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Summary This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Office of Forensic Sciences, Forensic Laboratories. The incumbent conducts evaluation and analysis on controlled and non-controlled substances and utilizes scientific methods to coordinate and execute projects. Responsibilities As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service. As a Forensic Chemist your typical work assignments may include: Utilizes scientific methods and laboratory guidelines to perform routine scientific tests on controlled and non-controlled substances while adhering to custody and security procedures in the handling, analysis, and preservation of evidence. Performs routine preliminary analyses, computations, and evaluate preliminary scientific data values. Executes the selection of appropriate methods and procedures to carry out analysis and tests. Composes laboratory reports to illustrate findings on tests, calculations, conclusions, and extracted data. Assists on routine issues to law enforcement personnel to include but not limited to, evidence collection and clandestine laboratory operations. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all of the required qualification requirements described below by the closing of this 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 transcript with your application that clearly displays conferred degrees and relevant credit hours. All applicants must meet one of the basic qualification requirements described below for this position. Basic 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. In addition to meeting the basic requirements listed above, to qualify for this position the applicant MUST have at least one year of specialized experience that has equipped them with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Candidates with a baccalaureate or an advanced degree in a chemical, physical, or biological science or forensic science are preferred, but not required. For the GS-7 level: This experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-5 level in the Federal service. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate experience with three of the following: (1) preparing samples for chemical analyses; (2) handling material to maintain sample integrity; (3) calibrating and using laboratory equipment under supervision for chemical analysis of materials; (4) compiling, reducing and making routine interpretations of the scientific data; or (5) applying knowledge of analytical chemical principles, theories and practices sufficient to perform a full range of fundamental analysis. OR Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to successfully perform the duties of the position. Course work must be equivalent to a major in the physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering. OR Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA). In order to be creditable under this provision, SAA must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position and is based on: Class Standing: Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class, based on completed courses, Grade Point Average: Applicants must have a grade point average of: 3.0 or higher: Based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher: Based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society: Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. For the GS-9 level: This experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-7 level in the Federal service. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate experience with four of the following: (1) preparing samples for chemical analyses; (2) handling material to maintain sample integrity; (3) calibrating and using laboratory equipment under limited supervision for chemical analysis of materials; (4) compiling, reducing and making routine interpretations of the scientific data.; or (5) applying knowledge of analytical chemical principles, theories and practices sufficient to perform a full range of fundamental analysis. OR Education: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Your application will be evaluated and rated under DEA's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Your resume and supporting documentation will be reviewed to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, we will use an Assessment Questionnaire to place you in one of three categories based on your experience, education and training. The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are: Chemistry Oral Communication Teamwork Technical Competence Education This position requires specific coursework and/or a degree to meet the basic education requirement. You must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Your transcript(s) must clearly demonstrate the course(s) listed in the qualification requirement section. If the transcript(s) does not clearly demonstrate this you must submit a copy of the course description and/or other documentation demonstrating that the courses are equivalent. If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Special Instructions for 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. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Current students who will complete a qualifying degree/certificate by 6/11/2024 will be considered. Additional Information Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, DEA requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation (Critical-Sensitive/Top Secret, Special-Sensitive/Top Secret, or Non-critical Sensitive/Secret). This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. DEA committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. EEO POLICY STATEMENT Reasonable Accommodations Request: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Veterans' Preference: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 which list your active service dates, awards/campaigns and character of service or an official statement from your command if currently on active duty that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the DD-214, you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) and the required supporting documents listed on that form. For more information on veterans' preference see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP): This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 80 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp