Supervisory Chemist (Forensic) or Supervisory Toxicologist (Forensic)

The Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) is looking for a Supervisory Chemist/Toxicologist who will conduct the full range of forensic urine and oral fluid screening to detect drug use. If you are experienced in the use of Immunoassay instruments for analyzing urine and oral fluid specimens for drugs of abuse and able to lead a staff of scientific professionals in the forensic toxicology field, then PSA wants you!

Bargaining Unit Status and chapter: Not Covered, AFGE Local 1456

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Overview

• Accepting applications
• Open & closing dates

07/10/2025 to 07/17/2025

This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more

• Salary

$120,579 - $156,755 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 13

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Location

• Washington, DC 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Competitive

• Promotion potential

13

• Job family (Series)

• 0415 Toxicology

• 1320 Chemistry

• Supervisory status

Yes

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Moderate Risk (MR)

• Trust determination process

• Suitability/Fitness

• Financial disclosure

No

• Bargaining unit status

No

• Announcement number

25-37(DE)

• Control number

840486200

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This job is open to

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

United States Citizens

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Duties

As a Supervisory Chemist (Forensic) or Toxicologist (Forensic), you will:

1. Supervise Toxicologists and Chemists performing the full range of immunoassay testing; specialized experience is defined as experience in the methodology of immunoassay testing, the quality assurance and quality controls requirements for immunoassay testing using urine and oral fluid as matrices, set-up calibration, operation and maintenance of current state of the art Immunoassay instruments and supervising a staff who conducts the full range of forensic screening analyses to detect drug of abuse. Supervisory experience also includes training, assigning work, providing technical oversight, developing performance plans, evaluating/appraising performance, attracting new talent, taking disciplinary measures, and facilitating professional development for a workforce. Experience in operating and maintaining immunoassay analyzers. Monitor staff in interpretation of test results and in recording and documenting chain-of-custody, test procedures, results and other required information. Ensure compliance with standard forensic and office procedures. Oversee the preparation of manual and automated records and maintenance of testing data in relevant PSA, CSOSA and court systems. Ensure the application of rules relevant to confidentiality of information assuring that information is released to the appropriate people under the appropriate circumstances.

2. Oversee staff court representation. Personally, testify as an expert witness when necessary. Explain highly complex scientific and forensic procedures that are used in drug testing as well as results and their implications for individual defendants.

3. Develop methods for and evaluate daily operations, identifying areas where changes are needed to improve overall scientific and legal proficiency in drug detection as well as improvements in processes, costs or other areas. Recommend new approaches, revision in policy or protocol, or other changes to management and provide technical and managerial rationale. Implement and certify new policies and protocols. Participate in the development of long and short-range plans for the Office of Toxicology Services (OFTS).

4. Responsible for the continuous monitoring of the scientific performance of the unit. Review all screening and confirmation data, and monitor control, performance and compliance with standards, protocols and procedures. Monitor reagents and instruments and prepare and certify standards and controls. Monitor OFTS instruments and reviews maintenance. Order reagents as needed for testing and maintenance. Assist the lab director in enrolling OFTS in appropriate Proficiency Testing Program (s). Monitor lab's regular and successful participation in external proficiency test. Adhere to OFTS' QA/QC program and CLIA accreditation requirements and prepares lab for CLIA accreditation.

5. Maintain current awareness of trends and developments relating to forensic drug testing. Review scientific and forensic professional literature to keep abreast of the latest instrumental procedures, pharmacokinetics and expert witness information. Advise management on potential applications of new developments to the OFTS.

6. Skill in the preparation, validation, and certification of standard and control reagents and/or solutions for drug analyses.

7. Supervise assigned staff. Assign work and establish priorities. Administer personnel programs in leave and absence, awards, and recognition. Counsel employees on performance and administrative issues; interviews candidates for positions and recommend personnel actions. Establish performance standards and evaluate employee performance. Identify and address staff training needs.

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

This is not a law enforcement position

This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Conditions of Employment

1. Must be a U.S. Citizen

2. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service

3. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation

4. May be required to successfully complete a probationary period, if not already completed

5. All applicants are subject to a comprehensive criminal background investigation, and required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment

6. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice

7. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic professional requirements, and specialized experience requirement below.

