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Forensic Specialist

Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is a Forensic Specialist, GS- 1801-12/13 working in Ashland, OR for the R9-Chief-Office of Law Enforcement. Forensic Specialist (QC) provides leadership in the implementation of the International Standards Organization (ISO) IEC 17025.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
06/10/2024 to 06/25/2024
Salary
$86,962 to - $134,435 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Ashland, OR
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
R9-24-12438270-JH (MP)
Control number
794837500

Duties

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As a Forensic Specialist your duties will include but are not limited to the following:
GS-13

  • Serves as a technical expert in International Standards Organization (ISO) Quality Management Systems and is the main point of contact that ensure all administrative, technical, and operational elements comply with ISO-IEC 17025 standards.
  • Conducts Standardization International Standards Organization (ISO) Quality Management Systems. Formulates, develops, and implements plans and strategies that evaluate, correct, improve, and enable the sustainment of International Organization for Standardization-International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO-IEC) 17025 accreditation for the forensic laboratory.
  • Conducts International Standards Organization (ISO)-IEC 17025 audits.
  • Provides expert guidance on the QA/QC programs to include but is not limited to: technical training criteria for forensic examiners; required annual training for all employees; managing the proficiency testing program for all employees; auditing the in-processing duties of new employees; and managing the database of the quality program documents and records.
  • Makes formal and informal presentations to management outlining the current status and objectives of projects to explain requirements of quality management.
GS-12
  • Serves as the main point of contact that ensure all administrative, technical, and operational elements comply with International Standards Organization (ISO)-IEC 17025 standards.
  • Conducts Standardization International Standards Organization (ISO) Quality Management Systems. Implements plans and strategies that evaluate, correct, improve, and enable the sustainment of International Organization for Standardization- International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO-IEC) 17025 accreditation for the forensic laboratory.
  • Conducts International Standards Organization (ISO)-IEC 17025 audits.
  • Provides guidance on the QA/QC programs to include but is not limited to: technical training criteria for forensic examiners; required annual training for all employees; managing the proficiency testing program for all employees; auditing the in-processing duties of new employees; and managing the database of the quality program documents and records.
  • Makes formal and informal presentations to management outlining the current status and objectives of projects to explain requirements of quality management.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Resume (See "Required Documents"). Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is provided on resume.
  • Eligibility and Supporting documents - You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to AND submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section.
  • Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
  • Drug testing position: Selectees tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
  • Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications

Salary table: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2024/RUS.pdf

Only experience and education obtained by 06/25/2024 will be considered.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess Minimum Qualification.

Minimum Qualification GS-12
One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-11 in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include the following. 1) Assist in confirming a quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program under the criteria established by the International Standards Organization (ISO) 17025. 2) Provide guidance on technical training criteria for forensic examiners. 3) Prepare technical reports and formal progress reports.

Minimum Qualification GS-13
One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-12 in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include the following 1) Implement and direct a quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program under the criteria established by the International Standards Organization (ISO) 17025. 2) Provide technical training criteria for forensic examiners. 3) Prepare technical reports and formal progress reports.

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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically,
i. Area of Consideration.
ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502.
iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS), wage grade positions, applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining method
Your SF-50 will be used to confirm you meet all requirements

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications which resulted in you being listed in the highest quality category, you may lose consideration, or be assigned to a lower quality category for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

PCS INFORMATION:
No PCS entitlements authorized

Telework:
This position is suitable for telework only in an emergency or natural disaster.

Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP):Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/"

Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.

The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA),P.L. 114-47, allows certain individuals who currently or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies to compete under merit promotion procedures.

Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA. Performance documentation can be obtained by contacting the supervisors for the positions you served in during your 24 months. If they did not complete performance appraisals ask them to provide a statement of performance for each period of service. The statement must specify the dates for each employment period and your level of performance (dates should match the dates on the SF-50s).

Current appointees:

  • Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency;
  • Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; AND
  • Must have performed at an acceptable level.

Former appointees:

  • Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency;
  • Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years;
  • Must apply for position within 2 years after separation;
  • Must have been separated for reasons other than misconduct or performance; AND
  • Must have performed at an acceptable level.


How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

All applicants must be performing at a fully successful level or higher in order to be considered for this position. Applicants must provide a current rating of record dated within the past 18 months at the fully successful or higher level. Applicants who do not have a current rating of record available must provide a reason and certify that their performance is acceptable, and they have not been advised that their performance is currently at an unacceptable level.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications for this position. This vacancy utilizes a multiple hurdle assessment process to determine the qualifications of applicants. The first hurdle consists of applicants completing an online occupational questionnaire related to the major duties and competencies of the position. The second hurdle consists of verification that your performance in your current position is acceptable, and you have not been advised that your performance is currently at an unacceptable level.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Knowledge and technical expertise in all aspects of forensic science and International Standards Organization (ISO) Quality Management Systems sufficient to develop and implement ISO-IEC 17025 standards, conduct audits and serve as an technical expert.
  • Knowledge of administrative, technical, and operational elements that comply with International Standards Organization ISO-IEC 17025 standards.
  • Knowledge and technical expertise in all aspects of forensic science and International Standards Organization (ISO) Quality Management Systems sufficient to provide expert technical advise, training and prepare complete technical reports, formal progress reports, and special technical and administrative correspondence.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials may result in your removal from consideration.

Performance rating of record review: All applicants must provide a copy of their current performance rating dated within the past 18 months verifying their performance is at a fully successful level or higher. Applicants who do not have a current rating of record available must provide a reason and certify that their performance is acceptable, and they have not been advised that their performance is currently at an unacceptable level. Applicants who have an unsuccessful performance rating, or who have certified that their performance is not at an acceptable level will not be eligible for hiring consideration.

Candidates who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are highly qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Best qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

Candidates who apply under Noncompetitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

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