Summary
Join this team! This position is located in the Office of Hazard Identification and Reduction, Directorate for Laboratory Sciences, Division of Engineering (LSE). LSE has responsibility for both electrically operated and textile type consumer products.
This job is open to
- Federal employees – Competitive service
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
Clarification from the agency
MERIT PROMOTION (MP) VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT – Current Federal employees with competitive status; Former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; CTAP/ICTAP eligibles; Veterans with VOW, VEOA, or 30% disability; Military Spouses, Peace Corps,and those eligible under an OPM interchange agreement.
Videos
Duties
The vacancy has been extended and will close on October 29, 2023.
The Physical Science/Engineering Technician will be responsible for:
- Working daily in the laboratory and/or field settings to assist the Division of Engineering in carrying out its responsibility for conducting flammability tests in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Flammable Fabrics Act and other Federal or voluntary consensus standards requirements.
- Providing assistance with conducting tests and evaluations of consumer products for conformance with mandatory regulations and consensus standard.
- Analyzing incident, import, retail and consumer complaint samples to determine the likely causes of failures, or non-conformity with standards or regulations, and authoring reports of such tests, evaluations, and analyses.
- Assisting in the development of new test methods for mandatory regulations and consensus standards intended to reduce the hazards associated with new types of consumer products or with new or unforeseen uses of traditional consumer products.
- Providing technical assistance to the solution of specific problems assigned to the Division, Directorate or Project Teams to which you are assigned.
Use of personal protective equipment is required. This position requires occasional work outdoors to test consumer products such as fireworks, gasoline powered equipment, playground equipment, etc. This work may generate fumes, pyrotechnic smoke, loud and/or sharp noise that may be repetitive or constant and occurs in weather conditions typical of the climate of the Washington D.C. metropolitan area in any season of the year.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- U.S. Citizenship Required.
- Background Investigation Required.
- Drug Testing Required.
- Must possess a valid State’s driver’s license.
The selectee must possess a valid State driver’s license. Use of a privately owned motor vehicle may be required. Moderate physical exertion is required such as lifting and carrying (15-50 lbs) as well as intermittent strenuous activity such as climbing ladders, crawling, kneeling and bending.
Must be a U.S. Citizen.
This is a Public Trust Position. Employment in this position requires a background investigation. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed or undisclosed background issues, the tentative employment offer may be withdrawn.
If you are a male born after December 31, 1959 you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Please see http://www.sss.gov for more information.
Selectees will be required to complete a “Declaration of Federal Employment”, (OF-306), prior to appointment and the appropriate background investigation forms to determine suitability for Federal employment. False statements or responses on these forms can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
The selectee will be required to complete a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the I-9 Form. We will compare information provided on the I-9 Form to records available from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The system confirms employee’s identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
Upon appointment, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450. You will need to provide the information annually.
Depending on your status, this position may require serving a 1-year probationary period.
Selectee must submit to a drug test and receive negative test results before being appointed. After appointment, you will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
Qualifications
All applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.
Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
GS-05: 1) Experience making routine measurements and recording data and observations using appropriate equipment and protocols specified in established procedures; 2) assisting in the routine assembly, repair, and/or fabrication of equipment; 3) conducting routine electrical tests using appropriate equipment and protocols.
GS-06: 1) Experience making measurements and recording data and observations using appropriate equipment and protocols specified in established procedures; 2) assisting in the routine assembly, repair, and/or fabrication of equipment; 3) conducting routine electrical tests using appropriate equipment and protocols.
GS-07: 1) Experience making measurements and recording data and observations using appropriate equipment and protocols specified in established procedures; 2) assisting in the assembly, repair, and/or fabrication of equipment; 3) conducting routine electrical tests using appropriate equipment and protocols.
GS-08: 1) Experience making measurements and recording data and observations using appropriate equipment and protocols; 2) assisting in the assembly, repair, and/or fabrication of equipment; 3) conducting routine and non-routine electrical tests after determining appropriate equipment and protocols for the objective.
GS-09: 1) Experience making measurements and recording data and observations using appropriate equipment and protocols; 2) assisting in the assembly, repair, and/or fabrication of equipment; 3) conducting non-routine and complex electrical tests after determining appropriate equipment and protocols for the objective.