For Chemistry Series 1320: A) A degree in 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 above, including at least 30 semester hours of chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education; AND C) One year of specialized experience that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. Specialized experience is defined as experience in the methodology of immunoassay testing, the quality assurance and quality controls requirements for immunoassay testing using urine and oral fluid as matrices, the set-up, calibration, operation, and maintenance of current state of the art Immunoassay instruments and supervising a staff who conducts the full range of forensic screening analyses to detect drug use. Supervisory experience also includes, training assigning work, providing technical oversight, developing performance plans, evaluating/appraising performance, attracting new talent, taking disciplinary measures, and facilitating professional development for a workforce.

For Toxicology Series 0415: A) A degree in toxicology; or an appropriate discipline of the biological, medical, or veterinary sciences that included at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, biochemistry, or physiology, and 12 semester hours in toxicology; AND B) One year of specialized experience that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. Specialized experience is defined as experience in the methodology of immunoassay testing, the quality assurance and quality controls requirements for immunoassay testing using urine and oral fluid as matrices, the set-up, calibration, operation, and maintenance of current state of the art Immunoassay instruments and supervising a staff who conducts the full range of forensic screening analyses to detect drug use. Supervisory experience also includes, training assigning work, providing technical oversight, developing performance plans, evaluating/appraising performance, attracting new talent, taking disciplinary measures, and facilitating professional development for a workforce.

NOTE: Your resume must clearly show the specialized experience related to this position. Failure to demonstrate how you possess the experience requirements will result in an "Ineligible" rating.

Education

There is no education substitution at this grade level.

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) was taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

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. For further information, visit:

Additional information

1. If you are an eligible Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) applicant or Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) applicant, you may apply for special selection over other applicants for this position. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible displaced Federal/PSA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified, you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. Click here for more information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility.

2. If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you should attach a copy of your DD-214 (unedited long version) or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must attach an SF-15, "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form.

3.. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review in our office, in other Federal agency personnel offices, and on OPM's web site at .

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your rating will be based on your responses to the job specific information provided in your resume. Your resume must clearly show how you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below. Failure to demonstrate how you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities will result in a rating of "Qualified" by the rating panel.

1. Knowledge of the quality assurance process and skill in calibrating and operating analytical instruments to perform immunoassay drug testing in a forensic or clinical laboratory.

2. Knowledge of principles and methodologies in Immunoassay testing for drug of abuse.

3. Ability to provide expert testimony on drug analysis and the relevance of the results in legal proceedings using relevant principles of toxicology, organic, analytic and physical chemistry.

4. Ability to lead, plan, organize, direct the functions, supervise, mentor, motivate, and appraise the staff of an organization.

5. Skill in written and verbal communication with internal staff and external stakeholders such as the courts.

Once the application process is completed, your application will be reviewed to ensure you meet the job requirements. You will be evaluated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training. If you meet the basic qualification requirements, your resume will be forwarded to a panel for rating. Category Rating will be used to evaluate applicants using the following categories to further determine which applicants will be referred to the selecting official for final consideration.

Best Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level on all evaluation criteria.

Well Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level on evaluation criteria.

Qualified: Applicants possessing the specialized experience described above.

Application of Veterans' Preference: Category rating and selection procedures place those with veterans' preference above non-veterans within each category. Veterans who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements, and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the highest quality category (Best Qualified), except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.

• Benefits

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• Required Documents

As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your resume listing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment, duties performed and salary information.

2. Other supporting documents:

• College transcript(s), if qualifying based on education. Transcripts must include the school's name, student name, degree and date awarded, if applicable. (Note: If you are selected for the position, official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day) May be required to satisfy the basic professional requirement.
• DD-214 (member 4 copy) showing honorable discharge, SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from Veterans for consideration under Veteran hiring authorities
• Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program Documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Only send documentation as requested/required by this announcement and that directly supports your qualifications for this position.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date (07/17/2025) to receive consideration.

• To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
• You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
• You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
• To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, , select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
• If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact Office of Forensic Toxicology Services at ... or ... to obtain instructions on how to submit an alternative application.