JOB SUMMARY Job Summary
Position : Physical Scientist (PS), GS-7 / 9
Division : Laboratory Division (LD)
Unit : Trace Evidence Unit (TEU)
Location : Huntsville, AL
Working Hours : 8 : 00am-4 : 30pm (Flexible)
Salary : GS-7 $52,$67,
GS-9 $63,$82,
Full Performance Level : GS-7 / 9
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
- Must be a current, permanent FBI employee.
- Must be able to pass a US Government physical exam.
- Some travel may be required.
- As a condition to 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
- 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.
- 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.
Major Duties
GS-7 :
Serves as a trainee performing assignments that consist of activities which prepare incumbent for forensic science duties, which include processing items of evidence associated with a specialized discipline.Receives and delivers evidence to and from other laboratory components, ensuring proper chain-of-custody. Inventories evidence, and when necessary photographs items and prepares detailed laboratory notes.Receives training in the processing of evidence, using various scientific equipment. Also receives training in the decision making process utilized to determine whether examinations should be conducted, and to what extent.Receives training in the handling of dangerous materials such as explosives. Work may involve the operation of tools and heavy machinery.GS-9 :
Serves as a technical specialist in a forensic science discipline and provides assistance to Forensic Examiners (FEs) in the examination of evidence. In conjunction with FEs, performs the following duties :Performs routine to moderately complex technical examinations and responsible assignments involving the examinations of a variety of materials.Receives and delivers evidence to and from other laboratory components, ensuring proper chain-of-custody. Inventories evidence, and when necessary photographs items and prepares detailed laboratory notes.Utilizes a variety of scientific equipment and technical tools to conduct standard examinations and experiments utilizing well defined methods. Is involved in the decision making process to determine whether examinations should be conducted, and to what extent.Uses independence in planning of work and making minor adaptation of methods. Is expected to carry out independently any established analyses, tests, methods or procedures necessary in the examination of evidence.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.
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.
If you are deemed Most Competitive, you will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.
All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies :
Analytic ThinkingCommunicationFlexibility / AdaptabilityInitiativeInterpersonal AbilityOrganizing and PlanningPhysical ScienceProblem Solving / JudgmentPositive Education Requirement
A. Successful completion of a 4 year course of study in an accredited college or university bachelor's (or higher) degree in physical science, biology, chemistry, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science.
B. Completion of education and experience - education equivalent to one of the majors shown 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 :
Professional knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts and practices of physical science in order to receive training in a specialized forensic science discipline and to analyze routine materials.Knowledge of the characteristics and use of appropriate scientific equipment, instrumentation and tools and skill in performing many steps required to gather reliable data.Knowledge of examination techniques and skill in applying established methods and procedures to provide technical information about submitted items of evidence and to suggest minor modifications of methods and procedures to solve problems encountered or to improve the quality of results.Knowledge of laboratory scientific and administrative procedures.Skill in oral and written communications.Knowledge gained from on-the-job training of the types of examinations performed and the policies, procedures and organizational structure of the Laboratory in order to coordinate the delivery and receipt of evidence.Knowledge of Laboratory safety practices in order to carry out duties in a safe manner.Knowledge of general procedures used to collect and process evidence.GS-9 : Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level. SE (In addition to the above) is defined as follows :
Professional knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts and practices of physical science in order to analyze a variety of materials and to make minor adaptations to analytical and / or technical procedures.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 or (1) full year of graduate level education.
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 or , if related.
How to Apply
For detailed instructions related to applying, uploading documents, withdrawing an application or updating your application, please review instructions on . If applying online is a hardship, please use the contact information listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.
Required Documents
To apply to this position, interested applicants must provide a complete application package by the closing date which includes :
Your resume, specifically noting relevant work experience and associated start and end datesA complete assessment questionnaireOther supporting documents (if applicable) : College transcripts, if qualifying based on education or if there is a positive education requirementMemorandum for Record (MFR), Please see Additional InformationDocuments that were uploaded one or more years ago will need to be uploaded again. Although an applicant may see these documents within their current profile, the HR Specialists may not have access to view them. All applicants are being asked to upload another copy (if applicable) to ensure the staffing units can review the complete application.
