Physical Scientist (Forensics)

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 San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; New Orleans, LA; Miami, FL; Ashburn, VA; and Long Beach, CA.

About the role

CBP employees demonstrate the highest level of commitment to protect and serve the United States of America and to exemplify the CBP Core Values of Vigilance, Service to Country and Integrity. Learn more about CBP's mission, core values and careers.

Responsibilities

• Perform a full range of extremely difficult physical, chemical, and forensic analyses on evidentiary items seized and/or submitted to the regional and/or field laboratory.
• Serve as a delegated authority and expert in forensic examinations, exercising independent judgement.
• Develop and recommend forensic methods, procedures, policy recommendations, and long-range proposals to support LSS forensic operations, including complex physical, chemical, friction ridge, and related forensic examinations.
• Plan, develop, implement, and monitor laboratory procedures, technical requirements, and quality practices to support effective forensic, scientific, and technical services in fixed and field laboratory settings.
• Provide scientific review and technical analysis of forensic policies, procedures, and proposed changes to ensure technical uniformity, legal sufficiency, field operability, and consistency with LSS quality requirements, ANAB accreditation, and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
• Provide expert forensic consultation and technical support to agency officials and investigative partners, including review of forensic methods, evidence handling procedures, examination results, and related technical documentation.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below).
• All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English.
• 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 government ethics standards, including obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity.
• DHS uses E-Verify to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.
• This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).
• You are required to obtain a Secret or higher level clearance for this position.

Qualifications

Basic Requirement: You must provide supporting documentation in your application to show you meet the basic requirement below.

• 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
• Combination of education and experience: Education equivalent to one of the majors listed above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

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:

• Preparing, communicating, and reporting examination results and conclusions and illustrative exhibits for court use.
• Serving as a subject matter expert in federal and other court systems to present evidence and testimony.
• Gathering, processing, and analyzing scientific and technical data and summarizing for strategic and operational decision-making.
• Planning and organizing projects, programs, and initiatives, coordinating with staff and management.
• Communicating conclusions, alternatives, and recommendations on national policies, programs, and studies.

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). 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 08/27/2026.

Pay

This position starts at a salary of $106,437.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $138,370.00 (GS-13, Step 10).

Additional Information

• The vacancy questionnaire includes four short, free-response essay questions (200 words or less each). Responses are optional and not scored but provide an opportunity to highlight your dedication to public service.
• The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, and Disabled Veterans.
• All employees new to the federal government must serve a one-year probationary period.

Residency Requirement: 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 for at least three of the last five years. Exceptions may apply if you meet specific conditions (e.g., working for the U.S. Government, studying abroad, or supporting the U.S. government as a contractor).

Background Investigation: All applicants must undergo a thorough background investigation, including questions about criminal convictions, illegal drug use, and non-prescribed controlled substances.