Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Operations Support, Laboratories and Scientific Services, located in Newark, NJ or Savannah, GA.

Duties

In this Chemist position you will become a key team member of Homeland Security professionals who demonstrates their knowledge and skills within the technical scope of Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS). This position starts at a salary of $121,485.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $157,934.00 (GS-13, Step 10) with promotion potential to $157,934 (GS-13 13 Step 10). While serving as a Chemist (IRMS Specialist), your duties will include: Conducting and investigating scientific, technical, and statistical work on quality-related applications as related to technical training, sub-sampling, methods, instrumentation, validations and verifications, and test data and reports. Developing and providing input on complex scientific and technical procedures and methods. Managing the isotope ratio mass spectroscopy (IRMS) systems and providing staff with day-to-day assistance with the operation of the spectrometers and with the analysis, interpretation, and determination of IRMS isotope & values. Assisting other LSS laboratories with data analysis and IRMS data interpretation as needed. Serving as an expert source of consultation for LSS and other experts in significant IRMS matters. Assessing and providing resource budgetary needs and communicating the spend plan details to Branch Chief (first-line supervisor) to include funding towards IRMS related operations, equipment, training and development, travel, quality-related services, and supplies.

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirement: You qualify for this position if you meet the basic requirement listed below and possess the specialized experience as described below: 1. 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 2. 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 Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Supporting all major aspects of the field laboratory, such as forensic and trade commodity analysis, with a concentration in country of origin studies. Providing expert advice covering a scope of scientific and technical activity of the field laboratory. Developing technical procedures detailing the steps needed for sample preparation, instrument parameters, data analysis, and report writing for various sample types. Maintaining a high degree of awareness of all relevant technical, administrative, legal, and procedural rules, policies, and laboratory practices. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements. More information on this qualification standard is located here. 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; and Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 06/03/2024. 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. 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 Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.

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]