Duties
As a Chemist/Toxicologist, you will:
1. Perform the full range of immunoassay screening and confirmation analysis including Gas Chromotography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) and Liquid Chromotography Mass Spectrometer. Follow strict chain and custody procedures, perform extraction and sample preparation of urine aliquots for analysis and forensic analyses in accordance with relevant scientific and forensic protocols and established Laboratory policy.
2. Interpret results of testing and record and document control samples, test procedures, results and other required information in accordance with standard forensic and office procedures. Prepare manual and automated records and update relevant PSA, CSOSA and court systems to reflect testing information.
3. Represent PSA and CSOSA, testify as an expert witness when necessary. Explain highly complex scientific and forensic procedures that are used in drug testing as well as results and their implications for individual defendants.
4. Perform and document all required maintenance for laboratory instruments used in screening and/or confirmation.
5. Perform certification procedures for new instruments and procedures. Troubleshoot current assays and instruments to correct or improve technical performance.
6. Maintain current awareness of trends and development relating to forensic drug testing.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
A candidate appointed at a lower grade level may be promoted up to the full performance level without further competition.
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. 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.
Basic Requirement For Chemistry Series 1320: A) 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 B) Combination of education and experience, course work equivalent to a major as shown in A 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 C) One year of specialized experience that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties.
Specialized experience is defined as performing the full range of screening and confirmation analysis including immunoassay and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS). Following strict chain of custody procedures, perform extraction and sample preparation of urine aliquots for analysis and forensic analyses in accordance with relevant scientific and forensic protocols and established Laboratory policy. Interprets results of testing and records and documents control of samples, test procedures, results and other required information in accordance with standard forensic and office procedures.
Substitution of education for specialized experience- At least two years of graduate-level education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college and/or university in chemistry or other directly related field of study.
Basic Requirement For Toxicology Series 415: A) 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 B) One year of specialized experience that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties.
Specialized experience is defined as performing the full range of screening and confirmation analysis including immunoassay and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS). Following strict chain of custody procedures, perform extraction and sample preparation of urine aliquots for analysis and forensic analyses in accordance with relevant scientific and forensic protocols and established Laboratory policy. Interprets results of testing and records and documents control of samples, test procedures, results and other required information in accordance with standard forensic and office procedures.
Substitution of education for specialized experience- At least two years of graduate-level education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college and/or university in toxicology or other directly related field of study.
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 education substitution for specialized experience at this grade level.
BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: 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.
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 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. 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 OPM Qualification Standards .
4. In accordance with Executive Order 14170 and the Merit Hiring Plan guidance issued by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, applicants for this position are invited to respond to four essay questions. These questions are designed to provide you with an opportunity to share your commitment to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution, as well as your dedication to public service. While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. Click here to review the questionshttps://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12868509.
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.
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. Skill in calibrating and operating analytical instruments to perform drug testing in a forensic lab to include: immunoassay analyzer, Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer and Liquid Chromatograph and in analyzing results.
2. Knowledge of principles and methodologies utilized for the extraction and separation of drugs and their principle metabolites and analysis of results.
3. Skill in oral communication in order to present and interpret data analysis results in a clear and concise manner.
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. Your resume must not exceed two pages. Resumes that exceeds the two-page limit will be deemed ineligible for further consideration and will result in an ineligible rating.
2. Other supporting documents:
- College transcript(s), if qualifying based on education and to satisfy basic professional requirement. 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)
- 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.