Chemist Jobs in Alexandria, VA

Summary

The Office of Forensic Toxicology Services (OFTS) is recruiting for a dynamic Chemist / Toxicologist. OFTS mission is to be a leader in the field of Forensic Drug Testing by implementing and innovating scientific technologies to serve and support PSA. To accomplish this critical mission, we are seeking a team player, self-starter and forward thinker with excellent communication skills and a problem solver who pays extreme attention to every detail to be our next Chemist / Toxicologist.

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

Duties

In this job, you will :

1. Perform the full range of immunoassay screening and confirmation analysis including Gas Chromotography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) and Liquid Chromotography Mass Spectrometer. Follow strict chain and custody procedures, performs extraction and sample preparation of urine aliquots for analysis and forensic analyses in accordance with relevant scientific and forensic protocols and established Laboratory policy.

2. Interpret results of testing and records and documents control samples, test procedures, results and other required information in accordance with standard forensic and office procedures. Prepare manual and automated records and updates relevant PSA, CSOSA and court systems to reflect testing information.

3. Represent PSA and CSOSA, 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.

4. Perform and document all required maintenance for laboratory instruments used in screening and / or confirmation.

5. Perform certification procedures for new instruments and procedures. Troubleshoot current assays and instruments to correct or improve technical performance.

6. Maintain current awareness of trends and development relating to forensic drug testing.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

A candidate appointed at a lower grade level may be promoted up to the full performance level without further competition.

Bargaining Unit Status and chapter : Covered, AFGE Local 1456

This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies

This is not a law enforcement position

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.

Basic Requirement 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 in A 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, 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. Following strict chain of custody procedures, perform sample preparation of urine aliquots for analysis and forensic analyses in accordance with relevant scientific and forensic protocols and established Laboratory policy. Interprets results of testing and records and documents control samples, test procedures, results and other required information in accordance with standard forensic and office procedures.

Basic Requirement For Toxicology Series 415 : 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 equivalent 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, 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. Following strict chain of custody procedures, perform sample preparation of urine aliquots for analysis and forensic analyses in accordance with relevant scientific and forensic protocols and established Laboratory policy. Interprets results of testing and records and documents control samples, test procedures, results and other required information in accordance with standard forensic and office procedures.

Substitution of Education for Experience for GS-9 : Two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in a physical or life sciences; or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

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 education substitution at this grade level.

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) 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 : https : / / www.ed.gov / laws-and-policy / higher-education-laws-and-policy / college-accreditation

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 http : / / www.opm.gov / qualifications.

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. Skill in calibrating and operating analytical instruments to perform drug testing in a forensic lab to include : immunoassay analyzer, Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer and Liquid Chromatograph and in analyzing results.

2. Knowledge of principles and methodologies utilized for the extraction and separation of drugs and their principles metabolites and analysis of results.

3. Skill in oral communication in order to present and interpret data analysis results in a clear and concise manner.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 / 18 / 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.

Agency contact information

Tara Stoney

Phone

202) 220-5586

Email

Tara.Stoney@psa.gov

Address

Office of Forensic Toxicology Services

90 K. Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20004

Next steps

Once the on-line application and supporting documents are received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries

Required Documents

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 :

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 / 18 / 2025) to receive consideration.

Agency contact information

Tara Stoney

Phone

202) 220-5586

Email

Tara.Stoney@psa.gov

Address

Office of Forensic Toxicology Services

90 K. Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20004

Next steps

Once the on-line application and supporting documents are received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.