Chemist (Diversion Control Division)

Drug Enforcement Administration • Arlington, VA

26d

About The Position

This position is in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Office of Diversion Control Operations, Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section, Chemical Control Unit. The Chemist serves as a senior technical resource and provides leadership on scientific matters to the Diversion Control Program and Diversion Control Division.

The role involves working with scientists, public health and law enforcement officials, and other professionals nationally and internationally on priorities related to drugs of abuse and chemical diversion. The Chemist develops and coordinates scientific and technical information used to determine the Division’s positions on drug scheduling and chemical control, recommends policy changes, and prepares or reviews technical reports for scientific and technical accuracy. The position also evaluates processes and procedures under the Controlled Substances Act and its implementing regulations.

Applicants must meet the chemistry education requirements and specialized-experience requirements for the grade sought. The position requires U.S. citizenship, a background investigation, the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, and pre-appointment urinalysis and random drug testing. A probationary or trial period may apply.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Applicants must meet the chemistry education requirement: a degree in physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering including 30 semester hours of chemistry, mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics; or equivalent coursework plus appropriate experience or additional education.
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required.
• For GS-13, one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12, including serving as a chemistry technical advisor, analyzing substances, researching data to recommend policy changes, and preparing scientific technical reports.
• For GS-14, one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13, including serving as an authority in chemistry, organic chemistry, drug scheduling, or chemical control; interpreting and applying policies; recommending solutions to drug- or chemical-related public health or safety threats; and defending agency policies.
• Meet applicable time-in-grade and time-after-competitive-appointment requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Pass a background investigation and be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Submit to pre-appointment urinalysis and be subject to random drug testing.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Submit transcripts or other required documentation when claiming education as part of the qualifications.
• Foreign education must be supported by evidence that it is comparable to education from an accredited U.S. institution.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and technical guidance on scientific matters to the Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section and Diversion Control Division.
• Maintain liaison with national and international scientific, public health, law enforcement, and other professional communities on priorities involving drugs of abuse and chemical diversion.
• Develop, advise on, and coordinate drug-abuse, chemical-diversion, and scientific data to inform the Division’s positions on drug scheduling and chemical control.
• Recommend policy changes for domestic and international purposes, as appropriate.
• Prepare technical reports and review internal and external reports for scientific and technical accuracy.
• Evaluate processes and procedures under the Controlled Substances Act and its implementing regulations using scientific knowledge and skills.
• Depending on grade, provide chemistry expertise; analyze substances; research information to support policy recommendations; interpret and apply policies; recommend solutions to public health or safety threats; and defend agency policies to relevant stakeholders.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be considered and approved if the position is difficult to fill and funding is available.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior