Chemist, Kansas Water Science Center

As Chemist within the Kansas Water Science Center some of your specific duties will include:

Assists with calculating data files from instruments for further analysis and QA/QC, perform computations of data files from Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometers and prepare them for scientific interpretation, process raw data files from instruments, and fill out required paperwork and forms.
Prepares environmental samples for the analysis of organic contaminants. Prepares all reagents, solutions, and standards, including calibration standards, required for the analysis performed and multiple wet chemical sample preparation techniques.
Performs routine limited chemical analyses, tests, and physical measurements. Uses and maintains standard chemical laboratory equipment.
Assist with the procedures for preparation of writing standard operating procedures and reports and illustrations for publication. Writes minor portions of reports for review by higher grade professional personnel before inclusion in a final report

Physical Demands: The work involves prolonged standing, walking, bending, and lifting of equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring exposure to irritant chemicals. Special safety precautions, equipment and training are required. The chemist uses safety equipment such as radiation exposure badges, lab coats, safety glasses, fume hoods, and chemically resistant gloves. Incumbent may be required to undergo periodic medical examination such as complete physicals or respirator fitness test to monitor and protect his/her health.

Job Type: Staff
Application deadline: 08/08/2023
Organization: Department of the Interior - Kansas Water Science Center
Qualifications: In order to be eligible for an appointment under the Pathways Recent Graduate Program you must meet the following requirements: You must be a recent graduate who has completed, within the previous two years, an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution such as an accredited technical or vocational school; a 2- or 4-year college or university; a graduate or professional school (e.g., law school, medical school); or a post-secondary home school curriculum. Note: Certificate program is defined as post-secondary education in a qualifying educational institution equal to at least one academic year of full-time study that's part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum. Veterans who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty; however, eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed 6 years from the date on which the degree or certificate was obtained. The date of release or discharge from active duty should be later than the date the degree or certificate was obtained. Qualification Requirements For GS-05: BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Chemist, all grade levels. A. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in 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 or the equivalent in physics. **OR B. A combination of education and experience-course work equivalent to a major as shown in "A" above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering), including at least 30 semester hours or the equivalent in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent of physics, plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above. For GS-7: In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-7 level: **One year of successfully completed graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or the equivalent) in chemistry or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled. **OR Superior Academic Achievement based on undergraduate study. **OR one year of appropriate professional experience that is in or related to the duties of the position to be filled is qualifying if it is equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to at least the GS-5 level in the Federal service, and if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position the position. Examples of GS-5 level experience could include performing and conducting limited chemical analysis, tests and physical measurements and performing calculations such as determining the concentration or the amount of a substance of a total sample based on analysis of a known portion of the sample. **OR a combination of successfully completed graduate level education, as described above, and professional experience, as described above. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement. Education Education Requirements: 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, knowledge, and skills 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 completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs .
How to apply: Apply on website - https://www.usajobs.gov/job/736740100
Location: Lawrence, KS
Web address: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/736740100

Contact Information:
Selena Waterman
Kansas Water Science Center

+17036487449
swaterman@usgs.gov