densitometry, distillation, specific gravity) in a work environment; OR
- Experience following an analytical chemistry method (e.g., spectroscopy, liquid or gas chromatography, or hyphenated techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry).

OR

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: One full year of graduate level education directly related to the work of the position.

OR You may qualify on a combination of education and experience: To combine education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the requirement must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate level education in excess of the first 9 semester hours (14 quarter hours) may be combined to be considered for qualifying education.

For the GS-06, select the answer that best describes your experience and/or education.

A. I am qualified at the GS-06 level because I have one year of GS-05 level experience which has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

B. I have one full year of graduate level education directly related to the work of the position.

D. I am not qualified for the GS-06 level because I do not meet any of the above education or combination of education and experience statements.

3. For the GS-05, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-04 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:

- Experience preparing chemical solutions; OR
- Experience using weighing and volumetric measuring devices used in an analytical chemistry laboratory.

OR

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study in an appropriate field of physical science or that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as physical science, engineering or any branch of mathematics, except financial or commercial mathematics.

OR You may qualify on a combination of education and experience: To combine education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the requirement must equal at least 100 percent. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to one year of specialized experience.

Completion of appropriate training such as in-service training programs, training acquired while serving in the Armed Forces, and government-sponsored developmental training programs will be allowed credit on a month-for-month basis. Such training meets specialized experience requirements depending upon its applicability.

For the GS-05, select the answer that best describes your experience and/or education.

A. I am qualified at the GS-05 level because I have one year of GS-04 level experience which has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

B. I have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study in an appropriate field of physical science or that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as physical science, engineering, or any branch of mathematics, except financial or commercial mathematics.

D. I am not qualified for the GS-05 level because I do not meet any of the above education or combination of education and experience statements.

4. Provide the job title(s) and/or degree(s) and dates wherein you acquired your speciated experience. (Ensure these dates and details can be found in your resume, and that you supply transcripts for related degrees or training.) (limit 250 characters)

5. I have used the following:

A. Word processing or form creation (e.g., Microsoft Word, Adobe)

B. Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)

C. Databases (e.g., SharePoint, Access)

D. Spreadsheets (e.g., Microsoft EXCEL)

E. Graphics and/or presentation tools (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint)

F. None of the above

6. I have experience following instructions from a laboratory test method and preparing chemical standards and reagents while:

A. Under limited or no supervision

B. Preparing standards for analytical testing, standards with volumetric dilutions, or standardized reagents

C. Processing laboratory samples following provided protocols

D. Entering sample data into laboratory systems

E. Utilizing ISO 17025 (International Organization for Standardization) accreditation or Good Laboratory Practice when working in a laboratory

F. None of the above

7. Choose the statement(s) that describe your experience operating modern analytical instruments to acquire reliable analytical data.

A. I have experience in the operation, calibration and collection of data using chromatography instruments (e.g., Gas Chromatograph (GC), High Pressure Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC)).

B. I have experience in the operation and use of common laboratory devices (e.g., UV-VIS spectrometer, balances, centrifuges).

C. I have experience collecting and reporting laboratory data for analytical review.

D. I have wet chemistry experience (e.g., pH measurement, titrations, distillations).

E. I have not performed any of the above tasks.

8. Indicate the one statement that best describes your experience working with others on collaborative projects.

A. I have experience working with others on collaborative project(s) that resulted in (a) written report(s) or presentation(s).

B. I have experience working with others on a project or other assignment(s).

C. I have experience working in teams or groups as an active member.

D. None of the above

9. Select the one statement that best describes your experience in writing laboratory reports.

A. I do not have experience in writing these types of reports.

B. I have experience inputting laboratory data but not writing a summary of the analytical results.

C. I have drafted summary of analytical results for laboratory chemist's review.

D. I have independently written laboratory results for samples assigned.

10. Indicate which statement(s) best describe your experience with presentation of technical information.

A. I have no presentation experience.

B. I have made a formal presentation on a technical paper to an audience.

C. I have informally presented technical information to a small group.

D. I have participated in a group meeting on technical topics.

11. Choose the statement that best describes your experience in customer service for internal and external audiences, including coworkers.

A. I have responded to inquiries and questions.

B. I have provided guidance or answers to specific or routine questions.

C. I have followed standardized rules, procedures, and operations to assist others with specific or non-routine questions.

D. I have no experience performing this work.

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