Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Laboratories and Scientific Services Directorate.

Duties

Vacancies may be filled in the following locations: Los Angeles, California San Francisco, California Miami, Florida Savannah, Georgia San Juan, Puerto Rico Donna, Texas El Paso, Texas Houston, Texas Laredo, Texas Ashburn, Virginia Chicago, IL Newark, NJ San Ysidro, CA Memphis, TN Blaine, WA New Orleans, LA Nogales, AZ Mayaguez, Puerto Rico Joining Customs & Border Protection (CBP),Operations Support, Office of Laboratories and Scientific Services Directorate (LSSD) will allow you to serve as the subject matter expert, demonstrated by scope of knowledge and skills in an area of specialty, within the technical scope of forensics and/or trade commodities This position starts at a salary of $98,496.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $128,043.00 (GS-13, Step 10) with promotion potential to $128,043.00 (GS-13 Step 10). SALARY: Salary listed reflects the rest of U.S. scale and, if applicable, will be adjusted to meet the locality pay or cost of living expenses of the duty location upon selection. Typical work assignments Include: Serving as a subject matter expert in an area of specialty with supervision under the Branch Chief. Providing expert advice covering a scope of scientific and technical activity of the field laboratory. Conducting and investigating scientific, technical and statistical work on quality-related applications as related to technical training, sub-sampling, methods, instrumentation, validations and verifications, and test data and reports. Working to advance personal scientific and technical developments to improve knowledge and skills. Developing and providing input on complex scientific and technical policy and methods. Reviewing the technical work of other analysts to ensure the adequacy of test methods, reproducibility and accuracy of results, conformance of methods and results with CBP policies.

Requirements

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. 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 B. Combination of education and experience--course 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. You qualify for this position if you meet the basic requirement listed above and possess the experience or substitution of education, if applicable, as described below: Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Testing and validating analytical methods, instrumentation, and equipment needs for the laboratory and evaluating instruments, test technologies and scientific work problems with high complexity; Providing expert guidance and training to other scientists and personnel on performance improvements relating to methods, instrumentation and validations and verifications of samples; Reviewing cost-estimates and/or providing technical recommendations for funding on laboratory equipment, supplies and training and development; and Demonstrating expert communication skills by providing briefings and producing complex scientific and technical reports to internal and external stakeholders. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements. 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; and Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 07/17/2023. 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 additional information, review the following links: Background investigation and the e-QIP process. Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions: Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government 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.

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.

Contacts

• Address Laboratories and Scientific Services Directorate Please read entire announcement Please apply online Washington, DC 20229 US
• Name: CBP Hiring Center
• Phone: 952-857-2932
• Email: [email protected]