Physical Scientist (Technical Advisor)

Full Job Description

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Laboratories and Scientific Services.

Positions available in Guaynabo, PR and Houston, TX. Additional selections may be made to include other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

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.

AND 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: Providing effective and efficient forensic, scientific and technical support to laboratory partners, customers and stakeholders.

Testing and determining analytical methods, instrumentation and equipment needs for the laboratory, evaluating new instruments and test technologies; and Providing scientific, technical and statistical counsel on technical training, sampling methods and verifications of test data.

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.

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; and Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 02/03/2026.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees.

If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

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.

For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers 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 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.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible.

View information about CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement.

To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. Major Duties:

In this position you will serve as a principal scientist with responsibility as the laboratory management's technical advisor on the scientific and technical activities of the CBP field laboratory.

Will serve as a subject matter expert in the specialties with the technical scope of forensics and trade commodities.

Independently develops application knowledge of analytical instrumentation and technological advancements in their specialty areas.

Troubleshoots operations and maintenance of laboratory instrumentation.

Identifies and solves the most difficult, complex, or novel assignments to develop identity, grade, and composition of samples and/or evidence, and information on origin, methods of manufacture, etc., using wet laboratory procedures or advanced instrumental analyses in the field of chemistry or other physical science.

This position starts at a salary of $125,776.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $163,514.00 (GS-14, Step 10) with promotion potential to $163,514 (GS-14 Step 10).

Typical duties include: Providing expertise covering the scope of forensics and trade commodities for scientific, technical and statistical counsel on quality related applications.

Representing on inter-agency policy committees, methods committees, scientific working groups, university liaisons, or meetings concerned with scientific or technical matters.

Overseeing comprehensive field laboratory scientific programs, including national forensic and trade enforcement focus and initiatives, and giving recommendations on technical decisions.

Monitoring and evaluating the delivery of services with development and implementation of recommendations for improvements.

Coordinating with supervisors on training and development of technical staff that include proficiency and competency, providing feedback on employee' work products.

Teaching and guiding scientists and other personnel in performance improvement of analytical skills. GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area.

If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table.

Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position. Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts.