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Posted: April 9, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Public Notice for Chemist (Direct Hire)

Federal Aviation Administration

Department of Transportation

Fresh

Location

Salary

$64,308 - $173,890

per year

Closes

April 8, 2027More DOT jobs →

GS-10 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $56,527 - $73,486

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-9. Advanced degree or significant experience.

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

Job Description

Summary

This job involves working as a chemist for the Federal Aviation Administration, focusing on chemical analysis and research to support aviation safety and programs, such as testing substances in biological samples using advanced lab techniques.

It suits someone with a strong background in chemistry who enjoys hands-on lab work, problem-solving in scientific studies, and contributing to aerospace projects.

Ideal candidates are detail-oriented scientists ready to advance from entry-level to senior roles in a government setting.

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering with at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, plus coursework in calculus and 6 hours in physics
  • Combination of education and equivalent experience acceptable for basic qualifications
  • For GS-10/12 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5/9, such as using LC/MS for drug extraction and analysis in biological fluids, or 3 years of graduate education leading to a Ph.D. in a related field
  • For GS-13 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-10/12, including producing authoritative reports, designing chemical testing programs, and applying lab safety procedures
  • For GS-14 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13, such as planning original chemistry studies, expert knowledge of chemical properties, and leading research projects
  • For GS-15 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-14, demonstrating mastery in conducting complex, innovative scientific studies in uncharted chemistry areas
  • U.S. citizenship and ability to pass background checks for federal employment

Full Job Description

Direct hiring authority for the 1320 series is being used to fill this position. Public Notices serve as a resume repository, and positions may or may not be filled from this announcement.

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/chemistry-series-1320/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Group-Standards in conjunction with the Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions: To view the complete qualification standard, applicants should reference the U.S.

Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Individual Occupational Requirements for the Chemistry Series (1320): 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) 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.

In addition to the above basic requirement(s): TO QUALIFY AT THE FV-H (FG/GS 10-12) LEVEL, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess one (1) year of Specialized Experience equivalent to the FV-G (FG/GS 5-9) level.

Specialized Experience* may include: Experience with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS); extraction/analysis of drugs in biological fluids and tissues; applying knowledge of analytical chemical principles, theories and practices sufficient to perform a full range of fundamental analysis and investigative responsibilities for aerospace/aviation programs.

OR 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree gained from an accredited college or university may be qualifying if it provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Education must be directly related to the position being filled.

TO QUALIFY AT THE FV-I (FG/GS-13) LEVEL, you must demonstrate in your application you possess one (1) year of Specialized Experience equivalent to the FV-H (FG/GS 10-12) level.

Specialized Experience* may include: Experience producing reports as a result of test and evaluation activities that are considered technically authoritative/sound; independently designing and carrying out chemical testing programs, projects, and studies; conducting analytical/evaluative methods and procedures; applying knowledge of chemical laboratory hazards and related safety procedures.

TO QUALIFY AT THE FV-J (FG/GS-14) LEVEL, you must demonstrate in your application you possess one (1) year of Specialized Experience equivalent to the FV-I (FG/GS-13) level.

Specialized Experience* may include: Experience planning, executing and reporting on original or ongoing studies in the field of chemistry requiring a fresh approach to resolve new problems; applying expert knowledge of analytical and evaluative methods plus thorough understanding of the composition, physical and chemical properties, molecular structure and chemical reactions of substances; and serving as a lead chemist on studies and research projects.

TO QUALIFY AT THE FV-K (FG/GS-15) LEVEL, you must demonstrate in your application you possess one (1) year of Specialized Experience equivalent to the FV-J (FG/GS-14) level.

Specialized experience* may include: Experience applying mastery of scientific methods to independently conduct and oversee complex special scientific studies in areas of chemistry where little knowledge has been assembled or in areas uncharted by previous work or theories.

*Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Applicants should provide examples of Specialized Experience in their Work History. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Major Duties:

Positions involve work that requires full professional education and training in the field of chemistry.

This includes research and/or investigation, analysis, and interpretation of the composition, molecular structure, and properties of substances, the transformations for which they undergo, and the amounts of matter and energy included in these transformations.

Performs investigation, analysis, and interpretation of the composition, physical and chemical properties, molecular structure and chemical reactions of substances; the prediction of transformation they undergo; and the amount of matter and energy included in these transformations.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 4/9/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 4/9/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: AAC-FAA-26-PUB NOT-98114