Chief Science Officer

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

The Chief Science Officer (ST-1301-00) serves as the senior scientific advisor for CBP's Laboratories and Scientific Services, leading the development, evaluation, and implementation of scientific and technical advancements across physical, natural, and forensic sciences. The role provides expert guidance to senior leadership, oversees complex research initiatives, and ensures the standardization and quality of scientific operations. This position directly impacts the agency's mission by advancing scientific capabilities that support national security and enhance the effectiveness of CBP operations.

This position starts at a salary of $151,661.00 (ST-00) to $228,000.00 (ST-00)

In this position, you will become a key member of the Operations Support, Laboratories and Scientific Sciences. Typical work assignments include:

• Conducts complex research and development in scientific and technical advancements. Employs systematic and critical thinking to investigate innovative scientific theories and approaches, thereby expanding the capabilities within the organization and agency.
• Establishes technical objectives and characteristics for developing research concepts from design approaches. Plans, synthesizes, and constructs the mechanisms for conducting research within the organization. Designs project scopes, considering budget, safety, resources, and operational applications. Reviews and evaluates internal and external proposals and projects from academia, other government agencies, and private industries.
• Coordinates the formulation of research efforts and advises on the execution and monitoring of progress, with consideration for risk and ethical and legal implications. Develops standards and test plans to ensure the reliability of information, interpretation, and application.
• Advises and recommends approaches for the systematic standardization of operations. Reviews and assesses the development of performance criteria, test methods, and the application of standards to ensure the delivery of practical solutions. Assures the acceptability, applicability, quality, and standardization of solutions from design to delivery. Advances original Customs (trade) research and methods toward application and publication.

Non-Competitive Consideration:?You are considered a non-competitive applicant if you are on a permanent competitive service Senior Level (SL) or Scientific/Professional (ST) appointment; an individual with SL or ST reinstatement eligibility; or a current career Senior Executive Service (SES) member who has competitive service reinstatement eligibility (at any grade level) to any position in the competitive service. You may be considered non-competitively for appointment to this position if you meet the qualifications requirements. Proof of non-competitive eligibility is required with your application. Proof consists of a SF-50 showing career/career conditional status on an SL or ST appointment, or SES General or SES Career Reserved status and for SES members, SF-50 proof of previous employment showing career/career conditional status.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)
• All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English
• You may be required to pass a background investigation and/or polygraph
• CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures
• As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link.
• DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.
• Financial Disclosure is required.
• Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.

Time in grade requirements do not apply to ST positions.

ST employees acquire competitive status immediately upon appointment.

ST employees are not required to serve a probationary or trial period.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for the ST Chief Science Officer position if you possess at least 3 years of specialized experience in , or closely related to Laboratory Science, performing duties such as:

• Demonstrated executive-level experience providing scientific leadership and oversight of laboratory science programs that advance the organizational mission and national priorities. Proven ability to set strategic direction for scientific research, laboratory operations, and the integration of emerging technologies to enhance analytical capabilities and support evidence-based decision-making.
• Extensive experience overseeing complex laboratory networks, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, accreditation standards, and quality assurance protocols. Skilled in leading multidisciplinary teams of scientists, researchers, and technical experts, fostering a culture of innovation, scientific integrity, and continuous improvement. Adept at translating scientific findings into actionable insights for strategic planning, risk assessment, and operational execution.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

At least 1 year of this experience must have been in planning and executing difficult programs of national significance or planning and executing specialized programs that show outstanding attainments in the field of research or consultation.

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.

You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 07/27/2026.

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, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers

Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

• Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
• A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
• Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
• Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

How you will be evaluated

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

This is a public posting for a Scientific or Professional (ST) position. ST positions are filled without competitive examination procedures. We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. All applicants who meet minimum qualifications and any basic requirements applicable to this position, will be forwarded to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. As a part of the interview process, additional selection criteria may be administered by the hiring manager.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs):

In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.

ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

ECQ 3: Merit and Competence: This core qualification involves demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

ECQ 4: Leading People: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.

ECQ 5: Achieving Results: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

• Your resume: A resume describing your job-related qualifications is required and will be used for the purpose of reviewing your qualifications and determining what training, if any, would be required when placed. A resume in English is required. It must contain your full legal name, phone number, relevant work history including a detailed description of your duties, the dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YY), your hours worked per week, job title, as well as series, grade, and salary (if applicable). For additional required items, see the link. It is recommended that you upload your resume as a PDF instead of a Word document to ensure document quality. Ensure that your uploaded resume is not a password protected document, to include Office 365 passwords. Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages.
• Your responses to the job questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12995460
• Are you a current or former federal employee? If yes, it is recommended that you submit a copy of your SF-50(s) (Notification of Personnel Action) to support your experience. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases and accessions. Retired former federal employees are required to submit your retirement SF-50 and encouraged to submit your most recent annuity statement.
• Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your initial and termination SF-50s.

Next steps