Supervisory Physical Scientist (Branch Chief)

About the opportunity

The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Laboratories and Scientific Services (LSS), is seeking a Supervisory Physical Scientist (Branch Chief). Joining LSS enables you to supervise and direct employees executing a full range of duties in physical, chemical, biological, microscopic, and forensic analyses. Responsibilities include planning and assigning work, setting priorities, preparing work schedules, making technical decisions based on agency objectives, and providing expert technical advice to higher-level CBP leadership on chemical/physical testing and forensic investigations.

Salary and benefits

• Annual base salary ranging from $106,437 to $138,370 (GS-13, Step 1 to Step 10), subject to applicable locality pay adjustments or special pay rates
• Comprehensive federal healthcare coverage including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance
• Federal retirement pension plan and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with agency matching
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid annual personal leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays
• Potential additional benefits including flexible work schedules, tuition reimbursement, transportation subsidies, health and wellness programs, and disabled veteran leave (for eligible veterans with 30%+ disability rating)

Who can apply?

• Must be a United States citizen
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service
• Must meet the primary U.S. residency requirement: physically resided in the United States or its protectorates for at least three of the last five years (exceptions available for military, federal civilian service, authorized dependents, study abroad, or U.S. government contract/volunteer work)
• Must hold a degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that includes at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science (such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics), OR possess an equivalent combination of qualifying education and experience
• Must have at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the federal service, such as conducting complex physical science research, designing experiments, implementing scientific methodologies, managing concurrent projects, and communicating technical findings
• Current federal employees must meet the Time-in-Grade requirement of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level by the closing date
• Must successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation and pre-employment drug screening under the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan
• All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English

Required documents

• Resume in English (maximum 2 pages; applications with resumes over two pages will be rejected) detailing work history, dates (MM/DD/YY), hours per week, duties, series, grade, and salary
• College transcripts (unofficial acceptable at application; official required prior to entry on duty; foreign degrees require accredited credential evaluations)
• Completed responses to the online questionnaire and USA Hire Competency Based Assessments
• Current and former federal employees: most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing competitive status (Tenure 1 or 2, Position Occupied 1), highest permanent grade held, and proof of time-in-grade
• Former federal employees separated >52 weeks: most recent performance rating of record (at least fully successful) or supervisor letter
• Veterans / Military: DD-214 (Member Copy 4), VA disability letter, SF-15, or active duty statement of service (if applicable)
• CTAP/ICTAP/RPL documentation (separation notice, SF-50, and performance rating, if claiming priority selection)
• Reasonable accommodation request documentation (if applicable for USA Hire assessments)
• Schedule A disability proof letter (if applicable)
• Political appointees: initial and termination SF-50s (if held within the last 5 years)

When to apply

• Application opening date: August 27, 2026
• Application closing deadline: September 2, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, OR upon receipt of the first 100 applications, whichever occurs first
• USA Hire Competency Based Assessments must be completed within 48 hours of receipt of the assessment link / closing of the announcement

How to apply

• Review the full vacancy announcement and verify all minimum qualifications and documentation requirements
• Click 'Apply Online' on USAJOBS to access the application system
• Complete the online occupational questionnaire and attach all required supporting documents (ensure the resume is 2 pages or fewer in PDF format)
• Submit your application before 11:59 PM Eastern Time on September 2, 2026, or before the 100-applicant cap is reached
• Check your email and USAJOBS application status for the USA Hire assessment link and complete the online supervisory assessment within 48 hours (allocate approximately 3 hours to complete)

Additional information

• Duty locations available: Detroit, Michigan; Queens, New York; Guaynabo, Puerto Rico; Donna, Texas; and Laredo, Texas
• This position is not covered by a bargaining unit
• New federal employees must serve a one-year probationary period; newly appointed supervisors may be required to serve an 18-month supervisory probationary period
• Newly appointed first-time CBP supervisors must complete mandatory 3-week in-residence training in Harpers Ferry, WV, within the first 90 days (unless previously completed)
• Tentative job offers are expected within 60 days of announcement closure
• Candidates who opt in may have their referral materials shared with other DHS components for similar vacancies