Physical Scientist (Recent Graduate)

Duties

This is an advanced trainee-level, professional position located in one of the field or forward operating laboratories within the Laboratories and Scientific Services (LSS), Operations Support Office (OS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The incumbent performs chemical, physical, biological, microscopic, and forensic analyses on samples of imported merchandise or seized materials submitted to the field or satellite laboratory. These samples are submitted, along with pertinent background information, in support of regulatory monitoring and enforcement activities. The incumbent will also provide general technical advice to CBP employees.

Recent college graduates who have, within the previous two years, completed a qualifying Bachelors or Graduate degree. Veterans who have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree and were unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree due to military service obligation of at least 4 years, may apply within two years of their discharge from uniformed service. This announcement will be utilized to fill positions through the College Graduate Hiring Authority.

This position starts at a salary of $50,460.00 (GS-07, Step 1) to $80,243.00 (GS-09, Step 10) with promotion potential to $115,213 (GS-12 Step 10).

While serving as a Physical Scientist (General), your duties will include:

• Receiving samples submitted for analyses, reviews background material, performs preliminary examination of the samples.
• Organizing and writing test reports and briefings, articulating technical findings, interpretations, and conclusions.
• Providing general advice to CBP employees on sampling and sample storage procedures.

Qualifications

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

1. 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

1. Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in 1 above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

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.

Specialized Experience:
GS-07 Experience: 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.

GS-09 Experience: 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.

GS-07 Education Substitution:

• 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.

or

• 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 www.opm.gov for additional information.

GS-09 Education Substitution: 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.

Combining Experience and Education: 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, AmeriCorps) 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 05/26/2026.