Chemist or Toxicologist (Forensic Instrument Specialist) Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. 25-42(MP) Department Pretrial Services Agency
Salary $101,401.00 to $131,826.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/24/2025 Close Date 8/7/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

Join a multidisciplinary team that safeguards public health and safety by providing cutting-edge forensic toxicology testing and expert analytical support. As a Chemist or Toxicologist (Forensic Instrument Specialist, you will lead the maintenance, calibration, and performance optimization of high-resolution mass spectrometry LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and related instrumentation used to detect drugs, poisons, and environmental contaminants.

Duties

In this job, you will:

1. Perform the full range of calibration, maintenance, qualification, and validation of a wide range of complex analytical instruments including but not limited to GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, and immunoassay analyzers. Ensure reliable and legally defensible toxicology results in support of forensic casework and compliance with CLIA requirements. Manage the full life cycle (selection, installation, qualification, preventive maintenance, repair, decommissioning) of LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and related instruments used in forensic toxicology.
2. Lead the maintenance, calibration, and performance optimization of high-resolution mass spectrometry LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and related instrumentation used to detect drugs, poisons, and environmental contaminants.
3. Perform scheduled and as-needed instrument calibration and preventative maintenance. Conduct system suitability testing and performance checks by validated methods and federal regulatory requirements. Maintain comprehensive documentation in compliance with CLIA standards.
Diagnoses and resolving instrument malfunctions promptly reduce downtime. Interface with external service providers and ensure proper service records are maintained.
4. Lead or support IQ/OQ/PQ processes for new instrumentation or post-repair validation. Assist with method validation to ensure instrument reliability and compliance with Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs). Draft, revise, and maintain SOPs related to instrument use, cleaning, maintenance, troubleshooting and work with Quality Assurance/Quality Control Specialist to align SOPs with quality assurance standards.
5. Manage control and acquisition software (e.g., MassHunter, ChemStation, enter SCIEX OS and Analyst software). Ensure audit trail integrity, proper data backup procedures, and secure access control.
6. Provide expert technical training and mentorship to laboratory personnel; draft and review SOPs; guide-cause analysis and CAPA (Corrective Action and Preventive Action) for instrument-related non-conformances. Train laboratory personnel on equipment operation, maintenance, troubleshooting procedures and serve as the primary point of contact for instrument issues across Office of Forensic Toxicology Services locations.
7. Provide expert technical training and mentorship to laboratory personnel; draft and review SOPs; guide-cause analysis and CAPA (Corrective Action and Preventive Action) for instrument-related non-conformances. Train laboratory personnel on equipment operation, maintenance, troubleshooting procedures and serve as the primary point of contact for instrument issues across Office of Forensic Toxicology Services locations.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Bargaining Unit Status and Chapter, Covered, AFGE Local 1456

This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies

This is not a law enforcement position

Conditions of Employment

1. Must be a U.S. Citizen
2. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
3. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
4. May be required to successfully complete a probationary period, if not already completed
5. All applicants are subject to a comprehensive criminal background investigation, and required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment
6. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice
7. Status applicants for promotion must have 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade
8. Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the close of this announcement
9. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic professional requirements, and specialized experience requirement below.

For Chemistry Series 1320: 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;
OR
Combination of education and experience, course work equivalent to a major as shown above, including at least 30 semester hours of chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education;
AND
One year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the GS-11 or equivalent grade level that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. Specialized experience is defined as experience operating, maintaining, and qualifying advanced mass spectrometry systems (e.g., LC MS/MS, GC- MS) for detecting toxicants in biological samples; developing and validating analytical methods in compliance with accreditation standards; diagnosing and correcting complex instrument malfunctions; and documenting results and findings in laboratory information systems and technical reports suitable for legal or regulatory purposes.

