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Physical Scientist

Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), National Institute of Justice (NIJ), Office of Investigative & Forensic Sciences (OIFS). The mission of the NIJ is to improve knowledge and understanding of crime and justice issues through science, and to provide objective and independent knowledge and tools to inform the decision-making of the criminal justice community to reduce crime and advance justice at the state and local levels.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
02/15/2024 to 03/13/2024
Salary
$139,395 to - $181,216 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy. This position is not a remote position. The duty station is Washington, DC. The selectee will be required to report to the duty station at least 4 days per bi-weekly pay period.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
JP-24-098
Control number
776992900

Duties

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  • Serves as an expert in the application of forensic science in both research and practical environments.
  • Serves on a variety of task forces, panels, committees, and conferences to coordinate and track forensic science research, technology transition, and other related activities in the criminal justice community.
  • Provide expertise and leadership in the design, management, and evaluation of Office of Investigative & Forensic Sciences' major scientific research portfolios and programs, and to promote emerging trends in the physical and forensic sciences that advance Department of Justice's research mission.
  • Serves as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), consultant or advisor on assigned areas of responsibility; develops approaches directed at the attainment of project objectives; and establishes resources, equipment, and funding requirements for those projects.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Subject to background/suitability investigation/determination.
  • Federal payments are required to be made by Direct Deposit.
  • Requires registration for the Selective Service. Visit www.sss.gov.
  • Pre-employment drug testing required.
  • 1-year probationary period may be required.
  • Confidential Financial Disclosure may be required
  • Security Requirements: Non-Sensitive/Moderate Risk
  • Selectee must obtain and maintain a COR certification.

Qualifications

Basic Entry Requirements

A. Degree: physical science, 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-

B. Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.


Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level. Specialized experience is experience which is in or related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Examples of specialized experience include:

  • Manages, plans, develops and/or executes research and development programs, support programs, short and long-term projects, contracts, and technology transition activities associated with physical science applications in the forensic sciences including: biology/DNA, controlled substances, toxicology, anthropology, pathology, medicolegal death investigation, impression and pattern evidence, trace evidence, and digital evidence.
  • Applies a professional knowledge of forensic science in translating needs to specific research programs, contracts, and agreements.
  • Provides expert analysis and/or advice on complex program issues in the forensic sciences.
  • Proposes and performs collaborative intra- and extramural forensic science research activities, paying specific attention to opportunities as they relate to greater criminal justice communities and activities.
Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.aspAll qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement. Please see the Qualifications section for more information.

Additional information

  • This position may be eligible for telework per agency policy.
  • OJP offers opportunities for flexible work schedules.
  • Recruitment incentives may be authorized.
  • This position included in the bargaining unit.
  • This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
  • Please do not indicate current or former position salary in your application or resume.
  • 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.
  • This position has a duty station of Washington, D.C. The selectee will be required to physically report to the OJP office building at least four (4) days per bi-weekly pay period and may incorporate leave and official travel plans into this reporting requirement. The office director or supervisor may request the selectee's presence in the office more frequently, as determined by the needs of the office. The selectee will be responsible for covering all commuting-related travel expenses. OJP employees are eligible for one transportation benefit - parking or the Department of Justice (DOJ) transit subsidy.

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.

Direct Hire applicants: Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Qualified candidates will be considered in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management Direct Hire guidelines. Veterans' Preference does not apply to direct hire recruitment procedures.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)/Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, or if your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website, which can be found at https://www.opm.gov

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