Handbook of Occupational Groups and Families		Classification Programs Division
Release Date:  August 2001		Section Seventeen of Sixty-six

    GS-1300 - PHYSICAL SCIENCES GROUP   

This group includes all classes of positions the duties of which are to advise on, administer, supervise, or perform research or other professional and scientific work or subordinate technical work in any of the fields of science concerned with matter, energy, physical space, time, nature of physical measurement, and fundamental structural particles; and the nature of the physical environment.

Throughout the following information, an asterisk (*) stands for series with a published standard and a double asterisk (**) stands for series with a published flysheet.

Series in this group are:

GS-1301 - General Physical Science Series*

This series includes positions that involve professional work in the physical sciences when there is no other more appropriate series, (that is, the positions are not classifiable elsewhere). This series also includes work in a combination of physical science fields, with no one predominant.

GS-1306 - Health Physics Series*

This series includes positions that require primarily application of professional knowledge and competence in health physics that is concerned with the protection of persons and their environment from unwarranted exposure to ionizing radiation.

GS-1310 - Physics Series*

This series includes positions that advise, administer, supervise, or perform research or other professional and scientific work in the investigation and applications of the relations between space, time, matter, and energy in the areas of mechanics, sound, optics, heat, electricity, magnetism, radiation, or atomic and nuclear phenomena.

GS-1311 - Physical Science Technician Series*

This series includes positions that involve nonprofessional technical work in the physical sciences and that are not specifically included in other series in the Physical Sciences Group. Positions in this series require a knowledge of the principles and techniques of physical science, but do not require competence equivalent to that represented by the completion of a full four-year college curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in physical science. Positions in this series involve work in the fields of astronomy, chemistry, geology, geophysics, health physics, hydrology, metallurgy, oceanography, physics, and other physical sciences.

GS-1313 - Geophysics Series*

This series includes professional scientific positions requiring application of knowledge of the principles and techniques of geophysics and related sciences in the investigation, measurement, analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of geophysical phenomena and artificially applied forces and fields related to the structure, composition, and physical properties of the earth and its atmosphere.

GS-1315 - Hydrology Series*

This series includes positions that involve professional work in hydrology, the science concerned with the study of water in the hydrologic cycle. The work includes basic and applied research on water and water resources; the collection, measurement, analysis, and interpretation of information on water resources; the forecast of water supply and water flows; and the development of new, improved or more economical methods, techniques, and instruments.

GS-1316 - Hydrologic Technician Series*

This occupation includes positions of hydrologic aids and technicians who apply practical knowledge of hydrologic methods and techniques; and of the construction, application, operation, and limitations of instruments, equipment, and materials used in hydrologic investigations. They collect, select, compute, adjust, and process data; prepare charts and reports; and perform related duties supporting professional work in hydrology, the science concerned with the study of water, its quantity, quality, availability, movement, and distribution.

GS-1320 - Chemistry Series*

This series includes all positions involving work that requires full professional education and training in the field of chemistry. This work includes the investigation, analysis, and interpretation of the composition, molecular structure, and properties of substances, the transformations that they undergo, and the amounts of matter and energy included in these transformations. This work includes the investigation, analysis, and interpretation of the composition, physical and chemical properties, molecular structure and chemical reactions of substances; the prediction of transformation that they undergo; and the amount of matter and energy included in these transformations.

GS-1321 - Metallurgy Series*

This series includes positions that require primarily professional education and training in the field of metallurgy, including ability to apply the relevant principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and engineering to the study of metals. Metallurgy is the art and science of extracting metals from their ores, refining them, alloying them and preparing them for use, and studying their properties and behavior as affected by the composition, treatment in manufacture, and conditions of use.

GS-1330 - Astronomy and Space Science Series*

This series includes professional positions requiring primarily application of the principles and techniques of astronomy and physics in the investigation and interpretation of the physical properties, composition, evolution, position, distance, and motion of extraterrestrial bodies and particles in space.

GS-1340 - Meteorology Series*

This series includes positions that involve professional work in meteorology, the science concerned with the earth's atmospheric envelope and its processes. The work includes basic and applied research into the conditions and phenomena of the atmosphere; the collection, analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of meteorological data to predict weather and determine climatological conditions for specific geographical areas; the development of new or the improvement of existing meteorological theory; and the development or improvement of meteorological methods, techniques, and instruments. Positions in this occupation require full professional knowledge and application of meteorological methods, techniques, and theory.

GS-1341 - Meteorological Technician Series*

This series includes positions that require application of: (1) technical or practical knowledge of meteorological equipment, methods, and techniques; and (2) skill in the development and operation of data collection, verification, information dissemination, observation, and forecasting services and systems. These positions do not require full professional knowledge of meteorology.

GS-1350 - Geology Series*

This series includes professional scientific positions applying a knowledge of the principles and theories of geology and related sciences in the collection, measurement, analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of geologic information concerning the structure, composition, and history of the earth. This includes the performance of basic research to establish fundamental principles and hypotheses to develop a fuller knowledge and understanding of geology, and the application of these principles and knowledge to a variety of scientific, engineering, and economic problems.

