Job Opening: 57003

Open to ALL U.S. Citizens

Opening Date: September 10, 2024

Closing Date: September 24, 2024 11:59 pm (EST)

Questions regarding this opening should be directed to Christopher Glass at cglass@fbi.gov.

Job Summary

Position: Physical Scientist-Forensic Examiner (FE), GS-9/11

Division: Laboratory Division

Unit: Trace Evidence Unit

Location: Huntsville, AL

Working Hours: 8:00am-4:30pm (Flexible)

Salary: GS-9 $62,358.00-$81,065.00
            GS-11 $75,448.00-$98,079.00

Full Performance level: GS-13

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 U.S. citizen.
• Must be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance.
• Must be able to pass a US Government physical exam.
• Frequent travel may be required.
• Must successfully complete up to a two-year training program necessary for qualification as an FBI Forensic Examiner (FE). Must sign a Forensic Examiner Training Continued Service Agreement (FETCSA) to remain a FE for two years after the completion of training, with the understanding that failure to complete training may lead to termination or change to a similar position at a lower grade. Failure to fulfill the FETCSA will require reimbursement for the prorated expense of his/her training, unless a waiver is granted. Applicant is required to serve a two-year probationary period as FE, beginning when he/she enters on duty as a FE trainee.
• Candidates who are hired for this position will not be eligible for promotion above the GS-11 level until they successfully complete their Forensic Examiner (FE) training.
• 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 C.F.R. 1635.8(b)(6).
• 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. 

Mission Statement:

The mission of the FBI is to protect the American People and uphold the Constitution of the United States.

Major Duties

• Participate in and complete an extensive training program.
• Examine evidence, prepare case notes, and issue findings.
• Prepare and issue comprehensive laboratory reports and testify as required.
• Maintain proficiency by participating in an annual proficiency testing program, reviewing current scientific and technical literature, and attending professional conferences.
• Serve as an advanced trainee Forensic Examiner or qualified examiner responsible for conducting hair, fiber, fabric, and cordage examinations of evidence, and providing reports and testimony.
• Conduct the full range of analytic procedures in both fixed Laboratory and field Laboratory settings, including examinations to identify and characterize hair, fiber, fabric and cordage evidence. Prepares comprehensive laboratory reports.

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.

Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Most Competitive, Competitive, or Least Competitive. Names of candidates in the Most Competitive category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Veterans’ preference will be applied.

All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies

• Analytic Thinking
• Communication
• Flexibility/Adaptability
• Forensics
• Physical Science
• Problem Solving/Judgment

Positive Education Requirement

This position has a specific education requirement; all applicants must verify completion of this basic educational requirement by submitting a copy of their college transcripts by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

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 and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.

OR

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-9: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Knowledge of principles, theories, concepts, and practices of physical science in order to be trained in a specialized forensic science discipline and to analyze routine materials.
• Knowledge of characteristics and use of scientific equipment, instrumentation and tools in performing steps to gather reliable data.
• Knowledge of examination techniques in applying methods and procedures to provide technical information about submitted items of evidence.
• Knowledge of forensic laboratory procedures and safe laboratory practices. 
• Experience in a forensic laboratory setting performing data collection, analysis, tests or experiments.
• Experience explaining technical information effectively.

GS-11: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level. SE (in addition to above) is defined as follows:

• Experience in a forensic laboratory with examination policies and procedures.
• Experience handling evidence.
• Experience clearly explaining technical information verbally and in writing.

Education

All degrees must be from an accredited college or university. Education may be substituted for specialized experience as follows:

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 LL.B. or J.D., if related.

GS-11: Applicant must have a Ph.D. OR equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related.

How to Apply

For detailed instructions related to applying, uploading documents, withdrawing an application or updating your application, please review instructions on How to Apply.  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:

1. Your resume, specifically noting relevant work experience and associated start and end dates
2.  A complete assessment questionnaire
3. Other supporting documents (if applicable):

• College transcripts, if qualifying based on education or if there is a positive education requirement
• Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50; not applicable to current FBI employees
• Memorandum for Record (MFR), Please see Additional Information
• Most recent Performance Appraisal; not applicable to current FBI employees
• Veterans: DD 214; Disabled Veterans: DD 214, SF-15, and VA letter dated 1991 or later

Documents 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 p.m. (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

• Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols. Positions with fitness for duty requirements or those that require international travel may require proof of certain vaccinations.
• The FBI is in the Executive Branch of the federal government. It is one of the components of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The FBI is the principle investigative arm of the DOJ. All FBI positions are in the excepted service.
• 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.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens and consent to a complete background investigation, urinalysis, and polygraph. You must be suitable for Federal employment; as determined by a background investigation.
• 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.
• Management may select 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.
• If you are hired, you will be required to serve a two-year probationary period. 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.
• Memorandum for Record: Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on an 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 (i.e., 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.”

Veterans' Preference

If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume and application. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.

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 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 e-mail at REASONABLE_ACCOMMODA@fbi.gov, telephone at 202-324-2158, or FAX at 202-324-3976.  Your request will receive an individualized assessment.

This e-mail address is only for reasonable accommodation requests.  Please do not submit your application and/or any questions unrelated to reasonable accommodations.  Should any applications be received, they will not be forwarded for consideration during the hiring process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The FBI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this vacancy. Unless explicitly authorized by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of, color, race, religion, national origin, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age (40 or over), sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, gender identity, and sexual orientation), or on the basis of personal favoritism, or any other non-merit factors.

Benefits

The FBI offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees:  http://www.opm.gov/insure/new_employ/index.asp