Summary DOC ranked top 5 in 2023 Best Places to Work for large agencies for the 12th year running! This shows our continued commitment to increasing engagement & promoting diversity, equity, accessibility & inclusion. Join our team! NIST works with industry & science to advance innovation & improve quality of life. We're looking for a Physical Scientist to join us! This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates. Responsibilities The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is based at NIST and its mission is to enhance the productivity and technological performance of U.S. manufacturing. MEP is a public-private partnership. Through its collaborations at the federal, state, and local levels, MEP Centers work with manufacturers to develop new products and customers, expand and diversify markets, adopt new technology, and enhance value within supply chains. The MEP Program serves as a bridge to other organizations and federal research labs that share a passion for enhancing the manufacturing community. If hired as a Physical Scientist for the MEP's National Program Division, you will: Develop and help implement technical areas, concepts, and principles such as digital fluency, robotics and automation, continuous improvement strategies, fabrication technologies, material testing, device characterization, and/or product design Develop and help implement business areas such as data analytics, quality management systems, customer service, and/or manufacturing applications Develop and manage programs to build awareness, maintain joint partnerships, and strengthen industrial extension services with industry leaders, trade associations, state economic development agencies, other Federal agencies, and non-Federal organizations Identify and lead partnerships with industry, trade associations, state & local government, economic development organizations, Manufacturing USA institute(s), universities, and/or other research organizations Collaborate and empower the MEP National Network (51 MEP Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, the MEP Advisory Board, MEP Center boards, and state stakeholders across the U.S.) Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Basic 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 #1 above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Specialized Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level (ZP-III at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as: experience working with good manufacturing practices (GMP) to ensure consistent manufacturing processes and high-quality product development and experience working in advanced manufacturing sectors such as semiconductors, aerospace, defense, biomanufacturing, clean energy, medical devices, or other critical manufacturing technologies and sectors and experience collaborating with and coaching diverse groups such as government agencies, universities, manufacturing institutes, federal laboratories, or private companies and experience leading technology development and business-related initiatives. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done. We will credit all qualifying volunteer experience in your application. The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook. For application tips, please refer to this site: Application Tips Applicant Reconsideration Education This position has an education requirement. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required prior to a final offer of employment. Education completed outside of the U.S. must be evaluated by a credential evaluation service to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view more information about this from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with a course-by-course listing) is required with your application. Additional Information This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS). The APMS is a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Find out more about the APMS here! Your application package may be shared with other selecting officials at NIST for similar opportunities and additional selections may be made from this vacancy. Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions. All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible in order to make qualification or eligibility determinations. A probationary period may be required. This position requires the filing of an OGE-450 Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of onboarding and annually thereafter. We may share your application package with other selecting officials at NIST with opportunities like this one. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy. NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities such as: Telework Flexible work schedules Paid parental leave Paid vacation Sick leave Family-friendly leave Childcare subsidy program for qualifying families Child and elder-care resources On-site childcare center Lactation spaces Wellness programs Fitness center Employee assistance programs