Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Operations Support Office, Laboratories and Scientific Services located in Guaynabo, PR. Additional selections may be made for other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.
CBP employees demonstrate the highest level of commitment to protect and serve the United States of America and to exemplify the CBP Core Values of Vigilance, Service to Country and Integrity.
Learn more about CBP's mission, core values and careers at https://www.cbp.gov/about The Supervisory Physical Scientist serves as the Laboratory Director for a CBP Laboratories and Scientific Services field laboratory, directing scientific, technical, forensic, quality, personnel, budget, and operational activities.
The position provides authoritative scientific guidance to laboratory staff, CBP personnel, federal partners, and external stakeholders while overseeing advanced analytical testing, laboratory procedures, accreditation requirements, and strategic resource management.
This role directly supports CBP's mission by ensuring scientifically defensible testing and expert analysis that inform frontline operations, enforcement decisions, threat detection, and the integrity of trade and border security activities. This position starts at a salary of $147,945.00 (GS-15, Step 1) to $192,331.00 (GS-15, Step 10). GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area.
If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position. Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts.
Planning, directing, organizing, and managing laboratory operations that address novel and complex issues resulting from chemical and physical scientific tests and investigations on merchandise, seized evidence, and other materials referred to the laboratory.
Providing scientific and technical leadership, guidance, and oversight to laboratory staff, CBP personnel, and external stakeholders on advanced analytical methods, laboratory procedures, quality standards, and scientific findings.
Serving as the laboratory's primary scientific representative at high-level meetings, technical conferences, and interagency or international forums, providing expert scientific and technical insight to support policy decisions and strategic initiatives.
Monitoring and assessing emerging scientific developments, technologies, and methodologies to determine their potential application to CBP mission requirements, including advanced chemical and physical testing, forensic science, and threat detection.
Exercising organizational decision-making authority over laboratory resources, personnel, equipment, budget, safety, and quality requirements to ensure operational effectiveness, scientific integrity, and compliance with applicable laboratory accreditation standards.
Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.
Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis.
If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement.
To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here. If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here.
Full federal benefits details →
cbphiring-applicantinquiry@cbp.dhs.gov · 855-500-3722
This position is with Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.
The posted pay range is $147945 – $192331/yr.
Applications close on 2026-09-11.
This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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