Clarification from the agency

This job is open to all United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)

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As a CHEMIST within the Laboratory and Analytical Services Division, some of your specific duties will include:

• Prepares water samples for and performs a broad range of quantitative and qualitative chemical analyses, automated analyses and physical tests. Samples may require complex or unusual preparation and analysis methods.
• Performs calculations or uses spreadsheet software for completing analyses and data reduction.
• Modifies methods and procedures as needed to satisfy special requirements and solve problems. Interprets and evaluates results.
• Reviews background material, pertinent regulations, the chemical and physical properties of the sample; selects the methods and procedures appropriate to obtain the information requested. Performs chemical analyses and procedures on a broad range of environmental samples.
• Prepares written summary statements, data tabulations, descriptions of standard procedures, stating techniques, results and conclusions and standard operating procedures.
• Provides training to lower graded personnel in a variety of analytical laboratory techniques, including analytical lines and troubleshooting techniques.

Duties are described at the GS-11 level; lower grade level positions will have less complexity and more oversight. For the lower grade levels, you will perform a wide range of tasks described in the above duties, but at a lower level of work designed to further develop and refine the knowledge and skills of the individual. Assignments will typically combine productive work with on-going training and instruction. Supervision received at the lower level will be closer with oversight and review being provided more frequently.

Physical Demands: The work involves prolonged standing.

Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring exposure to irritant chemicals. Special safety precautions are required and the chemist uses protective clothing and gear such as a laboratory coat, gloves, and safety glasses.

Conditions of employment

Key Requirements:

1. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
2. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
3. Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period.
4. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.
5. You are subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam.

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

• This vacancy is limited to the first 75 applications received and will close at midnight Eastern Time on the day this application limit is reached regardless of the closing date specified in this vacancy announcement. Any application received prior to midnight Eastern Time of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered. You are strongly encouraged to submit all required supporting documents at the time of application should the vacancy close earlier than stated in this announcement due to the applicant limit being reached. Supporting documents will not be accepted once the vacancy announcement closes.

• Taking and passing a pre-employment medical examination at Federal expense is required due to the physical demands of this job.
• A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.

Qualifications

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: You must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Chemist, all grade levels.

A. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher 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 or the equivalent in physics. **OR
B. A combination of education and experience-course work equivalent to a major as shown in "A" above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering), including at least 30 semester hours or the equivalent in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent of physics, plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)
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For GS-7: In addition to the basic education requirement, you must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-7 level:

• One year of successfully completed graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or the equivalent) in chemistry or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled. OR
• Superior Academic Achievement based on undergraduate study. (CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT) OR
• One year of appropriate professional experience that is in or related to the duties of the position to be filled is qualifying if it is equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to at least the GS-5 level in the Federal service, and if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position the position. Examples of GS-5 level experience could include performing and conducting limited chemical analysis, tests and physical measurements and performing calculations such as determining the concentration or the amount of a substance of a total sample based on analysis of a known portion of the sample. OR
• A combination of successfully completed graduate level education, as described above, and professional experience, as described above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)

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For GS-9: In addition to the basic education requirement, you must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-9 level:

• Two years of progressively higher level graduate education (36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours) leading to a master's degree in chemistry or other directly related field of study or master's or equivalent graduate degree in chemistry or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. OR
• One year of appropriate professional experience in chemistry that is equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service. Examples of such experience may include performing relatively routine and limited chemical analyses and tests. This work experience would have involved following established methods and procedures, or detailed instructions; using some judgment in applying basic principles and procedures, and would have required a good general working knowledge of the principles and the theories of chemistry. OR
• A combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education as described above that is beyond the first year of graduate study and professional experience, as described above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)

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For GS-11: In addition to the basic education requirement, you must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-11 level:

• Three years of progressively higher level graduate education (54 semester hours or 81 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a Ph.D. degree in chemistry or other directly related field of study or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in chemistry or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. OR
• One year of appropriate professional experience in chemistry that is equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service. Examples of such experience include independent responsibility for performing established, standardized chemical tests and analyses on a broad range of samples in a laboratory setting. Implements new testing and analytical methods. Develops and suggests minor adaptations & fills in the gaps found in newly developed guidelines that govern the new testing methods. At this level, Chemists have a sound working knowledge of the principles of chemistry and the ability to independently perform moderately difficult and responsible scientific work. OR
• A combination of successfully completed graduate level education as described above that is beyond the second year of progressive graduate study and professional experience, as described above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement. NOTE: You must submit all transcripts for the basic education requirement as well as if using education to qualify or a combination of education and experience.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

--Vacancy Related Questions: As part of the online application process, you will need to respond to a series of questions designed to assess your possession of the following knowledge skills, abilities and/or competencies: Plan and Organize Work, Information Management, Laboratory Techniques, Pressure/Deadlines, Scientific Instrumentation, Research and Interpret Regulations, Program/Project Management, Written Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Leadership and Supervision

• Additional Assessment Required: If you meet the eligibility and basic qualification requirements for this position and score above the cut-score based on your responses to the occupational questionnaire, a subject-matter-expert will perform a structured review of your resume to evaluate your knowledge, skills, abilities, and competences as they directly relate to the duties of this position.

--Basis of Rating: Category rating will be used in the ranking and selection process for this position. The quality categories are Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the additional assessment required for this position. Your responses must be substantiated by your resume. If you do not respond to the application questions you may be rated ineligible. Veterans' preference rules for category rating will be applied.

--NOTE: If it is determined that you have rated yourself higher than is supported in your description of experience and/or education as described in your resume/application, or that your resume or application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible, not qualified, or your score may be lowered.

To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11334193