Biologist - DNA Laboratory Specialist (Recent Graduate)
Summary
The Recent Graduates (RG) Program is a dynamic, one-year developmental program that promotes careers in the Federal Government. If you have graduated from a qualifying educational institution or certificate program within the last two years, you may be eligible for the RG program which offers paid career development, training and mentorship opportunities
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Duties
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This position is located under the Office of Science and Technology, Forensic Sciences Division, Laboratory Services Branch, Forensic Crime Gun Intelligence Lab in Wichita, Kansas. Laboratory work encompasses a broad range of responsibilities critical to ATF's mission of combatting violent crime.
The incumbent serves as a Biologist - DNA Laboratory Specialist in a Forensic Science Laboratory within the Office of Science and Technology (OST) responsible for providing forensic support of the Bureau's primary law enforcement missions. ATF Laboratory Services conducts scientific, technical, and physical analyses on evidentiary material and analyzes data connected with criminal investigations.
The major duties of the Biologist DNA Laboratory Specialist position include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Performs basic forensic biology procedures with limited technical guidance.
- Performs forensic DNA collection from cartridge cases and DNA extraction on previously collected DNA evidence and known DNA reference standards.
- Works with senior examiners to conduct research or evaluate new technology and scientific equipment for adoption or acquisition by Laboratory Services.
- Provides expert witness testimony on the basis of DNA collection and extraction.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
- Must be U.S. Citizen or National
- You must successfully pass a security/background investigation and drug screening.
- Selective Service registration is required, see the "Additional Information" section for full details.
- A Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement is required.
CONVERSION REQUIREMENTS: ATF has the option to non-competitively convert a Recent Graduate to a permanent or term position upon successful completion of program requirements. This is not automatic, nor guaranteed. Conversion is at the discretion of the hiring manager and employing office. To be eligible to be converted to a permanent or term position you must:
- Be recommended for conversion by your manager or supervisor.
- Complete all training and development requirements within the 1-year appointment period.
- Successful completion of 1 year of continuous service.
- Demonstrate successful job performance of at least a "Fully Successful" or equivalent on performance appraisal.
- Meet the Office of Personnel Management's qualification standards for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted (which may include a positive education requirement).
- Must be in good academic standing as defined by their academic institution.
- A Recent Graduate may be converted to the highest General Schedule (GS) grade level qualified for at time of conversion.
Recent Graduates converted to a term position in the competitive service may subsequently be non-competitively converted to a career or career-conditional appointment without further competition.
MOBILITY PLAN: New employees hired pursuant to this vacancy announcement must sign a mobility agreement. The purpose of ATF's mobility policy is to enhance career development and progression and achieve mission and business effectiveness. To accomplish these objectives, the mobility plan will facilitate the movement of employees through special short-term assignments or permanent reassignments throughout the Bureau. Applicants who decline to sign a mobility agreement, as required, will be removed from the hiring process. This is a non-bargaining unit position.
In addition to the requirements above, you must also meet the specific qualifications requirements for this announcement and the occupational series and grade of this position as described in the Qualifications section below. Please pay careful attention to the entire announcement to ensure you understand these important requirements.
Qualifications
Recent Graduate Program Eligibility
To be eligible for the Pathways Recent Graduate program you must be:
- A recent graduate who has completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, technical degree, or certificate from a qualifying educational institution or completed a qualifying career or technical education program that awards a recognized postsecondary credential (such as a Registered Apprenticeship Program or Job Corps).
OR
- For preference eligible veterans who have been precluded from applying due to their military service obligation, their two-year eligibility period begins upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed six years after degree or certificate completion. You MUST submit a copy of the DD-214 showing the duration and dates of service that precluded you from applying due to the military service obligation.
Qualification Requirements
To qualify for the position of Biologist - DNA Laboratory Specialist (Recent Graduate), GS-0401-9, you must meet the basic qualification requirements listed below AND possess the required specialized experience specific to this series and grade.
Basic Requirements:
- Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
- Combination of education and experience Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
AND
To qualify for the GS-09 grade level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level or higher by the closing date of this announcement. Specialized experience is demonstrated experience, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Experience must be in the normal line of progression or must be related to the work of the position advertised and must be reflected in your resume. Specialized experience must include all of the following:
- Receiving physical evidence, test samples and/or background material for analysis in a laboratory; AND
- Assisting with the collection, extraction, quantification, and/or amplification of DNA; AND
- Supporting senior biologists and/or examiners with various tasks related to biological methods or instrumentation.
OR
Education: Two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate education and experience. This will be calculated using your résumé and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.
You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.
Education
To be eligible for an appointment, you must meet Education requirement A or B.
A. Completed all requirements for an associate's, bachelor's, master's, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution or career or technical education program (including registered Apprenticeship Programs, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Job Corps, Climate Corps) within the previous two years.
OR
B. Was released or discharged from active duty within the previous two years, where the applicant is a veteran who, due to a military service obligation, was precluded from applying for a recent graduate position during any portion of the two-year eligibility period following completion of his/her qualifying degree or certificate requirements, provided that not more than six years have transpired since the applicant completed the requirements for a degree or certification.
You must submit an academic transcript from your academic institution showing the date that you most recently completed the academic requirements described above.
*For Accredited Post-Secondary Institutions, click Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
*For Registered State Apprenticeship Programs Information, click State Apprenticeship Programs
*For Other Apprenticeship Programs, click Apprenticeship Programs
*For Industry-Endorsed Certificate Programs, click Career One Stop Certificate Finder
Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
Additional information
Additional selections may be made from this announcement.
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.
Trial Period: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
1) your performance and conduct;
2) the needs and interests of the agency;
3) whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
4) 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.
EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: [click to reveal website link].
Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations from ATF's Human Resources Operations Division. Please click on the following link to read important information. DOJ Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations
Reasonable Accommodation: ATF provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the job application and hiring process, and you meet the eligibility requirements listed above, please notify the human resources specialist listed on the vacancy announcement, or contact the ATF's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at [click to reveal phone number] or send an email to [click to reveal email address]. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation is handled on a case-by-case basis.
Selective Service: If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: [click to reveal website link].
Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: The Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOJ employee or Federal contractor acting on its behalf has violated your rights under this Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to [click to reveal email address]. Note: In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201(b) certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance Act.
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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.
Benefits
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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.
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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.