Chemist

Duties HelpDuties Summary Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Laboratories and Scientific Services Directorate located in Washington , DC;Springfield, VA; Newark, NJ; Chicago, IL; Savannah, GA: Memphis, TN; Houston, TX; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA and San Juan, PR. Learn more about this agency Responsibilities This position starts at a salary of $61,218.00 (GS-11, Step 1) to $95,388.00 (GS-12, Step 10) with promotion potential to $95,388 (GS-12, Step 10). In this position, you will become a key member of the Laboratories and Scientific Services Directorate team performing the below typical work assignments: Receiving samples for analysis, reviewing background material, performing preliminary examination of samples, reviewing pertinent regulations, determining information needed to satisfy the submitting officers' request, and discussing the proper approach to the analysis with more senior analysts. Performing analysis of the assigned samples, developing identity, grade and composition, information regarding origins, methods of manufacture, etc., using wet laboratory procedures or advanced analytical instrumentation. Writing reports on analysis stating the technical findings, interpretations, and conclusions regarding pertinent regulations and policy for use by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employees in determining proper classification, or in seizing merchandise; Discussing sampling and sample storage procedures, analytical methodology, instrumentation, and problems associated with analyzing samples as well as a solution to these problems with other CBP chemists and officials; Maintaining currency on scientific and technological developments and advancements in analytical methodology, and analytical instrumentation related to the assigned area. Travel Required Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel up to 30% for this position. Supervisory status No Promotion Potential 12 Job family (Series) 1320 Chemistry Similar jobs Chemists Requirements HelpRequirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service Primary U.S. residency for the last three years (additional details below) You may be required to pass a background investigation and/or polygraph Upon appointment, you may be required to undergo random drug testing Qualifications Basic Requirements: This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR). To be eligible for consideration, you must submit the required documentation with your application package showing that you meet the requirements such as college transcripts from an accredited institution (must show you meet the educational requirements outlined in this announcement), certifications, proof of training, statements of qualifications, etc. To be eligible for this position you must meet one of the requirements listed below. A. Degree: physical sciences, life sciences or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours in physics. OR A. Combination of education and experiencecourse work equivalent to a major as shown in A above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education. AND You qualify for the GS-11 level if you possess one of the below; One year of specialized experience at the GS-9 level or equivalent performing duties such as conducting chemical analysis of imported products or of conventional complexity and difficulty; calibrating and operating chemical analytical instruments, such as the gas chromatograph, mass spectrometer and liquid chromatograph, with computerized equipment; and performing country of origin and related types of studies; OR Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent degree or three years of full-time graduate education leading to such a degree may be substituted for the experience required at the GS-11 if you meet the basic requirements described above. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work of the position. A course of study in physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering is qualifying; OR A combination of two years of successfully completed graduate level education and experience. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts. Please click here for more information on combining education and experience AND You qualify for the GS-12 level if you have one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level or equivalent performing such duties as: Determining the proper approach to chemically analyzing a sample; Performing the full range of chemical analysis and physical tests on a variety of imported merchandise or forensic samples and identifying a variety of characteristics using wet laboratory procedures and advanced analytical instrumentation; and Writing reports of analysis, stating technical findings, interpretations, and conclusions. TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED. FAILURE TO PROVIDE TRANSCRIPTS WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF CONSIDERATION. Education to be submitted must be from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university and demonstrate the skills needed to do the work. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 54 semester or 81 quarter hours should be considered as satisfying 3 years for the GS-11. To combine your education and experience, convert each to a percentage and then add the percentages. If your education is currently described in quarter hours, multiply by the fraction 2/3 to convert into semester hours then divide the semester hours by 18. To determine your percentage of qualifying experience, divide your total months of experience by the required number of months of experience. Add your percentages together. The total must equal at least 100% in order to qualify. 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. You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 03/04/2019. 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. Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For more information visit this link. Residency: If you are not currently a CBP employee, you must meet one or more of the following primary residency criteria for at least three years prior to applying to this announcement: Resided in the United States or its protectorate or territories (excluding short trips abroad, such as vacations); Worked for the United States government as an employee overseas in a federal or military capacity; or Been a dependent of a United States federal or military employee serving overseas. Exceptions may be granted if you provide complete state-side coverage information regarding participation in "Study Abroad" programs, overseas church missions, or state-side addresses of anyone who worked or studied with you overseas. You must provide information and related documentation at the time of application. Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period. Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the Federal Government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. Information about ICTAP or CTAP eligibility can be found here.You must submit the supporting documents listed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. In addition, to be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must have knowledge, skills , abilities and/or competencies as defined under "How You Will Be Evaluated" section of this announcement which clearly exceed the minimum qualification and any applicable basic requirements for the vacancy. Edu...