Interdisciplinary Physical Science (Recent Graduate)

About the role

The Recent Graduates Program is a dynamic, one-year developmental program that promotes careers in the Federal Government to recent graduates. Participants in the Program receive training and professional development, complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP), and are assigned a mentor.

Recent Graduates who successfully complete Program requirements may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a term or permanent position in the civil service.

What you will do

• Serve as a professional engineer or scientist and performs general engineering or scientific work of limited scope and complexity in support of DOE projects assigned to higher grade engineers.
• Plan work procedures and select standard practices and data to be applied to engineering or scientific assignment and identified problems.
• Assist in coordinating and carrying out limited, well-defined engineering and/or scientific projects.
• Prepare routine, recurring engineering and/or scientific reports for use by higher graded engineers or to convey factual engineering and/or scientific data and information.
• As a GS-9 General Engineer (Recent Graduate) you will: Research, analyze, interpret, evaluate, and carry out difficult but conventional scientific and/or engineering assignments in support of programs/projects.
• Conduct preliminary scientific and/or engineering analyses to assist higher graded scientists and engineers in accomplishing work on large and complicated projects.
• Review reports, plans, specifications, change orders, modifications, and other documents prepared by others to identify discrepancies or potential issues.
• Prepare, provide, and evaluate conventional plans, designs, design specifications, and related documentation to support higher level scientific and/or engineering efforts.
• Provide input into, and prepares, recurring technical reports to inform stakeholders of status of projects issues that may impact program/project objectives and goals.
• CONVERSION REQUIREMENTS: DOE has the option to non-competitively convert a Recent Graduate to a permanent or term position upon successful completion of program requirements.
• This is not automatic, nor guaranteed.
• Conversion is at the discretion of the hiring manager and employing office.
• To be eligible to be converted to a permanent or term position you must: Be a US Citizen or National Be recommended for conversion by your manager or supervisor.
• Complete all training and development requirements within the 1-year appointment period.
• Successful completion of 1 year of continuous service.
• Demonstrate successful job performance of at least a "Fully Successful" or equivalent on performance appraisal.
• Meet the Office of Personnel Management's qualification standards for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted (which may include a positive education requirement).
• A Recent Graduate may be converted to the highest General Schedule (GS) grade level qualified for at time of conversion.
• Recent Graduates converted to a term position in the competitive service may subsequently be non-competitively converted to a career or career-conditional appointment without further competition.
• WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PATHWAYS PROGRAM?
• For additional information regarding the Pathways Program, please refer to the following website: USAJOBS Help Center | Students & recent graduates

Education

REMINDER: Submit transcripts for all degrees earned.

You must meet the following Basic Education Requirement listed below in order to qualify for the 1301 series: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a Bachelor's degree or higher in 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 above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

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; applicants' resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions.

Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: ***

What constitutes a valid certificate program: The Pathways Programs regulation (see 5 CFR 362.102) defines certificate program as post-secondary education at either: A qualifying educational institution (trade or vocational school, 2-year or 4-year college or university, or graduate or professional school) equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study that is part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum.; OR A qualifying career or technical education program of at least one year that awards a recognized postsecondary credential.

What types of programs would meet the eligibility criteria for a qualifying career or technical education program?

Three types of programs meet these criteria: Federally administered educational programs that provide rigorous academic content, technical skill proficiency, and a recognized postsecondary credential to prepare the individual for further education and/or a career in a current or emerging profession.; Registered Apprenticeship Programs; and Federally administered local, state, national, or international volunteer service programs.

What is a Federally administered career or technical education program?

A Federally administered career or technical education program is subject to programmatic oversight by a federal agency that includes: The nature and scope of work to be performed by participants, The type(s) and scope of training to be provided to participants, The types of skills participants will acquire or develop during the program (e.g., teaching, environmental, business, scientific, public health/health care, languages), The level and extent of mentoring participants will receive, and The metrics for successful completion of the program.

Programmatic oversight may be reflected in partnership or cooperative agreements.

How you will be evaluated

Once the application process is complete, you will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

Responses to assessments must be prepared solely by the applicant. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, CoPilot) to draft, edit, or generate responses is strictly prohibited and may result in removal from consideration. If you are minimally qualified for this job, you will be placed into one of two pre-defined quality categories.

These categories are "Highly Qualified" and "Qualified". Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.

Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis.

You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement.

To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

(***) Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Application of Veterans' Preference: If you are a preference eligible candidate, you will be listed at the top of whichever quality category your rating places you in.

