Physical Scientist (Cbrne)

Summary
Specialized Job requirements:

• Rotating 24/7 shift work (includes additional pay premiums).
• Must be able to obtain and maintain both Top Secret (TS) and Department of Energy (DOE) Q clearances.
• Travel required up to 20%.
• Overtime as required.
• Will be part of an on-call duty rotation to ensure continuity of operations.
• Considered a Federal Emergency Response Official (FERO) and is expected to report to (or remain at) the worksite in instances of emergency dismissal or closure situations.

This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
• Federal employees - Competitive service
  Current or former competitive service federal employees.
• Land & base management
  Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.
• Veterans

Clarification from the agency
Current Federal employees with competitive status; Current and former Land Management employees who meet the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act; Veterans eligible under VEOA
Duties
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Laboratories and Scientific Services located in Sterling, VA..
This position starts at a salary of $117,962.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $153,354.00 (GS-13, Step 10) with promotion potential to $153,354.00 (GS-13 Step 10).
This position is within the Teleforensic Center (TC), Laboratories and Scientific Services (LSS), Operations Support Office (OS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The incumbent is responsible for conducting expert-level analyses and threat assessments of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) materials utilizing detection systems using data generated in the CBP national security and countermeasure programs, or other government and non-government systems and programs as required.
While serving as a Physical Scientist (CBRNE), your duties will include:

• Gathering and performing expert level analyses of scientific data, writing case reports for analyses; ensuring the accuracy and reliability of scientific data included in reports, applications, or other scientific documents; independently preparing reports on scientific/technical study findings;
• Advising DHS personnel and government or non-governmental personnel on threat and proper handling of suspect Weapons of Mass Destruction materials; and
• Serving as technical expert authority in one or more specialized areas of CBRNE or controlled substances, including interpenetrating of regulations and technical issues.

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 with Selective Service
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)
• You may be required to pass a background investigation
• CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures
• As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link.

Qualifications
Basic Requirement: You must provide supporting documentation in your application to show you meet the basic requirement below:
A. Degree: Physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.
OR
B.Combination of education and experienceEducation equivalent to one of the majors shown in "A" above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
AND
Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Serving as a technical advisor that provides 24/7 monitoring of CBRNE systems, and around-the-clock technical assistance to field officers to evaluate/triage detection alarms;
• Operating and maintaining several scientific instruments used to scan conveyances and cargo for the presence of radioactive materials, chemical/biological agents, explosives, and controlled substances;
• Gathering and performing advanced analyses of scientific data with minimal supervision; and
• Preparing reports on scientific/technical study findings; writings case reports for the analyses, and position papers on CBRNE subjects of general interest.

TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED. FAILURE TO PROVIDE TRANSCRIPTS WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF CONSIDERATION
NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.
Combining Education and Experience: To combine your education and experience, you must convert each to a percentage, and then add the percentages. The combined total of your percentage of education and experience must equal at least 100% in order to qualify. If your education is currently described in quarter hours, convert the quarter hours into semester hours by multiplying the quarter hours by the fraction 2/3. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, divide the number of graduate semester hours in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level, by 18. To determine your percentage of qualifying experience, you must divide your total number of months of qualifying experience by the required number of months of experience. Add your percentages of education and experience. The two percentages must total at least 100%.
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.
You must:

• Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
• Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 03/11/2024.

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.
Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information, review the following links: Background investigation and the e-QIP process.
Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

• Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
• A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
• Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
• Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.
Education
Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.

• Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable at this time; however, official copies will be required prior to entrance on duty) or a list of coursework with hours completed provided from the institution. Education must be from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education obtained from a foreign university or college is not creditable unless it has been evaluated by an organization that specializes in interpretation of education credentials. Note: If submitting documentation of an evaluation, transcripts are still required. For a listing of some accrediting agencies see www.naces.org. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.
• Your transcripts: All applicants are required to submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable at this time; however, official copies will be required prior to entrance on duty) or a list of coursework with hours completed provided from the institution. If you are a current CBP employee within the position series announced, transcripts will not be required at the time of application; however, education will be verified if you are selected and you may be required to submit transcripts at that time. Education must be from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education obtained from a foreign university or college is not creditable unless it has been evaluated by an organization that specializes in interpretation of education credentials. Note: If submitting documentation of an evaluation, transcripts are still required. For a listing of some accrediting agencies, please see www.naces.org. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.

Additional information
Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.
Additional Hiring and Special Appointing Authorities: See "THIS JOB IS OPEN TO" section above for what additional Appointing Authorities may apply. Veterans, military spouses, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and people 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 and to understand what documentation would be required with your application, please click on the appropriate link below. You must provide documentation supporting your eligibility prior to the closing date of this announcement. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, please contact the CBP Hiring Center via the contact information listed at the end of this job opportunity announcement.

• Veterans
• Military spouses Effective until December 31, 2028, any spouse of a member on active duty may be eligible
• Individuals with Disabilities The proof of disability documentation must specify that you are eligible to apply using Schedule A. It does NOT need to detail your specific disability, medical history or need for accommodation. For more information visit this link.
• Peace Corps and VISTA
• Land Management Hiring Flexibility Act: The following documents are required at the time of application: SF-50s to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility requirements and the most recent performance rating signed by your supervisor or a statement from your supervisor documenting acceptable performance.
• Other miscellaneous hiring authorities

Positions with known promotion potential do not guarantee promotion, nor is the promise of promotion implied.
DHS uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.
The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to includ...