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Chemist

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
SAVANNAH DISTRICT EXPLORATIONS UNIT
This job announcement has closed

Summary

About the Position: Serves as a Technical Specialist for the Chemistry of Hazardous, Toxic and Radioactive Waste (HTRW) projects. Furnishes advice regarding site chemistry matters such as: sampling, testing, and analysis of on-site wastes including sampling techniques, quality assurance, and chemical aspects of hazardous waste site engineering plans, specifications and cleanups.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
02/07/2023 to 05/10/2023
Salary
$46,696 to - $89,835 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Savannah, GA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
75% or less - You may be expected to travel up to 75% for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
SCGW231234566572HWS
Control number
705714300

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Duties

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  • GS-07: Review and comment on in-house design unit and contractor Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPP) for projects of routine scope of all sizes, or parts of major investigation or remediation projects.
  • GS-07: Verify technical requirements are coordinated with the project schedule, budget estimates, or other aspects of the project.
  • GS-07: Assist on in-house chemical sampling and analysis, and chemical aspects of HTRW field investigation.
  • GS-07: Perform a variety of tabulations and computations relating to the environmental mission. Process data according to both established and site specific methods and designated formulas using elementary algebra, geometry, and arithmetic.
  • GS-07: Work includes verification of laboratory results, Cooler checklists, and chain of custody for proper chemistry interface. Under general supervision from senior chemists, processes data using original or less well-established methods.
  • GS-09: Serve as a technical resource for the chemistry of hazardous, toxic and radioactive waste projects.
  • GS-09: Furnish advice regarding site chemistry matters such as: sampling, testing, and analysis of on-site wastes including sampling techniques, quality assurance, and chemical aspects site engineering plans, specifications and cleanups.
  • GS-09: Lead routine in-house chemical sampling and analysis, and chemical aspects of HTRW field investigation activities. Support complex in-house sampling and field investigation activities.
  • GS-09: Review disposal or processing techniques and transportation of waste material accumulated as a result of in-house investigations based on the chemistry of the waste and in compliance with regulations and laws.
  • GS-11: Serve as a technical specialist for the chemistry of hazardous, toxic and radioactive waste (HTRW) projects.
  • GS-11: Furnish advice for site chemistry matters like: sampling, testing, and analysis of on-site wastes including sampling techniques, quality assurance, and chemical aspects of hazardous waste site engineering plans, specifications and cleanups.
  • GS-11: Technical specialist on in-house chemical sampling and analysis, and chemical aspects of HTRW field investigation.
  • GS-11: Recommend appropriate disposal or processing techniques and transportation of waste material accumulated as a result of in-house investigations based on the chemistry of the waste and in compliance with regulations and laws.
  • GS-11: Prepare and review designs, plans, and specifications for HTRW site cleanups to ensure compliance with chemical sampling, testing and analysis quality assurance standards.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Employee must participate in a medical surveillance program and must be able to wear and use personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, air purifying respirators, protective clothing, etc.
  • Employee must successfully undergo a physical or provide other documentation which verifies that they are physically and emotionally able to work in hazardous environments utilizing personal protective equipment.
  • Must be willing and able to attend 40 hours of HTRW training and updates.

Qualifications

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for certain personnel of the DOD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service

NOTE: THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. REFERRAL TO BE ISSUED AT MANAGEMENT REQUEST.

Who May Apply: US Citizens


In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Chemist:

A. Degree:
Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in the 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. Combination of Education and Experience:
Course work equivalent to a major in the physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering, 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.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Minimum Qualifications GS-07:
Specialized Experience:
One year of specialized experience which includes a general understanding of physical chemistry, environmental data and understanding of databases and data manipulation techniques. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).
OR
Education:
One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: such as physical science, life science, or engineering.
OR
Superior Academic Achievement:
Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.). In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:(1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better)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(3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/).NOTE: Grade point averages will be rounded to one decimal point. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0, and 2.94 will round to 2.9.NOTE: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) was taken on a pass/fail or similar basis, your S.A.A. claim must be based on class standing or membership in an honor society and you must provide evidence of your class standing or honor society membership with your application.
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) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Minimum Qualifications GS-09:
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes knowledge, skill, and experience in Corps of Engineers chemistry requirements and procedures. Assist in Preparation of Sampling and Analysis Plans (SAPs) for in-house investigations for routine projects for which similar SAPs have previously been developed. Experience and knowledge of groundwater sampling, soil sampling, air sampling techniques. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).
OR
Education: master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position.
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) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Minimum Qualifications GS-11:
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes Knowledge, skill, and experience in Corps of Engineers chemistry requirements and procedures. Preparation of Sampling and Analysis Plans (SAPs) for in-house investigations shall be primarily for routine projects for which similar SAPs have previously been developed, or for more complex projects under the guidance of a higher graded chemist. Experience and knowledge of groundwater sampling, soil sampling, air sampling techniques. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).
OR
Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering which includes 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: 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 second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a Career Program (CP) 18 - Engineer & Scientist position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction.htm for more information.
  • If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
  • Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized
  • Due to COVID-19, the agency is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement within a designated time frame identified by the organization. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency's telework policy.
  • Information may be requested regarding the vaccination status of selectees for the purposes of implementing workplace safety protocols. For more information, visit https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/faq/vaccinations/.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement.

If, after reviewing your résumé and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

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