Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Operations Support, Office of Laboratories and Scientific Services, National Capital Region, Washington, D.C.

Duties

Joining Customs & Border Protection (CBP) will allow you to utilize your expertise directly supporting Senior Science Officers and LSS executive leadership with LSS's system wide forensics program that covers several forensics disciplines. The Physical Scientist (Forensic Science Officer) is responsible for planning, evaluating, integrating and coordinating scientific and technical policy development and analysis for forensics within LSS and CBP. The incumbent also serves as an ad hoc member of the OPR Incident Response Team. The incumbent will be required to respond, as needed to OPR requests for support. This position starts at a salary of $112,015.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $145,617.00 (GS-13, Step 10) with promotion potential to $145,617.00 (GS-13 Step 10). GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position.Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts. Typical duties include: Developing and recommending direction for nationwide forensics operations involving multiple disciplines such as crime scene investigations, controlled substance analysis, fingerprint processing and examination, DNA analysis, and digital media analysis. Planning and developing, implementing, maintaining, and monitoring programs, procedures, specifications, requirements, and systems designed to provide effective and efficient forensic, scientific, technical, and administrative support to field laboratories, forward operating laboratories, joint forensic centers, and CBP operations offices. Providing comprehensive scientific reviews and analysis of legislative and regulatory proposals, programs, policies, and procedures for overall technical uniformity, field technical operability, and the development of scientific and technical decisions in support of LSS, United States Border Patrol, Air and Marine Operations, and the Office of Field Operations. Advising and providing direct support to the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) in matters of internal agency investigations. Assisting in writing and reviewing OPR policies and procedures, and has the ability to administratively review sensitive investigative case information which may result in disciplinary actions relevant to OPR cases. Serving as an ad hoc member of the OPR Incident Response Team, responding, as needed, to OPR requests for support.

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Educational Requirement: You must provide supporting documentation in your application to show you meet the basic requirement below: 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. Combination 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. You qualify for this position if you meet the basic requirement listed above ANDpossess the experience described below: Specialized 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: Providing technical training and guidance in crime scene response to include scene documentation, photography, and evidence processing collection and preservation. 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. Communicating conclusions, alternatives, and recommendations on national policies, programs and studies. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements. *TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED. FAILURE TO PROVIDE TRANSCRIPTS WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF CONSIDERATION* You must: Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 11/01/2023. 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. Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For more information visit this link. Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions: Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period. Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible. View information about CTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position.

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.

Contacts

• Address Laboratories and Scientific Services Directorate Please read entire announcement Please apply online Washington, DC 20229 US
• Name: CBP Hiring Center
• Phone: 952-857-2932
• Email: [email protected]