Chemist (Instrumentation)

Drug Enforcement Administration; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Drug Enforcement Administration is seeking a subject matter expert and technical leader in laboratory instrumentation for illicit drug analysis. The role focuses on organic and synthetic chemistry, structural elucidation, and producing reports for forensic, intelligence, and enforcement communities.

Applicants must meet basic qualification requirements and may qualify through education or education plus experience.

Qualifications

• Degree or combination of education and experience as required by the vacancy.
• Specialized experience in organic/synthetic chemistry and structural elucidation is required.

Responsibilities

• Conceiving, planning, coordinating, and executing basic and applied investigations in organic/synthetic chemistry and structural elucidation.
• Preparing reports, manuscripts, presentations and lectures based on research results.

Skills

Organic chemistry

Synthetic chemistry

Structural elucidation

Reports & presentations

Education

Chemistry/physical sciences degree with calculus & physics

Education+experience combination per standards

Job description

This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Operational Support Division, Office of Forensic Sciences, Special Testing and Research Laboratory. This position(s) primary purpose is to serves as an agency and international subject matter expert and technical leader in the application and development of laboratory instrumentation for the analysis of illicit drug materials to elicit critical information used by the forensic, intelligence, and enforcement communities.

For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility

Applicants must meet the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of the announcement. If you are qualifying based on education or if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcripts with your application.

Basic Qualification Requirements:

1. 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

1. 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.

Applicants applying for the GS-1320-14 must meet one of the following requirements:

Have at least one full year of qualifying specialized experience that is at least equivalent in difficulty and complexity to work performed at the GS-13 grade level. Specialized 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.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate ALL of the tasks below:

1. Conceiving, planning, coordinating, and executing basic and applied scientific investigations in the fields of organic chemistry, synthetic chemistry, and structural elucidation
2. Preparing reports, scientific manuscripts, presentations and lectures based on his/her research results.
3. Serving as the agency's expert in the theory and practice of organic synthesis as it pertains to manufacture of illicit drugs and related substances.
4. Maintaining scientific liaison with scientists from other government laboratories, academia, and industry.

Applicants applying for the GS-1320-13 must meet one of the following requirements:

Have at least one full year of qualifying specialized experience that is at least equivalent in difficulty and complexity to work performed at the GS-12 grade level. Specialized 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.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate ALL of the tasks below:

1. Conceiving, planning, coordinating, and executing basic and applied scientific investigations in the fields of organic chemistry, synthetic chemistry, and structural elucidation
2. Preparing reports, scientific manuscripts, presentations and lectures based on his/her research results.
3. Serving as the agency's expert in the theory and practice of organic synthesis as it pertains to manufacture of illicit drugs and related substances.
4. Maintaining scientific liaison with scientists from other government laboratories, academia, and industry.

Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.

Time-In-Grade Requirement

Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements by the closing date of this announcement.