Supervisory Chemist (NWQL Chief)

Summary What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position? The Scientific, Technical, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) direct hire authority for Chemistry, GS-1320, is being used to fill this position. Salary: $159,806 (Step 01) to $191,900 (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01. Responsibilities As the Supervisory Chemist (National Water Quality Laboratory Chief) within the Water Mission Area (WMA), Laboratory and Analytical Services Division (LASD), some of your specific duties will include: Ensures excellence in the strategic and operational management of the National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) Analytical Services (AS) Section by providing oversight and leadership of scientific, technical, and policy processes to ensure continued excellence and delivery of fee-for-service water analyses supporting Water Enterprise (WMA and Water Science Centers) programs and projects. Develops the strategic vision for the laboratory in concert with the overall WMA strategic vision set forth by the Associate Director for Water Resources, Chief Operating Officer, and LASD Director. Performs a full range of supervisory duties including assigning, reviewing, and approving work for subordinates, monitoring performance, determining training needs, developing annual employee performance, and recommending and implementing disciplinary actions. Provide oversight and leadership to the Facilities and Login units at the NWQL by coordinating with other agencies and WMA Water Science Centers regarding issues, commitments, and matters that require senior management attention. Physical Demands: Work is sedentary in nature. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office and laboratory setting. Proper personal protective equipment such as goggles/safety glasses and gloves are required when entering laboratory area. Requirements Conditions of Employment Key Requirements: Applicants must be U.S. Citizens. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation. Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information. Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam. Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position? This vacancy is limited to the first 35 applications received and will close at midnight Eastern Time on the day this application limit is reached regardless of the closing date specified in this vacancy announcement. Any application received prior to midnight Eastern Time of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered. You are strongly encouraged to submit all required supporting documents at the time of application should the vacancy close earlier than stated in this announcement due to the applicant limit being reached. Supporting documents will not be accepted once the vacancy announcement closes. Taking and passing a pre-employment medical examination at Federal expense is required due to the physical demands of this job. Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment. Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued. A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicants successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system. Qualifications BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Chemist, all grade levels. A. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelors or higher 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 or the equivalent in physics. OR B. A combination of education and experience-course work equivalent to a major as shown in “A” above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering), including at least 30 semester hours or the equivalent in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent of physics, plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in “A” above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE) For GS-15: In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must have one year of appropriate professional experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 level in the Federal service. Examples of such experience could include: serving as a senior expert in laboratory and research roles, where developing technical problem definitions and methods is crucial for addressing controversial or complex issues; mastery of the laboratory accreditation standards process to ensure the production of traceable, defensible data of known and documented quality for stakeholders, often to meet regulatory requirements; act as a key expert for other scientists and program specialists, frequently addressing significant issues impacting water-related programs; developing and executing long-term strategic plans, making controversial decisions, and defending conclusions in public or high-level forums; or expertise in budget management, procurement of advanced equipment, and overseeing human resources operations. Evaluations and recommendations at this level are recognized as those of a technical authority in environmental science. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement. Education 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. Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs . Additional Information Other Information: Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position. Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. Agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position. USGS employees are subject to Title 43, USC Section 31(a) and may not: (a) have any personal, private, direct or indirect interest in lands or mineral wealth of lands under survey; (b) have any substantial personal, private, direct or indirect interests in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business with the United States; or (c) execute surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations. The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361. DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. The Department of the Interior (DOI) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide the Department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Agency Benefits: USGS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework in accordance with the DOI Telework policy and with supervisor approval. The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis. For additional information on our internal telework policy, please reference the Department of the Interior Telework Handbook at: https://www.doi.gov/telework/policies. Working for the U.S. Geological Survey offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; health, life, dental, vision, and long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.