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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 (USDOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), National Institute of Justice (NIJ), Office of Investigative & Forensic Sciences (OIFS), Washington, DC. The mission of 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/local levels.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
05/24/2024 to 06/10/2024
Salary
$82,764 to - $107,590 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
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
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
JP-24-165
Control number
792892200

Duties

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  • Provides subject matter expert analysis and advice on complex program issues in the forensic sciences.
  • Proposes and performs collaborative intra- and extramural forensic science research activities or evaluations, paying specific attention to opportunities as they relate to greater criminal justice communities and activities.
  • Formulates, plans, and recommends new forensic science research projects and programs that will address existing or new law enforcement and other criminal justice operational requirements.
  • Participates in national scientific conferences, symposia, and interdisciplinary technical/programmatic meetings to present, discuss, and disseminate NIJ/OIFS forensic research findings, activities, operations, and initiatives.
  • Contributes to and assists in forensic science research and development program 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.
  • Identifies and requests necessary actions related to implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of science and technology programs, research and development programs and projects with forensic science and other criminal justice applications.

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

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-09 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:

  • Experience in seized drugs and/or toxicology.
  • Participated in a range of general physical science principles, concepts, and methods applicable to varied and complex problems, projects, or studies that include physical science conditions, and varying physical science processes.
  • Provided analysis and advice on complex program issues in the forensic sciences.
  • Assisted in providing technical assistance to local, regional, state, or federal organizations concerning forensic science, law enforcement or other criminal justice technology assessment.
  • Participated in long-range planning and/or management of scientific research programs in an area of forensic science or physical science.
  • Recommended strategies for planning and/or implementing scientific technical assistance or technology transition programs.
Education Substitution (applicants may also meet the specialized experience requirements with one of the following):
  • 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, if related to the position; OR
  • Equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and experience.

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.asp

All 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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