Supervisory Chemist (Forensic Instruction)

Drug Enforcement Administration; Quantico (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of Forensic Sciences, seeks a senior Forensic Chemist at the Quantico, VA laboratory. The role conducts complex examinations in forensic drug chemistry and trace evidence to form opinions based on professional science.

Candidates must meet degree requirements and have at least one year of specialized experience at GS-13 level, including training program development, quality assurance, accreditation standards, and knowledge of federal laws and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in physical or life sciences or engineering with 30 semester hours in chemistry, plus calculus and physics coursework.
• Coursework in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13, including leadership and program development.

Responsibilities

• Forensic chemistry laboratory operations leadership and complex evidence examinations.
• Develop and implement training and quality assurance in the lab.
• Apply federal regulations, SOPs, and accreditation standards to operations.

Skills

Forensic chemistry ops

Technical authority

Education

Chemistry-focused degree

Job description

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.

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;
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.