Forensic Document Examiner Senior Job in Reston, VA

Vacancy No. DEST-12797993-25-CEB Department U.S. Postal Service
Salary $127,470.00 to $176,620.00 Grade 4 to 4
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/16/2025 Close Date 10/1/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Reston, VA


Summary

The successful candidate will conduct detailed and complex forensic document analyses utilizing appropriate scientific methodologies, forensic techniques, and quality assurance practices in support of criminal and administrative investigations.

1 vacancy in the following location:
US Postal inspection Service
Forensic Laboratory Service
22433 Randolph Drive
Dulles, VA 20104

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or National. Current career Postal Service or Postal Inspection Service employees are ineligible to apply to this posting. A Moderate Risk Background Investigation (MBI) is required.

Duties

  1. Conducts complex and difficult forensic document examinations through the application of scientific practices for the recognition, collection, analysis, and interpretation of physical evidence for criminal and civil law or regulatory purposes utilizing a full range of scientific methodologies and forensic instrumental techniques.
  2. Exercises independent discretion and judgment to render conclusions, form opinions and produce reports based on the examination and analysis of evidence and interpretation of scientific observation and data.
  3. Provides independent, interpretation conclusions and opinions through expert witness testimony; produces comprehensive reports and illustrative exhibits for federal, state, and local judicial proceedings at a level sufficient to explain evidence interpretation and conclusions from forensic examinations and scientific data to a lay audience.
  4. Maintains quality control of forensic work products by conducting ongoing technical work reviews of forensic document examiners to ensure document examinations are conducted in accordance with accepted analytical methods, scientific standards, and evidence handling requirements.
  5. Designs and conducts innovative and complex scientific research for the purpose of discovering new forensic techniques and validation methods and resolving forensic examination problems; produces very detailed technical papers for publishing in scientific and forensic-related journals and publications.
  6. Serves as a subject matter expert and technical advisor in matters relating to the proper collection, preservation, packaging, and submission of criminal evidence; oversees and serves as a team leader for crime scene and evidence collection activities during major field investigations.
  7. Oversees and coordinates the development and implementation of programs, policies, and procedures to ensure laboratory procedures, forensic examinations, and evidence handling processes are up-to-date and reflective of current trends and techniques within the law enforcement and scientific communities.
  8. Plans, coordinates, and conducts training to inspectors and other law enforcement officials in laboratory services, evidence collection, and field examination training.
  9. Serves as an authoritative source and provides recognized expert advice on technical developments, analytical techniques, and forensic examination issues; leads inter-agency task groups in matters with a national or global scope.
  10. Participates in professional associations and scientific symposiums; maintains appropriate certification in scientific disciplines.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Key Requirements

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident alien status.
  • Willingness to submit to a Tier 2 Moderate Background Investigation (MBI). This investigation requires, among other things, completion of a questionnaire and fingerprinting for a criminal records check. The investigation will require a drug test. The successful applicant will be required to meet and maintain the requirements of this level of background investigation while holding this position.
Other Conditions of Employment:
  1. Must be a determined suitable for federal employment.
  2. You will be required to obtain and maintain a MBI security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
  3. Qualified applicants must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening to meet the U.S. Postal Service's requirement to be drug free.
  4. SPECIAL NOTE: Current career USPS and USPIS employees are ineligible to apply for this posting.

Qualifications

  1. Knowledge of forensic science techniques, laboratory protocols, scientific methodologies, and forensic document examination procedures sufficient to conduct highly complex and unusually difficult analyses and interpret the value of evidentiary items.
  2. Knowledge of quality assurance and discipline principles, procedures, and protocols sufficient to conduct technical work reviews of analysts.
  3. Knowledge of evidence collection, preservation, packaging, and shipment procedures sufficient to serve as a technical advisor in such matters, and to serve as a crime scene team leader for evidence collection activities during major field investigations.
  4. Ability to communicate orally and in writing in order to prepare reports of examination results and conclusions, and provide testimony as an expert witness before state, federal or other judicial bodies.
  5. Ability to plan, coordinate and conduct training regarding laboratory services, evidence collection, and field examination.
  6. EDUCATION REQUIREMENT Bachelor's degree in physical or biological sciences, life sciences, chemistry or a closely related field from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accreditation organization recognized and sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Education.
  7. Skill in the use of microscopes and digital / optical enhancement instruments.
  8. Ability to conduct and document scientific research related to forensic document examinations.
  9. Ability to develop and implement laboratory programs, policies and procedures to ensure laboratory services are reflective of current trends and techniques in the forensic document discipline.

Education

Please read the "Qualifications" section.

Additional information

Benefits
The salary will be based on previous experience, and current postal pay policies. We offer excellent benefits including health and life insurance, retirement plan, savings/investment plan with employer contribution, flexible spending, flextime scheduling of core work hours, annual and sick leave.

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.

We will review your resume and supporting documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant professional, educational, and work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified in the Qualifications section above, required for this position.

Required Documents

Cover letter, resume, & transcripts.

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

You will need to apply via our on-line application process at https://about.usps.com/careers/welcome.htm. You will need to create an applicant profile.

Once you are on the website, click "Search our latest job postings" OR select "Start your eCareer profile." You will have an opportunity to upload any requested documents to your profile.

This is a two-step application process requiring you to create a profile and submit an application for the position you are applying for.

You will receive two email confirmations:

  1. An email confirming your profile is complete.
  2. After submitting your application, you will receive a second email confirming your application has been successfully submitted.

Agency contact information

Human Resources
Address
US Postal Inspection Service
USPIS Security Investigations Service Center
Applicant Processing Unit, 225 N. Humphreys Blvd., 4th Floor
Memphis, TN 38161-0001
US

Next steps

You will be contacted via email on the status of your application.


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


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