Physical Scientist (Latent Print Analyst)
What you'd do
Joining the United States Secret Service, Office of Field Operations will allow you to safeguard the nation's financial infrastructure and protect national and visiting foreign leaders by conducting forensic examinations in support of criminal investigations and protective intelligence operations. For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here.
Major duties
The selectee will serve as a Physical Scientist (Latent Print Analyst) in the Office of Field Operations, Forensic Services Division. Typical work assignments include: Performing complex latent print examinations requiring the application of professional physical science principles, including chemistry, physics, and biological interactions of friction ridge residue. Design and conduct research projects to evaluate new forensic development techniques, optical methods, or process enhancements, preparing formal reports, presentations, or training materials that advance the agency's forensic science capabilities. Prepare comprehensive case documentation and provide expert scientific interpretation of analytical findings for investigators, attorneys, and judicial officials. Coordinate with other federal, state, local, and international law enforcement agencies on matters involving latent print development, evidence processing, and scientific best practices. Apply for this exciting opportunity to impact the agency's ability to identify individuals, generate investigative leads, support protective intelligence operations and provide reliable forensic results 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-09 level performing duties such as: Assisting with the physical examination of fingerprint evidence from criminal investigations. Following procedures regarding evidence handling, chain-of custody documentation, instrument maintenance, reagent control and/or case file completeness. Drafting reports to document scientific findings and results from examinations. OR Successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. (Note: you must attach a copy of your transcripts. Failure to provide your transcript will result in an ineligible rating.) 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: Conducting physical examinations of evidence from criminal investigations, including the development and comparison of latent fingerprints. Performing comparative analyses of finger and palm print evidence, both visible and latent, to determine whether prints share a common origin. Communicating technical fact finding based on examinations of friction ridge detail evidence. 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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