Duties
These positions are located in the Department of Justice (DOJ), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Office of Forensic Sciences, Forensic Laboratories.
As a Forensic Chemist your typical work assignments may include:
- Utilizes scientific methods and laboratory guidelines to perform routine scientific tests on controlled and non-controlled substances while adhering to custody and security procedures in the handling, analysis, and preservation of evidence.
- Plans and executes complex studies that involve performance of chemical analyses and tests on a broad range of unusual samples.
- Examines the chemistry of substances, evaluates possible approaches for use and devises, and modifies and/or extends methods to meet requirements.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Under the provisions of the Direct-Hire Authority, veterans' preference and traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply. For this announcement, all applicants will be assessed to determine if they meet the qualifications for this position, specifically the education, specialized experience, and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) necessary to perform the work of the position. All applications that meet the required qualifications will be referred to the selecting official in the order in which the applications were received.
Your
resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following KSAs and other characteristics that are relevant to the duties of this position and must be fully supported by information in your resume:
- Research
- Chemistry
- Written Communication
- Teamwork
ASSESSMENTS: You must submit a completed assessment questionnaire. Unless otherwise stated, we will only use the information above to determine your qualifications. Not providing the required information may result in a determination that you do not meet minimum requirements for the position (e.g., an ineligible rating) or a lower rating. If eligible, you will be invited to complete proctored assessments at a testing center. After passing this and the qualifications review, if eligible, you will complete a structured panel interview.
Agency and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP and ICTAP) candidates must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for selection priority. Candidates are considered well qualified if their knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) exceed the minimum qualifications described in the announcement.
How to Apply
PLEASE COMPLETE ANY ONLINE INFORMATION FOR THIS VACANCY USING YOUR LEGAL NAME. USING NICKNAMES MAY CAUSE IDENTIFICATION ISSUES LATER ON IN THE APPLICANT PROCESS.
To apply for this position, please read and follow all instructions in this announcement, complete the online application, and submit the documentation specified in the "Required Documents" section. Your complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) on 11/29/2024 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply.
2. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. See the "Required Documents" section for any additional forms and/or supplemental materials required.
3. Read all Eligibility questions and respond accordingly to any Eligibility you wish to claim. You will only be considered for those Eligibility questions (Status Applicant, Reinstatement, Schedule A, etc.) you respond in the affirmative to, regardless of what documentation you submit. We cannot assume you intended to respond differently to a question based on other information in your application package.
4. Complete the assessment questionnaire. Applicants are asked all questions regardless of their consideration preferences. We will only consider you for the grades, series, locations, specialties, and other considerations that you self-identify as being qualified for or interested in. Preview assessment questionnaire before you apply:
5. Verify all required documentation is included in your application package, review your responses to the assessment questionnaire for accuracy, and then submit your application.
We cannot assume responsibility or grant extensions for personal issues (e.g., troubles navigating the application process, loss of internet, not understanding a question) when applying to our announcements. For resume writing guidance, please visit the following resources: USAJOBS Resource Center, and the USAJOBS Resume Writing Video Tutorial.
A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.
Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:
- An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
- An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
- An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.
You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about
disability employment and reasonable accommodations or
how to contact an agency.
If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET at least 2 working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted.
Next steps
After all application packages are received, we will review applications and evaluate applicants' qualifications and will refer candidates, as described in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section, to the hiring manager for selection consideration.
Candidates who are determined to be minimally qualified must successfully complete a series of pre-employment assessments and interview to determine if the individual attains the skills, knowledge, and ability to successfully carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position.
Your application status will be updated up to four times during the following hiring phases:
- After applications are received.
- After applications are assessed to determine qualifications.
- After candidates are referred to the hiring manager.
- If selected, candidates may receive additional notifications regarding the next steps in the hiring process.
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
As a term of employment, individuals selected for this position are required to successfully complete the DEA Basic Forensic Chemist course (BFCC). This is an 18-week training held at the DEA Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Following completion of the BFCC, individuals are required to successfully complete a 60-day laboratory qualification training at their assigned DEA facility. This position is subject to reassignment to any domestic DEA facility, depending on the needs of the DEA. Individuals selected for this position are required to sign a mobility agreement as a condition of employment.