PHYSICAL SCIENTIST (FORENSIC CHEMISTRY)
This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for STEM Positions, Cyber Security & Related position, to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. About the Position: Serves as a Physical Scientist in the Confirmation Section of the Forensic Toxicology Drug Testing Laboratory (FTDTL), Fort Meade, MD., which supports the Department of Defense Drug Control Program.
Major duties
- Ensure chromatographic and mass spectral data are within the quantitative/qualitative parameters required of the assay.
- Follow technical and forensic regulations for FTDTL to maintain proficiency certification by the National Laboratory Certification Program (NLCP) and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES).
- Apply professional knowledge of general physical science and chemistry to evaluate GC-MS and LC-MS/MS instrumentation parameters to ensure proper instrument performance and resolve all problems.
- Perform and document all required GC-MS and LC-MS/MS maintenance which includes, but is not limited to, evaluation of tuning and instrument performance prior to batch analysis.
- Perform solid phase extractions, derivatization of drugs and drug metabolites from urine specimens, and subsequent GC-MS and LC-MS/MS analysis maintaining chain of custody at all times.
- Monitor and review batch data for quality, technical proficiency, forensic compliance and compliance with established FTDTL Standard Operating Procedures.
- Troubleshoot current extraction methods and GC-MS and LC-MS/MS analyzers to correct technical performance problems.
Qualifications
Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Basic Requirement - (GS 9/11): Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. OR Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to one of the majors, as shown in A above, that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Specialized Experience (GS-9): One year of specialized experience which includes Performing forensic laboratory duties under the guidance of the supervisor, to include the extraction, derivatization, and subsequent analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC MS) or liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC MS/MS) to confirm the presence of drugs in urine specimens. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07). OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as biological science, life science, physical science, chemistry or mathematics. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. Specialized Experience (GS-11): One year of specialized experience which includes performing forensic laboratory duties to include the extraction, derivatization, and subsequent analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC MS) or liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC MS/MS) to confirm the presence of drugs in urine specimens. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09). OR Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: biological science, life science, physical science, chemistry or mathematics. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. Certification (GS-11): The Physical Scientist (Forensic Chemistry) position requires incumbent to have the Forensic Toxicology Drug Testing Laboratory (FTDTL) Certification through Ft Meade Confirmation Section. (must provide copy of certification).
Education
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/