Supervisory Physical Scientist

Joining the Secret Service, Office of Field Operations, Forensic Services Division (FSD), will allow you to plan, direct, and coordinate forensic science activities including, but not limited to, quality assurance and evidence management, procedure and systems validation, and/or the Forensic Intelligence Program in the Quality Assurance, Evidence, and Scientific Services Branch (QAESSB). This position requires specific coursework and/or a degree to meet the basic education requirement. You must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Your transcript(s) must clearly demonstrate the course(s) listed in the qualification requirement section. If the transcript(s) does not clearly demonstrate this you must submit a copy of the course description and/or other documentation demonstrating that the courses are equivalent.

If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Direct Hire Authority: This position will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management’s Direct Hire Authority. The “Rule of Three”, Category Rating and Veterans Preference will not apply to this vacancy.

The selectee will serve as a Supervisory Physical Scientist in the Forensic Services Division Quality Assurance, Evidence, and Scientific Services Branch (QAESSB). Typical work assignments include:

1. Directing research and development projects for the solution of problems related to latent fingerprint detection, handwriting examinations
   printing processing, ink identification and dating, credit card analysis, image enhancement, counterfeit analysis, and forensic evidence tracking, and other applicable forensic techniques.
2. Adhering to quality assurance practices and standards to explore new and innovative measures to increase productivity and efficiency while sustaining the highest quality standards.
3. Performing the full range of supervisory functions including directing the work of employees engaged in forensic science and analytical related work.
4. Coordinating the use of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Basic Requirements AND Minimum Qualification/Specialized Experience

Basic Requirement:
A. You possess 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. You possess a Combination of education and experience — education equivalent to one of the majors shown in above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

AND

Minimum Qualifications:
You qualify for the GS-14 level (starting salary $142,488.00) if you possess one of the following:

GS-14: Applicant must demonstrate one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-13 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following duties:

1. Testifying in court proceedings under oath to present determinations regarding experience, research findings and/ or data determinations;
2. Implementing quality assurance processes to ensure lab results related to fingerprinting, documents and/or instrument analysis techniques provide accurate outcomes;
3. Providing mentorship and support to lower-level staff and team members; and
4. Utilizing Laboratory Information Management systems (LIMS) to complete daily tasks. NOTE: The contents of your resume must support this response in its entirety to be found qualified for this position.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP): This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP or ICTAP; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For information on eligibility criteria and required documentation, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.