Physical Scientist (IRMS)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Savannah (GA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Savannah, GA seeks a scientifically trained professional for a GS-13 analytical role focusing on isotopic analyses (TC/EA IRMS, EA IRMS, GC IRMS) across trade commodities.

You will interpret data, guide staff, and ensure compliance with background investigations and residency requirements. The position emphasizes analytical excellence and mentorship within a DHS agency.

Qualifications

• Degree or education combination meeting A/B requirements with 24 sem hours in physical science or engineering.
• Experience with isotopic analysis and interpretation of results.
• Ability to teach and guide journeyman scientists and personnel.
• Must meet residency requirements and undergo a background investigation.

Responsibilities

• Run, maintain, and troubleshoot TC/EA IRMS, EA IRMS, and GC IRMS instruments.
• Accurately measure carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and hydrogen isotopic ratios.
• Interpret data results and draw conclusions about origin of trade commodities.
• Teach and guide journeyman scientists in performance improvement of analytical skills.

Skills

Isotopic analysis

Data interpretation

Mentoring

Education

Physical science/Engineering/Math degree with 24 sem hrs in physical science or related engineering

Tools

TC/EA IRMS

EA IRMS

GC IRMS

Job description

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 Savannah, GA.

Basic Requirement: You qualify for this position if you meet the basic requirement listed above and possess the experience or substitution of education, if applicable, as described 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 experience: education 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:

• Running, maintaining, and troubleshooting high temperature conversion elemental analyzer (TC/EA) IRMS, combustion elemental analyzer (EA) IRMS, and gas chromatography (GC) IRMS instrument.
• Accurately measuring carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and hydrogen isotopic ratios across a range of matrices.
• Interpreting data results and drawing conclusions about the origin of a variety of trade commodities.
• Teaching and guiding journeyman scientists and other personnel in performance improvement of analytical skills.

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 10/21/2026.

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.