This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. About the Position: CARA is a subordinate unit of the 20th CBRNE Command. The HQs, 20th CBRNE Command is a major subordinate command to US Army Forces Command (FORSCOM).

Duties

Formulates and conducts systematic research investigations on problems concerned with detection methodologies and capabilities to enhance detection limits, and enhancing scientific data to support Military decision making processes. Applies a high degree of originality and analytical thinking to identify specific parameters, protocols and priorities for problems to be investigated and to formulate research hypotheses. Conducts extensive experimentation and/or testing, for approved projects, both in the laboratory and the field. Collaborates with computer scientists to develop databases/software to support detection methodologies and capabilities, thus enhancing detection limits, and enhancing scientific data to support Military decision-making processes. Prepare laboratory reports which identify the compounds of concern, sample handling and preparation and analytical methods used for verification of data and validity of final results. Participate in chemical air monitoring team missions which perform monitoring for the presence of toxic chemical agents. Works with planners to document how to interact (or not) with unknown chemicals and biologicals when discovered.

Requirements

• Requires long hours, which may include evenings, weekends and/or holidays.
• Requires mission specific immunizations
• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This is an EMERGENCY ESSENTIAL (E-E) position subject to deployment.
• This position requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance for the duration of employment.
• This position is subject to a pre-employment drug test screening, and random drug testing thereafter.
• This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
• Mobility for temporary duty (TDY) assignments both CONUS and OCONUS.
• This position requires temporary duty (TDY) up to 50% of the time.
• This position may require the employee to perform mission requirements in hostile environments.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with Hazardous Material Endorsement within 24 months of employment.
• Must obtain and maintain a Government driver's license within 30 days of employment.
• Must obtain and maintain a stateside driver's license within 30 days of employment.
• Must be able to qualify with assigned weapon(s).
• This position is covered by the Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968.
• Ability to work outside, exposed to all weather conditions (e.g. foul weather, extreme hot and cold), and of unpredictable terrain or access.
• This position may require walking long distances, carrying objects (50 pounds or more), and crouching all while wearing up to and including OSHA Level C Personnel Protective Ensemble (PPE) for extended periods of time (e.g. 1-hour or more duration).
• Required to work with or in close proximity to hazardous chemical warfare materiel, biological warfare materiel, recovered chemical warfare materiel, toxic industrial materiel, toxic industrial chemicals, and explosives.
• Appointment to this position is subject to a two year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 315.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Basic Education Requirement for Chemist (QA/QC): A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in the 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 B. Combination of Education and Experience: Course work equivalent to a major in the physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering, 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. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: . For GS-11: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes work involving: (1) Performing analyses using advanced instrumentation techniques; (2) Determining need for upgrading and replacing instrumentation; and (3) Preparing laboratory results to identify validity of data. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09). OR Education: Successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, such as 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. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) OR For GS-12 Specialized experience: One year of specialized experience which includes work involving: (1) Performing detailed analysis of unknown environmental samples for chemical, biological, or explosives contamination; (2) Developing new methods /techniques on analyzing data; (3) advising senior leaders on chemical laboratories, proper sample handling, packaging, and transportation of hazardous materials. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11)

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Contacts

• Address AG-APF-W6NHAA US ARMY CBRNE ANALYT AND REM ACT DO NOT MAIL Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk