Physical Scientist Jobs

Position: Physical Scientist, GS-7/9

Division: Laboratory Division

Unit: Firearms-Toolmarks Unit

Location: Quantico, VA

Working Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm (Flexible)

Salary: GS-7 $53,105.00-$69,035.00

GS-9 $64,957.00-$84,441.00

Full Performance level: GS-12

Number of Positions Available: 1

Duration: Full Time/Permanent

Additional selections may be made from this announcement to fill positions within the same division when the position includes substantially the same duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.

Key Requirements

• As a condition of employment, DNA samples are required from all FBI personnel who interact with evidence or federal DNA database samples in Laboratory Division (LD) space or whose work requires them to enter LD examination areas where evidence of DNA database samples are processed or examined as part of the quality control process to detect sample/evidence contamination, in accordance with the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA), 75 Federal Register (FR) 68932; 29 C.F.R. 1635.8(b)(6).
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• ALL applicants must verify completion of the basic education requirement by submitting a copy of college transcripts by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
• Must be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance.
• The individual that fills this position will potentially be exposed to situations or information that depicts violent acts, lewd images, or involves isolated working conditions.
• Must be able to pass a U.S. Government physical exam.
• Some travel may be required.

Mission Statement

The mission of the FBI is to protect the American People and uphold the Constitution of the United States.

Major Duties

• Enter samples into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NBIN).
• Participate in shooting incident reconstructions.
• Process evidence, conduct test fires, and generate casework documentation.
• Perform disposal program duties when required.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Please make sure your specialized experience/requirement(s) can be identified in your resume. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Your application will be evaluated and rated under the FBI’s Candidate Rating Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement and will be compared to your responses to the online assessment questionnaire. High self-assessment in the vacancy questions that is not supported by information in your resume, and/or supporting documents may eliminate you from Most Competitive status.

Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Most Competitive, Competitive, or Least Competitive. Names of candidates in the Most Competitive category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Veterans’ preference will be applied.

All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies

• Communication
• Analytic Thinking
• Problem Solving/Judgment
• Flexibility/Adaptability
• Physical Science

Positive Education Requirement

This position has a specific education requirement; all applicants must verify completion of this basic educational requirement by submitting a copy of their college transcripts by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

Basic Requirements

A. Degree: 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

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

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements provided you can show foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.

Specialized Experience (SE):

GS-7: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Knowledge of examination techniques in applying methods and procedures to provide technical information about submitted items of evidence.
• Knowledge of principles, theories, concepts, and practices of physical science in order to be trained in a specialized forensic science discipline and to analyze routine materials.
• Knowledge of laboratory scientific and administrative procedures.
• Knowledge of characteristics and use of scientific equipment, instrumentation and tools in performing steps to gather reliable data.

GS-9: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level. SE (in addition to above) is defined as follows:

• Knowledge of laboratory safe practices in order to carry out duties in a safe manner.
• Experience with examination policies, procedures, and organizational structure in order to coordinate delivery and receipt of evidence.

Education

All degrees must be from an accredited college or university. Education may be substituted for specialized experience as follows:

GS-7: Applicant must have a bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement or one (1) full year of graduate level education. Superior academic achievement is the completion of all the requirements of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average of 3.0 or higher as recorded on an official transcript, or as based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum, or (3) honor society membership.

GS-9: Applicant must have a master’s or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related.

How to Apply
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