Duties

Summary

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Responsibilities

As the Senior Research Scientist for Chemistry, the incumbent of this position will serve as an internationally recognized authority, consultant, and advisor to the executive management and the scientific and technical personnel for Army Futures Command, other Army, other government agencies, and academic and industry partners, on general research problems related to chemistry, especially the interfacial and surface sciences. The Senior Research Scientist for Chemistry is assigned to the Research and Technology (R&T) Directorate, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (CCDC CBC). The Senior Research Scientist for Chemistry will plan, lead, and conduct cutting edge research associated with the detection and identification of chemical and biological threats. Additionally, the incumbent will lead research efforts in hardware and software developments to improve existing systems and to better acquire, collate and analyze data generated by these systems. The incumbent may have a specialty in optical spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, molecular modeling or other areas of advanced chemistry, but not limited to those areas, and may have interests in these technologies and chemistry at the emerging interface between chemistry and biology. Maintains continuing contact with other government agencies, the academic community and private industry to stay abreast of the latest scientific and engineering developments and foster technology transfer. The incumbent's stature in the field of chemistry will provide the CCDC Chemical Biological Center access to leading researchers in government, academic and industrial organizations and will facilitate the establishment of internationally recognized advisory panels and the organization of peer-reviewed scientific symposia. Briefings by the incumbent to military, legislative and other government executives would inform them of the CCDC CBC's progress and enlist their support. The incumbent's efforts will be designed to develop and sustain a chemical biological (CB) defense capability of the highest caliber. Reports to the Director Research and Technology, SES Tier 1, who outlines policy concepts and overall program objectives.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
00

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
You must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.
Designated and/or Random Drug Testing required.
Please read the vacancy announcement in its entirety before applying.
You must be able to obtain/maintain a Top Secret Clearance with SCI access.
This position requires a minimum of Graduate Degree, preferably Ph.D.

Other Requirements:

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• Two year trial/probationary period may be required.
• Appointment is subject to the completion of a favorable suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a background investigation.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.

Qualifications

Position requires substantial experience and significant scientific contributions related to the scientific disciplines and topic areas described in this position description. Incumbent demonstrates ability to think about issues creatively and with a practical view for applicability to inform policy, programs, and operational needs. Scientific achievements have demonstrated innovation and potential for maturation through applied and advanced technology research. Incumbent has peer-reviewed publications, invited presentations, and held positions with status in DoD/national/international scientific/professional organizations and societies.

Incumbent demonstrates expertise as an independent principal investigator/researcher, leading complex programs of research, scientific leadership/mentoring of other scientist, and close collaboration with scientists of various disciplines within DoD, academia, and industry.

In order to qualify, you must meet the 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 .

1. Specialized Experience is experience closely related to, the field in which the candidate will work. Experience must have been sufficiently specialized to ensure adequate familiarity with the area of specialization, be both nationally and internationally recognized as an authority within the scientific and engineering community, or have direct application in the area for which the applicant is being considered.

2. Technical Qualification (TQ). (Mandatory Submission) A supplemental statement must be submitted separately addressing this TQ. TQ must provide specific examples that address relevant experience end accomplishments. Failure to meet or address the mandatory Technical Qualification automatically disqualifies an applicant from consideration: TQ write up should not exceed 2 pages. Applicants must reflect superior technical qualification demonstrated through leadership and management in the following:

Proven experience in leading innovative discoveries focused in the general area of chemistry for defense against and the study of chemical, biological, and/or explosive threats.

3. Senior Professional Qualifications (SPQ) (Mandatory Submission)
A supplemental statement must be submitted separately addressing both Senior Professional Qualifications. Applicants must provide specific examples that address relevant experience end accomplishments. Failure to meet or address the mandatory Scientific Professional Technical Qualification automatically disqualifies an applicant from consideration. Limit your responses to 1 page per SPQ.

SPQ 1. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with key management, professional and scientific personnel; advise and consult on scientific and technological programs and problems; and, serve as an effective spokesperson for the organization both nationally and internationally..
and
SPQ 2. Stature in the profession as indicated by memberships and activity in professional and scientific societies, honors, awards, and other recognition and leadership in national and international scientific communities. Contributions and professional reputation as evidenced by citations, patents, and/or publications which advance knowledge in the field.

