Job opening: Chemist (Analytical)

Salary: $41 966 - 66 673 per year

Published at: May 20 2024

Company: Drug Enforcement Administration

Employment Type: Full-time

Pay Scales GS-07: $41,966 - $54,557 GS-09: $51,332 - $ 66,731 This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Forensic Sciences Division. This position(s) primary responsbilities are performing a wide range of standardized chemical tests and analyses in support of the laboratory mission.

Duties

As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service. As a Chemist (Analytical), your typical work assignments may include: Serving as a Chemist responsible for performing a wide range of chemical tests and analyses in support of the laboratory mission. Evaluating analytical chemistry procedures and technology for the analyses of illicit drug materials. Applying professional knowledge of physical, chemical and instrumental technics to perform chemical and instrumental analysis. Performing investigations, analysis, and interpretation of the composition, physical and chemical properties of substances. Collecting and interpreting scientific data such as newly gathered statistics, observations, instrument readings, measurements and specimens in terms of their scientific significance.

Requirements

U. S. Citizenship Required
You must submit to a pre-employment drug test
Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
You may be required to successfully complete a probationary period
DEA uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.
Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/).
Current Federal employees cannot transfer unused Time Off Awards to DEA.
Mobility Agreement is a condition of employment; the employee must sign the agreement and comply with management- directed temporary and permanent change of station (PCS) movement to meet mission requirements.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the Basic Requirement and Specialized Experience requirements as noted below. Qualification claims will be subject to verification. Basic Requirement 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 Degree in a major as described in above paragraph; 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. Specialized Experience In addition to the Basic Requirement, one year of specialized experience is required that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) or competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position, and is directly in or related to this position. You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying specialized experience. Specialized 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. GS-07 Level: Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-1320-05 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrate your ability in AT LEAST (3) three of the following: 1) preparing samples for chemical analyses; 2) handling material to maintain sample integrity; 3) calibrating and using laboratory equipment under limited supervision for chemical analysis of materials; 4) compiling, reducing and making routine interpretations of the scientific data; and 5) applying knowledge of analytical chemical principles, theories and practices sufficient to perform a full range of fundamental analysis. OR One (1) full year of graduate level education; OR Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA). In order to be creditable under this provision, SAA must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position and is based on: Class Standing: Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class, based on completed courses; Grade Point Average: applicants must have a grade point average of: 3.0 or higher: Based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; OR; 3.5 or higher: Based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; OR; Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society: Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. GS-09 Level: Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-1320-07 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrate your ability in AT LEAST (4) four of the following: 1) preparing samples for chemical analyses; 2) handling material to maintain sample integrity; 3) calibrating and using laboratory equipment under limited supervision for chemical analysis of materials; 4) compiling, reducing and making routine interpretations of the scientific data; and 5) applying knowledge of analytical chemical principles, theories and practices sufficient to perform a full range of fundamental analysis. OR Education: Two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree; 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 first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

This position requires specific coursework and/or a degree to meet the basic education requirement.

You must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Your transcript(s) must clearly demonstrate the course(s) listed in the qualification requirement section. If the transcript(s) does not clearly demonstrate this you must submit a copy of the course description and/or other documentation demonstrating that the courses are equivalent.

If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.