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Summary Serves as a chemist in a Chemistry Branch (CB) of the Laboratory Regulatory Operations (LRO), OPHS. Performs chemical analyses on official samples, as well as various tasks associated with the adaptation and validation of methods and test systems used in field laboratories in the analysis of meat and meat products, poultry and poultry products, egg, and Siluriformes products. The samples are submitted by various FSIS field personnel located throughout the United States. Responsibilities Plan and perform assigned chemical analyses on a variety of meat, poultry, egg product, and Siluriformes samples in a high-throughput diagnostic regulatory food testing laboratory. Independently perform analysis from start to finish. Includes the entire sample receipt and analysis process from sample login, preparation (e.g., homogenization such as blending and grinding), weighing, extraction, and instrumental/data analysis. Accurately reflects work performed daily on prescribed documents and within the electronic Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Prepare and maintain standards, solutions, and reagents necessary to perform assigned tasks. Apply ISO 17025 accredited quality assurance procedures to instruments, equipment, reagents, and standards. Interpret and evaluate results of your analysis and compare the results to pertinent agency regulations to determine whether samples are violative. Defend and/or explain your analysis and evaluation by completing a thorough justification to your supervisor and/or other OPHS officials. Assess and make recommendations to changes in standard operating procedures, when necessary, to better align broad guidelines specified under the ISO 17025 quality assurance program. Participate in the development and validation of new methods or technologies that are introduced by industry, public health partners, or other government agencies. Apply an in-depth understanding of the interrelationships between the analysis process and instruments/equipment used. Operate, troubleshoot, and repair various types of instrumentation used in the analysis process (GC, UHPLC, HPLC-MS/MS). Communicate with personnel from all segments of FSIS (field employees, technical service center employees, plant personnel, FSIS managers, and representatives from industry). Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements (including specialized experience and/or education) by the closing date of the announcement, as defined below: Qualifications: Applicants can qualify for the different grades based on specialized experience, education or a combination of specialized experience and education as outlined below. To qualify at the GS-5: Fully meet the basic education requirements described in the individual occupational requirements (IOR). To qualify at the GS-7: An applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade or its equivalent OR one year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement. To qualify based on specialized experience at the GS-7 grade, an applicant's experience must have met the following: Performing chemical analyses with guidance in a laboratory setting. Reviewing chemical data and preparing reports or documentation with guidance. Assisting in quality assurance or quality control activities under supervision. To qualify at the GS-9 grade: An applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-7 grade or its equivalent OR two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. To qualify based on specialized experience at the GS-9 grade, an applicant's experience must have met the following: Independently working with chemical substances, compounds, or analytes in a laboratory setting. Independently preparing detailed reports, including chromatographic data, on chemical analyses and making preliminary evaluations. Implementing quality assurance or quality control procedures and troubleshooting basic issues. To qualify at the GS-11 grade: An applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade or its equivalent OR 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. To qualify based on specialized experience at the GS-11 grade, an applicant's experience must have met the following: Independently performing complex chemical analyses, including multi-class, multi-residue, or complex matrix removal, and interpreting results in a regulatory or research laboratory setting. Independently preparing advanced reports, such as chromatographic data or regulatory limit comparisons, and presenting findings to internal or external stakeholders. Implementing quality assurance or quality control procedures and providing training to junior staff. To qualify at the GS-12 grade: An applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade or its equivalent. An applicant's experience must have met the following: Independently performing complex chemical analyses, including multi-class, multi-residue, and complex matrix removal, and interpreting results in a regulatory or research laboratory setting. Independently preparing advanced, such as chromatographic data and regulatory limit comparisons, reports and presenting findings to internal or external stakeholders. Leading the development and validation of new methods or technologies. Independently implementing quality assurance or quality control procedures and providing training to junior staff. 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 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 Individual Occupational Requirements, IOR Basic Requirements: 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 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. Additional information regarding Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) can be found here under 4f. Educational and Training Provisions or Requirements. If using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application as long as it includes: student name, school name, and enough information to validate qualifications (course names, prefixes, grades, semester or quarter credit hours, date degree was awarded, etc.). If selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. Verify accreditation here: Dept. of Education Accredited Schools. If any education was completed at a foreign institution, you must submit evidence that the institution was accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and is equivalent to U.S. education standards. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit NACES. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation. Additional Information Selectees may be eligible for Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual (CSALA). Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. This announcement may be used to fill additional like vacancies should any occur in the announced duty location(s). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact: USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. To see more information visit CHCO Council. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you will be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report. If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. More information on applying under special hiring authorities such as the Veteran's Recruitment Act (VRA), 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses and the Schedule A Hiring Authority for people with disabilities may be found on the USAJOBS - Special Authorities.