Education

Possession of a Graduate Degree (preferably Ph.D. or equivalent experience) in one of the following disciplines:

1320: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/chemistry-series-1320/

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/ usnei /us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• Drug Testing: You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test before you can be appointed into this position.
• Financial Disclosure: The individual selected will be required to file an 'Executive Branch Personnel Financial Disclosure Report' (OGE-278) in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
• Suitability: If selected, the Army will ask you to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. The Army will also ask you to sign and certify the accuracy of all the information in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired, you may be fired after you begin work, or you may be fined or jailed.
• Nature of Appointment: Individual is given a Career appointment under the authority of 5 USC 3325 upon assuming the position.
• Political Recommendations: The Army is barred by 5 USC 3303 from accepting or considering political recommendations regarding appointment or any other personnel action; any violation of the bar on recommendations is a prohibited personnel action. The Army is obligated to take appropriate adverse action against employees who solicit, or Army officials who consider prohibited political recommendations.
• Veteran's Preference: By law Veteran's Preference does not apply to the Senior Professional Positions.
• False Statements: If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work, or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.
• Non Discrimination: All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, age, sex, sexual orientation, disabling condition, membership in an employee organization, or any other non-merit factors.
• Adverse Information Screening: Applicants proposed for selection are subject to inquiries as to any incidences of misconduct, malfeasance, neglect of duty, or the appearance there of information gained in this check will be considered in the approval decision.
• E-verify: If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" system. Federal Law requires DHS to use the E-Verify system to verify the employment eligibility of all new hires, and obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system as a condition of continued employment. The U.S. Department of Army is an E-Verify Participant.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your résumé and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your résumé and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

• Basis of Rating: The best qualified candidates will be distinguished from other applicants by an evaluation panel of senior professionals referencing the additional evaluation criteria.

Additional Evaluation Criteria:

1. MTQ: Proven experience in leading innovative discoveries focused in the general area of chemistry for defense against and the study of chemical, biological, and/or explosive threats.
2. SPQ 1: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with key management, professional and scientific personnel; advise and consult on scientific and technological programs and problems; and, serve as an effective spokesperson for the organization both nationally and internationally.
3. SPQ 2: Stature in the profession as indicated by memberships and activity in professional and scientific societies, honors, awards, and other recognition and leadership in national and international scientific communities. Contributions and professional reputation as evidenced by citations, patents, and/or publications which advance knowledge in the field.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk

Trust determination process
National security

Required Documents

Your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

1. Mandatory Submission: Submit a resume. Applications must contain ALL the following information:

• Vacancy Announcement Number - DA-19-HR-10555990
• Full name; email and mailing address; day and evening telephone numbers; Country of Citizenship; Highest Federal civilian grade held (give job series and dates held); and *Annuitant Status (Former federal civilian employees).
• Educational information including the name, city, and state of colleges or universities you attended.
• Information about your paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including: job title, duties and accomplishments, employer's name and address, duration of employment, and salary.
• Information about honors, awards, and special accomplishments; for example, publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership activities, public speaking, and performance awards. (Provide dates but do not send documents.).
• Job-related training courses (title and year); skills; for example, other languages, computer software/hardware; certificates and licenses (current only).

2. Mandatory Submission: Mandatory Technical Qualification (TQ) Statement addressing the TQ (Limit 2 pages)

TQ: Proven experience in leading innovative discoveries focused in the general area of chemistry for defense against and the study of chemical, biological, and/or explosive threats.

3. Mandatory Submission : Senior Professional Qualifications briefly addressing both factors (Limit 1 page per each factor)

(1). Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with key management, professional and scientific personnel; advise and consult on scientific and technological programs and problems; and, serve as an effective spokesperson for the organization both nationally and internationally.

AND

(2). Stature in the profession as indicated by memberships and activity in professional and scientific societies, honors, awards, and other recognition and leadership in national and international scientific communities. Contributions and professional reputation as evidenced by citations, patents, and/or publications which advance knowledge in the field.

4. Mandatory Submission: A letter of reference which addresses all of the "Additional Evaluation Criteria". You are responsible for ensuring the letter is received by the application deadline. The letter can be included as part of your application package.

5. Mandatory Submission : An unofficial copy of your transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) which includes semester hours and degree received. For more information, you may refer to the following U.S. Department of Education website: http:/ /www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

6. SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) - Current Federal employees should submit a copy of their latest personnel action. Former Federal employees should submit a copy of a personnel action documenting their career status.

NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.