Description

This position develops, operates, and maintains data acquisition systems, control systems, and electronic instrumentation for collecting scientific research data on various technically complex experiments. Studies supported by this position lie within the areas of materials engineering, structural engineering, engineering mechanics, and forest products technology. The position researches and implements contemporary and unconventional approaches to physical engineering data collection such as digital image correlation, video extensometry, machine learning, and analysis/management/manipulation of large data sets. The position is the subject matter expert within the work unit for programmable electronics, data acquisition, measurement and remote sensing instrumentation, electronic control systems, and other established and custom-built electronics.

Interested applicants can apply online at the USAJobs website: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/726103100, announcement number 23-RES-11968301-DP-MAM. THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until the close date or until the position is filled, whichever comes first.  If interested, please apply as soon as possible.

Requirements

Those who are interested must meet the qualification requirements for the GS-0855 series that is covered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions – GS-0855: Electronics Engineer. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook Manual is available on the Internet at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-IV/A/gs-admin.asp (scroll down to “Professional and Scientific Positions”).

This is a career ladder position with the intent to hire at the GS-11 level and allowing opportunity to advance to the GS-12 level, with appropriate experience and acceptable performance. However, the successful candidate could be offered the position at either grade level (GS-11 or 12), depending on their education and work experience evaluated through the hiring process. Per OPM requirements, the position requires a combination of a bachelor’s degree and/or specialized experience similar to that of the advertised position.

 Minimum qualifications include: 1) ability to operate, calibrate, maintain and repair data acquisition systems, control systems, and electronic instrumentation for collecting scientific research data; 2) ability to research and implement conventional approaches to physical engineering data collection including digital image correlation, video extensometry, machine learning, analysis/management/manipulation of large data sets; 3) ability to implement, maintain, repair, replace, debug, and modifying computer software, applications, and hardware/software interfaces; and 4) maintain familiarity with state-of-the-art computer hardware/software/applications/operating systems, programmable electronics, mini-computers, research instrumentation, data acquisition systems, image acquisition and processing, databases, and programming languages/environments.

 Additional Job Info: This position is with the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) in Madison, WI. The position reports directly to the Project Leader for the Engineering Mechanics and Remote Sensing Laboratory (EMRSL), within the Wood Products Research area. The mission of this work unit is to test and evaluate wood, wood products, and wood component specimens to determine their mechanical and material properties.

 This is a full-time permanent position, and the selected candidate will be eligible for a full benefit package including health insurance, life insurance, retirement benefits, paid vacation, paid sick leave, flexible work hours, and paid parental leave. This critical position serves the Research and Development component of the Forest Service mission. The starting pay range for this position is between $69,107 and $82,830 annually, per the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) 2023 General Schedule pay table for Madison, WI. (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/23Tables/html/RUS.aspx). Incentives may be offered.

 Instructions: Apply online at the USAJobs website: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/726103100, announcement number 23-RES-11968301-DP-MAM. THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until the close date or until the position is filled, whichever comes first.  If interested, please apply as soon as possible.