Physical Scientist (CBRNE)

About the role

The Physical Scientist (CBRNE) serves within the Laboratories and Scientific Services Directorate, conducting expert analyses and threat assessments of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive materials, and providing technical support for detection systems and field operations. This position directly supports the agency's mission by ensuring the scientific integrity of CBRNE detection and response activities that safeguard national security and public safety.

Responsibilities

• Conducting expert-level analyses and threat assessments of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) materials utilizing detection systems using data generated in the CBP national security and countermeasure programs, or other government and non-government systems and programs as required;
• Training DHS personnel and government or non-governmental personnel on the identification of precursor and dual use commodities that can be diverted to the production of Weapons of Mass Destruction;
• Gathering and performing advanced analyses of scientific data with minimal supervision, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of scientific data included in reports, applications, or other scientific documents.

Requirements

You may be required to pass a background investigation.

CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures.

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.

Qualifications

• 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
• GS-11 Experience: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
• Performing routine physical science work that deals with one or more of the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive (CBRNE) fields;
• Reviewing physical science methodologies and instrumentation policies to ensure procedures and accepted practices are being followed; and
• Preparing reports on scientific/technical findings.
• GS-12 Experience: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
• Operating and maintaining scientific instruments used to detect and/or identify the presence of radioactive materials, chemical/biological agents, and/or explosives;
• Performing advanced analyses of technical reports/studies to verify accuracy and reliability of the scientific data used in the reports and studies; and
• Preparing and/or delivering presentations to various audiences on scientific or technical data.

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.

Additional information

Security Clearance: You may be required to obtain and maintain Top Secret and Department of Energy Q clearance for this position.

Positions with known promotion potential do not guarantee promotion, nor is the promise of promotion implied.

Rotating shift work; Overtime may be required. Will be part of an on-call duty rotation to ensure continuity of operations.

Federal Emergency Response Official (FERO) position and is expected to report to (or remain at) the worksite in instances of emergency dismissal or closure situation, and cannot, in normal cases, telework.