Chemical Security and Elimination Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Chemical Security and Elimination Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) in strengthening international partner nations’ chemical security, elimination, and incident response capabilities.

The SME will provide technical expertise in CWMD/CBRN operations, chemical detection and identification systems, chemical warfare agents, capability assessments, strategic planning, and program management. This role involves coordinating with U.S. Government agencies and international partners to identify capability gaps, improve operational readiness, and develop sustainable chemical security solutions.

Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct chemical security, vulnerability, and incident response capability assessments of international partners, identifying operational gaps, risks, and training needs.
  
• Provide technical expertise to DTRA and foreign government partners on chemical detection, field analysis, sampling, decontamination, and chemical warfare agents.
  
• Support chemical security, elimination, and incident response programs through requirements definition, technical evaluations, operational planning, and recurring capability assessments.
  
• Develop program documentation, spend plans, POM inputs, performance metrics, and project evaluations to support program execution and decision-making.
  
• Advise DTRA stakeholders on strategy development, acquisition planning, risk management, and sustainment, including long-term transition frameworks for partner nations.
  
• Develop and review Statements of Work (SOWs), Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), independent cost estimates, source selection criteria, and contractor technical proposals.
  
• Prepare technical reports, action memoranda, decision papers, briefings, talking points, training materials, and actionable recommendations for senior leadership and stakeholders.
  
• Coordinate with DoD personnel, interagency organizations, contractors, foreign governments, and project analysts on technical project management, performance validation, and program implementation.
  
• Support international travel coordination, including logistics, trip books, after-action reports, and trip reports, while ensuring alignment with National Defense Strategy, Combatant Command, and Global Threat Reduction (GTR) objectives.
  

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution and 5+ years of relevant CWMD/CBRN experience or related disciplines.
  
• Foundational knowledge of chemistry and chemical defense principles, including training such as Basic CBRN Defense School, Basic EOD Technician, or Hazmat Technician.
  
• Familiarity with CBRN detection and identification technologies, including IMS, PID, FTIR, Raman Spectroscopy, GC/MS, and LC/MS.
  
• Knowledge of Chemical Warfare Agents (CWAs), Fourth-Generation Agents, Pharmaceutical-Based Agents, emerging chemical threats, and delivery systems.
  
• Experience integrating chemical safety, security, and elimination into operational readiness, risk management, technical assessments, capability gap analysis, and actionable recommendations.
  
• Experience developing, reviewing, and delivering technical training materials, instructional content, reports, briefings, and decision-support documents for senior leadership.
  
• Understanding of government staffing processes, program coordination, and technical documentation, with strong consulting, analytical, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively with government personnel, contractors, and international stakeholders.
  
• U.S. Citizenship and DoD Secret Clearance eligibility or active clearance required, with the ability to work 100% onsite in Lorton, VA and travel approximately 25% internationally (OCONUS).
  

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of CWMD/CBRN experience, advanced chemistry and chemical defense expertise (Civil Support Team, Master EOD, Hazmat Specialist), hands-on CBRN detection systems (IMS, PID, FTIR, Raman, GC/MS, LC/MS), and knowledge of Chemical Warfare Agents, Fourth-Generation Agents, Pharmaceutical-Based Agents, emerging threats, delivery systems, and chemical forensics.
  
• Experience with DoD, DHS, U.S. National Laboratories, international partners, and chemical threat reduction programs, including interagency coordination, partner-nation capacity building, and dangerous goods regulations (IATA, 49 CFR, ADR). DoD Top Secret/SCI eligibility preferred. Must work 100% onsite in Lorton, VA, with approximately 25% OCONUS travel, occasional domestic travel, and collaboration with DTRA, government agencies, contractors, and foreign partners.
  

Benefits

Core Benefits:

• Paid Time Off  PTO):TEN (10) Paid days off & FIVE (5) Floating days off.
  
• Holidays: 11 Paid Holidays. Flex time can be utilized instead of holiday time usage.
  
• Payroll: Paid Bi-Monthly.
  
• 401(k): Partnered with the SECOND LARGEST Retirement plan provider in the U.S. Guaranteed 3% match. Eligibility – 21 years of age or older, after 3 months of employment
  
• Individual or company-wide performance and recognition awards (Quarterly)
  

Health Benefits:

• UNITED HEALTHCARE PPO, extensive national coverage.
  
• INCLUDES: Medical/Dental/Vision/HSA.
  
• Eligible on the first of the month, immediately after the start date.
  
• Submit the enrollment form within 30 days of your start date otherwise, you will have to wait until October for the new year enrollment.
  

Quality of Life Benefits:

• Training & Career Development Reimbursement of Tuition and training needed to support career development.
  
• $150 monthly reimbursement contribution paid monthly towards parking expenses.
  
• Receipts must be submitted by the close of business on the 25th of each month.
  
• Reimbursements will be paid on the first payroll AFTER reimbursements are submitted each month.
  

Special Benefits:

• Performance bonus – Project-based
  
• Yearly bonus – Company based