Chemist, GS-1320-11/12 (38017)

US Army Corps of Engineers; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, seeks a Chemist (GS-1320-11/12) to specialize in the chemistry of toxic, hazardous and radioactive waste (HTRW) and support the district's radiological mission.

You will advise on sampling, testing and analysis, evaluate disposal techniques, and contribute to site cleanups under federal and state regulations. The position includes travel and compliance with safety and environmental standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in the physical/life sciences or engineering with 30 semester hours in chemistry and math through calculus, plus 6 semester hours of physics.
• Specialized experience at GS-11/12 level related to hazardous, toxic, or radioactive waste investigations and site cleanups.

Responsibilities

• Specializes in chemistry of hazardous, toxic, and radioactive waste (HTRW).
• Supports radiological mission and environmental safety investigations.
• Provides advice on sampling, testing, and analysis of waste and on QA practices in plans and cleanups.
• Recommends disposal or processing techniques compliant with federal and state laws.
• Analyzes site clean-up problems and offers chemical engineering guidance.
• Reviews designs and specifications for site cleanups to ensure QA standards.

Skills

Chemistry

Problem Solving

Oral Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering with 30 semester hours in chemistry, plus calculus and 6 semester hours of physics

Job description

USACE Organization

Great Lakes and Ohio River Division (LRD) - Buffalo District

Announcement Type

Direct-Hire Authority (DHA)

Position Type

Permanent

Locations (City, State)

Buffalo, NY

Position Overview/Duties

Serves as a specialist in the chemistry of toxic, hazardous and radioactive waste (HTRW). The position also supports the District's radiological mission and is responsible for the radiochemistry aspects of environmental health and safety investigations and studies.

POSITION

CHEMIST, GS-1320-11/12

• PERIOD OF ASSIGNMENT: PERMANENT
• DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT/DUTIES:
• Serves as a specialist in the chemistry of hazardous, toxic, and radioactive waste (HTRW) and supports the District’s mission in one or more of the following areas: PFAS, FUDS, FUSRAP, CERCLA/Superfund.
• Provides advice regarding site chemistry matters such as sampling, testing and analysis of waste including sampling techniques, quality assurance, in plans, specifications, and onsite cleanups.
• Recommends appropriate disposal or processing techniques of waste materials based on the chemistry of the waste and in compliance with all Federal and State laws and regulations.
• Analyzes and offers recommended solutions for site clean-up problems.
• Investigates, analyzes, and directs Architect-Engineer investigations of proposed site operations to determine the presence and concentration of toxic and hazardous chemicals.
• Reviews designs, plans, and specifications for toxic and hazardous waste site cleanups to ensure compliance with chemical sampling, testing and analysis quality assurance standards.

Other Conditions and Requirements

• APPLICABILITY/AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD, Section 9905 to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.
• WHO MAY APPLY: US Citizens
• APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS:
• Basic Requirement (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.):
• 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
• 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 requirement listed below:
• Experience Requirement:
• GS-11 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience performing duties such as: Performing investigation work involving conventional methods and techniques; Completing assignments that do not involve radical departures from past practices or require the development of new or innovative approaches, methods or techniques; Taking responsibility for conventional projects where existing guidelines, approaches, and techniques are adequate. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).
• GS-12 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience performing duties such as: Applying scientific expertise and analytical methodologies applicable to the hazardous and toxic waste contamination investigation programs; Providing technical direction, review, support in the areas of chemical, biological, toxic, and hazardous waste site field investigations, studies, and designs; Giving advice on sampling techniques, quality assurance and chemical engineering aspects of hazardous waste on plans, specifications and cleanups. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).
• Competencies needed for the position:
• Chemistry
• Problem Solving
• Oral Communication
• CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
• One-year probationary period may be required.
• This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 10% of the time.
• Appointment may be subject to suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation. Position is designated as Non-Sensitive-No access security clearance.

Other Essential Information

• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Nepotism: Under the provisions of 5 USC 3110, an individual may not be appointed into a position if the position is under the supervisory chain of command of a relative.
• This announcement may be used to fill like vacancies for three months after the closing date.
• This position MAY BE eligible for situational telework only, including emergency and OPM prescribed "Unscheduled Telework".
• All qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• This is a(n) CP-18-Construction, Engineering, Infrastructure Career Field position.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs MAY BE authorized.
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives MAY BE authorized (up to 25%). With a signed Service Agreement.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, are required to register for Selective Service prior to appointment.
• Applications must be submitted after 12:01 AM (EST) of the posted Job Posting Open Date and before 11:59 PM (EST) of the posted Job Posting Close Date to receive consideration.
• Point of contact for this announcement is Michelle Cala.

Your Resume

• Your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
• For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position.
• Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.
• If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor

To learn more, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity (https://www.eeoc.gov/federal-sector/federal-employees-job-applicants).

Qualifications - Candidates will be evaluated in accordance with OPM General Schedule (GS) Qualification Standards or Federal Wage System (FWS) Qualifications and Job Elements

GS Standards: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-stards/

Reasonable Accommodation

Reasonable accommodation is available to qualified employees with disabilities. You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application process, hiring process or while on the job. Requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.