Duties
As a Physical Scientist, you will perform the following duties:
- Develop and maintain data assimilation, or physics parameterization, or dynamics and associated computer-based technologies to improve National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Environmental Modeling Center (EMC) environmental forecasts and services.
- Coordinate and review multi-faceted work being undertaken in diverse locations, setting standards for the work, reviewing work for consistency with agency policy and goals, and furnishing technical advice. Present scientific research related to data assimilation modeling physics or dynamics activities and represent the organization on technical committees.
- Oversee the consistency and transition of techniques and research to operations (R2O), for data assimilation, or modeling physical parameterizations, or dynamics for numerical forecast guidance products. Develop short- and long-range plans, including new approaches to problems and required resources, given existing capabilities.
Requirements
Key Requirements:
- Applicants must be US Citizens.
- Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
- Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (sss.gov).
- More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Additional Information.
- Qualification requirements must be met by closing date of the announcement..
Additional Considerations:
- One year probationary period may be required.
- Payment of relocation expenses (PCS) is not authorized.
- This position is in the bargaining unit. This position is covered by NWSEO.
- This position requires a Moderate Risk investigation.
- Background investigation will be required. Continued employment is subject to applicant’s successful completion of security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
Qualifications
Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management’s website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy.
To qualify for the 1301 series:
BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience OR substitution of education for experience OR combination (if applicable) in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet the following requirements:
- Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.
OR
- Combination of education and experience — education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
-AND-
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.
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.
To qualify at the GS-14 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:
- Improving techniques for use of observations, physical parameterizations, or dynamics in numerical environmental or numerical weather modeling applications;
- Generating written reports and briefings on numerical environmental or numerical weather modeling; and
- Coordinating the research to operational transition of numerical environmental or numerical weather modeling technologies.
Education
This position has a positive Education Requirement. You are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken. Please see degree and experience requirements in the Qualifications section.
Salary: $142,488 to – $185,234 per year
Application deadline: August 22, 2025
