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 Deputy Assistant 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 Deputy Assistant 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
Bargaining Unit Status and Chapter: Not Covered, AFGE Local 1456
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. 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 duties of the position. 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 duties of the position. 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.
ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
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.
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 (11/19/2024) 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.
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.