CP/CPS veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except professional and scientific positions at GS-9 and higher.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click here *** Online assessments: Applicants must complete the online USA Hire Assessments measuring critical general competencies required to perform the job. Examples used in the assessments include general scenarios addressing the underlying competencies required for this position.

Pathways eligibility/Transcripts review: HR Specialists will review your transcripts or certificate of completion to determine your eligibility based on Pathways Recent Graduate Program requirements and qualifications for this position based on any education substituted, as described in the Qualifications and Education sections above.

Applicants passing the Pathways eligibility/transcripts review will move on to the next phase of the assessment process. Resume review: HR Specialists will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the specialized experience. Resumes submitted for Federal positions may not exceed two pages.

Be sure you address the specialized experience within the two-page resume limit.

Documents you must provide

• duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
• If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position. ** For additional information on Resumes see: What to include in your resume or Resume Writing ** Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume.
• Education Documentation: Transcripts are required at the time of application submission for Pathways positions.
• Unofficial transcripts or a report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour), final grade, and overall GPA is acceptable.
• A degree audit is unacceptable and Word format will not be accepted.
• Official transcripts WILL BE required if you are selected.
• Official transcripts will need to be emailed to Human Resources directly from the Registrar's office.
• If you upload an Official Transcript with your original application package, please note another one will need to be requested and sent directly from the registrar's office prior to your onboarding.
• For career or technical education programs where transcripts are not available you can submit a copy of the partnership or cooperative agreement that outlines the program requirements.
• A complete application questionnaire and online USA Hire Assessments.
• If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Assessments, you can find the Reasonable Accommodation process here.
• Proof of eligibility for the Pathways Recent Graduate Program.
• This may include college transcripts or other proof of having completed a qualifying program, as described in the Qualifications and Education sections above.
• You may need to submit multiple transcripts to show how you meet all requirements for this position (e.g., Recent Graduate eligibility versus meeting minimum qualifications).
• For career or technical education programs where transcripts are not available you can submit a copy of the partnership or cooperative agreement that outlines the program requirements.
• Other supporting documents, if applicable: Are you claiming veterans' preference?
• If you are a disabled veteran, Purple Heart recipient, or parent or spouse of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF-15, and if applicable, a completed SF-15.
• You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from *** or call *** to establish proof of disability.
• If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge (from when you apply to this announcement), you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement date from active duty, 2) your discharge will be under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, and 6) your separation date from active duty service.
• If you are a discharged, non-disabled veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of service (Member 4 copy), or other documentation of service and separation under honorable conditions, as listed on the SF-15.
• If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
• For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information.
• Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, non-career SES, or Presidential appointee employee?
• Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title; Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, non-career SES, or Presidential appointee); Agency; and Beginning and end dates of appointment.
• Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.
• It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
• Do not submit photographs with your application package.
• Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials.
• You must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc. or you may be removed from consideration.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The status of your application will be updated in USAJOBS as it is evaluated. Please note that the Department of Energy may share lists of applicants among its internal Departmental Elements and organizations.

You may be referred for consideration to other DOE Hiring Managers throughout the Department for more than one position based on this application. By applying to this announcement, you understand your application materials may be shared with multiple Hiring Mangers throughout DOE. If additional positions are filled from this announcement conditions of employment may differ.

You will be notified if you are referred for additional positions. You can check the status by logging into USAJOBS. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application changes by logging into your USAJobs Account and editing the Notification Settings.

You will be contacted directly if an interview is required.

If you are interested in being added to our Schedule A or 30% or more Disabled Veterans repository, please submit your information by using the below links. *** - 30 Percent or More Disabled Veteran Repository 2026 for Department of Energy Headquarters and their associated field offices. *** - Schedule A Repository 2026 for Department of Energy Headquarters and their associated field offices.

Additional information

We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.

For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: *** EEO Policy: *** Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs.

If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy: *** Veterans Information: *** Selective Service Registration: *** Relocation expenses/incentives will not be available. Recruitment incentives may be available.

Student Loan Repayment will not be available. Advance in Hire (Superior Qualifications) may be available. Creditable Service may be available.

Positions may be covered by a bargaining unit. Bargaining unit will vary by departmental element, grade, and/or location. Salary will be determined based on the duty location after selection.

Telework availability will be based upon the mission requirements and supervisory determination. Management has the prerogative to select at any grade level. The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant.

An applicant may submit a complaint to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged noncompliance by completing the Fair Chance Act Intake Form and submitting it to the Administrative Investigations Program at ***.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees.

If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, non-career SES, or Presidential appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.