Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Operations Support, Laboratories & Scientific Services. This position is located in Sterling, VA.

Duties

You will be serving as a reachback chemist/spectroscopist with primary responsibilities in interpreting spectroscopic data collected by chemical screening devices during CBP's 24/7 operational hours. The term "reachback" means, in this context, that the incumbent acts as primary point of contact for frontline officers and agents, to perform spectroscopic interpretations on submitted spectra. This position starts at a salary of $82,764.00 (GS-11, Step 1) to $128,956.00 (GS-12, Step 10) with promotion potential to $128,956 (GS-12 Step 10). In this position, you will be performing the below typical work assignments: Receiving spectral data or physical samples submitted for analysis, reviews accompanying background material, performs preliminary interpretation of data, checks regulation statuses, and acts as a senior analyst that will consult on the preliminary results from junior analysts. Participates and trains others in supporting mobile operations providing on-site screening and analysis. Provides expert advice to other CBP scientists and officials on sampling procedures, analytical methodology, instrumentation, and problems associated with analysis as well as solutions to these problems.

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR). To be eligible for consideration, you must submit the required documentation with your application package showing that you meet the requirements such as college transcripts from an accredited institution (must show you meet the educational requirements outlined in this announcement), certifications, proof of training, statements of qualifications, etc. To be eligible for this position you must meet one of the requirements listed below. A. 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 in physics. OR B. 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 hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education. All applicants are required to submit a copy of your college transcript(s). You qualify for this position if you meet the basic requirement listed above and possess the experience or substitution of education, if applicable, as described below: Experience: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Interpreting spectral data collected by chemical/spectroscopic screening devices to determine presence of suspected controlled substances. Testing and documenting analytical findings. Keeping current on emerging threats and becoming familiar with existing threats. Writing management briefs and significant event reports. Experience: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Performing technical reviews of previously analyzed samples and interpreting technical findings and conclusions. Providing on-site screening and analysis. Troubleshooting and supporting the operation of several scientific instruments used to analyze chemicals. Appearing as a witness and serving to provide expert witness testimony on analytical findings and methodology. 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. Education Substitution: GS-11: Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent degree or three years of full-time graduate education leading to such a degree. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work of the position. A course of study in physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering is qualifying. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise three years of graduate study. If that information is not available, use 54 semester or 81 quarter hours. Combining Experience and Education: To combine your education and experience, convert each to a percentage and then add the percentages. If your education is currently described in quarter hours, multiply by the fraction 2/3 to convert into semester hours then divide the semester hours by 18. To determine your percentage of qualifying experience, divide your total months of experience by the required number of months of experience. Add your percentages together. The total must equal at least 100% in order to qualify. 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 by 12/12/2024. 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]