TOUGH WORK. VITAL MISSION. Challenge yourself! You have the power to help combat drug trafficking. Be a part of DEA! It's tough work, but a vital mission. Whatever your background or expertise, your work at DEA will be tremendously rewarding because it will have a daily impact on national security and the quality of life of all Americans.
This position is located in the Office of Forensic Sciences, North Central Laboratory, Chicago, Illinois.
The incumbent will perform the following duties:
Supervises general laboratory activities and the analytical work of a group of forensic, clerical, or technical employees. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff members, which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system. Observes workers' performance; demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques.
Provides technical, administrative and authoritative advice and consultation on a broad-range of matters related to forensic chemistry.
Monitors and enforces the policies for the strict chain of custody (security) procedures in handling, analysis, and preservation of evidence.
Consults with attorneys and law enforcement officials in a variety of technical areas. Serves as an expert court witness and provides written reports on findings and conclusions of laboratory analysis that explain the results and validity of testing.
Reviews reports and documentation, including in areas such as inspections, investigations, and laboratory analysis in order to evaluate impacts on the organization. Writes DEA position in response to requests for advisory opinions from Congress, department officials, or a regulated industry.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Background and/or Security Clearance
Open to DEA Employees and CTAP Eligibles ONLY
Drug testing designated position
Successful completion of a one-year supervisory probationary period is required (unless already completed).
Mobility Agreement Required
Successful completion of the mandatory Basic Forensic Chemist Course.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements: Applicants must meet ONE of the following 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.
Minimum Qualifications: In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 Federal grade level in performing a full range of complex chemical analysis and physical tests on a variety of imported merchandise and identifying such characteristics as the composition, origin and method of manufacture using wet laboratory procedures or advanced analytical instrumentation; and writing complex reports on chemical analysis, stating technical findings and interpreting conclusions, serves as technical authority on assigned area, serves a subject matter expert to lower graded chemist and testifies in court.
Competencies: Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competencies in the following areas:
Administration and Management
Leadership
Oral Communication
Planning and Evaluating
Technical Competence
Writing
Education
Additional information
Additional vacancies may be filled from this vacancy announcement.
Recruitment and/or Relocation Incentives will only be considered and approved under conditions specified provided the agency has determined that the position is likely to be difficult to fill in the absence of an incentive and funding for such an incentive is available.
SELECTIVE SERVICE: MALE APPLICANTS BORN AFTER 12/31/1959 must certify prior to job offer that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law.
In accordance with 5 CFR 2635.704, applications will not be accepted in postage-paid Government envelopes.
If you experience technical issues with completing your online application, you may review online help resources or submit a ticket to the Help Desk by accessing the 'Help Center' (upper-right of your screen, next to the question mark icon).
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Only experience obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions.
Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the eligibility and job qualifications listed within this announcement.
Time-in-Grade: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-14 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-13. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.
Failure to provide all required documents and information requested by the closing date will result in your application not receiving full consideration.To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
Required Documents:
Resume
SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
Other supporting documents:
Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.
All current Federal employees and reinstatement eligible applicants must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current grade; your highest grade held; your current promotion potential and proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases and appointments - Award SF-50s will not be accepted.
NOTE: Please ensure that your resume contains the basic information outlined under the Applying for a Federal Job guide.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact Tyneesha Hodge via email, TYNEESHA.S.HODGE@USDOJ.GOV or at (202) 307-4377 to obtain an alternative application.
Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments. The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments. To be considered for the position, you must meet all qualifications, including meeting or exceeding the cut score on the required assessments.
If you are found to be among the top candidates, you may be referred to the selecting official for Career Board consideration.
The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), 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.
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.
A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.
Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:
An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.
You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
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