Pharmacologist

Duties

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.

As a Pharmacologistyour typical work assignments may include: Serves as senior scientific advisor in pharmacology and related biological and physical sciences as applied to the implementation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Serves as pharmacology expert and provides consultation, advice and expertise to the government attorneys to facilitate the prosecution and sentencing of individuals charged with violation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Serves as authority on drug schedules and substances of abuse and misuse with strong knowledge of uses legally and/or illegally. Collects and evaluates scientific articles and prepares reports concerning the pharmacological action of potential controlled substance and/or the application of new technology for their control for publication in agency, government or scientific journals or for presentation at scientific meetings. Represents and advocates on behalf of the DEA to ensure the goals and objectives of diversion control are taken into consideration.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Must be a U.S. Citizen You must submit to a pre-employment drug test. Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment. Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. DEA uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see ).

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) AND Specialized Experience requirements as noted below. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

Specialized 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.

One year of specialized experience for this position includes:

Basic Qualification -- Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR)
Possess a degree in biological, medical, veterinary, or physical science, or in pharmacy that included at least 30 semester hours in chemistry and physiology and 12 semester hours in pharmacology.

AND

Specialized Experience Required

GS-13: Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level or pay band in the Federal service that includes performing the following duties: 1. Serving as a scientific expert and advisor in pharmacology and related biological and physical sciences providing professional consultation as applied to the implementation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA); 2. Providing policy and procedural consultation, advice and technical expertise on highly complex regulatory and compliance issues; 3. Preparing written recommendations and briefings on drug scheduling decisions; 4. Advising attorneys to facilitate the prosecution and sentencing of individuals charged with violation of the Controlled Substances Act.

GS-14: Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level or pay band in the Federal service that includes performing the following duties: 1. Serving as senior scientific advisor in pharmacology and related biological and physical sciences as applied to the implementation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA); 2. Providing scientific leadership in complex and/or specialized diversion studies; 3. Preparing authoritative scientific reports which serve as the agency basis for controversial and critical legislative or regulatory initiatives and policy decisions; 4. Serving as an expert witness/technical authority in court proceedings regarding the impact of drug abuse and misuse as it relates to public health and safety.

Competencies: Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competencies in the following areas:

ChemistryOral CommunicationTechnical CompetenceWriting

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement (as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F).

Education

This position requires specific coursework and/or a degree to meet the basic education requirement. You must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Your transcript(s) must clearly demonstrate the course(s) listed in the qualification requirement section. If the transcript(s) does not clearly demonstrate this you must submit a copy of the course description and/or other documentation demonstrating that the courses are equivalent.

If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.

Special Instructions for 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. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: .

Additional information

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, DEA requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation (Critical-Sensitive/Top Secret, Special-Sensitive/Top Secret, or Non-critical Sensitive/Secret). This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. DEA committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.

EEO POLICY STATEMENT

Veterans' Preference: Certain veterans are eligible to apply as a status candidate under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA). View Feds Hire vets for more information on veterans' preference see .

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.

Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP): This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 80 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For more information visit:

Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement. Further selections may also be made for additional organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

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