Chemical Engineer Job

Vacancy No. QS-2025-0024 Department Federal Acquisition Service
Salary $90,968.00 to $145,468.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/8/2026 Close Date 1/23/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
San Francisco County, CALakewood, COWashington, DCAtlanta, GA
Chicago, ILBoston, MAKansas City, MONew York, NY
Philadelphia, PAFort Worth, TXTacoma, WA


Summary

As a Chemical Engineer, the incumbent provides professional chemical engineering support to acquisition and supply functions for assigned items. 

Location of position: Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), Office of General Supplies and Services (GSS), Supply Chain Operations Division (QSDD), Various locations. 

We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

This job is open to

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Land and base management

Current or former employees of a base management agency.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Military spouses

Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.

Individuals with disabilities

Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.

Family of overseas employees

Family members of a federal employee or uniformed service member who is or was, working overseas.

Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista

Individuals who have served at least 2 years with the Peace Corps or 1 year with AmeriCorps VISTA.

Special authorities

Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.

Clarification from the agency

Your application will be considered if you are a: Current career/career-conditional Federal employee in the competitive service; Reinstatement eligible; Special Appointing Authority eligible; ICTAP eligible; or OPM Interchange Agreement eligible.

Duties

Performing professional chemical engineering such as:

  • Research, evaluate, document, and assess customer product requests (and other functions/activities) to ensure chemical qualities, composition, and other similar elements of products meet customer requirements in terms of acquisition, transportation, storage, and delivery.
  • Perform technical evaluations and prepare technical support documents for specifications, standards, commercial item descriptions, item purchase descriptions, and qualified product lists, in GSA managed products to include but not limited to chemicals, cleaners of all types, disinfectants, insecticides, polishes and floor finishes for commercial or military applications.
  • Assists contracting officers during the procurement process by evaluating vendor product data for concurrence with item purchase description salient characteristics. Analyze requests from contractors for deviations from contract specifications to determine the impact on the function or service ability of an item and provide recommendations to the contracting officer.
  • Review complex engineering problems and provide recommendations to GSA management. Analyze characteristic data concerning new or improved commodities and new items proposed for inclusion in the GSA system.
  • Apply physical, chemical, and numerical analytical criteria such as pH, specific gravity, density, flash point, ratios and percentages. Apply hazardous material classification and make determinations as to product classifications such as flammable, oxidizing, corrosive and acute toxicity; read and interpret Safety Data Sheets for physical and chemical properties. 

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
  • Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
  • Register with the Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959
  • Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Current or Former Political Appointees:  The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non­Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
  • Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
  • Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
  • Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee. We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.
  • Must be or become hazmat certified for the transportation of regulated (hazardous) materials per 49 CFR, IMDG and IATA regulations within 90 days of being hired.

Qualifications

For each job on your resume, provide:

  • the exact dates you held each job (from month/year to month/year)
  • number of hours per week you worked (if part time).

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

For a brief video on creating a Federal resume, click here.

If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.

The GS-12 salary range starts at $90,968 per year and is dependent upon duty location.

If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.  

BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ENGINEERS: A Degree in professional engineering OR a combination of college-level education, training, and/or technical experience. For specifics on qualifying education and/or experience - use the following link: Basic Requirements for Engineer Positions.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:  
In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience applying chemical engineering principles, concepts, and practices in order to perform technical evaluations. Such experience must include two of the following:

  1. Determining chemical components used to assist with chemical analysis.

  2. Performing chemical testing to obtain solutions for process/production systems.

  3. Presenting chemical analysis reports to senior leadership.

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcript(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcements to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.  

Education

Note: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Applicants are encouraged to make their resume searchable in their USAJOBS.gov profile. This will allow Federal hiring specialists and hiring managers across agencies to find their resume as part of agency recruitment campaigns or staffing searches.

If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit GSA's webpage.

Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.

On a case-by-case basis, the following incentives may be approved:

  • Recruitment incentive if you are new to the federal government
  • Relocation incentive if you are a current federal employee
  • Credit toward vacation leave if you are new to the federal government

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

You will have access to many benefits including:

  • Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans)
  • Life insurance coverage with several options
  • Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year
  • Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan)
  • Flexible work schedules 
  • Transit and child care subsidies
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Long-term care insurance
  • Training and development

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.


A panel of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review the resumes of qualified candidates and assign a score for each of the five required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) based on the experience documented in the resume and narrative responses.

  1. Knowledge of engineering theories, concepts, principles, standards, and methods sufficient to provide advisory services in engineering analyses, documentation, investigations, and in the planning and/or design process.

  2. Skill in planning and conducting studies and reviews and developing technical documents such as site reviews, feasibility through final designs, and associated guidance criteria, procedures, and instructions.

  3. Skill in written and oral communications to provide clear and concise written and oral information relating to assigned program area, provide and/or prepare reports and data.

  4. Ability to develop new insights into situations and knowledge of new and emerging engineering methods and technology to apply when addressing chemical engineering problems and needs.

  5. Knowledge of principles, practical concepts and processes of other related chemical engineering and physical and biological/environmental science disciplines in order to ensure connection, contribution, or inclusion of the multiple disciplines involved in chemical engineering assignments.

Demonstration of these KSAs must be supported by your resume. Applicants should also make note of each KSA, as you will be asked to address them later in the application process.

Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume so that information will be taken into consideration during the selection process.  If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

If you are eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) or GSA’s Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), your resume must clearly demonstrate experience in at least 3 of the 5 required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) to receive priority consideration.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.