You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11 : 59 (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. If applying online is a hardship, please contact the HR Specialist listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.
What to Expect Next
Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The Most Competitive candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your status throughout the process.
Additional Information
Failure to provide necessary and relevant information required by this vacancy announcement may disqualify you from consideration. Additional information will not be requested if your application is incomplete. Your application will be evaluated solely on the basis of information you have submitted.As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing the other workplace safety protocols. Positions with fitness for duty requirements or those that require international travel may require proof of certain vaccinations.Management may select at any grade for which this position has been announced.Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance of higher-level duties.Limited Movement : Policy has been implemented wherein support employees entering a position through a competitive OR non-competitive action may be precluded from moving to another position within the Bureau by means of reassignment or change to lower grade for a minimum of 12 months. HRD will waive this limited movement policy for qualified employees, who have received an official notification letter that their current position is being relocated to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama by 2024, so those employees can compete for a position elsewhere.Probationary employees are precluded from being considered for all job opportunities until 12-months of their 24-month probationary period has concluded. Probationary employees may be considered for competitive vacancies that are advertised within their respective division or field office after serving 90 days within the FBI.Candidates will not be considered if currently on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP); a Letter of Requirement (LOR); or have failed a PIP or LOR and are currently awaiting the final action by HRD.a. A Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) is a 90-day written developmental plan for an employee whose performance on one or more critical elements is rated "Inconsistent."
b. A Letter of Requirement (LOR) is issued when a supervisor identifies leave abuse and / or when frequent absences negatively impact operations of an office.
Relocation expenses will be borne by the selectee, except FBI employees returning from LEGAT assignment. Employees returning from LEGAT assignments must advise the Staffing and Administrative Unit / International Operations Division of their application for this position.Current tax law impacts your transfer by making your moving expense reimbursements taxable. Please contact for information regarding taxable expenses. For additional insight on the personal impact of the IRS tax rules, you may wish to contact the IRS or a tax professional. Federal Travel Regulation provides that the Withholding Tax Allowance (WTA) plus the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) are designed to "substantially reimburse" an employee for the additional Federal, State, and Local taxes associated with a change of duty station and the FBI has the authority to compensate employees through the WTA and RITA.Candidates receiving a transfer of physical location, whether at the expense of the FBI or not, will be required to complete a one year commitment to the assignment, prior to moving to a new position at the FBI. The 12-month waiting period begins the day an employee reports for duty at the new location.Employees selected for promotions at the GS-12 level or higher, as well as employees selected for positions where a transfer of location is required, will be processed through the name check program prior to being notified of their selection.Memorandum for Record : Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on a SF-50, i. e., back-up duties), has to be documented in detail by an immediate supervisor in order to receive full credit for amount of time worked in that position. If no documentation is furnished no credit will be given for time worked in that position. The following notations must be specified in the documentation (Memorandum for Record) :a. Percent of time worked in the particular position (cannot conflict with main duties)
b. The month / year work began
c. Frequency worked (, daily, monthly, etc.)
d. Specific duties performed
Attach the Memorandum for Record to your application in the "Cover Letters and Attachments" section of My Career Tools on the Careers Home page. Please upload the attachment as type "Other."
Nepotism
Nepotism is the act of favoring relatives in the hiring process, and is prohibited by law. Public officials are prohibited from hiring or promoting relatives or relatives of officials in their chain of command, as well as actively or indirectly endorse a relative's appointment or promotion.
During the hiring process, all selected candidates and FBI hiring managers will be required to certify they are not related to anyone involved in the hiring process.
Reasonable Accommodation Request
The FBI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation pursuant to a sincerely held religious belief or medical disability for any part of the application and / or hiring process, please notify the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Affairs (OEEOA) Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Program by either
Salary : $67,643
