Physical Scientist; General

Organizational

Location:

This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Operations Support, Office of Laboratories and Scientific Services, located in Guaynabo, PR;
Donna, TX;
Memphis, TN;
Anchorage, AK;
Otay, CA;
Long Beach, CA; and Newark, NJ.

The open period for this job opportunity announcement may be extended to allow for a sufficient applicant pool.

You qualify for this position if you meet the basic requirement listed above and possess one year of specialized experience or substitution of education, if applicable, as described below.

You qualify for the GS-07 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Writing reports on analyses;
• Receiving samples submitted for analyses; and
• Reviewing background material, performing preliminary examination and results.

You qualify for the GS-09 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Providing advice to employees on sampling and sample storage procedures, analytical methodology, instrumentation validation, application and troubleshooting, and problems associated with analyzing samples as well as solutions;
• Writing management briefs and significant event reports; and
• Developing identity, grade, and composition of sample.

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.

• Successful completion of one year of full-time graduate education from an accredited college or university may substitute for the experience required at this level. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 18 semester or 27 quarter hours.

• A bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) may also substitute for the experience required. It is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average (i.e., GPA 3.0 or higher of a possible 4.0, excluding pass/fail credits. Pass/fail credits cannot be more than 10% of total credits), or (3) honor society membership. Review Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) to see if you qualify under this provision.
  
  Please see (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). for additional information.

Two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for experience required at this level. This education must demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise two years of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 36 semester or 54 quarter hours.

When combining education with experience, first determine the applicant's total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then determine the applicant's experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.

More information on this qualification standard is located here.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri Corps) 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 09/01/2026.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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