Fresh Listing

Posted: March 9, 2026 (4 days ago)

This job was posted recently. Fresh listings typically have less competition.

Interdisciplinary - 0403 Microbiologist 1301 General Physical Scientist 1320 Chemistry

U.S. Army Forces Command

Department of the Army

Fresh

Location

Salary

$143,913 - $187,093

per year

Closes

March 13, 2026

GS-13 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $88,520 - $115,079

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-12. Expert-level knowledge in field.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves leading scientific analysis and oversight for programs dealing with chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives threats in a U.S. Army unit.

The role focuses on running lab investigations, developing methods for testing unknown samples, and ensuring projects stay on budget and schedule.

It's a great fit for experienced scientists with strong backgrounds in microbiology, chemistry, or physical sciences who enjoy working in high-stakes defense environments.

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in microbiology, biology, chemistry, physical science, or related field, with specific semester hours in relevant subjects (e.g., 20 hours in microbiology, 24 in physical sciences, or 30 in chemistry)
  • One year of specialized experience at GS-12 level or equivalent as a senior analytical scientist in chemical, biological, or physical lab analyses
  • Expert knowledge in scientific investigations of unknown samples, including advanced analytical instrumentation and data analysis techniques
  • Proficiency in developing protocols and methods for analytical equipment in chemistry, microbiology, or air monitoring
  • Demonstrated experience with chemical and biological threats, laboratory operations, safety, and quality assurance
  • 52 weeks of federal service at GS-12 or equivalent within the last year (time-in-grade requirement)
  • U.S. citizenship

Full Job Description

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation using the DHA for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, (STEM) Positions, Cyber Security & Related Positions to recruit qualified candidates to competitive service positions.

About the Position: Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Analytical and Remediation Activity (CARA) is a subordinate unit of the 20th CBRNE Command which is a major subordinate command to US Army Western Hemisphere Command.

Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below.

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.

Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application.

Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Basic Requirement for Microbiologist Series, 0403: A.

Degree: microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent.

OR B.

Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Basic Requirement for General Physical Science Series, 1301: 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.

Basic Requirement for Chemistry Series, 1320: 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.

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.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level as a Senior analytical scientist in a laboratory conducting chemical or biological or physical analyses.

Expert knowledge dealing with scientific investigations of unknown samples, proficient in advanced analytical instrumentation and data analysis techniques associated with chemical and/or microbiology or air monitoring functional areas, independently developed protocols/methods for analytical equipment within their respective functional job series.

Demonstrable experience with Chemical Biological (CB) threats, laboratory operations, safety and quality assurance oversight.

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-13).

Major Duties:

  • Provide oversight to insure programs are executed in timely manner and within fiscal constraints.
  • Develop costs and schedules to ensure program goals are met.
  • Conduct analysis of short and long term goals to plan resources and project development.
  • Lead analytical and evaluative methods to plan, execute, conceptualize and define phases of system.
  • Provide technical assistance and advice to other agencies and military services.
  • Prioritize programs or resources to accomplish mission objectives.
  • Lead a team of multi-discipline individuals such as scientists, engineers and technicians in order to complete appropriate projects.
  • Manage complex technical programs or projects.

Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes

Browse Similar Jobs

Posted on USAJOBS: 3/9/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/10/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: SDSC269052711548