Job Opening: 54663
Open to current, permanent FBI employees in Laboratory Division Only.
Opening Date: May 2, 2024
Closing Date: May 16, 2024 11:59 p.m. (EST)
Questions regarding this opening should be directed to HRS Christopher Glass at cglass@fbi.gov.
Job Summary
Position: Biologist-Forensic Examiner (FE), GS-12/13
Division: Laboratory Division
Unit: Federal DNA Database Unit (FDDU)
Location: Quantico, VA
Working Hours: 8:00am-4:30pm (Flexible)
Salary: GS-12 $99,200.00-$128,956.00
GS-13 $117,962.00-$153,354.00
Full Performance Level: GS-13
Number of Positions Available: 1
Duration: Full Time/Permanent
Additional selections may be made from this announcement to fill positions within the same division when the position includes substantially the same duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.
Key Requirements

• Must be a current, permanent FBI employee assigned to Laboratory Division.
• As a condition of employment, DNA samples are required from all FBI personnel who interact with evidence or federal DNA database samples in Laboratory Division (LD) space or whose work requires them to enter LD examination areas where evidence or DNA database samples are processed or examined as part of the quality control process to detect sample/evidence contamination, in accordance with the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA), 75 Federal Register (FR) 68932; 29 C.F.R. 1635.8(b)(6).
• This position may be exposed to violent acts, lewd images, or involves isolated working conditions.
• Must successfully complete up to a two-year training program necessary for qualification as an FBI Forensic Examiner (FE). Must sign a Forensic Examiner Training Service Agreement (FE TSA) to remain a FE for two years after the completion of training, with the understanding that failure to complete training may lead to termination or change to a similar position at a lower grade. Failure to fulfill the Forensic Examiner Training Service Agreement (FETSA) will require reimbursement for the prorated expense of his/her training, unless a waiver is granted. Applicant is required to serve a two-year probationary period as a FE, beginning when he/she enters on duty as a FE trainee.
• ALL applicants must verify completion of the basic education requirement by submitting a copy of college transcripts and/or syllabus by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

Major Duties

• Serve as a Forensic Examiner responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing forensic DNA analysis activities.
• Follow technical protocols, standard operating procedures, and national quality assurance standards while conducting forensic DNA examinations that impact the entire law enforcement community.
• Meet established priorities and deadlines for completion of exams and production of forensic reports for timely dissemination to partners.
• Communicate with internal and external entities regarding unit mission, operations, and activities.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Please make sure your specialized experience/requirement(s) can be identified in your resume. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Your application will be evaluated and rated under the FBI's Candidate Rating Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement and will be compared to your responses to the online assessment questionnaire. High self-assessment in the vacancy questions that is not supported by information in your resume, and/or supporting documents may eliminate you from Most Competitive status.
If you are deemed Most Competitive, you will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.
All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies

• Analytic Thinking
• Biology
• Communication
• Organizing and Planning
• Problem Solving/Judgement

Positive Education Requirement
This position has a specific education requirement; all applicants must verify completion of this basic education requirement by submitting a copy of their college transcripts by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
Qualification requirements: All candidates must meet the basic requirements specified under A or B below.
A. Successful completion of a 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's (or higher) degree in biology, chemistry, or forensic science-related area and must have successfully completed course work (graduate or undergraduate level) in biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and statistics or population genetics. Equivalent courses may be considered if they meet the below criteria. To receive credit for an equivalent course, documentation must be provided such as a syllabus, letter from the instructor, or other document that supports the course content.
Absent a course titled "Biochemistry," coursework used to fulfill the biochemistry subject requirement must have a variety/range of biochemistry topics as an integral component. Topics in biochemistry may include: • Structure, function, and interaction of biological macromolecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids • Enzymes and chemistry of enzyme-catalyzed reactions • DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis • Signal transduction • Metabolism • Cell membrane transport
Absent a course titled "Genetics," coursework used to fulfill the genetics subject requirement must have a variety/range of genetics topics as an integral component. Topics in genetics may include: • Laws and patterns of inheritance • Basic structure and function of genes and chromosomes • Mutation • Mitosis/Meiosis • Recombination • Gene expression
Absent a course titled "Molecular Biology," coursework used to fulfill the molecular biology subject requirement must have a variety/range of molecular biology topics as an integral component. Topics in molecular biology may include: • Prokaryotic and eukaryotic genome structure and function • Interrelationship of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis • Transcription, translation, replication • Gene expression and regulation • Recombinant DNA techniques • PCR • DNA sequencing
Absent a course titled "Population Genetics," coursework used to fulfill the population genetics subject requirement must have a variety/range of population genetics as an integral component. Topics in population genetics may include: • Estimation and testing of measures of allelic association within and between loci (Hardy-Weinberg principle) • Description and estimation of measures of relatedness at the individual and population level (population structure) • Genetic drift, mutation, migration and selection
Absent a course titled "Statistics," coursework used to fulfill the statistics subject requirement must have a variety/range of statistics topics as an integral component. Topics in statistics may include: • Descriptive statistics • Sampling uncertainty and sampling distributions • Confidence limits and intervals • Discrete and continuous variables • Estimation and hypothesis testing, including the use of likelihoods • Laws of probability and independence • Bayes' Theorem
OR

B. A combination of education and experience with course work equivalent to major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The quality of the combination of education and experience must have been sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation.
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements provided you can show foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.
Specialized Experience (SE):
GS-12: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Knowledge of biochemistry, genetics, or molecular biology performed in a laboratory setting, which includes planning, coordinating, and/or directing work activities.
• Experience working in biochemistry, genetics, or molecular biology performed in a laboratory setting, which includes planning, coordinating, and/or directing work activities.

