PHYSICAL SCIENTIST-FORENSIC EXAMINER

Position: Physical Scientist-Forensic Examiner (FE), GS-9/11

Division: Laboratory Division

Unit: Trace Evidence Unit

Location: Quantico, VA

Working Hours: 8:00am-4:30pm (Flexible)

Salary: GS-9 $64,957.00-$84,441.00

GS-11 $78,592.00-$102,166.00

Full Performance level: GS-13

Number of Positions Available: 1

Duration: Full Time/Permanent

Additional selections may be made from this announcement to fill positions within the same division when the position includes substantially the same duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.

Key Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance.
• Must be able to pass a US Government physical exam.
• Frequent travel may be required.
• Must successfully complete up to a two-year training program necessary for qualification as an FBI Forensic Examiner (FE). Must sign a Forensic Examiner Training Continued Service Agreement (FETCSA) to remain a FE for two years after the completion of training, with the understanding that failure to complete training may lead to termination or change to a similar position at a lower grade. Failure to fulfill the FETCSA will require reimbursement for the prorated expense of his/her training, unless a waiver is granted. Applicant is required to serve a two-year probationary period as FE, beginning when he/she enters on duty as a FE trainee.
• Candidates who are hired for this position will not be eligible for promotion above the GS-11 level until they successfully complete their Forensic Examiner (FE) training.
• As a condition to employment, DNA samples are required from all FBI personnel who interact with evidence or federal DNA database samples un Laboratory Division (LD) space or whose work requires them to enter LD examination areas where evidence of DNA database samples are processed or examined as part of the quality control process to detect sample/evidence contamination, in accordance with the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA), 75 Federal Register (FR) 68932; 29 C.F.R. 1635.8(b)(6).
• The individual that fills this position will potentially be exposed to situations or information that depicts violent acts, lewd images, or involves isolated working conditions.
• ALL applicants must verify completion of the basic education requirement by submitting a copy of college transcripts by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

Mission Statement:

The mission of the FBI is to protect the American People and uphold the Constitution of the United States.

Major Duties

• Participate in and complete an extensive training program.
• Examine evidence, prepare case notes, and issue findings.
• Prepare and issue comprehensive laboratory reports and testify as required.
• Maintain proficiency by participating in an annual proficiency testing program, reviewing current scientific and technical literature, and attending professional conferences.
• Serve as an advanced trainee Forensic Examiner or qualified examiner responsible for conducting hair, fiber, fabric, and cordage examinations of evidence, and providing reports and testimony.
• Conduct the full range of analytic procedures in both fixed Laboratory and field Laboratory settings, including examinations to identify and characterize hair, fiber, fabric and cordage evidence. Prepares comprehensive laboratory reports.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Please make sure your specialized experience/requirement(s) can be identified in your resume. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Your application will be evaluated and rated under the FBI’s Candidate Rating Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement and will be compared to your responses to the online assessment questionnaire. High self-assessment in the vacancy questions that is not supported by information in your resume, and/or supporting documents may eliminate you from Most Competitive status.

Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Most Competitive, Competitive, or Least Competitive. Names of candidates in the Most Competitive category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Veterans’ preference will be applied.

All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies

• Analytic Thinking
• Communication
• Flexibility/Adaptability
• Forensics
• Physical Science
• Problem Solving/Judgment

Positive Education Requirement

This position has a specific education requirement; all applicants must verify completion of this basic educational requirement by submitting a copy of their college transcripts by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

A. Successful completion of a 4 year course of study in an accredited college or university bachelor's (or higher) degree in physical science, biology, chemistry, 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

B. Completion 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.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements provided you can show foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.

Specialized Experience (SE):

GS-9: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Knowledge of principles, theories, concepts, and practices of physical science in order to be trained in a specialized forensic science discipline and to analyze routine materials.
• Knowledge of characteristics and use of scientific equipment, instrumentation and tools in performing steps to gather reliable data.
• Knowledge of examination techniques in applying methods and procedures to provide technical information about submitted items of evidence.
• Knowledge of laboratory procedures and safe laboratory practices.
• Experience in a laboratory setting performing data collection, analysis, tests or experiments.
• Experience explaining technical information effectively.

GS-11: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level. SE (in addition to above) is defined as follows:

• Experience in a forensic laboratory with examination policies and procedures.
• Experience handling evidence.
• Experience clearly explaining technical information verbally and in writing.

Education

All degrees must be from an accredited college or university. Education may be substituted for specialized experience as follows:

GS-9: Applicant must have a master’s or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related.

GS-11: Applicant must have a Ph.D. OR equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related.

How to Apply

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