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Scientific and Technical Advisor

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Mar 23, 2023
Duties

  • Provides expertise on developing or improving capabilities to prevent, respond, and mitigate against risks associated with suspicious materials being transported through the mail and other associated mail operations. Interprets known, new, and emerging chemical and biological risk response data derived from scientific and forensic methodologies.
  • Conducts independent research in scientific and forensic related areas of the USPIS operations to identify trends, technology enhancement, methodologies, and response protocols. Develops plans to identify technological solutions designed to address or enhance the investigative operations and other business needs of the USPIS.
  • Develops quality assurance test plans for implemented programs. Identifies training needs, additional equipment, and additional resources necessary to support and maintain quality assurance of implemented programs. Identifies scientific and technical equipment and external contract laboratories to support examinations and investigations.
  • Establishes training programs and ensures courses are continuously updated to conform to changing best practices, learning standards, regulations, and internal processes. Coordinates and conducts discipline-related training on scientific and technical processes, including evidence collection and management, use of technical equipment, health and safety issues, laboratory services, and forensic processes.
  • Advises on the development of evidence processing and analysis protocols. Coordinates with external contract laboratories on lab requests, evidence submissions, and evidence analysis reporting (e.g., DNA, controlled substances, audio).
  • Provides oversight to laboratory critical incident response activities such as identifying equipment and personnel resource needs, coordinating deployment to scene of incident, and advising on evidence collection and management.
  • Assists in the contract procurement process to select vendors needed for technical and scientific services. Identifies potential vendors and develops procurement materials for vendor selection including Request for Information (RFI), Request for Proposals (RFP), and Statements of Work (SOW). Serves as a panel member to evaluate bidding vendors during procurement processes.
  • Participates as a member of the scientist-practitioner community and represents USPIS and USPS in professional associations, symposiums, conferences, and publications. Produces technical reports, white papers, and presentations on research findings, technical concepts, or scientific knowledge gained through work. Presents research to internal non-technical audiences including USPIS and USPS leadership to inform of gained insights, communicate relevant business impacts, and inform decision making.


  • Requirements

    Conditions of Employment


    Key Requirements
    • You must be a U.S. Citizen.
    Other Conditions of Employment
    • Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
    • Willingness to submit to a Tier 5 Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) for security clearance. The investigation requires completion of a questionnaire, fingerprints for a criminal records check, and drug test. The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain the security clearance while holding the position.
    • Qualified applicants must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening to meet the U.S. Postal Service's requirement to be drug free.
    • SPECIAL NOTE: Current career USPS employees are ineligible to apply for this posting.


    Qualifications

  • SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Willingness to submit to a Tier 5 Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) for security clearance. The investigation requires completion of a questionnaire, fingerprints for a criminal records check, and drug test. The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain the security clearance while holding the position.
  • Ability to research vendors, develop procurement documents (e.g., RFP, RFI, SOW), and evaluate proposals for contract procurement processes.
  • Knowledge of forensic science theories, methodologies, laboratory applications, evidence management, and investigative procedures sufficient to serve as a technical advisor, evaluate processes and procedures, and provide guidance and expertise.
  • Ability to identify problems in current technical processes or procedures and provide recommendations for improvement based on sound scientific research and developments.
  • Ability to communicate orally and in writing in order to prepare detailed technical reports and presentations for publication and presentation to academic and scientific communities, and postal management.
  • Ability to plan, coordinate, and conduct training related to chemical and biological testing and sampling methods, evidence handling, health and safety practices, quality assurance, incident response, equipment use, laboratory use, and other forensics practices.
  • Ability to represent the organization to peer groups, national/international professional organizations, government officials, and industry representatives.
  • Knowledge of known, new, and emerging chemical and biological risks sufficient to evaluate risk mitigation processes, procedures, and training.
  • Ability to oversee, coordinate, and advise in the development, implementation, and continual support of complex technical programs.


  • Education

    Bachelor's degree in physical or biological sciences, life sciences, chemistry, or a closely related field from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accreditation organization recognized and sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Education.

    Additional information

    Benefits

    The salary will be based on previous experience, and current postal pay policies. We offer excellent benefits including health and life insurance, retirement plan, savings/investment plan with employer contribution, flexible spending, flextime scheduling of core work hours, annual and sick leave.

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