Summary See below for important information regarding this job. This position may be filled at grades: GS-09, GS-11, or GS-12. If filled at grades GS-09 or GS-11 the incumbent will have promotion potential to the GS-12 grade, and will perform the duties in a developmental capacity.The annual salary ranges for each grade: GS-09: $68,013 - $88,421 GS-11: $82,289 - $106,982 GS-12: $98,630 - $128,221 Responsibilities Specializing in the areas of chemical/instrumental analysis, physical testing, high performance liquid or gas chromatography/spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy/mass spectrometry. Developing, adapting, improving, and evaluating methods used to perform chemical and physical testing of routine, difficult, complex, and unusual samples. Making major adaptations and modifications of established methods and procedures for a wide variety of samples including components, textiles, leather, rubber, paper, metals, chemicals, and textile or equipage end items. Evaluating and interpreting data generated in the course of studying the chemistry of substances. Reviewing test plans, referenced specifications, available regulations, procedures and guidelines to determine the most expeditious/economical methods of reaching determinations. Making additional modifications if necessary and writing reports that describe the methods/their uses and limitations. Conducting and monitoring collaborative studies in connection with the Laboratory Proficiency Testing Program. Reviewing Contractors' test reports and entering data into a centralized database/system. Participating in correlation studies, courtesy testing, and special investigations resulting from complaints of Unsatisfactory Material Reports on assigned items. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for a Chemist, your resume and supporting documentation must support: A. Basic Requirement: Bachelor's Degree or higher 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 of physics. OR Combination of education and experience -- Bachelor's Degree or higher equivalent to a major in physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering, or a major in a related field 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, plus appropriate experience, or additional education. AND B. Specialized Experience: In addition to the Basic Requirement, one year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position and is directly in or related to this position. To qualify at the GS-09 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military, or private sector. To qualify at the GS-11 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military, or private sector. To qualify at the GS-12 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military, or private sector. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements including time-in-grade (General Schedule (GS) positions only), time-after-competitive appointment, minimum qualifications, and any other regulatory requirements by the cut-off/closing date of the announcement. Creditable specialized experience includes: GS-09: Performing established standardized chemical tests and analyses on a broad range of samples in a laboratory setting; Implementing new testing and analytical methods involving either automated analytical systems or manual laboratory analytical procedures; Developing and suggesting minor adaptations and filling in the gaps found in the newly developed guidelines. GS-11: Planning, executing, and communicating the results of complex studies of chemical problems; Adapting existing methods as needed to solve new chemical problems; Analyzing samples for quality control. GS-12: Analyzing a wide variety of samples for quality control; Creating new methods as needed to solve unusual or unique chemical problems or evaluation requirements; Performing a full range of volumetric, gravimetric, spectrographic, titrimetric, and chemical analyses; Obtaining valid and accurate testing results. OR C. Education Substitution: Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Education must be from a college or university accredited by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education. See http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx. If using education to meet basic qualifications, YOU MUST SUBMIT A TRANSCRIPT as supplemental documentation. To qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you must possess: GS-09: Two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. GS-11: Three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. GS-12: Education cannot be substituted in place of specialized experience for this grade level. OR D. Combination: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for grade levels GS-09 and GS-11 and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grade GS-09 and GS-11. 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. Education Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-12 grade level. Are you using your education to qualify? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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. Additional Information As required by 5 C.F.R. § 302.106, DLA will provide Section 508 conformant ICT to employees with disabilities. All ICT interfaces with the public related to vacancy announcements and career transition opportunities must conform to the applicable requirements in the current ICT Standards and Guidelines (36 C.F.R. § 1194). For Important General Applicant Information and Definitions go to: http://www.dla.mil/portals/104/documents/careers/GenAppInfoDef.pdf Reemployed Annuitants: This position does not meet criteria for appointment of Reemployed Annuitants. The DoD criteria for hiring Reemployed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/140025_vol300.PDF Drug-Free Workplace Policy The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is committed to maintaining a safe, drug-free workplace. All DLA employees are required to refrain from illegal drug use on and off duty. DLA conducts pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, and random drug testing. Applicants tentatively selected for employment in testing designated positions will undergo a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Refusal to undergo testing or testing positive for illegal drugs will result in withdrawal of the tentative job offer and a six-month denial of employment with DLA from the date of the drug test. Employees in drug testing designated positions are subject to random drug testing. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment. You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position. The DLA drug testing panel tests for the following substances: marijuana, cocaine, opiates, heroin, phencyclidine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, fentanyl, norfentanyl, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), and opioids. ADVISORY: Use of cannabidiol (CBD) products may result in a positive drug test for marijuana. DLA employees are subject to Federal law and under Federal law, Marijuana is illegal. Additional guidance on writing a federal resume can be found at: USAJOBS Help Center - How do I write a resume for a federal job? The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started.
