Supervisory Chemist (Forensic Instruction)

Summary

This position is located in the DEA Office of Forensic Sciences, Forensic Laboratories in Quantico, VA This position(s) primary purpose is to serve as a senior Forensic Chemist. As a senior chemist, conducts visual, physical, chemical, photographic, and other scientific examinations, as needed, of complex submissions of physical evidence to form an opinion by application of professional & scientific knowledge in the primary area of forensic drug chemistry & other trace evidence materials.

Duties

• As a your typical work assignments may include: Provides services as a recognized forensic expert, performing professional and scientific work in the analysis of the following types of evidence: suspected legally controlled substances, precursors, and other miscellaneous evidence types. As a technical authority in forensic analyses, the senior examiner identifies, quantifies, and/or compares irreplaceable evidence that because of its paucity, uniqueness, obscurity, transient nature, contamination, decomposition, or complexity, requires the most difficult analyses and complicated interpretations. Serves as a research scientist responsible for applying chemical or biological and compatible research to problems for forensic science. As an expert in the application of forensic sciences, the incumbent applies a professional knowledge of the field in translating broad problem areas to specific research programs that are responsive to the DEA mission. Serves as a senior examiner with the responsibility to design, develop, and deliver a detailed curriculum, training, and instruction in support of Department of Justice (DOJ) forensic examiners, technical personnel, military lawyers, criminal investigators, and military operators.

Qualifications

For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility Applicants must meet the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of the announcement. If you are qualifying based on education or if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcripts with your application. Basic Qualification Requirements: Applicants must meet ONE of the following qualification requirements: (A). Degree: 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 (B). 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. Applicants applying for the GS-14 must meet the following requirements: Have at least one full year of specialized experience that is at least equivalent to work performed at the GS-13 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. In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 Federal grade level that demonstrates the following: (1) serving as a technical authority in forensic chemistry laboratory operations; (2) developing and administering training programs for forensic chemists or other scientific personnel; (3) applying laboratory accreditation standards, quality assurance principles, and quality management system requirements; (4) interpreting and implementing Federal laws, regulations, policies, standard operating procedures, and forensic science guidelines; (5) conducting technical reviews, audits, or assessments of laboratory operations and analytical methods; and (6) evaluating and implementing new technologies, instrumentation, and scientific processes to improve forensic laboratory capabilities and operational effectiveness. Additional information on the position qualification requirements is located in the Office of Personnel Management's (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: www.naces.org/members.php. If 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.

How to apply

Prepare your application in USAJOBS During the application process you can review, edit, delete, and update your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won't lose any changes. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process. STEP 1: Select the "Apply" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS. STEP 2: Submit your resume. Resume must not exceed two pages. Please see the Required Documents section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume. STEP 3: Complete the online assessment questions. STEP 4: Submit all required documentation applicable to you, as listed in the Required Documents section. Alternate Application Procedures: If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET at least 2 working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted.