Clarification from the agency

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident alien status. Current career Postal Service employees are ineligible to apply to this posting. A Moderate Background Investigation (MBI) is required.

1. Conducts complex and sensitive forensic document examinations through the application of scientific practices for the recognition, collection, analysis, and interpretation of physical evidence for criminal and civil law or regulatory purposes utilizing the most appropriate scientific methodologies and forensic and instrumental techniques.
   
2. Exercises independent discretion and judgment to render conclusions, form opinions and produce reports based on the examination and analysis of evidence and interpretation of scientific observations and data.
3. Provides interpretations, conclusions and opinions through expert witness testimony; produces comprehensive reports and illustrative exhibits for federal, state, and local judicial proceedings at a level sufficient to explain evidence interpretation and conclusions from forensic examinations and scientific data to a lay audience.
4. Serves as a subject matter expert and technical advisor in matters relating to the proper collection, preservation, packaging, and submission of criminal evidence; participates in crime scene evidence collection activities in major field investigations; ensures evidence handling requirements are met.
5. Assists with ongoing evaluation and validation of laboratory instrumentation and methods, operating protocols, and safety practices; maintains awareness of safety procedures and identifies possible physical conditions and/or laboratory procedures that may create unsafe conditions.
6. Assists with planning and delivery of laboratory services, evidence collection, and field examination training.
7. Designs, develops, and conducts studies and research for improving forensic analyses, scientific methods, and criminal identification procedures.
8. Acts as liaison with postal management and federal, state, and local representatives on technical developments, forensic methods, and investigative problems of common interest.
9. Participates in professional associations; maintains technical resource documentation.

Conditions of employment

Key Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or have permanent resident alien status.
• Must submit to a Moderate Background Investigation (MBI) or Tier 2 investigation.
• EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Bachelor's degree in physical or biological sciences, life sciences, chemistry or a closely related field from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accreditation organization recognized and sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Education.
• DESIRABLE CERTIFICATION: Certification by the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners.

Other Conditions of Employment

The United States Postal Inspection Services is currently seeking to fill a Forensic Document Examiner position at Headquarters with the National Forensic Laboratory.

The successful applicant will work in our National Forensic Laboratory where they will conduct detailed and complex forensic document analyses utilizing appropriate scientific methodologies, forensic techniques, and quality assurance practices in support of criminal and administrative investigations.

Come work in an energetic, lively, and collegial atmosphere on a wide range of complex, fast-paced, challenging matters.

Qualifications

1. Knowledge of forensic science techniques, laboratory protocols, scientific methodologies, and forensic document examination procedures sufficient to conduct detailed and complex analyses and interpret the value of evidentiary items.
2. Knowledge of evidence collection, preservation, packaging and shipment procedures sufficient to serve as a technical advisor in such matters, and to ensure evidence handling requirements are met.
3. Ability to conduct research and prepare technical papers for publication and presentation at professional meetings.
4. Ability to communicate orally and in writing in order to prepare reports of examination results and conclusions, and provide testimony as an expert witness before state, federal or other judicial bodies.
5. Ability to provide training related to laboratory services, evidence collection, and field examination.
6. Skill in the use of microscopes and optical enhancement instruments.
7. EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Bachelor's degree in physical or biological sciences, life sciences, chemistry or a closely related field from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accreditation organization recognized and sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Education.

Qualified applicant must successfully pass a drug screening.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your resume and supporting documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant professional, educational, and work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified in the Qualifications section above, required for this position.