Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau

**Entry or Mid-Level Chemist Location**: Beltsville, MD

**Client**: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau; Scientific Services Division

**Clearance**: Public Trust; Must be willing to undergo a federal background investigation

The Scientific Services Division (SSD) is responsible for supporting the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) for the purposes of tax collection and consumer protection. The division has two branches: Beverage Alcohol Branch (BAB) and Nonbeverage Alcohol and Tobacco Branch (NATB). Both branches are located in Beltsville, Maryland. The duties would include the evaluation of products and formulas of the regulated commodities. Current tasks performed by the laboratories may include, but are not limited to:

- Classifying and/or analyzing products/formulas to collect the revenue and protect the public
- Analyzing samples/formulas using established processes or methods
- Providing technical support for field investigations including the illicit sale, production and distribution of alcohol or tobacco products
- Supporting product safety investigations
- Adhering to the division's ISO 17025 accreditation requirements

**The contractor performs services that include but are not limited to the following**:

- Provide status of projects or samples analysis on an agreed timeframe.
- Independently perform routine analyses on regulated products using analytical chemistry techniques such as gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, atomic absorption, titrimetry, densitometer and various wet chemistry. This includes operation, calibration, and acquiring data using analytical equipment.
- Assist chemists on method development project activities such as preparing standards, reagents and extracting samples, collecting data, etc.
- Enter results of analyses using Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) database and draft summary conclusions
- Review formulations of products using our Formulas Online (FONL) database
- Follow all laboratory ISO 17025 accreditation and safety procedures
- Dispose of samples and chemicals using established protocols
- Adhere to the laboratory Chain of Custody procedures for investigative and enforcement samples/documents, where applicable
- Perform other routine and non-routine duties as assigned by management or team lead

**Minimum Requirements**
- 4-year degree in an accredited college or university leading to bachelors or higher degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or basic science that included at least 30 semester hours in chemistry
- Superior computer skills, especially, have experience in use of laboratory databases
- Ability to clearly and concisely express ideas and facts, both orally and in writing
- Knowledge of safety practices standard for chemical laboratories
- At least one (1) year experience in operation, calibration and data collection using analytical equipment such as Gas and Liquid chromatographs, Mass Spectrometers, and other common spectroscopic and photometric instruments.
- Expertise in alcohol beverage and/or food analyses is highly desirable
- Knowledge of the theories and practices of the organic, inorganic, and analytical branches of chemistry
- Skill in calibrating and operating the instruments necessary to analyze samples