What are the responsibilities and job description for the PHYSICAL SCIENTIST (FORENSIC FIREARMS AND TOOLMARK EXAMINER) position at US United States Army Criminal Investigation...?
Duties
- Conducts comprehensive examinations of firearms and toolmark related material using a variety of specialized equipment and technical processing procedures while upholding quality assurance and quality control measures.
- Conducts full range of forensic examinations on physical evidence/material for firearms, toolmarks, ammunition analysis, and serial number restoration in support of investigations and military operations.
- Serves as an expert in the analysis of firearms and toolmarks responsible for providing technical consultation, advice to scientific personnel, conducting tours or briefs, and training of both scientists and military personnel.
- Reviews laboratory examinations requests for confirmation of type of examinations needed/required on submitted evidence/material.
- Conducts visual, physical, chemical, photographic, and other scientific and instrumental examinations to form a scientific opinion/finding while maintaining integrity of submitted evidence/material.
- Maintaining of the integrity of submitted evidence/material throughout analytical processes while in analyst's custody.
- Participates in improvement measures for laboratory analysis and processes to include research and development efforts of new or improved equipment, programs, methods, or procedures.
- Prepare formal technical written reports suitable for legal proceedings and intelligence exploitation which states results, interpretation, and professional opinions/conclusions.
- Participates in the evaluation and training of partner nation law enforcement and military forensic personnel.
- Expected to exercise a high degree of initiative and wide latitude while utilizing independent judgment and performing work of outstanding difficulty and responsibility.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
- This position requires a Secret Security Clearance.
- Visual acuity and correct color perception are required in addition to other Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, such as blood chemistry and chest x-rays.
- Must meet DoD/DA physical screening requirements for deployment to OCONUS locations established by the CONUS Replacement Center (CRC) for OCONUS deployment, to include meeting the deployment requirements for physical and dental deployment readiness.
- Incumbent is required to lift boxes of evidence that weights up to 70 pounds to working heights of 48 inches.
- Travel, involving extend time periods, will be required in response to life-cycle training, courts, and crime scenes worldwide.
- Must participate in DNA profiling database within the FXD.
- Position is subject to Lautenberg/Domestic Violence Misdemeanor amendments.
- May be required to carry a firearm.
- Job will require shift work with normal 8-hour shifts but may require working extended 12- hour shifts, 7 days a week to meet mission requirements. Incumbent of this position will be subject to on-call and irregular work hours.
- These positions require extended temporary duty (TDY) business travel up to 35% of the time, and/or deployment to contingency and/or humanitarian relief areas, worldwide, in support of the mission of the FXD.
- Emergency Essential position. This position is considered essential to support Department of the Army's mobilization and wartime mission during periods of increasing tension or mobilization.
- Emergency essential: (1) no qualified and immediate replacement exists and (2) leaving position vacant would (a) impair the effective operations of essential military support systems, or (b) adversely impact the combat mission of deployed forces.
- Applicants must possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license at the time of appointment.
- Must maintain license while employed in the position, and will be required to operate a motor vehicle in accordance with applicable Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regulations and related requirements of Department of the Army.
- Incumbent is required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
Qualifications
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.
Basic Requirements: A degree in physical sciences, 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
A combination of education and experience - course work equivalent to a major as shown above, including at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Experience required: 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.
GS-11: 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. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, such as: Forensic laboratory experience and knowledge of firearms and toolmark examination to include organizing casework, following prescribed methods and guidelines, and recognizing conditions and results that may affect the findings; and may include processing physical evidence and material as a forensic firearms and toolmark examiner.
or
Education Substitution for Specialized Experience for the GS-11: Successful completion of 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 from an accredited college or university.(Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
or
Combination of Specialized Experience and Education for the GS-11: You must possess some specialized experience as described above, but less than one year; and have more than one year of graduate level education, but less than three years of graduate-level education as described above. If you have computed the percentage of the requirements that are meet, and the total is at least 100% (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education in excess of 36 hours (total semesters hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify) (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service GS-09.
GS-12: 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. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, such as: Plan and execute complex studies; use conventional methods and techniques in adapting methods to the problems at hand and interpreting findings in terms of their scientific significance; performing bullet comparisons, cartridge case comparisons, toolmark examinations, and serial number restorations, and issuing reports of scientific results.
This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service GS-11.
GS-13: 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. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, such as: Planning, executing, and reporting on original studies or ongoing studies requiring a fresh approach to resolve new problems; defending analytical approach and results against rigorous cross-examination; and assisting in the training of other examiners in the areas of forensic firearms and toolmark examination.
This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service GS-12.
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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/
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(n) Career Program: 16- Engineers and Scientists (Non-Construction) Career Field position.
- Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
- 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.
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 windowLearn 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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement.
If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.
Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website
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 windowLearn 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.
Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements.
As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
1. Your resume:- Your resume may be submitted in any format and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
- If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
- For qualifications determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., HRS per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete and you may not receive consideration for this position.
- For additional information see: What to include in your resume.
- Cover Letter, optional
- Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable
- This position has an individual occupational requirement and/or allows for substitution of education for experience. If you meet this requirement based on education you MUST submit a copy of your transcript with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 05/17/2024 to receive consideration- To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12408581).
- Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
- You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
- It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
- Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.
Agency contact information
Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
AS-APF-W2MBAA USA CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION LABORATORY
DO NOT MAIL
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060
USNext steps
If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking (as applicable) for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.
Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request
Required Documents
The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements.
As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
1. Your resume:
- Your resume may be submitted in any format and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
- If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
- For qualifications determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., HRS per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete and you may not receive consideration for this position.
- For additional information see: What to include in your resume.
- Cover Letter, optional
- Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable
- This position has an individual occupational requirement and/or allows for substitution of education for experience. If you meet this requirement based on education you MUST submit a copy of your transcript with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
This job is open to
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.