Summary This position is located on the Construction Staff of the Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFLHD), Federal Highway Administration in Sevierville, Tennessee. The employee serves as a Materials Engineering Technician performing tests on various highway materials in the laboratory. Responsibilities As an Engineering Technician (Materials), you will: Perform laboratory tests on samples received from construction projects to determine specification conformance and acceptability for project use. Utilize a practical knowledge and application of AASHTO, ASTM, and other standard specifications, testing, and mix design procedures, standards, methods, and practices. Use modified AASHTO, ASTM, or special provision procedures and equipment on an as needed basis with little supervision for specific project requirements. Serve as a contact for EFLHD employees, contractors, and members of outside government agencies for the purpose of exchanging information, discussing equipment and testing requirement, and resolving problems related to materials testing or equipment malfunctions. Calibrate and set-up test equipment, examine recorded data for unusual responses which may indicate malfunction of the test equipment, and make appropriate adjustments or arrange for repairs. Work requires regular lifting of heavy sacks of soil and aggregate samples. The ideal candidate will have experience in performing laboratory testing on various materials used in highway construction. The candidate will have practical knowledge and application of American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), and other standards, methods, and practices; skill in operating various types of test equipment including familiarity with safety aspects of equipment and chemicals used so as to ensure a safe working environment; and the ability to interpret, summarize, and report on test results. The ideal candidate will have the ability to follow instructions, be a self-starter, can multitask, is detail-oriented, and is a team player. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen and eligible for consideration. You must meet specialized experience and/or education to qualify. Required documents must be submitted by the closing date. Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. PCS/RELOCATION/RECRUITMENT: Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Relocation, and Recruitment Incentive authorization varies by position/selection and a service agreement may be required. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You will be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Current Federal employees and non-competitive selectees may need to complete a probationary period (unless already completed). DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY: Telework for this position is typically only allowed in emergency situations and for some construction assignments that are conducive to telework. If approved, the number of telework days approved will be determined by your immediate supervisor or manager following the agency’s telework policy and guidance. If participating in the telework program, you will be required to sign a telework agreement detailing agency telework policy requirements, working conditions, and expectations for the position. Qualifications Individual Occupational Requirements for series 0802 (for positions at GS-4 or equivalent and above): This series covers technical positions supervising, leading, or performing work involving applying a practical knowledge of the methods and techniques of engineering or architecture; and construction, application, properties, operations, and limitations of engineering systems, processes, structures, machinery, devices, and materials. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include technical work in drafting, surveying construction estimating, physical science, mathematics, aerospace, architecture, chemicals, electrical or mechanical systems, mining, petroleum, or nuclear systems. Experience in a trade or craft may be credited as specialized experience when the work provided intensive knowledge of engineering principles, techniques, methods, and precedents. Examples are trade positions with substantial developmental, test, or design responsibilities such as: Planner and estimator who analyzed designs for production purposes. Instrument maker or model maker who performed design or development work on devices fabricated. For more information refer to: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/engineering-technical-series-0802/ To determine which grade(s) you are eligible for, review the following grade specific details. You will be asked questions as part of your application but make sure to verify how you meet this experience and/or education in your resume and/or uploaded transcripts or you may be deemed ineligible. For the GS-05: On Experience, you must have at least one year of experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-04 grade level, which included: Experience following technical documents to perform procedures; AND Experience performing detailed oriented tasks to completion. Or on Education, you must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of undergraduate study leading to a bachelor's degree with (a) your major study in an appropriate field of engineering, construction, or industrial technology; OR (b) that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as engineering, engineering or industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics. You can also qualify with a combination of applicable post high-school education and experience as noted above. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts. For the GS-06: On Experience, you must have at least one year of experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-05 grade level, which included: Experience in laboratory testing operations, techniques, and procedures; AND Experience performing laboratory tests on a range of materials such as soils, aggregates, bituminous mixtures, asphalt cements, and concrete. Or on Education, you must have at least half of a year of graduate* education leading to a master's degree or equivalent with major study in an appropriate field of engineering, construction, or industrial technology. You can also qualify with a combination of applicable graduate* education and experience as noted above. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts. For the GS-07: On Experience, you must have at least one year of experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-06 grade level, which included: Experience applying American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), or special provision procedures and equipment used in the preparation, design, and evaluation of materials; AND Experience performing laboratory tests, and reporting test results on a range of material typically used in highway and bridge constructions, such as soils, aggregates, bituminous mixtures, asphalt cements, and concrete. Or on Education, you must have at least one (1) full year of graduate* education leading to a master's degree or equivalent with major study in an appropriate field of engineering, construction, or industrial technology. You can also qualify with a combination of applicable graduate education* and experience as noted above. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will also be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Materials Engineering Technical Knowledge - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and methods required to provide technical assistance with the properties, characteristics, and use of engineering materials. Technical Competence - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. Communications - Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed. Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience. For all types of consideration, 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. Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date. Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education *Graduate Education - To qualify for GS-0802 positions at grades 07 & 09 based on graduate education, the field must be directly related to the position. Graduate education (education above a Bachelor's degree) or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS-5 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. One full year of graduate education meets the requirements for GS-7. Two full years of graduate education or a master's degree meets the requirements for GS-9. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-TECH Additional Information The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the final referral certificate.