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Chemist (Diversion Control Division)

Drug Enforcement Administration

Job Location:

Arlington, TX - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 121785 - 121785

Posted: 15 October 2026 (5 days ago)

Application Deadline: 15 January 2027

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Office of Diversion Control Operations Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section Chemical Control Unit (DOEC).

This position(s) primary purpose is to serve as a chemist responsible for providing leadership on technical matters to the Diversion Control Program (DCP).

Duties

As a Chemist (Diversion Control Division) your typical work assignments may include:

Serving as senior Chemist responsible for providing leadership on scientific matters to the Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section Diversion Control Division.
Maintaining liaison with scientist public health and law enforcement officials and other professionals nationally and internationally to orient them to the priorities of drugs of abuse and diversion of chemicals.
Advising providing and coordinating the development of drug abuse chemical diversion and scientific data to determine the position of the Diversion Control Division on drug scheduling and chemical control issues and recommending policy changes as appropriate for both domestic and international purposes.
Preparing technical reports and reviewing internal and external reports for scientific and technical accuracy.
Utilizing scientific knowledge and skills to evaluate processes and procedures as defined under the Controlled Substance Act and its implementation regulations.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

U.S. Citizenship is required.
Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities visit: is subject to random drug testing.
Selectee may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period (OR 1-year OR 2-year trial period as appropriate) during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest
Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation. Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.

Qualifications

For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the required qualification requirements described below by the closing of this you are qualifying based on education or if there are mandatory education requirements listed below you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript with your application.

Basic Qualification Requirements: The basic requirement for this position requires a degree in physical sciences life sciences or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus and at least 6 semester hours of physics.

-OR-

Combination of education and experience -- course work equivalent to a major as shown in A above including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus and at least 6 semester hours of physics plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement applicants must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.

Applicants applying for the GS-13 must meet one of the following requirements:

Have at least one full year of qualifying specialized experience that is at least equivalent in difficulty and complexity to work performed at the GS-12 grade level. Specialized 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.

Qualifying experience must demonstrate the following:

GS-13: Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level or pay band in the Federal service that includes performing the following duties: 1) serving as a technical advisor in chemistry providing guidance on scientific matters; 2) performing analysis of the composition properties structure and/or chemical reactions of substances; 3) researching data to recommend policy changes and 4) preparing scientific technical reports.

Applicants applying for the GS-14 must meet the following requirement:

GS-14: Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level or pay band in the Federal service that includes performing the following duties: 1) serving as an authority in chemistry providing guidance on organic chemistry drug scheduling or chemical control; 2) interpreting and applying policies to identify problems or issues; 3) recommending solutions to public health and/or safety threats presented by drugs or chemicals; and 4) defending agency policies to industry the scientific community or other agencies.

Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Managements (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

See the qualification section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials visit: you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position you must submit an official transcript unofficial transcript or a list including courses grades earned completion dates and quarter and semester hours earned.

Additional information

For reasonable accommodation at the Drug Enforcement Administration please contact the Human Resources office listed in this announcement.

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable 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 Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible applicants to this announcement may be referred to similar positions in any Division/Office listed in this announcement. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.

Recruitment and/or Relocation Incentives may be considered and approved under conditions specified provided the agency has determined that the position is likely to be difficult to fill in the absence of an incentive and funding for such an incentive is available.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 1-year or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

your performance and conduct;
the needs and interests of the agency;
whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

Review our benefits

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.

Required Experience:

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