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PHYSICAL SCIENTIST (FORENSIC FIREARMS AND TOOLMARK EXAMINER)

Department of the Army
United States Army Criminal Investigation Division
U.S. Army Defense Forensic Science Center (DFSC)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

About the Position:
This position is located at the Forensic Exploitation Directorate (FXD), Defense Forensic Science Center (DFSC) in Ft. Gillem, GA. Forensic Exploitation Directorate (FXD), Defense Forensic Science Center (DFSC) is an organization that provides forensic laboratory support to Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), intelligence organizations and legal agencies, as well as other federal and non-federal agencies.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
02/13/2019 to 02/27/2019
Salary
$53,137 to - $119,121 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 13
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Fort Gillem, GA
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position. This is a deployable position and will normally be deployed 6 months out of every 24 months.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy. Moving expenses may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and agency determination that PCS move is in the Government interest.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Announcement number
NCAS192902286010D
Control number
524372100

Duties

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  • Conducts full range of forensic examinations on physical evidence/material for firearms, toolmarks, and ammunition analysis in support of criminal investigations and military operations.
  • 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 visual, physical, chemical, photographic, and other scientific and instrumental examinations to form a scientific opinion/findings while maintaining integrity of submitted evidence/material.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Physical Exam Requirements: Incumbent must obtain and pass a medical examination prior to employment.
  • 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 DFSC.
  • 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 DFSC.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and 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-09: 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: Experience and knowledge of laboratory processes to include safety protocols and performing scientific analyses. Experience and knowledge of laboratory processes to include safety protocols and performing scientific analyses.

or

Education Substitution for Specialized Experience for the GS-09: Successful completion of 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 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-09: 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 two 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 18 hours (total semesters hours minus 18) 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.)

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 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-09: 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.)

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.

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.

The full performance level of GS-13 may be reached without further competition.


You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:

  • Computer Skills
  • Forensics
  • Physical Evidence
  • Reporting

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

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.
  • Two 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 Career Program (CP) 18 - Engineers and Scientists position.
  • You may claim military spouse preference.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • 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.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.gsa.gov/cdnstatic/FTR%20Bulletin%2018_05%20Relocation%20Allowances_0.pdf for more information.
  • If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations.
  • 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.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.

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 you are minimally qualified, your résumé and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your résumé 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.

Basis for Rating: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of three quality categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified and Qualified. Veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category.

  • Best Qualified. Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements for the announced position.
  • Highly Qualified. Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements for the announced position.
  • Qualified. Candidates in this category meet the minimum experience requirements for the announced position.

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