For Toxicology Series 415: A degree in toxicology; or an appropriate discipline of the biological, medical, or veterinary sciences that included at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, biochemistry, or physiology, and 12 semester hours in toxicology;
AND
One year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the GS-11 or equivalent grade level that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. Specialized experience is defined as experience operating, maintaining, and qualifying advanced mass spectrometry systems (e.g., LC MS/MS, GC-MS) for detecting toxicants in biological samples; developing and validating analytical methods in compliance with accreditation standards; diagnosing and correcting complex instrument malfunctions; and documenting results and findings in laboratory information systems and technical reports suitable for legal or regulatory purposes.

NOTE: Your resume must clearly show the specialized experience related to this position. Failure to demonstrate how you possess the experience requirements will result in an "Ineligible" rating.

Education

There is no education substitution at this grade level.

You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) was taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/higher-education-laws-and-policy/college-accreditation

Additional information

1. If you are an eligible Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) applicant or Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) applicant, you may apply for special selection over other applicants for this position. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible displaced Federal/PSA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified, you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. Click here for more information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility.

2. If you are a current career or career-conditional Federal employee or former Federal employee who has reinstatement eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" and/or a copy of the SF-50 that reflects career or career-conditional tenure, or you will not be considered under the merit promotion process. Also, you should submit your most recent performance appraisal.

3. Veterans' Employment Opportunities Act of 1998: Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous active duty service may apply. If you are applying under this provision, please submit a copy of your DD-214 (unedited long version).

4. You can apply for a non-competitive appointment if you meet the basic eligibility requirements and you are eligible for special appointment such as those authorized for the severely disabled; certain Vietnam era and disabled veterans; returned volunteers from the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps Vista , etc. Please indicate the type of special appointment you are seeking, if any, on your application and follow all other instructions for applying shown in this announcement.

5. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review in our office, in other Federal agency personnel offices, and on OPM's web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.

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.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your rating will be based on your responses to the job specific information provided in your resume. Your resume must clearly show how you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below. Failure to demonstrate how you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities will result in a rating of "Qualified" by the rating panel.

1. Knowledge of Advanced Analytical Instrumentation (HR MS, LC MS/MS, GC-MS).

2. Skill and ability in Forensic Toxicology Method Development & Validation to Troubleshoot and Resolve Complex Instrument Malfunctions.

3. Ability to Communicate Technical Information Clearly (oral & written).

Once the application process is completed, your application will be reviewed to ensure you meet the job requirements. You will be evaluated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training, job- related awards and supervisory appraisal of performance. If you meet the basic qualification requirements, your resume will be forwarded to a panel for rating. Category Rating will be used to evaluate applicants using the following categories to further determine which applicants will be referred to the selecting official for final consideration.

Best Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level on all evaluation criteria.

Well Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level on evaluation criteria.

Qualified: Applicants possessing the specialized experience described above.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your Resume listing hours worked per week, salary, dates of employment and duties performed.
2. Other supporting documents:

  • College transcript(s), if qualifying based on education. Transcripts must include the school name, student name, degree and date awarded, if applicable. (Note: If you are selected for the position, official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day) May be required to satisfy the basic professional requirement.
  • Most recent SF-50 or Notification of Personnel Action showing you are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade or promotion potential held (if applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal Service). (Award Notification of Personnel Actions are not acceptable)
  • DD-214 (member 4 copy) showing honorable discharge, SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from Veterans for consideration under Veteran hiring authorities
  • Non-competitive appointment authority documentation, if applicable
  • Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program Documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)
  • Employees applying with an interchange agreement must provide proof of their permanent appointment
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
  • Only send documentation as requested/required by this announcement and that directly supports your qualifications for this position.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date (08/07/2025) to receive consideration.

  • To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
  • You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
  • You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
  • To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact Tara Stoney at (202) 220-5586 or Tara.Stoney@psa.gov to obtain instructions on how to submit an alternative application.

Agency contact information

Tara Stoney
Address
Office of Forensic Toxicology Services
90 K. Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20004
US

Next steps

Once the on-line application and supporting documents are received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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