Chemist-Direct Hire
The Chemist will work in the Office of Science and Technology (OST) in the Forensic Science Laboratories. This position supports the mission of OST by providing highly technical and scientific services in support of the Bureau's primary law enforcement mission. Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) is a hiring authority granted by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to address critical hiring needs or severe candidate shortages
Major duties
The major duties of the Chemist position include, but are not limited to, the following: Use ATF and laboratory policies, regulations, standard approaches, and methods to perform routine chemistry specific (explosives or fire debris) examinations. Perform examinations, which usually require both wet chemistry and instrumental procedures such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, etc. Prepare laboratory reports stating results of analysis. Provide expert witness testimony on the basis of laboratory examinations. Work with senior examiners to evaluate new technology and scientific equipment for adoption or acquisition by Laboratory Services.
Qualifications
To qualify for the Chemist position at the GS-11 grade you must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirements: A. Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics. OR B. A combination of education and experience -- course work equivalent to a major as shown in A above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education. AND To qualify for this position at the GS-11, candidates must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09). Specialized experience is demonstrated experience, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Experience must be in the normal line of progression or must be related to the work of the position advertised and must be reflected in resume. Specialized experience must include all of the below: Using wet chemistry and chemical procedures (such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, etc.); AND Interpreting, evaluating and analyzing the results of analysis from chemical and instrumental examinations; AND Preparing laboratory reports on the activities conducted; AND Formal training or experience preparing for and providing expert witness testimony on the basis of laboratory examinations. OR EDUCATION: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating. See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume. After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required of you. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement (10/21/2026) to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.
Education
This position requires a degree in physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics. Please refer to the Qualifications section for full details. If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements, please see the statements below. Education must be reviewed and certified by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, in order for it to be creditable towards your qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from accredited institution. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
Requirements
The requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Must be U.S. Citizen or National Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file. May be required to serve a one-year probationary period. Pass drug screening and subject to random drug test. Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation.