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PSA is looking for a Supervisory Chemist/Toxicologist who will conduct the full range of forensic screening and confirmation analyses to detect drug use. If you are experienced in the use of Gas Chromotography Mass Spectometry (GCMS) and Liquid Chromotography Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) instruments and able to lead a staff of scientific professionals in the forensic toxicology field, then PSA wants you!
This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
09/26/2024 to 10/10/2024
$117,962 - $153,354 per year
GS 13
No
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-time
Competitive
13
Yes
Yes
25-60(DE)
811469900
As a Supervisory Chemist (Forensic) or Toxicologist (Forensic), you will:
1. Supervise Toxicologists and Chemists who perform the full range of confirmation analysis including specialized experience in Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Monitor staff in interpreting results of testing, recording, and documenting control of samples, test procedures, results and other required information. Ensure compliance with standard forensic and office procedures. Responsible for operation, troubleshooting and basic maintenance of current state of the art GCMS and LC-MS/MS instruments and their software applications.
2. Oversee staff court representation. Testify as an expert witness to explain highly complex scientific and forensic procedures that are used in drug testing as well as results and their implications for individual defendants. Provide expertise in the application of pharmacokinetic principles of various drugs in defendants.
3. Create and develop methods for GCMS and LC-MS/MS instruments for the analyses of various drugs of abuse including emergent synthetic drugs. Evaluate daily laboratory operations. Identify areas where changes are needed to improve overall scientific and legal proficiency in drug detection as well as improvements in processes, costs or other areas. Recommend new approaches, revisions in policy or protocol, or other changes to management. Participate in the development of long and short-range plans for the OFTS.
4. Responsible for the continuous monitoring of the scientific performance of the unit. Review all screening and confirmation data and monitor controls, performance and compliance with standards, protocols and procedures.
5. Supervise assigned staff. Assign work and establish priorities. Administer personnel programs in leave and absence, awards, and recognition and programs in affirmative action and equal employment opportunity. Counsel employees on performance and administrative issues. Establish performance standards and evaluate employee performance. Identify and address staff training needs.
6. Maintain current awareness of trends and developments relating to forensic drug testing. Review scientific and forensic professional literature to keep abreast of the latest instrumental procedures, pharmacokinetics and expert witness information.
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.
There is no education substitution at this grade level.
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
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.
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 the quality assurance process and skill in calibrating and operating analytical instruments to perform drug testing in a forensic lab to include: Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GCMS) and Liquid Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) and in analyzing results.
2. Knowledge of principles and methodologies utilized for the extraction and separation of drugs and their principal metabolites and analysis of results. Skill in the preparation, validation, and certification of standard and control reagents and/or solutions for drug analyses.
3. Demonstrate the ability to provide expert testimony on drug analysis and the relevance of the results in legal proceedings using relevant principles of toxicology, organic, analytic and physical chemistry.
4. Ability to lead a diverse workforce, plan, organize, direct the functions, supervise, mentor, motivate, and appraise the staff of an organization.
5. 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.
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:
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.
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 (10/10/2024) to receive consideration.
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.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/811469900. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
A Leader in the D.C. Criminal Justice Community!
PSA is a Federal agency that assists judicial officers in both the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and the United States District Court for the District of Columbia by conducting a risk assessment for every arrested person who will be presented in court, identifying detention eligibility and formulating release recommendations, as appropriate, based upon the arrestee's demographic information, criminal history, and substance use and/or mental health information.
For defendants who are placed on conditional release pending trial, PSA provides supervision and treatment services that reasonably assure that they return to court and do not engage in criminal activity pending their trial and/or sentencing.
PSA's vision is to improve public safety and serve the community through data-driven decision making by a committed workforce that provides evidence-based pretrial supervision and support services.
PSA uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
You are encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application package to ensure that you receive full consideration.
