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Chemist

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Forces Command
CBRNE Analytical and Remediation Activity (CARA)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: CARA is a subordinate unit of the 20th CBRNE Command. The HQs, 20th CBRNE Command is a major subordinate command to US Army Forces Command (FORSCOM).

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
01/25/2023 to 02/08/2023
Salary
$64,957 to - $102,166 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
50% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
AGNE228768431401HW
Control number
702113300

Duties

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  • Develop analytical schemes for the operation of advanced chromatographic instruments.
  • Ensure all instrumentation is in proper working order.
  • Participate in chemical air monitoring team missions which perform monitoring for the presence of toxic chemical agents.
  • Prepare laboratory reports which identify the compounds of concern, methods used for verification of data and validity of final results.

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.
  • This is an EMERGENCY ESSENTIAL (E-E) position subject to deployment.
  • This position requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance for the duration of employment.
  • This position is subject to a pre-employment drug test screening, and random drug testing thereafter.
  • This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
  • Mobility for temporary duty (TDY) assignments both CONUS and OCONUS.
  • This position requires temporary duty (TDY) up to 50% of the time.
  • This position may require the employee to perform mission requirements in hostile environments.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with Hazardous Material Endorsement within 24 months of employment.
  • Must obtain and maintain a Government driver's license within 30 days of employment.
  • Must obtain and maintain a stateside driver's license within 30 days of employment.
  • Must be able to qualify with assigned weapon(s).
  • This position is covered by the Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968.
  • Ability to work outside, exposed to all weather conditions (e.g. foul weather, extreme hot and cold), and of unpredictable terrain or access.
  • This position may require walking long distances, carrying objects (50 pounds or more), and crouching all while wearing up to and including OSHA Level C Personnel Protective Ensemble (PPE) for extended periods of time (e.g. 1-hour or more duration).
  • Required to work with or in close proximity to hazardous chemical warfare materiel, biological warfare materiel, recovered chemical warfare materiel, toxic industrial materiel, toxic industrial chemicals, and explosives.
  • Appointment to this position is subject to a two year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 315.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or 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 Education Requirement for Chemist (QA/QC):
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:

For GS-9:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: (1) Assisting with environmental chemical analysis; AND (2) Conducting toxic chemical analysis through real time monitoring and solid sorbent tube operations. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second 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 do the work of the position, such as: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering (Note: you must attach a copy of your transcripts).

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.

For GS-11:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes work involving: (1) Performing analyses using advanced instrumentation techniques; (2) Determining need for upgrading and replacing instrumentation; and (3) Preparing laboratory results to identify validity of data.
This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).

OR

Education: Successfully completed a 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 perform the work of the position, such as 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. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)


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. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

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.
  • Two 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) 16 - Engineers & Scientists (Non-Construction) position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.
  • 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.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
  • 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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