Supervisory Physical Scientist (Friction Ridge)-Direct Hire

ATF; Beltsville (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

ATF in Beltsville, MD seeks a Supervisory Physical Scientist (Friction Ridge) GS-14 to lead a laboratory section within the OST. The role includes supervision of staff, scientific oversight, and ensuring quality assurance in fingerprint examinations.

The position requires specialized experience in latent and visible fingerprint analysis, mentoring staff, and communicating findings clearly in writing and orally. Direct-Hire Authority is utilized for critical hiring needs.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience demonstrated in mentoring forensic examiners and leading project teams.
• Experience conducting complex fingerprint examinations including latent prints.
• Ability to perform comparative testing of fingerprint evidence to determine origin.
• Strong oral and written communication to convey forensic findings clearly.
• Apply quality assurance procedures for fingerprint exams per lab standards.

Responsibilities

• Establish general work goals and assignments; review team work.
• Lead, manage, and direct goals of supervised staff.
• Communicate to maintain effective relationships with staff and management.
• Serve as first-level supervisor providing scientific, technical, and administrative oversight.
• Ensure adherence to quality assurance procedures in the Section.

Skills

Mentoring forensic examiners

Leading project teams

Conducting complex fingerprint exams

Communicating results in writing

Quality assurance procedures in lab

Education

Physical science/engineering/math degree with 24 semester hours in physical science

Job description

Summary

This position serves as Section Chief in a Laboratory within the Office of Science and Technology (OST). This position supports the mission of OST by encompassing a broad range of responsibilities that are highly technical and scientific services in support of the Bureau's primary law enforcement mission.

Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) is a hiring authority granted by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to address critical hiring needs or severe candidate shortages

Duties

• Establishes general work goals, makes special work assignments, and reviews work completed by employees.
• Leads, manages, and directs the goals and objectives of supervised staff members.
• Provides good communications to establish and maintain effective work relationships with staff and with management within and outside the Bureau.
• Functions as the first level supervisor for employees and provides scientific, technical, and administrative oversight.
• Ensures the Section follows the quality assurance procedures.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be U.S. Citizen or National.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Pass drug screening and subject to random drug test.
• Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation.
• You must meet all applicable time-in-grade requirements by the closing of this announcement.

Qualifications

To qualify for the Supervisory Physical Scientist (Friction Ridge), position at the GS-14 grade level, you must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Requirements

• Degree: in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. OR
• Combination of education and experience: education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

AND To qualify for this position at the GS-14 grade level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-13) by the closing date of this announcement.

Specialized experience

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 resume.

Specialized Experience Must Include All Of The Below

• Mentoring forensic examiners or leading project teams; AND
• Conducting complex examinations of evidence requiring the development of latent prints; AND
• Performing comparative testing of finger/palm print evidence, both visible and latent, to determine if they share a common origin; AND
• Communicating orally and in writing to clearly and concisely convey the results and concepts of forensic fingerprint examinations; AND
• Applying quality assurance procedures for fingerprint examinations in a Laboratory system in accordance with accepted laboratory standards.

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. After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required of you. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement (11/03/2026) to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.

Education

This position requires a degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. Please refer to the Qualifications section for full details. If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements, please see the statements below.

Education must be reviewed and certified by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, in order for it to be creditable towards your qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from accredited institution.

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.

This announcement is being advertised under an agency specific OR a government-wide Direct-Hire Authority approved by OPM for filling vacancies when a severe shortage or critical hiring need exists. Veterans Preference and other Category Rating procedures do not apply to this announcement. Applicants must meet all qualification requirements of the position. The hiring office may interview and select any qualified candidate of their choosing from the qualified pool.

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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

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.

Career Transition Programs (CTAP or ICTAP)

• Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria;
• Be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and
• Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.

Probationary Period:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary 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.

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 [phone] or send an email to [e-mail]. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation is handled on a case-by-case basis.

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.

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. Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits. 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.