Supervisory Toxicologist (Forensic) or Supervisory Chemist (Forensic) (Deputy Director) Job in Washington DC, DC

Vacancy No. 24-52(DE) Department Pretrial Services Agency
Salary $139,395.00 to $181,216.00 Grade 14 to 14
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/5/2024 Close Date 9/19/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington DC, DC


Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia is looking for an individual to serve as the Deputy Director who performs the full range of forensic screening and confirmation analyses to detect drug use and provide interpretation of data, drug pharmacokinetics and drug pharmacodynamics to the Court and Pretrial Services Agency and Court Services & Offender Supervision Agency Staff.

Bargaining Unit Status and chapter: Not Covered, AFGE Local 1456

This is not a law enforcement position

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

United States Citizens

Duties

As a Supervisory Toxicologist (Forensic) or Supervisory Chemist (Forensic) (Deputy Director), you will:

1. Serve as the Deputy Director of the Laboratory which is organized into two sections performing the full range of forensic drug testing. Participate fully and serve as alter ego to the Deputy Assistant Director of OFTS in managing and directing all phases of Laboratory operations.
2. Assist the Deputy Assistant Director in developing operating goals and objectives for the Laboratory and related plans and resource requirements. Assist the Director in long- and short-range planning initiatives. Design and recommend alternatives for Laboratory management to address mission critical requirements, change in legal or scientific requirements and standards, or to improve operational efficiency. Assist in directing special studies and assessments of Laboratory operations, evaluating accomplishments against established goals and objectives. Work with the Deputy Assistant Director to review operational efficiency, procedure validation, instrument certification and quality assurance and control. Identify potential problem areas with either scientific operations or management issues. Develop and implement strategies to correct deficiencies.
3. As a senior authority on forensic drug testing, interprets complex scientific data and advises staff on documentation and testimony. Consult with OFTS Deputy Assistant Director to establish, explain and defend scientific protocols and procedures, laboratory data, drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodymanics. Assist the OFTS Deputy Assistant Director to provide expert consultation and lectures to external agencies and visiting delegations and represents PSA and CSOSA in a variety of scientific, legal and community forums.
4. Manage a staff of scientists and technical employees performing the full range of screening and confirmation analysis, and interpretation and documentation of data. Plan and assign work, delegate responsibility, and establish priorities and time frames. Administer personnel programs in absence and leave, awards and recognition, and affirmative action and equal employment opportunity. Counsel employees and takes or recommends disciplinary actions. Consult with the Laboratory Operations Manager to approve or recommend personnel selection and promotions. Set performance standards and evaluates performance. Identify training needs for staff in order to maintain scientific proficiency.
5. Consult with the Laboratory Operations Manager Performs financial management and administrative activities for the Laboratory. Develop budget projections, documentation and justification. Manage allocated funds ensuring compliance with relevant policy and procedures and maximum return on expenditures as assigned by the Director. Define procurement requirements and works with Laboratory Operations Manager and contract staff to obtain products and services and manage contracts to support Laboratory operations.
6. As required perform expert testimony duties on all phases of forensic drug testing and of Laboratory operations to PSA and CSOSA in DC Superior Court and US District Court.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

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. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Telework: PSA supports the use of telework to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework based on supervisory approval and in accordance with the Agency's telework policy.

Virtual Position: This position is NOT eligible for remote work.

Qualifications

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

For Toxicology Series 0415, applicant must have 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 that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. Specialized experience is defined as managing and directing all phases of a Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, to include but not limited to performing the full range of forensic screening and confirmation analyses to detect drug use and provide interpretation of data, drug pharmacokinetics and drug pharmacodynamics.

For Chemistry Series 1320, applicant must have 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 that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. Specialized experience is defined as managing and directing all phases of a Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, to include but not limited to performing the full range of forensic screening and confirmation analyses to detect drug use and provide interpretation of data, drug pharmacokinetics and drug pharmacodynamics.

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.

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 veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you should attach a copy of your DD-214 (unedited long version) or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must attach an SF-15, "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form.

3. If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.

4. Reasonable Accommodation, this agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of this application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation is made on a case-by-case basis.

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.

6. Equal Opportunity Employer: The Pretrial Services Agency is an equal opportunity employer. Selection for this position will be based solely on merit without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, marital or family status or other non-merit based factors.

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 Rules of Evidence applied to forensic toxicology and forensic science, expertise in the analyses of drugs on all phases of forensic toxicology of drugs of abuse.

2. Ability and skill to lead, coach staff, plan, and execute strategic direction for forensic laboratory operations.

3. Skill in written and verbal communication with internal staff and external stakeholders such as the courts.

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. 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.

Application of Veterans' Preference: Category rating and selection procedures place those with veterans' preference above non-veterans within each category. Veterans who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements, and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the highest quality category (Best Qualified), except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.

Required Documents

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

  • College transcript(s), if qualifying based on education. Transcripts must include the school's 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.
  • 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
  • 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.)
  • 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 (09/19/2024) 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 Office of Forensic Toxicology Services 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
Learn more about this agency

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.