Toxicologist (Forensic) or Chemist (Forensic)

Summary The Office of Forensic Toxicology Services (OFTS) is recruiting for a dynamic Chemist/Toxicologist. OFTS mission is to be a leader in the field of Forensic Drug Testing by implementing and innovating scientific technologies to serve and support PSA. To accomplish this critical mission, we are seeking a team player, self-starter and forward thinker with excellent communication skills and a problem solver who pays extreme attention to every detail to be our next Chemist/Toxicologist. Requirements Conditions of Employment A candidate appointed at a lower grade level may be promoted up to the full performance level without further competition. Bargaining Unit Status and chapter: Covered, AFGE Local 1456 This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies This is not a law enforcement position Conditions of Employment 1. Must be a U.S. Citizen 2. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service 3. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation 4. May be required to successfully complete a probationary period, if not already completed 5. All applicants are subject to a comprehensive criminal background investigation, and required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment 6. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice 7. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Qualifications To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic professional requirements, and specialized experience requirement below. Basic Requirement For Chemistry Series 1320: A) A degree in 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 of chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education; AND C) One year of specialized experience that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. Specialized experience is defined as experience in the methodology of immunoassay testing, the quality assurance and quality controls requirements for immunoassay testing using urine and oral fluid as matrices, set-up calibration, operation and maintenance of current state of the art Immunoassay instruments and supervising a staff who conducts the full range of forensic screening analyses to detect drug of abuse. Following strict chain of custody procedures, perform sample preparation of urine aliquots for analysis and forensic analyses in accordance with relevant scientific and forensic protocols and established Laboratory policy. Interprets results of testing and records and documents control samples, test procedures, results and other required information in accordance with standard forensic and office procedures. Basic Requirement For Toxicology Series 415: A) A degree in toxicology; or an appropriate discipline of the biological, medical, or veterinary sciences that included at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, biochemistry, or physiology, and 12 semester hours in toxicology; AND B) One year of specialized experience equivalent that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. Specialized experience is defined as experience in the methodology of immunoassay testing, the quality assurance and quality controls requirements for immunoassay testing using urine and oral fluid as matrices, set-up calibration, operation and maintenance of current state of the art Immunoassay instruments and supervising a staff who conducts the full range of forensic screening analyses to detect drug of abuse. Following strict chain of custody procedures, perform sample preparation of urine aliquots for analysis and forensic analyses in accordance with relevant scientific and forensic protocols and established Laboratory policy. Interprets results of testing and records and documents control samples, test procedures, results and other required information in accordance with standard forensic and office procedures. Substitution of Education for Experience for GS-9: Two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in a physical or life sciences; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. NOTE: Your resume must clearly show the specialized experience related to this position. Failure to demonstrate how you possess the experience requirements will result in an "Ineligible" rating. Education There is education substitution at this grade level. ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) was taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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:https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/higher-education-laws-and-policy/college-accreditation Additional information 1. If you are an eligible Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) applicant or Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) applicant, you may apply for special selection over other applicants for this position. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible displaced Federal/PSA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified, you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. Click here for more information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility. 2. If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you should attach a copy of your DD-214 (unedited long version) or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must attach an SF-15, "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. 3.. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review in our office, in other Federal agency personnel offices, and on OPM's web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications. Read more Benefits 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 window 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.