Chemist with Security Clearance

---

Job description

Duties As a Chemist, GS-1320-15, your typical work assignments may include: Providing expertise to research and analysis of the composition, physical and chemical properties, structure, and likely reactions of chemical explosive agents. Developing and maintaining the highest level of credibility and scientifically based knowledge in order to deliver council based on explosives characterization research to decisionmakers throughout DHS. Interpreting and validating technical reports on explosive characterization work that contains relevant properties including explosives synthesis, safety, performance, detonability boundaries, and detection signatures to inform policies and procedures for detection, screening, and response of explosive agents. Providing significant technical input to S&T's RDT&E programs by reviewing program goals and objectives of ongoing related research and development projects to assess potentially fruitful areas for new and additional research and development projects. All DHS-HQ announcements have a 5 business day open period due to the number of applications received. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions . Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service. You must successfully pass a background investigation. You must submit to a pre-employment drug test. You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you. This position is eligible for telework based on agency policy. You will be required to complete an OGE 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, within 30 days of starting your federal employment and annually thereafter as long as you occupy a position that requires financial disclosure reporting. This position requires you to have access, safeguard, and store classified national security information on a regular basis. You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance. Qualifications Basic requirements for the GS-1320 Chemist series: 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 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. Specialized Experience: You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal government, performing duties such as: 1) Providing expertise to research and analysis of the composition, physical and chemical properties, structure, and likely reactions of chemical explosive agents; 2) Interpreting and validating technical reports on explosive characterization work that contains relevant properties including explosives synthesis, safety, performance, detonability boundaries, and detection signatures to inform policies and procedures for detection, screening, and response of explosive agents; 3) Analyzing terrorist activities involving improvised explosives devices, radiological dispersal devices, and other devices and means to detonate or disperse harmful substances. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. 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. Current or Former Political Appointees: 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. Education Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications . Additional information The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans , Peace Corps , VISTA volunteers , and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result. You will be required to complete an OGE 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Form. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment , and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for Top Secret clearance as a condition of placement in this Special Sensitive position. This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. How You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Applicants will be evaluated on their total background including experience (paid and unpaid), education, awards, and training and self-development as it relates to the position based upon the information provided in the resume/application and any other supporting documents. All work experience should specify the length of time spent in the position. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that indicates hours per week "varies." List exact hours per week on each job experience. This notice is issued under the direct-hire authority. Using Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved government-wide direct hire authorities, agencies may appoint candidates directly to jobs, without regard to the provisions of Title 5 U.S.C. 3309 through 3318, for which OPM determines that there is a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need. Veterans Preference: Veterans preference does not apply under this Direct-Hire Authority (DHA). Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. Information about ICTAP eligibility can be found by clicking here to access OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under ICTAP, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement and your resume must demonstrate possession of the KSA/competencies. Required Documents Your resume (click the link for information on what to include). If you are a

<!– job description page –>