Science Technician Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary
GPO employees possess a diverse array of talent in many administrative fields and trades. We provide other agencies with innovative services for the printing, publishing, storage, and distribution of digital content. If you are an energetic, inventive individual looking for a challenging, yet rewarding career opportunity, GPO may be the place for you.
This position is part of the Agency Support Operations, Government Publishing Office in Washington,
District of Columbia.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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• Assists senior technicians and chemists in the analysis of materials used in printing, lamination and binding processes.
• Analyzes materials for physical durability, Spectroscopy and performs general wet chemistry analysis.
• Performs chemical and physical experiments to support QC testing, research and troubleshooting problems.
• Performs periodic control sample testing of assigned test apparatus in the laboratory.
• Adheres to fundamental safety protocols and Safe Work Practices (SWP's).

Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is Required.
• Selectee must successfully pass pre-employment requirements prior to appointment.
• Selectee may be required to serve a one year probationary period.
• Males born after 12/03/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.
• TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must meet time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. Applicants must have served 1 year at the next lower grade level or equivalent grade level of federal service to qualify.
• Physical Demands: The work is performed in a laboratory walking, standing, and sometimes lifting of equipment or samples
  up to 50 pounds.
• Work Environment: Primarily laboratory, but also includes office, warehouse, and pressroom environments.

Qualifications
To qualify for the Physical Science Technician, PG -1311-9, you must meet the following requirements:
The IOR for the Physical Science Technician, PG-1311:
Examples of qualifying specialized experience include work in the fields of astronomy, physics, geophysics, chemistry, hydrology, health physics, engineering, electronics, geology, oceanography, and metallurgy. Experience as a laboratory mechanic or in a trade or craft may be credited as general or specialized experience when the work was performed in close association with physical scientists or other technical personnel and provided intensive knowledge of appropriate scientific principles, methods,techniques, and precedents.
In addition to meeting the above IOR applicants must meet the below qualifications:
To qualify for the Physical Science Technician, PG-1311-09,applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the PG-07 grade level in the Federal Service that include:
1) Collects wet data samples. 2) Provides data reports to senior technicians or chemists for final reports. 3) Operates instruments such as analytical instrumentation to acquire data and obtain reliable measurements. 4) Performs Quality Control analysis, complete Quality Control reports and reviews data for quality assurance.
OR
Two full years of graduate education or a master's degree meets the requirements for GS-09.
OR
Combinations of education and experience.
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.
Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered. This position is a career ladder in a one-grade interval series with a full performance level of 12
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement (08/13/2026) to be considered.
Education
Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may be used for this grade level.
Are you using your education to qualify? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts which cites the name of the institution are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades and GPA, semester, year, and credit for the course. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Additional information
Employment of Relatives
Section 3110 of Title 5, U.S. Code, prohibits a Federal official from appointing, promoting, or advocating the appointment or promotion of a relative in the agency where the official is serving or exercises jurisdiction. In addition, Section 2302(b)(7) of Title 5, U.S. Code, makes it a "prohibited personnel practice" for a person in authority to "appoint, employ, promote, advance, or advocate for the appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement of a relative." For further information visit: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/3110 and https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/2302
Separated Employees:
If you have separated from Federal Government employment, you may obtain a copy of your SF-50 via: National Personnel Records Center, Annex, 1411 Boulder Boulevard, Valmeyer, IL, 62295; or visit the National Archives Website.
Work Life Balance:
The GPO offers Transit subsidy for commuters using public transportation (Metro Bus/Rail, MARC, VRE, etc.).
For a Secret Clearance:
To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the GPO requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy; this position requires a Secret clearance. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully completed a background investigation for a Secret clearance. This review could include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs; this security process may take between 6 weeks to 12 months.
GPO will conduct an interim security clearance, pending the completion of the full investigative requirements for the final Secret clearance. The interim security clearance will be granted based on the favorable completion of preliminary checks that are accomplished as part of the security clearance process. The Agency may rescind the tentative offer if the candidate is unable to obtain an interim clearance.
Schedule A (Disability Appointment):
Documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. The letter must be printed on a "medical professional's" letterhead and signed.
The selectee will work shift 1.
Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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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.
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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.