This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Special Testing and Research Laboratory. You will serve as a Research Chemist functioning as the agency's expert on heroin and opium chemistry, heroin production, signature analysis of heroin and opium, illicit opium poppy cultivation, & world-wide heroin trafficking trends. This position(s) primary purpose is to support the DEA Operational Support Division, Office of Forensic Sciences, Special Testing & Research Laboratory.

Duties

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. As a your typical work assignments may include: Conducting research on heroin and opium to recognize new trends and/or changes in illicit opium cultivation and clandestine heroin. Developing methods to target opium and process-related impurities to gain insight into heroin production techniques. Demonstrating leadership qualities and promoting an inspired, collaborative work environment. Deriving intelligence data and information from signature analysis and communicates the findings via emails, phone calls, reports, and intelligence bulletins or notes. Serving as an expert in the acquisition, compilation, and review of chemistry data from a variety of analytical techniques to include spectrometry, spectroscopy, and chromatography, as well as expertise in organic chemistry Demonstrating advanced professional knowledge of physical, chemical and instrumental techniques and methods of analysis used in chemical profiling of illicit substances Conducting briefings and lectures on heroin data and trends to U.S. federal/state/local government agencies, policy makers, and international counterparts Assisting prosecutors and testifying as an expert witness on heroin, opium, opiates, and opium poppy-related cases. Traveling to opium and heroin-producing countries to gather intelligence information on poppy cultivation practices and heroin production techniques.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• You must submit to a pre-employment drug test.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
• Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
• DEA uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/).
• Current Federal employees cannot transfer unused Time Off Awards to DEA.

Qualifications

Qualifications: Basic Requirements: Applicants must meet ONE of the following qualification requirements: (A). Degree: 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 as shown in A above, 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. MinimumQualifications: In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.GS-13: applicant must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade of GS-12 or equivalent band level of responsibility in the Federal Service which includes experience regarding the knowledge of principles, theories, and applied practices of heroin and opioid chemistry and how it relates to the manufacture of heroin; and demonstrating advanced professional knowledge of physical, chemical and instrumental techniques and methods of analysis used in chemical profiling of illicit substances; and synthesizing and/or purifying substances and/or related internal standards in support of analytical methodologies; and conducting independent and collaborative research; and publishing research results in peer reviewed journals; and communicating, both orally and in writing, complex technical ideas, positions, and recommendations GS-14: applicant must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade of GS-13 or equivalent band level of responsibility in the Federal Service which includes experience regarding the knowledge of principles, theories, and applied practices of heroin and opioid chemistry and how it relates to the manufacture of heroin; and demonstrating advanced professional knowledge of physical, chemical and instrumental techniques and methods of analysis used in chemical profiling of illicit substances; and synthesizing and purifying controlled substances and/or related internal standards in support of analytical methodologies; and conceiving, planning and conducting independent and collaborative research related to the synthesis and manufacture of heroin; and identifying significant avenues of new investigation and research; and publishing research results in peer reviewed journals; and representing the agency, as an authoritative expert on the topic of heroin, participating in national and international committees, conferences, and public events; and communicating, both orally and in writing, complex technical ideas, positions, recommendations and proposals before management and Federal agency officials You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying specialized experience equivalent GS132013/14. Specialized 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. Note: Recruitment and/or Relocation Incentives will only be considered and approved under conditions specified provided the agency has determined that the position is likely to be difficult to fill in the absence of an incentive and funding for such an incentive is available.

Education

All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, click here.

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study 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/.

Contacts

• Address Drug Enforcement Administration Do Not Send Postal Mail Springfield, VA 21310 US
• Name: Kendrick Young
• Phone: 571-324-6829
• Email: [email protected]