GS-10: 1) Experience making measurements and recording data and observations using appropriate equipment and protocols; 2) conducting the assembly, repair, and/or fabrication of equipment; 3) independently conducting complex electrical tests after determining appropriate equipment and protocols for the objective.
GS-11: 1) Experience making measurements and recording data and observations using appropriate equipment and protocols; 2) independently assembling, repairing, and fabricating equipment; 3) independently conducting complex electrical tests after determining appropriate equipment and protocols for the objective.
Evidence of the above specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held. 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 be clear and specific when describing your experience. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience or based on job titles alone. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).
Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.
Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.
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.
Applicants must meet the qualifications for this position by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
All applicants must meet one of the following requirements to qualify – education may be substituted for specialized experience as shown below:
GS-05: A bachelor’s degree in: 1) an appropriate field of engineering or the physical sciences; or 2) another field of study that included 24 semester hours in physics, chemistry, mathematics, other physical sciences or engineering OR a combination of specialized experience and post-high school education.
GS-06: A combination of undergraduate level education and specialized experience.
GS-07: One (1) full year of graduate level education OR a combination of undergraduate or graduate level education and specialized experience.
GS-08: A combination of graduate level education beyond the first year of progressive graduate study and specialized experience.
GS-09: A master’s or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR a combination of graduate level education beyond the first year of progressive graduate study and specialized experience. Candidates who do not meet the specialized experience requirement and qualify based on education MUST submit college transcript(s) or a list of college courses that includes hours and grades in order to qualify.
GS-10: There is no substitution for specialized experience for this grade level. Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience (as stated above) equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level.
GS-11: There is no substitution for specialized experience for this grade level. Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience (as stated above) equivalent to at least the GS-10 grade level.
You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable during the application process. Official transcripts will be required upon appointment.
All education claimed by applicants will be verified.
All materials must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement.
Additional information
CPSC provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed in this vacancy announcement.
Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.
All the information you provide will be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application, by checking reference and through other means, such as the interview process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for not hiring you or for firing you after you begin work.
Additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement.
A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
This position is in the bargaining unit, The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Local 3579.
- Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
CPSC offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes: paid vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays per year, life and health insurance, Long Term Care insurance, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending account program, and retirement savings and investment plan similar to 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan).
CPSC also offers a broad array of work-life flexibilities and services to employees such as, flexible work schedules, teleworking, transit subsidies, fitness center, and employee assistance and wellness programs.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
After the vacancy closes, we will review your application package to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your responses to the questionnaire, resume and supporting documentation will then be reviewed. Your resume must support your responses to the self-assessment questions, or your score may be lowered. The best-qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited to an interview.
CTAP/ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a “well qualified” rating (Rating of at least 85 out of 100).
Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, salary, duties performed for each position, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level/pay band.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
- Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
CPSC offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes: paid vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays per year, life and health insurance, Long Term Care insurance, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending account program, and retirement savings and investment plan similar to 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan).
CPSC also offers a broad array of work-life flexibilities and services to employees such as, flexible work schedules, teleworking, transit subsidies, fitness center, and employee assistance and wellness programs.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
- Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have – whether you’re a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you’re eligible under their policies.
Your package must be complete and submitted in the manner specified in this section. Packages that are submitted in any other manner without prior approval from the agency point of contact will not be considered.
A complete application includes: 1. Resume; 2. Vacancy question responses; and 3. Submission of any required documents. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
If you are a current or former federal employee you must submit a copy of your most recent SF Form 50, Notification of Personnel Action, that shows: (1) permanent or career-conditional tenure (codes 1 or 2, in block 24), and (2) position occupied in the competitive service (code 1, in block 34). To be considered as a non-competitive eligible candidate, the SF-50 must show the highest grade level or promotion potential level applicant has attained competitively and grade must be equivalent or higher than the grade for which applying. Indicate on your application the highest permanent grade you have held; if this grade is different from your current grade, submit a copy of an additional SF-50 showing this grade.
Veterans’ Preference (If Applicable) – If claiming veterans’ preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge. Ten-point preference eligibles must also submit an Application for 10-point Veteran Preference, SF-15, along with the required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15 form. For more information on veterans’ preference view FedsHireVets.
CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must annotate your questionnaire to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP/ICTAP eligible and you must submit appropriate documentation (such as: a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location).
If you are eligible for special hiring authority, please indicate this when you apply, and submit the supporting documentation for proof of eligibility for the special hiring authority, such as disability, Peace Corps service, Interchange Agreement, etc.
