Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Justice Programs (OJP),National Institute of Justice (NIJ), Office of Investigative & Forensic Sciences (OIFS). The incumbent serves as a Program Manager, responsible for planning, testing, evaluating, managing, and reporting on issues related to OIFS scientific research portfolios and programs, and studies concerning technologies, systems, and research for forensic science in conjunction with other criminal justice communities.
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Responsibilities

(The duties described reflect the full performance level of this position)

Serves as a recognized senior forensic science expert, performing oversight and guidance of professional and scientific work in the analysis of forensic evidence. The incumbent serves as an expert senior scientist responsible for programs that evaluate and implement the visual, chemical, photographic, digital, and other scientific examinations of complex submissions of physical evidence to form a scientific opinion. As a technical authority in forensic analyses, the senior scientist evaluates and recommends research programs that identify, quantify, and/or compare irreplaceable evidence that - because of its paucity, uniqueness, obscurity, transient nature, contamination, decomposition, or complexity - requires the most difficult analyses and complicated interpretations.
Proposes, plans and implements centralized and mission-specific projects under established and/or proposed program objectives including DOJ, OJP, and NIJ goals and objectives and the NIJ/OIFS Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation (RDT&E) plan. Identifies and implements necessary actions relating to implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of science and technology programs and projects with forensic science and other criminal justice applications.

Serves as a senior scientist responsible for developing forensic evidence guidelines adhering to and enforcing quality assurance practices and standards in support of OIFS programs and initiatives. The incumbent reviews and updates quality documents; develops and publishes guidelines for implementation of quality assurance mechanisms in technical procedures/protocols, for quality controls and for other quality assurance programs; ensures new procedures are properly validated and documented before implementation, and ensures technical problems are properly investigated, resolved, and documented.

Serves as a research scientist responsible for applying chemical or biological and compatible research to problems for forensic science and/or biometrics. As an expert in the application of forensic sciences or biometrics, applies a professional knowledge of these fields in translating broad problem areas to specific research programs that are responsive to DOJ and stakeholder requirements. The incumbent is expected to formulate detailed research and development project plans to integrate cost, time, and performance criteria in the performance of research investigations.

Travel Required

25% or less - 25%

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Subject to background/suitability investigation/determination.
• Federal payments are required to be made by Direct Deposit.
• Requires registration for the Selective Service. Visit www.sss.gov.
• Pre-employment drug testing required.
• 1-year probationary period may be required.

See Other Information for further requirements.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

A. Successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree or higher degree that included a major field of study in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester/36 quarter hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience----education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester/36 quarter hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional educat ion.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have had one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-13.

Specialized experience is experience which is in or related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Examples of specialized experience include: served as a senior forensic science expert, performing oversight and guidance of professional and scientific work in the analysis of forensic evidence; served as a senior scientist responsible for developing forensic evidence guidelines adhering to and enforcing quality assurance practices and standards in support of programs and initiatives; reviewed and updated quality documents; develops and publishes guidelines for implementation of quality assurance mechanisms in technical procedures/protocols, for quality controls and for other quality assurance programs; ensures new procedures are properly validated and documented before implementation, and ensures technical problems are properly investigated, resolved, and documented; served as a research scientist responsible for applying chemical or biological and compatible research to problems for forensic science and/or biometrics; formulated requirements for systematic research inquiries/studies on new and unusual problems in forensic science; served as an expert senior scientist responsible for programs that evaluate and implement the visual, chemical, photographic, digital, and other scientific examinations of complex submissions of physical evidence to form a scientific opinion; or, evaluated and recommended research programs that identify, quantify, and/or compare irreplaceable evidence that - because of its paucity, uniqueness, obscurity, transient nature, contamination, decomposition, or complexity - requires the most difficult analyses and complicated interpretations.
Click here to see the full Qualifications Statement.

Education

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 (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly.

Additional information

THIS IS A DIRECT HIRE PUBLIC NOTICE: Direct Hire allows agencies to appoint candidates directly to occupations for which the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has determined there is a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need. Qualified candidates will be considered in accordance with the OPM Direct Hire Guidelines. Veterans' Preference does not apply to the direct hire recruitment procedures.

Current civil service employees will receive new appointments if selected under this Direct Hire Authority.
This position is included in the bargaining unit.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies that may occur within 90 days of the closing date.

This position is eligible for part time or situational telework.

OJP offers opportunities for flexible work schedules.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Qualified candidates will be considered in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management Direct Hire guidelines. Veterans' Preference does not apply to direct hire recruitment procedures.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

REMINDER: ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MIDNIGHT Eastern Time (Washington, D.C. time) ON THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (ALL APPLICANTS):

1. Resume and/or work history profile, and
2. Unofficial Transcripts (official transcripts required upon selection).

Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)/Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)

If you are a CTAP/ICTAP applicant: CTAP/ICTAP applicants must be well qualified to be referred for consideration. If you score 85 or above, you are considered to be well-qualified and will be referred to the selecting official.

If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must submit proof by the closing date of the announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(u) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. The proof includes a copy of the Agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 Non Competitive Appointment.

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.