Chemist

Open & closing dates: 07/29/2025 to 08/05/2025

Salary: $41,355 to - $118,136 per year

Pay scale & grade: GS 5 - 12

Location: Normandy, MO Many vacancies in the following location:

Remote job: No

Telework eligible: Yes—as determined by the agency policy.

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.

Duties

• 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

• You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service registered or exempt from registration (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration).
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Must pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• If you are newly hired, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" system.
• If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
• Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 every Federal employee is required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of that employee's choosing.
• Should be able to read, speak, write, and effectively communicate in the English language.

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.