GS-1360 - Oceanography Series*

This series includes professional scientific positions engaged in the collection, measurement, analysis, evaluation and interpretation of natural and physical ocean phenomena, such as currents, circulations, waves, beach and near-shore processes, chemical structure and processes, physical and submarine features, depth, floor configuration, organic and inorganic sediments, sound and light transmission, color manifestations, heat exchange, and similar phenomena, and their interrelations with other marine phenomena (e.g., biota, weather, geological structure, etc.). Oceanographers plan, organize, conduct, and administer seagoing and land-based study and research of ocean phenomena for the purpose of interpreting, predicting, utilizing and controlling ocean forces and events. This work requires a fundamental background in chemistry, physics, and mathematics and appropriate knowledge in the field of oceanography.

GS-1361 - Navigational Information Series*

This series includes all classes of positions involving the acquisition, collection, evaluation, selection, and preparation of vital aeronautical or marine information for dissemination in official publications concerning safe navigation and related operations, requiring the technical and practical knowledge of air or marine navigation and operations.

GS-1370 - Cartography Series*

This series includes positions requiring the application of professional knowledge and skills in mapping and related sciences, and relevant mathematics and statistics to plan, design, research, develop, construct, evaluate and modify mapping and charting systems, products, and technology.

GS-1371 - Cartographic Technician Series*

This series includes positions that require primarily a practical knowledge of the processes, practices, methods, and techniques involved in the construction of new or revision of existing maps, charts, and related cartographic products. Cartographic aids and technicians perform precompilation tasks (such as the investigation of source materials, the extension of basic geodetic control network, and the plotting of map projection and ground control on base sheets), manual or photogrammetric compilation, assembling aerial photographs into mosaics, drafting, digitizing, and editing or reviewing. The positions do not require full professional knowledge and abilities and, therefore, do not require education equivalent in type and scope to that represented by completion of a professional curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in cartography or a related science.

GS-1372 - Geodesy Series*

This series includes professional positions requiring primarily application of the principles and techniques of geodesy. The work includes determining the size and shape of the earth and its gravitational field, measuring the intensity and direction of the force of gravity, and determining the horizontal and vertical positions of points on the earth and in space, where consideration of the curvature of the earth is required.

GS-1373 - Land Surveying*

This series includes positions that involve professional work in land surveying that is concerned with establishing, investigating, and reestablishing land and property boundaries, and with preparing plats and legal descriptions for tracts of land. The work requires application of professional knowledge of the concepts, principles and techniques of surveying, including underlying mathematics and physical science, in combination with a practical knowledge of land ownership laws.

GS-1374 - Geodetic Technician Series*

This series includes positions the duties of which are to supervise or perform technical work in the analysis, evaluation, processing, computation, and selection of geodetic survey data. These positions require a practical knowledge of theories and techniques of geodesy particularly as they relate to the identity, reliability, and usefulness of geodetic control data but not a full professional knowledge of geodesy as required in the execution and adjustment of geodetic surveys or the mathematical transformation of geodetic datum systems.

GS-1380 - Forest Products Technology Series*

This series includes professional positions concerned with the development, improvement, and utilization of wood or wood products, including the study of preservation and treatment methods, the processing and production of wood products, the properties and structure of wood, and the production of lumber.

GS-1382 - Food Technology Series*

This series includes positions that involve professional work concerning the application of science and technology to food product research, development, improvement, evaluation, production, processing, preservation, and packaging. The work requires knowledge of the biological, physical, and engineering sciences that make possible safe and wholesome food products; of food industry facilities, methods, processes, equipment capabilities and limitations; and of relevant laws, regulations, and agency programs.

GS-1384 - Textile Technology Series*

This series includes classes of professional positions involving scientific and technological work with textiles or fibers, including investigation, development, production, processing, evaluation, and application.

GS-1386 - Photographic Technology Series*

This series includes professional positions requiring interdisciplinary knowledge and skills in those scientific and engineering fields that comprise photographic technology. This includes planning, research, design, development, modification, instrumentation, testing, and evaluation of photographic equipment and techniques.

GS-1397 - Document Analysis Series

This series includes all classes of positions the duties of which are to direct, administer, supervise, advise on, or perform technical work in examining and identifying questioned documents. Examinations are conducted in order to determine the genuineness or spuriousness of a document or any of its parts; decipher or restore eradicated or obliterated writings and markings; detect alterations, additions, interlineations, or other tampering with the original document; determine authorship of a signature or other writing; determine the validity of a date or the alleged age of a document or a particular entry; identify the particular machine used to produce a document; or identify the source of a document. The work requires: (1) knowledge of the properties, characteristics, and techniques of analysis of handwriting, typewriting, printing, and duplicating, and of inks, papers, and other writing, printing, and recording instruments and materials; (2) knowledge and skill in the use of photographic and laboratory equipment and techniques; and (3) the ability to develop evidence and to present it convincingly in written reports or orally.

GS-1399 - Physical Science Student Trainee Series

See the series definition for the General Student Trainee Series, GS-0099.