Qualifications Reference: EMP-1.7. & OPM General Schedule Qualification Standards – IOR for 1320 job series in conjunction with group standards for professional & scientific positions.

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

Basic Requirements for all positions. A) Degree: 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 B) 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.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, applicants must also meet the qualification requirements listed below.

FV-H. Education. 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. OR Specialized Experience. At least one year (52 weeks) of specialized equivalent to the FV-G pay band (or FG/GS-5 thru 9 grade level or equivalents in other pay systems) that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position being filled. Examples may include but are not limited to: experience with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS); extraction/analysis of drugs in biological fluids and tissues; applying knowledge of analytical chemical principles, theories and practices sufficient to perform a full range of fundamental analysis and investigative responsibilities for aerospace/aviation programs.

FV-I. Specialized Experience. At least one year (52 weeks) of specialized equivalent to the FV-H pay band (or FG/GS-10-12 grade levels or equivalent in other pay systems) that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position being filled. Examples may include but are not limited to: producing reports as a result of test and evaluation activities that are considered technically authoritative/sound; independently designing and carrying out chemical testing programs, projects, and studies; conducted analytical/evaluative methods and procedures; applied knowledge of chemical laboratory hazards and related safety procedures.

FV-J. Specialized Experience. At least one year (52 weeks) of specialized equivalent to the FV-I pay band (or FG/GS-13 grade level or equivalent in other pay systems) that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position being filled. Examples include but are not limited to: planning, executing and reporting on original or ongoing studies in the field of chemistry requiring a fresh approach to resolve new problems; applying expert knowledge of analytical and evaluative methods plus thorough understanding of the composition, physical and chemical properties, molecular structure and chemical reactions of substances; experience serving as a lead chemist on studies and research projects.

FV-K. Specialized Experience. At least one year (52 weeks) of specialized equivalent to the FV-J pay band (or FG/GS-14 grade level or equivalent in other pay systems) that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position being filled. Examples include but are not limited to: applying mastery of scientific methods to independently conduct and oversee complex special scientific studies in areas of chemistry where little knowledge has been assembled or in areas uncharted by previous work or theories.