Hybrid Chemist or Toxicologist (Forensic Instrument Specialist) bei Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for DC

Chemist or Toxicologist (Forensic Instrument Specialist)

Department: Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for DC

Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $101401 - $131826 Per Year

Job Summary: Join a multidisciplinary team that safeguards public health and safety by providing cutting-edge forensic toxicology testing and expert analytical support. As a Chemist or Toxicologist (Forensic Instrument Specialist, you will lead the maintenance, calibration, and performance optimization of high-resolution mass spectrometry LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and related instrumentation used to detect drugs, poisons, and environmental contaminants.

Major Duties:

• In this job, you will: 1. Perform the full range of calibration, maintenance, qualification, and validation of a wide range of complex analytical instruments including but not limited to GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, and immunoassay analyzers. Ensure reliable and legally defensible toxicology results in support of forensic casework and compliance with CLIA requirements. Manage the full life cycle (selection, installation, qualification, preventive maintenance, repair, decommissioning) of LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and related instruments used in forensic toxicology. 2. Lead the maintenance, calibration, and performance optimization of high-resolution mass spectrometry LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and related instrumentation used to detect drugs, poisons, and environmental contaminants. 3. Perform scheduled and as-needed instrument calibration and preventative maintenance. Conduct system suitability testing and performance checks by validated methods and federal regulatory requirements. Maintain comprehensive documentation in compliance with CLIA standards. Diagnoses and resolving instrument malfunctions promptly reduce downtime. Interface with external service providers and ensure proper service records are maintained. 4. Lead or support IQ/OQ/PQ processes for new instrumentation or post-repair validation. Assist with method validation to ensure instrument reliability and compliance with Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs). Draft, revise, and maintain SOPs related to instrument use, cleaning, maintenance, troubleshooting and work with Quality Assurance/Quality Control Specialist to align SOPs with quality assurance standards. 5. Manage control and acquisition software (e.g., MassHunter, ChemStation, enter SCIEX OS and Analyst software). Ensure audit trail integrity, proper data backup procedures, and secure access control. 6. Provide expert technical training and mentorship to laboratory personnel; draft and review SOPs; guide-cause analysis and CAPA (Corrective Action and Preventive Action) for instrument-related non-conformances. Train laboratory personnel on equipment operation, maintenance, troubleshooting procedures and serve as the primary point of contact for instrument issues across Office of Forensic Toxicology Services locations. 7. Provide expert technical training and mentorship to laboratory personnel; draft and review SOPs; guide-cause analysis and CAPA (Corrective Action and Preventive Action) for instrument-related non-conformances. Train laboratory personnel on equipment operation, maintenance, troubleshooting procedures and serve as the primary point of contact for instrument issues across Office of Forensic Toxicology Services locations.

Qualifications: To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic professional requirements, and specialized experience requirement below. For Chemistry Series 1320: 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 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 One year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the GS-11 or equivalent grade level that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. Specialized experience is defined as experience operating, maintaining, and qualifying advanced mass spectrometry systems (e.g., LC MS/MS, GC- MS) for detecting toxicants in biological samples; developing and validating analytical methods in compliance with accreditation standards; diagnosing and correcting complex instrument malfunctions; and documenting results and findings in laboratory information systems and technical reports suitable for legal or regulatory purposes. For Toxicology Series 415: 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 One year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the GS-11 or equivalent grade level that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. Specialized experience is defined as experience operating, maintaining, and qualifying advanced mass spectrometry systems (e.g., LC MS/MS, GC-MS) for detecting toxicants in biological samples; developing and validating analytical methods in compliance with accreditation standards; diagnosing and correcting complex instrument malfunctions; and documenting results and findings in laboratory information systems and technical reports suitable for legal or regulatory purposes. 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.

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 (08/07/2025) 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, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, 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 Tara Stoney at (202) 220-5586 or [email protected] to obtain instructions on how to submit an alternative application.

Application Deadline: 2025-08-07