GS-13: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. SE (in addition to above) is defined as follows:

• Work in biochemistry, genetics, or molecular biology performed in a forensic laboratory setting, which includes planning, coordinating, and/or directing forensic science activities; performing expert examinations and work activities of increasing complexity.

How to Apply
For detailed instructions related to applying, uploading documents, withdrawing an application or updating your application, please review instructions on How to Apply . If applying online is a hardship, please use the contact information listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.
Required Documents
To apply to this position, interested applicants must provide a complete application package by the closing date which includes:

1. Your resume, specifically noting relevant work experience and associated start and end dates
2. A complete assessment questionnaire
3. Other supporting documents (if applicable) :
   • College transcripts, if qualifying based on education or if there is a positive education requirement
   • Memorandum for Record (MFR), Please see Additional Information

Documents that were uploaded one or more years ago will need to be uploaded again. Although an applicant may see these documents within their current profile, the HR Specialists may not have access to view them. All applicants are being asked to upload another copy (if applicable) to ensure the staffing units can review the complete application.
You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. If applying online is a hardship, please contact the HR Specialist listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.
What to Expect Next
Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The Most Competitive candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your status throughout the process.
Additional Information

• Failure to provide necessary and relevant information required by this vacancy announcement may disqualify you from consideration. Additional information will not be requested if your application is incomplete. Your application will be evaluated solely on the basis of information you have submitted.
• 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.
• Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing the other workplace safety protocols. Positions with fitness for duty requirements or those that require international travel may require proof of certain vaccinations.
• Management may select at any grade for which this position has been announced.
• Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance of higher-level duties.
• Limited Movement: Policy has been implemented wherein support employees entering a position through a competitive OR non-competitive action may be precluded from moving to another position within the Bureau by means of reassignment or change to lower grade for a minimum of 12 months. HRD will waive this limited movement policy for qualified employees, who have received an official notification letter that their current position is being relocated to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama by 2024, so those employees can compete for a position elsewhere.
• Probationary employees are precluded from being considered for all job opportunities until 12-months of their 24-month probationary period has concluded. Probationary employees may be considered for competitive vacancies that are advertised within their respective division or field office after serving 90 days within the FBI.
• Candidates will not be considered if currently on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP); a Letter of Requirement (LOR); or have failed a PIP or LOR and are currently awaiting the final action by HRD.

a. A Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) is a 90-day written developmental plan for an employee whose performance on one or more critical elements is rated "Inconsistent."
b. A Letter of Requirement (LOR) is issued when a supervisor identifies leave abuse and/or when frequent absences negatively impact operations of an office.

• Relocation expenses will be borne by the selectee, except FBI employees returning from LEGAT assignment. Employees returning from LEGAT assignments must advise the Staffing and Administrative Unit / International Operations Division of their application for this position.
• Current tax law impacts your transfer by making your moving expense reimbursements taxable. Please contact Transfer_Issues for information regarding taxable expenses. For additional insight on the personal impact of the IRS tax rules, you may wish to contact the IRS or a tax professional. Federal Travel Regulation provides that the Withholding Tax Allowance (WTA) plus the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) are designed to "substantially reimburse" an employee for the additional Federal, State, and Local taxes associated with a change of duty station and the FBI has the authority to compensate employees through the WTA and RITA.
• Candidates receiving a transfer of physical location, whether at the expense of the FBI or not, will be required to complete a one year commitment to the assignment, prior to moving to a new position at the FBI. The 12-month waiting period begins the day an employee reports for duty at the new location.
• Employees selected for promotions at the GS-12 level or higher, as well as employees selected for positions where a transfer of location is required, will be processed through the name check program prior to being notified of their selection.
• Memorandum for Record: Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on a SF-50, i. e., back-up duties), has to be documented in detail by an immediate supervisor in order to receive full credit for amount of time worked in that position. If no documentation is furnished no credit will be given for time worked in that position. The following notations must be specified in the documentation (Memorandum for Record):

a. Percent of time worked in the particular position (cannot conflict with main duties)
b. The month/year work began
c. Frequency worked (i.e., daily, monthly, etc.)
d. Specific duties performed
Attach the Memorandum for Record to your application in the "Cover Letters and Attachments" section of My Career Tools on the Careers Home page. Please upload the attachment as type "Other."
Nepotism
Nepotism is the act of favoring relatives in the hiring process, and is prohibited by law. Public officials are prohibited from hiring or promoting relatives or relatives of officials in their chain of command, as well as actively or indirectly endorse a relative's appointment or promotion.
During the hiring process, all selected candidates and FBI hiring managers will be required to certify they are not related to anyone involved in the hiring process.
Reasonable Accommodation Request
The FBI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation pursuant to a sincerely held religious belief or medical disability for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please notify the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Affairs (OEEOA) Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Program by either e-mail at REASONABLE_ACCOMMODA@fbi.gov , telephone at 202-324-2158, or FAX at 202-324-3976. Your request will receive an individualized assessment.
This e-mail address is only for reasonable accommodation requests. Please do not submit your application and/or any questions unrelated to reasonable accommodations. Should any applications be received, they will not be forwarded for consideration during the hiring process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The FBI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this vacancy. Unless explicitly authorized by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of, color, race, religion, national origin, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age (40 or over), sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, gender identity, and sexual orientation), or on the basis of personal favoritism, or any other non-merit factors.

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