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Chemist (Forensic Toxicology)

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Medical Command
Forensic Toxicology Drug Testing Laboratory

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: This position is located within the Forensic Toxicology Drug Testing Laboratory (FTDTL), at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/23/2026 to 03/04/2026
Salary
$111,119 to - $144,457 per year

Salary includes 22.21% locality pay. A 8.64% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) is currently authorized, subject to change.

Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Tripler Army Medical Center, HI
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position. This position may require 15% travel.
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
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
HSM1-26-12886362-DHA
Control number
858074800

Duties

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  • Responsible for forensic toxicological testing for emerging drugs of abuse.
  • Conduct medical and forensic toxicology research.
  • Assist with implementation of new methodologies into the laboratory.
  • Perform scientific assessments making recommendations concerning corrective actions in the drug detection programs.
  • Serve as a technical and scientific subject matter expert in the troubleshooting of existing and new drug extraction and detection methodologies.
  • Testify in courts as expert witness, providing technically authoritative support to attorneys.

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.
  • This position has a mandatory seasonal influenza vaccination requirement and is subject to annual vaccination.
  • This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 15% of the time.
  • This position is subject to screening and update of required immunizations.
  • This position is supervisory, one year probation to assess your ability to perform supervisory duties is required unless previously completed.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or 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 Requirement for Chemist (Forensic Toxicology):
A. Degree:
Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in the physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics. OR

B. Combination of Education and Experience: Course work equivalent to a major in the physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service which includes performing scientific assessments to provide input for testimonies in court and using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry, Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry and Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry to conduct research.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Additional information

  • Relocation, Recruitment and AIH Incentive may be authorized.
  • 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.
  • One 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(n) 16- Engineers and Scientists Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicants will receive preference consideration at the full-performance grade level only.

Only PPP applicants currently occupying a formal training program position are entitled to exercise their priority status.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

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

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