USA Staffing

Position Title: Physical Science Technician
Agency: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
Announcement Number: 25-TTB-26-P Opens in new window
Open Period: Wednesday, December 18, 2024 to Thursday, January 2, 2025

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

4. Reasonable Accommodations for taking the online assessments are provided on a case-by-case basis only to qualified individuals with a disability covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

Do you have a disability (physical or mental) that you believe will interfere with completing the online assessments and require a Reasonable Accommodation?

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. Are you a current Federal employee?

A. Yes

B. No

5. If you are, or ever were a Federal civilian employee, indicate the pay plan and grade level or pay band of the highest graded position you have ever held.
(limit 250 characters)

6. Have you attended any of Treasury's information sessions? (Please click all that apply.)

A. Navigating USAJOBS

B. Writing Your Federal Resume

C. Interviewing Techniques

D. Early Career Programs (Students, Recent Graduates, Entry Level, Apprenticeship)

E. I have not attended any sessions.

1. 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:
- Working in a laboratory environment either through academic coursework or professional setting to collect and record data using scientific practices including chemical solution preparation, measuring mass using an analytical balance, and measuring volumes; AND
- Following a laboratory scientific standard operating procedure, protocol, or method through academic coursework or professional setting.

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 nine semester hours (14 quarter hours) may be combined to be considered for qualifying education.

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.

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

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.

2. 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:
- Working in a laboratory environment either through academic coursework or professional setting to collect and record data using scientific practices including chemical solution preparation, weighing mass using an analytical balance, and measuring volumes.

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 a degree that included at least 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in any combination of courses in 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 (90 quarter 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 (90 quarter 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.

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.

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

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.

3. Provide the job title(s) and/or degree(s) and dates wherein you acquired your specialized 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)

4. Select all the following chemistry techniques or measurements you have experience applying in an academic or work setting.

A. Solids/Dissolved Solids

B. Weighing/pipetting

C. Physical/Chemical Properties

D. Distillation

E. Concentration (e.g. evaporation, dilution)

F. Specific gravity

G. Densitometry

H. Chromatography

I. Spectroscopy (e.g. UV-Vis spectrophotometry)

J. Titration

K. Extractions (e.g. liquid-liquid; solid-liquid)

L. pH

M. None of the above

5. Provide the job title(s) and/or degree(s) wherein you acquired these experience(s). (DO NOT put "SEE RESUME" and ensure these experiences are detailed in your resume.) (limit 250 characters)

6. I have experience with the following:

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

B. Processing laboratory samples following provided protocols

C. Entering sample data into laboratory systems

D. Utilizing ISO 17025 (International Organization for Standardization) accreditation when working in a laboratory

E. Calibrating scientific measurement devices or equipment

F. Researching technical or scientific information in computer databases to gather information or provide a hypothesis

G. Providing analyses on chemical or physical properties of substances in reports or as records within a database

H. Conducting laboratory observation to analyze materials in a wet/liquid phase

I. Preparing chemical solutions

J. Using weighing and volumetric measuring devices in an analytical chemistry laboratory

K. None of the above

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

A. I have experience using separation technology (e.g., Gas Chromatograph (GC), High Pressure Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC)).

B. I have experience using common laboratory devices (e.g., UV-VIS spectrometer, analytical balances, pipettes, 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. Provide the job title(s) and/or degree(s) wherein you acquired these experience(s). (DO NOT put "SEE RESUME" and ensure these experiences are detailed in your resume.) (limit 250 characters)

9. I have used the following:

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

B. Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)

C. Databases (SharePoint, Access)

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

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

F. None of the above

10. 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

11. Indicate which statement(s) 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.

12. Choose the statement that best describes your experience in customer service in a work setting.

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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