Chemist (Forensic)
Summary
This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Office of Forensic Sciences Laboratories
A Senior Forensic Chemist conducts visual, physical, chemical, photographic, and other scientific and instrumental examinations, as needed, of complex submissions of physical evidence to form an opinion by application of professional and scientific knowledge in the primary area of forensic drug chemistry and other trace evidence materials.
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Duties
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As a Chemist (Forensic), your typical work assignments may include:
- The incumbent serves as an expert senior forensic chemist responsible for the visual, chemical, photographic,
digital, and other scientific and instrumental examinations of complex submissions of physical evidence to form a
scientific opinion.
- As a senior forensic chemist, is responsible for adhering to and enforcing quality assurance and process improvement
practices and standards in support of all laboratory operations to include exploring new and innovative measures to
increase productivity and efficiency while sustaining the highest quality standards.
- Serves as a research scientist responsible for applying chemical or biological and compatible research to problems for
forensic science.
- 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.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation. Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
- Incumbent is subject to random drug testing.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: [click to reveal website link].
- Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see [click to reveal website link]).
- Selectee will 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.
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 announcement.
Because education is a mandatory requirement, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript with your application.
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 specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
Basic 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.
Minimum Qualifications: In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.
GS-13: applicant must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade of GS-12 or equivalent band level of responsibility in the Federal Service which includes experience regarding the knowledge of forensic drug chemistry and other trace evidence materials. Abilities to conduct the full range of forensic examinations in chemistry to identify contraband material and manufacturing sources, operational methodologies, and personal identifications in support of criminal investigations.
Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.
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: [click to reveal website link].
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.
Additional information
For reasonable accommodation at the Drug Enforcement Administration, please contact the Human Resources office listed in this announcement.
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 if the DEA 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.
If eligible, telework and/or remote work agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval. Please note that any approved remote work arrangement is subject to the locality pay area of the alternative telework worksite.
If eligible, telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.
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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.