Physical Scientist (Quality Assurance)
What you'd do
Joining the Secret Service, United States Secret Service, Forensic Services Division will allow you to support the forensic laboratory's accreditation, research, and quality assurance programs within the Division. For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here.
Major duties
The selectee will serve as a Physical Scientist (Quality Assurance) in the Office of Field Operations, Forensic Services Division. Typical work assignments include: Coordinating periodic audits to determine conformance with approved quality policies and procedures. Participating in the annual self-inspection audit required to maintain accreditation. Examining evidence, lab results, and findings related to fingerprint, document, and instrumental analysis procedures, techniques, and methods used by laboratory personnel to ensure quality and conformance with policies and procedures. Supporting the research and validation of the quality assurance program; monitoring daily processes of various branches to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures and to ensure critical elements are met to maintain status of an accredited laboratory. Maintaining and updating standard operating procedures and quality documents; developing and publishing guidelines for implementation of quality assurance mechanisms in technical protocols for quality controls; and ensuring new procedures are validated and documented before implementation. Apply for this exciting opportunity to impact the Secret Service's ability to validate all systems, processes, and procedures in the forensic laboratory prior to use, in support of national security.
What you need to qualify
To be considered qualified for this position you must meet the following qualification requirements for the respective grade level in which you are applying. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Basic Requirements AND Minimum Qualification requirements as listed below: BASIC REQUIREMENTS: 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. IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS ABOVE, YOU MUST ALSO MEET THE FOLLOWING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: You qualify for the GS-11 level if you possess one of the following: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level performing duties such as: Supporting quality assurance of forensic examination activities in a laboratory environment. Assisting with the examination of laboratory evidence, results or findings for accuracy. Reviewing laboratory policies, procedures, or protocols related to quality assurance and proficiency testing. OR A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. OR A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position if the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your toral months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages. You qualify for the GS-12 level if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level performing duties such as: Assisting in laboratory quality assurance programs, including proficiency testing, analytical quality control, and quality audits, to ensure compliance with established policies and accreditation standards. Updating laboratory policies and procedures related to the quality assurance program. Reviewing and validating laboratory evidence results and finding in accordance with laboratory standards. Assisting in researching and developing projects for the solution of problems related to forensic techniques. The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement. 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. Current or Former Political Appointees: 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.
Before you apply
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