Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Operations Support, Laboratories & Scientific Services Directorate located in the following areas: San Francisco, California San Ysidro, California Miami, Florida Savannah, Georgia Chicago, Illinois Newark, New Jersey Cincinnati, Ohio Guaynabo, Puerto Rico Donna, Texas Houston, Texas

Duties

This is a Recent Graduate appointment in the Pathways Program. Selected individuals are placed in a dynamic one year development program in the excepted service designed to lead to a competitive civil service career in the Federal government. At the successful conclusion of this program, the agency may non-competitively convert individuals to a term (position lasting 1-4 years with an extension up to 120 days) or permanent position within the competitive service. Conversion to a Federal competitive service position will be at the discretion of the agency and is neither guaranteed nor implied. This is an exciting journey-level, professional position that can be located in one of the field laboratories within the Laboratories and Scientific Services Directorate (LSSD), Operations Support Office (OS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The recent graduate works under close supervision performing the major duties highlighted below. This position starts at a salary of $46,696.00 (GS-07, Step 1) to $74,250.00 (GS-09, Step 10) with promotion potential to $107,680 GS-12 Step 10). GS Salary : Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Major Duties: In this position you will serve as a Chemist performing a full range of difficult chemical and physical tests, forensic analyses, and/or weapons of mass destruction (WMD) detections on samples of imported merchandise or seized materials submitted to the field laboratory. Typical work assignments include: Performing chemical and physical tests, forensic analyses, and/or weapons of mass destruction (WMD) detections on samples of imported merchandise or seized materials submitted to the field laboratory. Receiving samples submitted for analyses, reviewing background material, performing preliminary examination of samples, reviewing pertinent regulations, determining information needed to satisfy the submitting officers' requests. Providing general advice to CBP employees on sampling and sample storage procedures, analytical methodology, instruments and problems associated with analyzing samples and providing solution to these problems. Organizing and writing test reports and briefings, articulating technical findings, interpretations, and conclusions. Writing technical reports and papers describing laboratory work with sufficiency, technical merit and compliance with the LSS Quality system. Appearing as a witness in court proceedings or providing technical assistance in prosecution cases.

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: 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 of physics. OR 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 semester 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: GS-07 Experience: You qualify for the GS-07 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Receiving and documenting samples submitted for analyses; Performing routine chemical analysis on a limited range of samples; and Checking the laboratory equipment for readiness GS-09 Experience: You qualify for the GS-9 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Determining sample suitability and selecting appropriate testing methods; Performing preliminary chemical analysis using wet laboratory procedures; Reporting technical findings, interpretations, and conclusions in support of enforcement actions. Combining Experience and Education: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience. For example, an applicant with 6 months of appropriate experience equivalent to GS-7 (50 percent of the experience requirement for GS-9) and 27 semester hours of appropriate graduate education (50 percent of the education requirement for GS-9, in excess of that required for GS-7) would be qualified for a GS-9 position (assuming that there is no evidence that the attended college or university requires more than 18 semester hours as equivalent to a year of graduate study). More information on this qualification standard is located here. For Educational substitution information please see the Education section. 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 11/22/2023. You are eligible for this appointing authority if you are an individual who: Completed, within the previous two years by11/22/2023 , a qualifying associates, bachelor's, master's, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. If you are a veteran who was unable to apply within two years of receiving your degree due to military service obligation, you have as long as six years after degree completion to apply. You must submit a copy of your transcripts showing type of degree received and date degree was received. In addition, if you are a veteran who was unable to apply within two years of receiving your degree due to military service obligation, please provide a copy of your DD-214 or a written statement from the armed forces certifying your dates of service and your rank, expected type of discharge and anticipated date of separation. To be eligible for conversion, Recent Graduates must: Successfully complete at least one year of continuous service in addition to all requirements of the program; Meet the qualification standards for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted; Meet agency-specific requirements and expectations as specified in the Participant's Agreement; and Perform their job successfully. EXPECTED TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT: Orientation program for Recent Graduates hired for the program; Mentorship throughout the program; Individual Development Plan to create and track Recent Graduates' career planning, professional development, and training activities; At least 40 hours of formal, interactive training each year of the program; Positions offer opportunity for career advancement. Recent Grad Promotions: Per CBP Policy, Recent Graduates are not eligible for promotions while in the one (1) year program.A Recent Graduate may be eligible for a promotion upon successful completion of the program if he/she meets the OPM qualification requirements for the position for which the Recent Graduate is being considered. Advancement to the next level upon successful program completion is approved by the Recent Graduate's supervisor and certified by HRM. 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. Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Treasury Employees Unions- NTEU. For local chapter contact information see Chapter Websites - National Treasury Employees Union - NTEU. 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

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information.

Education Substitution:GS-07 ONLY: Successful completion of one year of full-time graduate education from an accredited college or university may substitute for the experience required at this level. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 18 semester or 27 quarter hours. OR

A bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) may also substitute for the experience required. It is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average (i.e., GPA 3.0 or higher of a possible 4.0, excluding pass/fail credits. Pass/fail credits cannot be more than 10% of total credits), or (3) honor society membership. Review Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) to see if you qualify under this provision. Please see www.opm.gov for additional information.GS-09: Successfully completed two or more years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college or university that demonstrates the skills necessary to do the work. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise two years of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 36 semester or 54 quarter hours.

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]