Duties

Summary

Duty Location

U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Forensic Document Examiner/National Forensic Laboratory
22433 Randolph Drive
Dulles, VA 20104-1000
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Major Duties

• Conducts detailed and complex forensic document analyses utilizing appropriate scientific methodologies, forensic techniques, and quality assurance practices in support of criminal and administrative investigations.
• Conducts complex and sensitive forensic document examinations through the application of scientific practices for the recognition, collection, analysis, and interpretation of physical evidence for criminal and civil law or regulatory purposes utilizing the most appropriate scientific methodologies and forensic and instrumental techniques.
• Exercises independent discretion and judgment to render conclusions, form opinions and produce reports based on the examination and analysis of evidence and interpretation of scientific observations and data.
• Provides interpretations, conclusions and opinions through expert witness testimony; produces comprehensive reports and illustrative exhibits for federal, state, and local judicial proceedings at a level sufficient to explain evidence interpretation and conclusions from forensic examinations and scientific data to a lay audience.
• Serves as a subject matter expert and technical advisor in matters relating to the proper collection, preservation, packaging, and submission of criminal evidence; participates in crime scene evidence collection activities in major field investigations; ensures evidence handling requirements are met.
• Assists with ongoing evaluation and validation of laboratory instrumentation and methods, operating protocols, and safety practices; maintains awareness of safety procedures and identifies possible physical conditions and/or laboratory procedures that may create unsafe conditions.
• Assists with planning and delivery of laboratory services, evidence collection, and field examination training.
• Designs, develops, and conducts studies and research for improving forensic analyses, scientific methods, and criminal identification procedures.
• Acts as liaison with postal management and federal, state, and local representatives on technical developments, forensic methods, and investigative problems of common interest.
• Participates in professional associations; maintains technical resource documentation.

Key Requirements

• Knowledge of forensic science techniques, laboratory protocols, scientific methodologies, and forensic document examination procedures sufficient to conduct detailed and complex analyses and interpret the value of evidentiary items.
• Knowledge of evidence collection, preservation, packaging and shipment procedures sufficient to serve as a technical advisor in such matters, and to ensure evidence handling requirements are met.
• Ability to conduct research and prepare technical papers for publication and presentation at professional meetings.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing in order to prepare reports of examination results and conclusions, and provide testimony as an expert witness before state, federal or other judicial bodies.
• Ability to provide training related to laboratory services, evidence collection, and field examination.
• Skill in the use of microscopes and optical enhancement instruments.
• EDUCATION REQUIREMENT 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.
• SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Willingness to submit to a Tier 5 Single-Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) and a Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) if required. This investigation requires, among other things, completion of a questionnaire and fingerprinting for a criminal records check. The investigation may require a drug test. The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret or Top Secret/SCI clearance while holding this position.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
2 - Grade W2-02.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Qualified applicant must successfully pass a drug screening. Willingness to submit to a Tier 2 Moderate Background Investigation (MBI). This investigation requires, among other things, completion of a questionnaire and fingerprinting for a criminal records check. The investigation may require a drug test. The successful applicant will be required to meet and maintain the requirements of this level of background investigation while holding this position. Non-competitive requests from career non-bargaining employees at the same or higher grade level may be submitted directly to the selecting official for consideration outside this competitive process.

Qualifications

Certification by the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners.

Education

Please read the "Qualifications" section.

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

We will review your resume and supporting documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant professional, educational, and work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified in the Qualifications section above, required for this position.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

Please read the "How To Apply" section.

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.