Other documents identified in this announcement.
All supplemental documents must be submitted electronically before the closing date of this vacancy announcement. You have two choices for submitting your supplemental documents:
1. Download from your USAJOBS account; or
2. Upload your file(s)Failure to submit required documents, based upon how you apply, may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Official documents are not required at the time of application, copies are sufficient. If selected, official documentation must be submitted prior to appointment.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
- How to Apply
You MUST apply on-line through USAJobs. Your application must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. Uploaded resumes must include the following: applicant contact information and educational and professional background information including dates of employment and education, salary (and Federal grade level, if appropriate), and work schedule (i.e., FT/PT). Incomplete applications will not be considered and you will not be contacted to provide any missing information.
To begin the application process, select the “Apply On-line” button to the right on this screen. Then follow the prompts to login/register, submit all required supplemental documents, and complete the application process.
If you experience technical difficulties during the online application process, including error messages received when submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Help Desk by email at mgshelp@monster.com. The help desk is available for technical support questions Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.
Agency contact information
HR Specialist
Phone
301-504-7925
TDD
301-504-7925
Fax
301-504-0432
Email
recruitapps@cpsc.gov
Address
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Human Resources Management Room 838 4330 East West Highway Bethesda, Maryland 20814 United States
Next steps
After the closing date of the announcement, your package will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Best qualified candidates will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration and may be interviewed.
You may check the status of your application at any time after the announcement closes by logging onto USAJOBS and selecting “Application Status.”
You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable.
- Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request
Required Documents
Your package must be complete and submitted in the manner specified in this section. Packages that are submitted in any other manner without prior approval from the agency point of contact will not be considered.
A complete application includes: 1. Resume; 2. Vacancy question responses; and 3. Submission of any required documents. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
If you are a current or former federal employee you must submit a copy of your most recent SF Form 50, Notification of Personnel Action, that shows: (1) permanent or career-conditional tenure (codes 1 or 2, in block 24), and (2) position occupied in the competitive service (code 1, in block 34). To be considered as a non-competitive eligible candidate, the SF-50 must show the highest grade level or promotion potential level applicant has attained competitively and grade must be equivalent or higher than the grade for which applying. Indicate on your application the highest permanent grade you have held; if this grade is different from your current grade, submit a copy of an additional SF-50 showing this grade.
Veterans’ Preference (If Applicable) – If claiming veterans’ preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge. Ten-point preference eligibles must also submit an Application for 10-point Veteran Preference, SF-15, along with the required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15 form. For more information on veterans’ preference view FedsHireVets.
CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must annotate your questionnaire to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP/ICTAP eligible and you must submit appropriate documentation (such as: a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location).
If you are eligible for special hiring authority, please indicate this when you apply, and submit the supporting documentation for proof of eligibility for the special hiring authority, such as disability, Peace Corps service, Interchange Agreement, etc.
Other documents identified in this announcement.
All supplemental documents must be submitted electronically before the closing date of this vacancy announcement. You have two choices for submitting your supplemental documents:
1. Download from your USAJOBS account; or
2. Upload your file(s)
Failure to submit required documents, based upon how you apply, may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Official documents are not required at the time of application, copies are sufficient. If selected, official documentation must be submitted prior to appointment.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
You MUST apply on-line through USAJobs. Your application must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. Uploaded resumes must include the following: applicant contact information and educational and professional background information including dates of employment and education, salary (and Federal grade level, if appropriate), and work schedule (i.e., FT/PT). Incomplete applications will not be considered and you will not be contacted to provide any missing information.
To begin the application process, select the “Apply On-line” button to the right on this screen. Then follow the prompts to login/register, submit all required supplemental documents, and complete the application process.
If you experience technical difficulties during the online application process, including error messages received when submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Help Desk by email at mgshelp@monster.com. The help desk is available for technical support questions Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.
Agency contact information
HR Specialist
Phone
301-504-7925
TDD
301-504-7925
Fax
301-504-0432
recruitapps@cpsc.gov
Address
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Human Resources Management Room 838 4330 East West Highway Bethesda, Maryland 20814 United States
Next steps
After the closing date of the announcement, your package will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Best qualified candidates will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration and may be interviewed.
You may check the status of your application at any time after the announcement closes by logging onto USAJOBS and selecting “Application Status.”
You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request