Chemist

Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position?

Salary:
GS-07: $54,505 (Step 01) to $70,859 (Step 10).
GS-09: $66,670 (Step 01) to $86,670 (Step 10).

NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01 .

This job is open to

Duties

This announcement will be used to fill vacancies as they become available over the course of this open announcement (may be extended).

Initial consideration will be given to candidates whose applications have been received before the first cut-off date. Qualification requirements must be met for those applications submitted by the first cut-off date. This announcement has an initial cut-off date of March 26, 2024. Applications received after the initial cut-off date will only be referred for consideration when the initial group is exhausted and/or there are additional vacancies to fill.

Cut-off Dates:

March 26, 2024 April 26, 2024 May 28, 2024

As a Chemist within the USGS Water Mission Area, Laboratory and Analytical Services Division, some of your specific duties will include:

Tests and troubleshoots chemistry related tasks during sample preparation and analyses in accordance with Standard Operating procedures and technical guidance documents. Operates and troubleshoots equipment such as balances, pipettes, ovens, single or multiple analytes produced by one instrument. Processes routine complex mass spectrometry methods. Reviews data for adherence to the Quality Assurance/Quality Controls before completing the data package for secondary review and uploads them into the laboratory information management system (LIMS). Addresses corrections and provide additional documentation as requested to ensure the data packages are scientifically sound, traceable, fully documented, and defensible. The above duties are for the GS-09 level. For the lower grade levels, the selectee will perform a wide range of tasks described in the above duties, but at a lower level of work designed to further develop and refine the knowledge and skills of the individual. Assignments will typically combine productive work with on-going training and instruction. Supervision received at the lower level will be closer with oversight and review being provided more frequently.

Physical Demands: Work requires some physical exertion such as bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities. Laboratory work requires moderate physical ability and agility and dexterity to manipulate samples and operate equipment.

Work Environment: Work is performed the laboratory and desk space. The office is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The incumbent is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow workers, or property with which entrusted.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Key Requirements:

Applicants must be U.S. Citizens. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation. Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information. Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam. Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position? A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. Taking and passing a pre-employment medical examination at Federal expense is required due to the physical demands of this job. Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.

Qualifications

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT : Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Chemist, all grade levels.

A. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in 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 or the equivalent in physics. **OR B. A combination of education and experience-course work equivalent to a major as shown in "A" above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering), including at least 30 semester hours or the equivalent in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent of physics, plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above. (CLICK FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)

For GS-7:

In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-7 level:

**One (1) year of successfully completed graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or the equivalent) in chemistry or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled.

**OR Superior Academic Achievement based on undergraduate study. (CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT)

**OR one year of appropriate professional experience that is in or related to the duties of the position to be filled is qualifying if it is equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to at least the GS-5 level in the Federal service, and if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position the position.

Examples of GS-5 level experience could include performing and conducting limited chemical analysis, tests and physical measurements and performing calculations such as determining the concentration or the amount of a substance of a total sample based on analysis of a known portion of the sample.

**OR a combination of successfully completed graduate level education, as described above, and professional experience, as described above. (CLICK FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)

For GS-09:

In addition to the basic education requirement stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-09 level:

**Two (2) years of progressively higher level graduate education (36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours) leading to a master's degree in chemistry or other directly related field of study or master's or equivalent graduate degree in chemistry or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

**OR one year of appropriate professional experience in chemistry that is equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service. Examples of such experience may include performing relatively routine and limited chemical analyses and tests. This work experience would have involved following established methods and procedures, or detailed instructions; using some judgment in applying basic principles and procedures, and would have required a good general working knowledge of the principles and the theories of chemistry.

**OR a combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education as described above that is beyond the first year of graduate study and professional experience, as described above. (CLICK FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

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.

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