- Position Title
- Chemist (Forensic)
- Agency
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Announcement Number
- F-DEA-23-11952375-DH-NAH Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Monday, May 15, 2023 to Monday, June 5, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
2.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position?
If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50. For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50. For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
3.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
4.
Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee?
Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
- Position title;
- Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
- Agency; and,
- Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
Preferences
1.
Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location.
2.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
Assessment 1
Applicants must meet ONE of the following qualification requirements: (A). Degree: 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 as shown in A above, 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.
1.
Do you meet the basic education requirements for this position?
In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, applicants must also possess the amounts of education and/or experience required for the applicable grade level as required below.
2.
Select the ONE response that BEST describes the education and/or experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform as a Chemist, at the GS-11 level.
3.
Select the ONE response that BEST describes the education and/or experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform as a Chemist, at the GS-12 level.
Medical Requirements.
4.
The duties of this position require that the health of applicants and employees must be such that the individuals have the capacity to meet demands for performance in the position. Before entrance on duty and periodically during employment, applicants for and employees in these positions must undergo a medical examination and be physically and medically capable of performing the essential duties of the position efficiently and without hazard to themselves or to others. Failure to meet any of the required physical or medical qualifications will be considered disqualifying for employment.
Basic Eligibility, Suitability and Essential Job Functions - You MUST select a response for each question (4 through 10). Failure to select a response will result in you being ineligible for the position.
5.
Upon accepting a position with DEA, you may be required to serve a one year probationary period.
6.
All DEA Forensic Chemists are subject to transfer to a new geographical location to meet the organizational and program needs of the agency.
7.
DEA Forensic Chemists must attend the DEA Basic Forensic Chemist Training program at the DEA Academy in Quantico, Virginia for 18 weeks. This program includes a challenging, series of courses in statistics, ethics, chain-of-custody, case file preparation, laboratory operations, laboratory accreditation requirements, legal issues, expert testimony, and the analysis of drug evidence using physical, chemical, and instrumental techniques as well as practical applications in a laboratory setting.
8.
All DEA employees must successfully pass a drug screening and periodic drug testing is required for this position.
9.
DEA forensic chemists will encounter evidence during the normal execution of duties which are noxious, toxic, bio-hazardous, or pose a threat of skin puncture or laceration.
10.
DEA forensic chemists may be required to work long hours, including overtime, holidays, and/or outside their normal duty hours, to travel away from their permanent duty location on Temporary Duty Travel (TDY) assignments, often with short notice, for extended periods of time.
11.
DEA forensic chemists may be required to travel to both domestic and foreign locations, including clandestine laboratories that may be potentially dangerous.
12.
As an applicant for a DEA Forensic Chemist position, you will be required to undergo a comprehensive background investigation which includes, but is not limited to, contact with all references, employers, co-workers, personal associates and a review of your driving record, credit history, criminal history, and military service.
For each task in the following group, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
13.
Prepares routine letters and emails; reviews correspondence for spelling, grammar, and typographical errors.
14.
Composes laboratory reports or documents of a technical nature to explain and summarize detailed research, scientific data or information.
15.
Composes understandable, non-technical documents to explain and summarize data that is highly complex and scientific in nature.
16.
Responds to questions, inquiries and requests for information on technical matters.
17.
Publishes new developments as appropriate in the scientific literature.
18.
Reviews research manuscripts prepared by others to stay abreast of latest technologies, best practices, etc. in the field.
19.
Interprets data for use in reports or case preparation according to detailed specifications.
20.
Uses established scientific methods, federal laws, and laboratory guidelines to coordinate and carry out in-depth technical projects or experiments.
21.
Gathers and assesses information on changing crime patterns and the increasing sophistication of scientific instrumentation and analytical procedures.
22.
Performs analysis on unknown substances using standardized methods.
23.
Uses scientific instruments to perform tests on tablets, capsules, powders, liquids, plant materials, or other substances.
24.
Performs basic research to evaluate information from an array of specified sources.
25.
Carries out routine maintenance and calibration of laboratory instrumentation
26.
Demonstrates competency in forensic analyses of controlled substances, such as identifying, quantifying, and/or comparing irreplaceable evidence that--because of its paucity, uniqueness, obscurity, transient nature, contamination, decomposition, or complexity--requires the most difficult analyses and/or complicated interpretations.
27.
Participates in projects in a team environment.
28.
Assists in scientific studies or technical projects using Federal and/or laboratory guidelines and established scientific methods.
29.
Provides input for scientific investigations during enforcement activities.
30.
Clearly and concisely explains technical ideas and issues to others.
31.
Presents technical and/or scientific findings.
32.
Provides instruction on technical procedures.
33.
Testifies in federal and state courts as an expert witness; presents technical testimony in layman's terms, defends analytical methods and results against rigorous cross examination by defense attorneys.
34.
Actively participates in formal and informal discussion groups to obtain and clarify information of a factual nature from a variety of sources both within and outside the organizational unit.
35.
I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled; I may be denied an appointment; or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that I will not be considered for employment if I do not respond "Yes" to this certification item.