The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a chemist for the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Department of Chemistry (DFCH). As a chemist, the employee provides cadet education via chemical preparation for use in laboratory exercises, in-class demonstrations, and cadet research. Operates, calibrates, and maintains complex chemical instrumentation. Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

Duties

Performs independent complex analysis as Preproom Laboratory Manager to prepare chemical solutions, evaluate plans, assess requirements, develop novel laboratory experiments, and configure existing experiments in support of scheduled chemistry courses and laboratories. Instructs others, maintains, and calibrates a variety of sensitive chemical instrumentation. In addition, educates instructors in the theory and use of the instruments in support of cadet chemistry courses and cadet research. Leads Preproom Laboratory operations and outreach endeavors in support of contractor STEM advocacy to underprivileged schools nationwide. Uses systematic, disciplined, and quantifiable approaches to research, develop, evaluate, implement, and document chemical demonstrations and experiments used in courses and in STEM outreach. Manages laboratory administration and operation ensuring adequate services to the assigned faculty, resource advisors, and safety personnel. Program manager for execution and of Preproom Laboratory budget as well as the extensive inventory of chemicals and chemical supplies. Exercises supervisory personnel management responsibilities for Supply Technician, GS-2005-07. Advises and provides counsel to employees regarding policies, procedures, and directives of management. Selects or recommends selection of candidates for vacancies, promotions, details, and reassignment in consideration of skills, qualifications, and mission requirements.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
• This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for this position
• Relocation Incentive may be authorized for this position
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft/vehicle to conferences, meetings, or functions away from the duty office/location. Travel may include overnight stays.
• The work requires the employee to drive a motor vehicle. An appropriate, valid driver’s license is required for the position.
• May require employee to work under adverse environmental conditions. May be required to wear special protective clothing such as coats, goggles, boots, and/or masks. May be required to attend safety training sessions conducted by (Continued)
• personnel from within and outside the employing agency.
• IAW SA-2020-25 This position requires a physical/medical examination. The physical/medical requirements of this position as determined are: Heavy lifting (45-79 lbs.), heavy carrying/pushing (over 45 lbs.) is required, (Continued)
• reaching above shoulder, use of fingers and both hands required, repeated bending/kneeling, climbing, and use of legs and arms needed. Vision requirements: near vision correctable to 13 inches; far vision (Continued)
• correctable in on eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of color and hearing requirements: aid permitted.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions, Chemistry Series 1320. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Education: Degree in 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 (Chemistry Series, 1320 (opm.gov)). In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes mastery of advanced/experimental scientific concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, materials, and techniques sufficient for application to chemistry course development, execution, and advisory services; Comprehensive, intensive, practical knowledge of chemistry sufficient to apply experimental theories and new applications to novel and unique issues/problems that significantly affect scientific experiments and provide authoritative technical advice, consultation, and direction in support of course development to faculty responsible for cadet learning outcomes; Extensive knowledge of advanced scientific standards and methods to formulate, execute, advise on, and explain recommendations or solutions to modify standard practices, equipment, devices, systems, processes, and techniques and resolve a wide variety of complex problems. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Mastery of advanced scientific concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, materials, and equipment for application to course development, laboratory and in-class demonstration innovation, chemical preparation, instrumental technique execution, training, and advisory services. Ability to communicate those concepts and needs for these requirements both verbally and in writing. Professional knowledge of chemicals, principles, theories, practices, and established methodology to perform a wide range of duties, including skill in evaluating methods of instrumental analysis to determine their effectiveness for analyzing various substances for a variety of purposes, skill in determining the specific data needed and the best approach and methods to obtain the data; skill in adapting and modifying the established precedents, methods and procedures to solve a variety of chemistry problems; skill in deviating from traditional approaches to satisfy unusual or unique requirements of the assignment; skill in evaluating and interpreting the significance of data and drawing conclusions based on observations. Knowledge of the operation and calibration of various types of modern chemical instrumentation. This knowledge should include, but is not limited to, the following types of instruments: nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometers, gas chromatographs, liquid chromatographs, mass spectrometers, thermoanalytical instruments, and ultraviolet-visible spectrometers. Extensive knowledge of and experience with methods required to successfully gather, record, analyze, and interpret scientific data. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, both orally and in writing, as well as work in a professional manner with peers, management, contractors, academia, and other agencies. Knowledge of hazardous materials handling, safe laser operation procedures, and laboratory safety/health standards and procedures. Ability to operate and calibrate, as well as perform minor maintenance and troubleshooting of, research-grade electronic and mechanical equipment. Knowledge of computer-driven instrumentation for laboratory and research work. Skill in devising and evaluating criteria, parameters, characteristics, and interrelationships for laboratory courses and to assess the impact of new technology on current courses and processes to provide significant and innovative recommendations for advancing pedagogy. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions and staff of a small sized organization. Skill in devising and evaluating criteria, parameters, characteristics, and interrelationships for laboratory courses and to assess the impact of new technology on current courses and processes to provide significant and innovative recommendations for advancing pedagogy. Knowledge of and experience with chemical laboratory techniques, including reagent preparation, material synthesis through chemical reaction, standardization and calculation of solution concentration, and safe handling of chemical solutions, solids, liquids, and gases. Knowledge of hazardous materials handling, safe laser operation procedures, and laboratory safety/health standards and procedures. Ability to review primary scientific literature to develop new techniques for chemical preparation and material synthesis. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Contacts

• Address USAF Academy 5136 Eagle Drive USAF Academy, CO 80840 US
• Name: Total Force Service Center
• Phone: 1-800-525-0102
• Email: [email protected]