Physical Scientist (Forensics)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 106,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) invites applications for a Physical Scientist in the Office of Laboratories and Scientific Services.

The role involves performing advanced physical, chemical, and forensic analyses on evidentiary materials across multiple CBP laboratories in San Diego, San Francisco, New Orleans, Miami, Ashburn, and Long Beach. You will develop and validate forensic methods, provide expert analysis, and support policy and procedural enhancements ensuring compliance with

Qualifications

• Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics with 24 semester hours in physical science/engineering.
• OR education/experience combination with 24 semester hours in physical science and related engineering science.
• 1 year of specialized experience at GS-12 level or equivalent is required.

Responsibilities

• Perform extremely difficult physical, chemical, and forensic analyses on evidentiary items.
• Develop forensic methods, procedures, and quality practices to support operations.
• Provide expert forensic consultation and technical support to agency officials and partners.

Education

Physical science, engineering, or mathematics degree including 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science

Job description

Summary

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 San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; New Orleans, LA; Miami, FL; Ashburn, VA; and Long Beach, CA.

Duties

CBP employees demonstrate the highest level of commitment to protect and serve the United States of America and to exemplify the CBP Core Values of Vigilance, Service to Country and Integrity. Learn more about CBP's mission, core values and careers at https://www.cbp.gov/about As a Physical Scientist you will perform a full range of extremely difficult physical, chemical, and forensic analyses on evidentiary items seized and/or submitted to the regional and/or field laboratory. You will be a delegated authority to serve as an expert in forensic examinations and are given a wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgement. This position starts at a salary of $106,437.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $138,370.00 (GS-13, Step 10). Develops and recommends forensic methods, procedures, policy recommendations, and long-range proposals to support LSS forensic operations, including complex physical, chemical, friction ridge, and related forensic examinations. Plans, develops, implements, and monitors laboratory procedures, technical requirements, and quality practices to support effective forensic, scientific, and technical services in fixed and field laboratory settings. Provides scientific review and technical analysis of forensic policies, procedures, and proposed changes to ensure technical uniformity, legal sufficiency, field operability, and consistency with LSS quality requirements, ANAB accreditation, and ISO/IEC 17025 standards. Provides expert forensic consultation and technical support to agency officials and investigative partners, including review of forensic methods, evidence handling procedures, examination results, and related technical documentation, as authorized and within the scope of LSS responsibilities.

Requiremennts

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) All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English 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. 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. Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Treasury Employees Unions - NTEU. For local chapter contact information see Chapter Websites - National Treasury Employees Union - NTEU. Security Clearance: You are required to obtain a Secret or higher level clearance for this position.

Qualifications

Basic Requirement: You must provide supporting documentation in your application to show you meet the basic requirement below. 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 Combination of education and experience: Education equivalent to one of the majors listed above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.ANDExperience: 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: Preparing, communicating, and reporting examination results and conclusions and illustrative exhibits for court use; Serving as a subject matter expert in federal and other court systems to present evidence and testimony; Gathering, processing, and analyzing scientific and technical data and summarizing for strategic and operational decision-making; Planning, and organizing projects, programs, and initiatives, coordinating with staff and management; and Communicating conclusions. alternatives, and recommendations on national policies, programs, and studies. 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. 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 by 08/27/2026. 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 on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers 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.

Additional Information

The vacancy questionnaire includes four short, free-response essay questions. This provides an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13041654 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 CFR213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service‑connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR315.707. 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.

• 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.

Customs & Border Protection (CBP): Securing America's Borders The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS Components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws; safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS. Discover a challenging and rewarding career with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the sole organization responsible for securing the nation's borders. At CBP, we: Secure and facilitate trade and travel while enforcing hundreds of U.S. regulations, including immigration and drug laws Screen passengers, vehicles, and shipments entering our country Seize illegal narcotics, vehicles, and agricultural products and prohibited goods. Prevent unauthorized entry into the country Rescue individuals who fall into dangerous conditions traversing our border Connect with us: X: CBP, CBPJobs, CBPHRAsstComm LinkedIn: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Instagram: CBPJobs Facebook: CBP Jobs Threads: CBPJobs