Physical Scientist; Forensics

Please see announcement on USAJOBS for available locations.

Organizational

Location:

This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Laboratories and Scientific Services located in San Diego, CA;
San Francisco, CA;
New Orleans, LA;
Miami, FL;
Ashburn, VA; and Long Beach, CA.

CBP employees demonstrate the highest level of commitment to protect and serve the United States of America and to exemplify the CBP Core Values of Vigilance, Service to Country and Integrity. Learn more about CBP's mission, core values and careers at https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). As a Physical Scientist you will perform a full range of extremely difficult physical, chemical, and forensic analyses on evidentiary items seized and/or submitted to the regional and/or field laboratory.

You will be a delegated authority to serve as an expert in forensic examinations and are given a wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgement. This position starts at a salary of $ (GS-13, Step
1) to $ (GS-13, Step 10). Develops and recommends forensic methods, procedures, policy recommendations, and long-range proposals to support LSS forensic operations, including complex physical, chemical, friction ridge, and related forensic examinations. Plans, develops, implements, and monitors laboratory procedures, technical requirements, and quality practices to support effective forensic, scientific, and technical services in fixed and field laboratory settings. Provides scientific review and technical analysis of forensic policies, procedures, and proposed changes to ensure technical uniformity, legal sufficiency, field operability, and consistency with LSS quality requirements, ANAB accreditation, and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Provides expert forensic consultation and technical support to agency officials and investigative partners, including review of forensic methods, evidence handling procedures, examination results, and related technical documentation, as authorized and within the scope of LSS responsibilities.

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below) All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English You may be required to pass a background investigation CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards.

Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties.

Please review further details via the following link. DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities. Bargaining Unit:
This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Treasury Employees Unions - NTEU. For local chapter contact information see Chapter Websites - National Treasury Employees Union - NTEU. Security Clearance:
You are required to obtain a Secret or higher level clearance for this position.

Basic Requirement:
You must provide supporting documentation in your application to show you meet the basic requirement below. 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 Combination of education and experience:
Education equivalent to one of the majors listed above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

AND

Experience:

You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
Preparing, communicating, and reporting examination results and conclusions and illustrative exhibits for court use;
Serving as a subject matter expert in federal and other court systems to present evidence and testimony;
Gathering, processing, and analyzing scientific and technical data and summarizing for strategic and operational decision-making;
Planning, and organizing projects, programs, and initiatives, coordinating with staff and management; and Communicating conclusions. alternatives, and…