USA Staffing

Position Title: Chemist - Direct Hiring Authority
Agency: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
Announcement Number: 24-OST-DHA-12199453-KA Opens in new window
Open Period: Thursday, November 9, 2023 to Monday, November 20, 2023

For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.

1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?

A. No, I do not claim Veterans' Preference

B. 0-point Sole Survivorship Preference (SSP)

C. 5-point preference based on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (TP)

D. 10-point preference for non-compensable disability or Purple Heart (XP)

E. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of at least 10% but less than 30% (CP)

F. 10 point preference based on widow/widower or parent of a deceased veteran, or spouse or parent of a disabled veteran (XP)

G. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of 30% or more (CPS)

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.

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 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.

A. Yes

B. No

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.

A. Yes

B. No

Thank you for your interest in a position with the Department of Justice (DOJ). Your response to this assessment questionnaire, in conjunction with other portions of your completed application, will be evaluated in making screening decisions. This is a DOJ job application system. Your responses in this Assessment Questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your responses. Deliberate attempts to falsify information will be grounds for disqualifying you or for dismissing you from employment following acceptance. Please review your responses for accuracy before you submit this application. Incomplete/incorrect responses may result in you not receiving appropriate consideration.

1. BASIC REQUIREMENT - You must meet the minimum basic education and/or experience requirements for a Chemist position in the Federal government. Select the response that best describes your education and/or experience.

A. I have successfully completed a degree in 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.

B. I have a combination of education and experience in 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.

C. I do not meet the requirement(s) described in 1 or 2 above.

2. In addition to the Basic Requirement, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-09) which has equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Please select the statement that best describes your experience.

A. I possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service receiving and analyzing a wide range of evidence from criminal investigations for ignitable liquids, explosives, or trace (fibers, hairs, paint, etc.) pertinent to federal laws and regulations; making determinations about the evidence and using judgment in evaluating evidence received; communicating facts clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

B. I do not have the experience described above.

3. Please select the statement that describes your knowledge of the analytical methods that can be applied to the examination of forensic evidence used in criminal investigations.

A. I have successfully completed a formal or on-the-job training program in a forensic specialty and I have at least one year of specialized experience working in a crime laboratory.

B. I have successfully completed a formal on-the-job training program in a forensic specialty in a crime laboratory.

C. I have educational credit or on-the-job training in using the analytical methods that may be applied to the examination of forensic evidence.

D. None of the above.

4. Please select the statement that best describes your skill in interpreting and evaluating the results from laboratory instruments in order to be able to render an expert opinion.

A. I routinely interpret and evaluate results from laboratory instruments.

B. I have been trained in interpreting and evaluating results from laboratory instruments.

C. I have educational knowledge of the results that can obtained from laboratory instruments.

D. I do not have any of the experience listed above.

5. Which of the following statements best describes your expert testimony experience?

A. I have been qualified in a criminal court of law as an expert witness and have given testimony related to examinations in my forensic discipline.

B. I have received training in courtroom testimony through on-the-job training, coursework and/or moot court but have not yet testified in criminal court as an expert witness.

C. I have not provided expert testimony nor have I received training in courtroom testimony through coursework and moot court.

6. Choose the statement that describes your skills in handling and packaging evidentiary materials. Please select all that apply.

A. I routinely handle evidence related to explosives, fire debris, or trace evidence.

B. I have training and on-the-job experience preserving and packaging evidence related to explosives, fire debris, or trace evidence cases.

C. I have provided training to others in handling, preserving, and packaging evidence.

D. I have training or educational credit in handling, preserving, and packaging evidence.

E. None of the above.

7. Do you have experience conducting forensic examinations or testing in an accredited laboratory?

A. I have experience in a laboratory accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.

B. I have experience in a laboratory accredited to a different standard.

C. I have conducted forensic examinations or testing in a laboratory that was not externally accredited.

D. None of the above

8. Which of the following statements describe your experience in writing technical reports and other documents for a variety of audiences? Please select all that apply.

A. I have prepared analytical reports pertaining to findings related to the testing of materials.

B. I have conducted technical reviews of analytical reports authored by others pertaining to the testing of materials.

C. I have prepared internal documents, such as technical procedures or equipment evaluations.

D. I have edited or contributed to internal documents, such as technical procedures or equipment evaluations.

E. I have written routine correspondence to managers, peers, and customers to exchange information regarding the status of a project, deadlines, or other general issues.

F. None of the above

Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).

9. Have you planned or coordinated assignments with others in order to accomplish goals or objectives?

A. Yes

B. No

10. Choose the statements that describe your skills using a variety of laboratory instruments related to materials testing. Please select all that apply.

A. I routinely operate one or more major instruments in a laboratory related to materials testing.

B. I have experience performing routine quality control/quality assurance procedures on one or more major instruments related to materials testing and the ability to recognize when they are not working to optimum performance.

C. I have experience maintaining and troubleshooting one or more major instruments related to materials testing.

D. I have training or education in the fundamental principles and theory of one or more major instruments related to materials testing.

E. None of the above

11. Choose the statements that describe your skills in providing advice or training in the field of forensic chemistry. Please select all that apply.

A. I have provided training or technical presentations in the field of forensic chemist to investigators, attorneys, or the public via workshops, training courses or presentations.

B. I have provided training or technical presentations in the field of forensic chemistry to scientific personnel at meetings or professional conferences.

C. I have provided one-on-one advice to investigators regarding forensic casework.

D. I have not provided advice or training regarding forensic chemistry.

12. Please select the statement that best describes your experience with laboratory safety procedures.

A. I have training and experience following laboratory safety procedures.

B. I have training in laboratory safety procedures.

C. I have educational knowledge of laboratory safety procedures.

D. I do not have experience with laboratory safety procedures.

Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).

13. ATF employment is contingent upon a favorable adjudication (decision) of your background investigation. Your conduct and character must demonstrate suitability for the position for which you are applying. Unresolved matters may prevent completion of your background investigation or favorable adjudication of it. If ATF cannot complete your background investigation and adjudicate it, you will be removed from the hiring process. Are you willing to submit to the background investigation process?

A. Yes

B. No

14. Do any of your relatives work for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives? Include: father; mother; husband; wife; son; daughter; brother; sister; uncle; aunt; first cousin; nephew; niece; father-in-law; mother-in-law; son-in-law; daughter-in-law; brother-in-law; sister-in-law; stepfather; stepmother; stepson; stepdaughter; stepbrother; stepsister; half-brother; and half-sister?

A. Yes

B. No

15. 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 responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.

A. Yes

B. No

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