Chemist-Direct Hire

Summary

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

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Duties

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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.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

The requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

1. Must be U.S. Citizen or National
2. Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
3. May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
4. Pass drug screening and subject to random drug test.
5. Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation.

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.

Additional information

This announcement is being advertised under an agency specific OR a government-wide Direct-Hire Authority approved by OPM for filling vacancies when a severe shortage or critical hiring need exists. Veterans Preference and other Category Rating procedures do not apply to this announcement. Applicants must meet all qualification requirements of the position. The hiring office may interview and select any qualified candidate of their choosing from the qualified pool. See OPM, Direct Hire Authority for more information.

Additional selections may be made from this announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations from ATF's Human Resources Operations Division. Please click on the following link to read important information. DOJ Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations

Career Transition Programs (CTAP or ICTAP): These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:

1. Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria;
2. Be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and
3. Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.

Probationary Period: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

1) your performance and conduct;

2) the needs and interests of the agency;

3) whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and

4) whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.

Reasonable Accommodation:ATF provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the job application and hiring process, and you meet the eligibility requirements listed above, please notify the human resources specialist listed on the vacancy announcement, or contact the ATF's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at [click to reveal phone number](202) 648-8760 or send an email to [click to reveal email address]reasonableaccommodations@atf.gov. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation is handled on a case-by-case basis.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.