Supervisory Physical Scientist

About the role

As a Supervisory Physical Scientist (Deputy Laboratory Director), you will provide senior-level scientific, operational, and managerial leadership for a CBP field laboratory, supporting the planning, direction, and execution of laboratory programs, resources, quality systems, and workforce operations. You will serve as a key advisor to the Laboratory Director and may act on their behalf to ensure continuity of laboratory operations and alignment with national scientific and technical priorities. This work directly supports CBP's mission by ensuring timely, accurate, and defensible scientific analysis that informs trade enforcement, interdiction, public safety, and border security operations.

Duties

• Providing continuity, assistance, and guidance to subject matter experts on readiness of chemical analyses, physical science tests, forensic examinations, and WMD detection
• Responding to and resolving technical and operational issues that result from chemical and physical scientific testing and analysis of merchandise and seizure evidence referred to the laboratory
• Managing technical and administrative activities and issues across internal organizational boundaries that requires communication, coordination and resolution by senior management

Qualifications

Basic Requirement: You qualify for this position if you meet the basic requirement listed below 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.

Experience

You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Overseeing the application of the LSS Quality Program within the field laboratory and through the local Quality Manager with familiarization of LSS Quality Program requirements and any accrediting body's supplemental requirements to serve as the laboratory's administrative coordinator
• Maintaining a high level of awareness for current technical, management, budgetary, human resource, and union issues
• Addressing complaints from employees and effecting disciplinary measures, such as warnings and reprimands, and other actions, when necessary
• Planning work for future requirements and actively pursuing ways to improve the efficiency and quality of the laboratory's product and services
• Coordinating with other field locations and the national office, and providing expertise in developing, implementing, and evaluating national programs, as requested

Pay

This position starts at a salary of $157,236.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $197,200.00 (GS-14, Step 10).

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
• As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. 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.
• DHS uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.
• Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.

Background Investigation and Residency

Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances.

Residency: 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 (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

• Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
• A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
• Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
• Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

Probationary Periods and Training

• Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.
• Supervisory Probationary Period: You may be required to serve an 18 month probationary period upon appointment.
• Leadership Training: All newly appointed first-time CBP Supervisors are required to complete mandatory training. The training will be scheduled by the Office of Training and Development within the first 90 days of appointment. The duration of the training will include 3 weeks of in residence training in Harpers Ferry, WV. Note: This training may be waived if previously completed.

Education

All applicants are required to submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable at this time; however, official copies will be required prior to entrance on duty) or a list of coursework with hours completed provided from the institution. If you are a current CBP employee within the position series announced, transcripts will not be required at the time of application; however, education will be verified if you are selected and you may be required to submit transcripts at that time. Education must be from an institution.

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