Resume: Your resume should not exceed 2 pages and must demonstrate the specialized experience related to the position for which you are applying. Resumes exceeding two pages will not be accepted by USAJOBS and will prevent your application from moving forward in the hiring process.  Your resume must contain the following information:

  • Name, address, telephone number, email address;

  • Job Title (if Federal Service, provide series and grade; if not in GS plan, provide GS equivalent grade);

  • Relevant work experience—should include employer name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and descriptions that explain how you meet the required qualifications in the job announcement.

  • Education, certifications or licensures—If the job announcement requires any education, certifications or licensures, make sure to include the required information and any required documents like transcripts.

Your resume should contain enough information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic, general, or specialized experience requirements for each grade level you are applying. This information must be clearly identified in your resume. If you do not provide enough information for us to determine your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible.

Note: If required to submit an SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action), an equivalent agency Notice of Personnel Action form is acceptable. Such document(s) must show all of the following: effective date, position, title, series, grade, and rate of basic pay, tenure group 1 (career) or 2 (career-conditional), position occupied group, and name of agency. If you are a GSA employee (except in the OIG), you are not required to submit an SF-50.

If you are a 30% or more disabled veteran or qualified spouse, widow/widower, or parent:  

(a) Copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 that shows your type of discharge and the dates of your active duty service.

(b) If you are a disabled veteran, or qualified spouse, or widow/widower, or parent of a veteran, submit both of the following in addition to the DD-214: (1) completed SF-15 form; and (2) proof of your entitlement (refer to SF-15 for complete list). 

If you are active duty military- Certification on a letterhead from your military branch that includes your rank, character of service (must be under honorable conditions) & military service dates including discharge/release date (must be no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted).

If you are a current Federal employee or Reinstatement Eligible: Submit your latest SF-50.

If you are eligible under an Interchange Agreement: Submit your latest SF-50.

If you are a former Peace Corp or VISTA volunteer: Submit your Description of Service.

If you are a current or former Land Management Agency Employee - Submit a and b:

     (a) one or more SF-50s, including your most recent one that shows you were on a competitive time-limited appointment(s) with a Land Management Agency and served on the appointment for a period(s) totaling more than 24 months without a break of 2 or more years.

     (b) Copy of your agency’s annual performance appraisal(s) or written reference(s) from a supervisor at the agency verifying satisfactory performance during your appointment(s).

If you have a disability: Submit proof of eligibility. For information on eligibility and required documentation, refer to USAJOBS’s People With Disabilities page.

If you are applying under another special appointment authority: Submit proof of your eligibility under the appropriate appointment authority. See See USAJOBS for more information..

If you are ICTAP/CTAP eligible - submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal.

Current or Former Political Appointees: Submit SF-50.

College transcripts: If you are using some or all of your college education to meet qualification requirements for this position, you must submit a copy of your college transcript(s). Transcripts MUST show: name of the institution, student's name, course work/degree(s) completed/conferred and dates. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. For education completed outside the United States, also submit a valid foreign credential evaluation that substantiates possession of the required education.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Submit a complete online application including any required documents prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You can modify or complete your application any time before the deadline. Simply return to USAJOBS, select the vacancy, and update your application.  For more detailed instructions on how to apply, click here: Apply for a GSA Job.

If you are having issues applying to this announcement, you should switch to a different browser, network or device. Note: Your firewall may block your transfer from USAJOBS to your GSA application. 

To begin, click the Apply Online button on the vacancy announcement.

  • Sign in or register on USAJobs and select a resume and documents to include in your application.
  • Resumes exceeding two pages will not be accepted by USAJOBS and will prevent your application from moving forward in the hiring process. Please see Required Documents for additional details.
  • Once you have clicked Apply for this position now, you will be taken to the GSA site to complete the application process.
  • Click the Apply To This Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the Confirmation indicates your application is complete. If you click Return to USAJobs or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this job.
  • Note: Review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online. You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer) or USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process).

Need Assistance? 

  • Questions or issues completing an application and/or submitting documentation - contact mgshelp@monster.com or 1-866-656-6831 Monday-Friday 7AM - 7PM EST, except for Federal holidays
  • Specific questions on the position - contact the HR representative (Monday-Friday during normal business hours) listed on the announcement, prior to the application deadline
You must receive HR approval before deviating from these instructions. 
Be sure to APPLY EARLY as most assessments must be completed fully and submitted before the announcement closing.

Agency contact information

Kevin Tyson
Phone
571-575-9160
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
kevin.tyson@gsa.gov
Address
GSA, Federal Acquisition Service
General Services Administration (GSA)
Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM)
1800 F Street NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20405
United States

Next steps

After the closing date/deadline:

  1. ELIGIBILITY/QUALIFICATIONS: Your application will be reviewed for all requirements.
  2. REFERRAL TO MANAGEMENT: If you meet all the requirements, you may be referred to management for review and a possible interview.
  3. SELECTION/TENTATIVE JOB OFFER: If you are selected, you will receive a tentative offer and start the suitability and/or security background investigation process.
  4. FINAL JOB OFFER: Once our security office determines you can come on board, you will be given a final offer, which is typically 40 days after the announcement closes.
  5. FINAL COMMUNICATION:  Once the position is filled, we will notify you of your status. You may also check your application status by logging into USAJOBS and clicking “Track this Application” on the Applicant Dashboard.

Thank you for your interest in working for U.S. General Services Administration!

Additional locations

Chicago, IL
1 vacancy
Boston, MA
1 vacancy
Kansas City, MO
1 vacancy
New York, NY
1 vacancy
Philadelphia, PA
1 vacancy
Fort Worth, TX
1 vacancy
Tacoma, WA
1 vacancy

Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.