CHEMICAL ENGINEER - DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY

CHEMICAL ENGINEER - DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY

Department: Department of the Air Force

Location(s): Dahlgren, Virginia

Salary Range: $62668 - $158756 Per Year

Job Summary: Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to perform professional engineering/scientific work involving chemical processes to produce useful analytical products / systems.

Major Duties:

• DR-0893-01: Performs professional engineering/scientific work involving chemical processes to produce useful analytical products/ systems; and the use of mass, momentum, and energy transfers with thermodynamics and chemical kinetics for chemical/biochemical conversion processes in a developmental capacity. With minimal guidance, either individually or as part of a multi-disciplinary team, develops representations, constructs mathematical models, and performs targeting and effects assessment analysis of components, nodes, networks and systems of interest using engineering principles and established methodologies and models. This will be in support of routine to moderately complex operational problems within the assigned area, and the analysis is oftentimes based on structured and unstructured data sources that can be conflicting or incomplete. Prepares and/or presents supporting documentation to include responses to routine inquiries, reports, presentations, and/or other related documents to communicate and defend analytical approaches and findings. Maintains awareness of emerging technologies and professional developments to stay current in the field and for application to work assignments. With limited oversight from senior personnel, supports the improvement of existing or development of new analytic methods, models, techniques, and tools to improve analytical products through needs identification, requirement documentation, capability evaluation, and feedback generation. DR-0893-02: Performs professional engineering/scientific work involving chemical processes to produce useful analytical products/ systems; and the use of mass, momentum, and energy transfers with thermodynamics and chemical kinetics for chemical/ biochemical conversion processes. Performs complex, accurate, and technically rigorous model-based analysis of adversary components, nodes, networks and/or systems based on multiple structured and unstructured intelligence datasets to produce targeting solutions in support of joint planning and operational requirements. Develops representative network/system characterizations and mathematical models using appropriate methods to fill information shortfalls/ensure optimal depiction of real world. Identifies critical elements/vulnerabilities, prioritizes targets for engagement to meet specific objectives, and provides qualitative and/or quantitative estimations of effectiveness of recommended engagement options. Uses critical thinking and creative problem solving to adapt existing methods and tools and/or develop innovative approaches to improve ability to meet requirements/enhance operational utility. Leads, mentors, and performs complex assignments within a team environment to improve capability of a technology area or address command initiatives.

Qualifications: Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Individual Occupational Requirements for all Professional Engineering Positions, 0800 and the Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions. Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement. BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: To view the OPM Professional Engineering Positions, 0800 qualification standard, click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf To view general information on qualifying educational requirements and/or combination of education and specialized experience click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification- standards/#url=GS-PROF NOTE: YOU MUST SUBMIT COPIES OF YOUR OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: DR-0893-01 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-05, or equivalent in other pay systems. Specialized experience is professional engineering experience assisting with engineering and scientific work involving chemical processes utilized by industries and/or scientific technologies to produce products and/or systems. OR EDUCATION: Successfully completed 1 full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.-OR -Successfully completed a Bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement. Note: You must submit a copy of official transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Less than the full amount of specialized experience required AND have some graduate level education with a major or subject area related to the position to be filled. Note: You must submit a copy of official transcripts. DR-0893-02 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower grade DR-01 (GS-11), or equivalent in other pay systems. Specialized experience is professional engineering experience performing engineering and scientific work involving chemical processes utilized by industries and/or scientific technologies to produce products and/or systems. NOTE: Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement. COMPETENCIES: Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Problem Solving, Communication, Technology Management, Teamwork and Leadership IDEAL CANDIDATE: In addition to the specialized experience statements listed above, the ideal candidate would have the following skills and experience: -Highly skilled and experienced professional with a strong background in chemical engineering/science. -Proven ability to perform complex engineering/scientific work involving chemical processes, including the development of analytical products/systems. -Expertise in applying mass, momentum, and energy transfer principles alongside thermodynamics and chemical kinetics to optimize and innovate chemical/biochemical conversion processes. -Proven ability to apply knowledge of petroleum, oil, and gas networks and/or systems and perform modeling to predict system behavior. -Demonstrated ability to prepare, produce, and deliver timely, relevant, and technically accurate analytical products and recommendations to military customers. -Experience in exploring, developing, evaluating, and/or operationalizing new methodologies, technologies, or tools to enhance organizational capabilities in petroleum processing and transshipment. -Solid understanding of the functions and operations of oil and gas system processes and components. -Ability to analyze information, extrapolate where data is missing, make correct inferences and conclusions, and use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives. -Ability to operate and understand a process or fluid dynamics model. -Knowledge of Department of War military command structure, missions, and programs, national security issues, trends, and topics of interest. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

How to Apply: The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 02/13/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12861324 To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume. 2. A complete Application Questionnaire 3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. 4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here. Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (Includes current Air Force employees): You are required to submit legible copy/copies of your last or most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, (block 24 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a"1"). Additionally, if you are applying for a higher grade (GS) and your SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you meet the one year time-in-grade requirement so you will need to provide an SF-50 which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements (examples of appropriate SF-50s include Promotions, Within-grade Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s with an effective date more than one year old). OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS: Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees - Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. Awards for Current Federal Civilian employees - List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume. Note: Applicant must not submit award Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s). PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.

Application Deadline: 2026-02-13