Chemist (Forensic Examiner)

Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Education required: To qualify as a Chemist (Forensic Examiner), applicants must meet certain education requirements. Education requirements can be met in the following ways: Degree in physical sciences, life sciences or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus and at least six semester hours of physics. OR A combination of education and experience, coursework equivalent to a major as shown above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education sufficient to demonstrate the possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work of the position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study. GS-9 Specialized Experience: At least one (1) year of specialized experience that is equivalent to the GS-7 grade level in the Federal Service which includes work involving assisting in forensic evidence examinations including at least one of the following: trace evidence textile fibers, fabric damage, fire debris/ignitable liquids, lubricants, hair, glass and glass fracture, explosives, firearms discharge residues, fracture match or pressure sensitive tape. OR Education: Master’s degree or equivalent doctoral degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or Physical Science. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. GS-11 Specialized Experience: At least one (1) year of specialized experience that is equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal Service which includes work involving assisting in forensic evidence examinations in at least one of the following: trace evidence textile fibers, fabric damage, fire debris/ignitable liquids, lubricants, hair, paints/coatings, glass and glass fracture, explosives, firearms discharge residues, fracture match, or pressure sensitive tape. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09). OR Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or Physical Science. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. GS-12 Specialized Experience: At least one (1) year of specialized experience that is equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service which includes work involving examining forensic evidence including: trace evidence textile fibers, fabric damage, fire debris/ignitable liquids, lubricants, hair, paints/coatings, glass and glass fracture, explosives, firearms discharge residues, fracture match, or pressure sensitive tape. GS-13 Specialized Experience: At least one (1) year of specialized experience that is equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal Service which includes work involving leading forensic evidence examinations in: trace evidence textile fibers, fabric damage, fire debris/ignitable liquids, lubricants, hair, paints/coatings, glass and glass fracture, explosives, firearms discharge residues, fracture match, or pressure sensitive tape.
About the Position: You will serve as a chemist assigned to the Trace Evidence Division of the United States Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory (USACIL) at the Defense Forensic Science Center (DFSC). USACIL provides evidence examination, expert court testimony, consultation, crime scene support, forensic training, and research and development in support of the criminal investigation and legal agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal and non-federal agencies worldwide.