MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Your tasks

Provides professional and expert technical direction and assessment on mechanical safety issues for nuclear weapons systems. Functions as a professional subject matter expert for analyzing and mitigating hazards of mechanical safety issues to nuclear weapon systems, support equipment, and facilities where nuclear weapons are stored, handled, transported, and maintained. Develops AF policy and formulates nuclear certification design criteria for mechanicl safety aspects of all AF nuclear weapon systems. Serves as the AFSEC representative on various Department of Defense and AF boards, IPTs, working groups, technical interchange and interdepartmental project officers meetings with DOE.

Requirements

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions and the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the GS-0800 Engineering Series. BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: A Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration or licensure, Written Test, Specified Academic Courses, or Related Curriculum. Click here to view occupational requirements for this position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must meet the basic education requirements for this interdisciplinary position and have at least one (1) year of specialized experience to the GS-13 (or higher) grade level or equivalent pay system (may have been obtained in the Federal service, military, or private sector). Examples of specialized experience include includes Professional mastery knowledge of, and skill in applying, advanced theories, concepts, and principles practiced in the science of mechanical engineering and knowledge of nuclear weapon systems, sufficient to develop novel analysis techniques to take into account emerging technologies. Knowledge shall be sufficient to provide technical direction to Air Force and industry personnel seeking guidance on how to safeguard weapons; advise on equipment and facility modification and application of protection standards; oversee the activities of, and lend technical assistance to, USAF installations on unusual problems and policy matters and resolve major safety deficiencies in facilities and equipment; keep abreast of research and development by reviewing pertinent reports and other related data to ensure proper emphasis on hazard analysis and mitigation; anticipate problems and areas of major difficulty in the mitigation of hazards, and guide installations in their resolution; prepare policy instructions and guidance material for installations; recommend design changes to improve safety and security. Mastery of, and skill in applying, expertise in advanced engineering or software theories, principles, concepts, standards, and methods sufficient to apply experimental theories and new applications or developments to extend or modify theories, concepts, and assumptions; to resolve unique or novel problems, conditions, or issues; or to significantly alter standard practices, equipment, devices, processes, and known techniques; provide expert advice to senior colleagues and/or agency officials responsible for broad program operations; provide significant and innovative recommendations for advancing programs and/or methods; and execute significant projects representing an important segment of the agency's operating programs. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-13 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-14 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Comprehensive knowledge of general engineering principles, systems mechanical safety, explosive safety requirements, and AF nuclear weapons systems operations and capabilities, and the AF and Weapons Safety organizational structure. 2. Expert knowledge of laws, regulations, and current legislative issues related to nuclear weapon system surety. 3. Expert knowledge of the operations, products, services, needs, and goals of the program(s) and the organizations studied or served, and related customers, resources, and users as well as be able to assess technical compliance and program objectives as means of negotiating an acceptable balance between mission and nuclear surety requirements. 4. Skill in assessing and evaluating broad nuclear surety program issues and providing guidance for resolving mission-critical problems impacting operations of nuclear weapon systems. 5. Skill in the interpretation of program documentation to identify nuclear surety issues that may adversely impact operations in order to plan, develop, implement and coordinate a complete nuclear safety design certification program, including the ability to analyze, plan, and adjust work operations to meet program requirements and objectives within available resources to meet deadlines. 6. Ability to communicate effectively with others both orally and in writing as well as to plan, organize, and direct the functions and mentor, motivate, and appraise the staff of senior military employees. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY:

• If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application.
• Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment.
• An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education.
• Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION:

• Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements.
• You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program.
• It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Other

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a senior advisor to the AF Chief of Safety and the AF Safety Center (AFSEC) staff on mechanical safety matters for AF nuclear weapons systems.