Summary
The Physical Scientist (Firearm and Toolmark Examiner) will work in the Office of Science and Technology (OST). Forensic Science Laboratory. This position supports the mission of OST by providing highly technical and scientific services in support of the Bureau's primary law enforcement mission. Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) is a hiring authority granted by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to address critical hiring needs or severe candidate shortages.
Duties
The major duties of the Physical Scientist (Firearm and Toolmark Examiner) position include, but are not limited to, the following: Performs forensic firearm/toolmark examinations with minimal technical guidance. Provides advice and training regarding forensic firearms/toolmarks to special agents, law enforcement personnel, attorneys, other scientists, and laboratory personnel. Interprets and evaluates the results of analyses to determine the scientific significance and to ensure that all relevant questions are answered. Works with senior examiners to evaluate new technology and scientific equipment for adoption or acquisition by Laboratory Services. Provides investigative leads through observations and analysis of evidentiary material.
Requirements
The requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Must be U.S. Citizen or National Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file. May be required to serve a one-year probationary period. Pass drug screening and subject to random drug test. Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation.
Education
This position requires 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. Please refer to the Qualifications section for full details. Education must be reviewed and certified by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, in order for it to be creditable towards your qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from accredited institution. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
How you will be evaluated
Once the job opportunity announcement closes (at 11:59 pm ET on 10/21/2026, your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) along with the results of the applied assessment. Qualified applicants who pass the online assessment and SME review, which is used to determine proficiency, will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. The Hiring Official may select any qualified candidate. Veterans' preference is not applicable. Structured Resume Review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. SMEs will review ONLY two pages of your resume, starting at your work experience. SMEs will not review any additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter). Applicants who pass the structured resume review will be added to the list of qualified candidates. USA Hire: You will be asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments where you will be evaluated on critical competencies relevant to this position. You must meet all qualifications, including meeting or exceeding the cut score on the required assessments. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments. You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Forensics Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Oral Communication Reading Comprehension Research Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Written Communication When addressing the specialized experience statement, applicants must present evidence of the experience in their resume. If the specialized experience statement is repeated in the applicant's resume, Human Resources will deem the applicant as ineligible. If you would like to preview the application questionnaire, please see: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13058664.