Summary This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for STEM Positions to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. About the Position: This position is at Tripler Army Medical Center, in the Forensic Toxicology Drug Testing Laboratory. The purpose of this position is to enhance mission readiness and foster a drug-free environment and in support of administrative and judicial proceedings Responsibilities Monitor technical and production activities. Develop new methods and techniques to confirm, derivatize an isolate drug abuse. Evaluate workflow within the lab to identify trends. Review reports, analyze test results, and implement recommendations for corrective action. Provide scientific evaluation and interpretation of drug testing results. Perform analyses for drugs of abuse by chemical extraction, derivatization, and automation tools. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the 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. Basic Requirement for Chemist GS-1320: A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in the 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 6 semester hours of physics. OR B. Combination of Education and Experience: Course work equivalent to a major in the physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering, 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. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Specialized Experience for GS-11: One year of specialized experience which includes ensuring the accuracy of drug test results; documenting information pertaining to collected specimens, to include chain of custody; maintaining documentation connected to collected specimens; performing scientific assessments and making recommendations concerning corrective actions for identified weaknesses or deficiencies in drug detection programs involving chromatography/mass spectrometry drug detection methods; and coordinating the department hazardous waste disposal program, records, supplies and training. 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: chemistry, toxicology, physical sciences, or life sciences. 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. Education FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ Additional Information Recruitment, Relocation and Retention Incentive are NOT authorized. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest. Direct Deposit of Pay is required. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a(n) 16- Engineers and Scientist Career Field position. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest. CERTIFICATION: Must complete a certification program provided by the agency within 90 days from the date of hire. The incumbent will be required to learn how to operate and maintain Gas Chromatography/Mass spectrometry (GC/MS) equipment and review data that is produced from that equipment, learn the Laboratory SOP with respect to forensic control of specimens, and pass an oral and written examination.
