This position is located at the Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL), a federal lab managed by the Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate, Department of Homeland Security. The primary purpose of this position is providing leadership and direction of the applied research to support test and evaluation (T&E) of explosives or other contrabands detection systems at the TSL as well as the development of contrabands detection technology. Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Duties

This is an interdisciplinary position that can be filled as either of the following: General Engineer, GS-0801-15 or Physical Scientist, GS-1301-15 or Chemist GS-1320-15. As a Supervisory Interdisciplinary - General Engineer/Physical Scientist/Chemist, GS-0801/1301/1320-15, your typical work assignments may include: Formulating program goals, plans, policies, and procedures and work plans dealing with the development and operation of personnel recovery Planning work for accomplishment by subordinate offices, sets and adjusts short and/or long-term priorities, and prepares schedules based on consideration of difficulty of requirements and assignments such that the experience, training, and abilities of the staff are effectively utilized to meet organization and customer needs. Managing an interdisciplinary team of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers in the development of physical science technology in support of T&E and development of new detection technologies. Managing development and testing of state-of-the-art technologies and systems intended to increase effectiveness, efficiency, and safety of test and evaluation of explosives or other contrabands detection using various test article. Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary but will also include hands-on laboratory work. Frequent walking to and from various TSL buildings and laboratories is to be expected. Work Environment: Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office or laboratory. Travel is required both nationally and internationally. Working indirectly with hazardous materials such as explosives, chemical agents, or illicit drugs is relatively frequent. Working directly with or around radiation-producing equipment is highly likely depending on the particular technologies being developed or worked on. All DHS-HQ announcements have a 5 business day open period due to the number of applications received. This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 100 applications have been received, whichever happens first. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• You must submit to a pre-employment drug test.
• You may be required to serve a one-year supervisory probationary period.
• Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
• This position is non-bargaining.
• You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

Qualifications

The qualification requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of this announcement. You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess at least one of the following: Basic requirements for the GS-0801 General Engineer series: An Engineering degree from a program that: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology (ABET); or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced that first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR A combination of college-level education, training and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background was obtained by a Professional registration or licensure - Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineers in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (E) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. OR A combination of college-level education, training and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background was obtained by a Written Test - Evidence of having successfully passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for a professional registration by an engineer licensure board in the various States, District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. OR A combination of college-level education, training and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background was obtained by successful completion of 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under item A above. OR A combination of college-level education, training and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background was obtained by successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided you have had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. OR Basic requirements for the GS-1301 General Physical Science series. A. A degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. OR B. A combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. OR Basic requirements for the GS-1320 Chemistry series A. A 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 B.A 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. AND Specialized Experience: You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal government, performing duties such as: 1) Managing an interdisciplinary team of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers in the development of physical science technology in support of the unit and development of new detection technologies. 2) Applying broad expertise in areas related to detection science necessary to implement operational, methodology, and quality control changes for maintaining safe and effective operations. 3) Providing analysis and recommendations to senior managers regarding the development of supporting technologies, standard operation procedures, quality control, and research directions to support the needs of the unit with explosives or other contrabands detection systems. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. 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. Current or Former Political Appointees: 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.

Education

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

Contacts

• Address Department of Homeland Security Headquarters OCHCO/HRMS/MS #0170 6595 Springfield Center Drive Springfield, VA 20598-0170 US
• Name: Jared Tittle
• Phone: (912) 267-3551
• Email: [email protected]