CHEMIST (FORENSIC)

Summary About the Position: This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for STEM Positions and Cyber Security and related positions' to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. Incumbent serves as a Chemist [Positive Laboratory Certifying Official/Certifying Scientist (PLCO/CS)] assigned to the Certification Section, Forensic Toxicology Drug Testing Laboratory (FTDTL), Fort Meade, Maryland. Responsibilities Conduct and analyze scientific testing performed by lower graded scientists and providing scientific validation of results. Perform technical review and interpretation of screening data (e.g.,immunoassay), with the primary focus being on specimens that present presumptive positive results on screening for selected drugs of abuse. Verify the identity of confirmed positive specimens. Determine the disposition of specimens whose chain of custody documents contain errors or omissions, in accordance with acceptable practices and sound judgment. Analyze scientific testing results, screening and confirmation, to ensure compliance with Federal Law and established laboratory quality control and quality assurance criteria Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities. This job is open to the public. U.S Citizens are eligible apply to this job as well as the eligible categories below: In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. To qualify based on your experience, your resume must describe at least one year of experience which prepared you to do the work in this job. Basic Requirement for Chemist - 1320: A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in the 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 in the physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering, 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 above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Specialized Experience: one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service which includes: 1) assisting in the conducting and analyzing of scientific testing to provide scientific validation of results; 2) assisting in the analyzing of complex scientific testing results, screening and confirmation; 3) interpreting the quantitative results from the highly specific analytical instrumentation (such as gas or liquid chromatograph/mass spectrometer) to test human urine samples for selected drugs of abuse or drug metabolites; 4) utilizing in-depth knowledge of the field of chemistry, pharmacokinetics and toxicology to solve problems. Education FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Additional Information Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. One year trial/probationary period may be required. Direct deposit of pay is required. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a Career Program (CP) 16 - Engineers and Scientist position. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Certification as a Positive Laboratory Certifying Official/Certifying Scientist (PLCO/CS) is required. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest. Superior qualifications and special needs pay setting may be authorized at management's discretion for eligible candidates.