Physical Scientist (Forensic Computer Examiner)
About the Position: The Incumbent will serve as a Physical Scientist (Forensic Computer Examiner) assigned to the Digital Evidence Branch of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory, an organization responsible for providing forensic laboratory support to the U.S. Department of Defense criminal investigation organizations.
Responsibilities
- Conduct digital forensic examination of computers and data storage devices.
- Recover information from data evidence that has been altered or manipulated.
- Preserve chain of custody of evidence.
- Review laboratory examination requests.
- Safeguard evidence for future examination.
- Conduct on-site examination and provide crime scene assistance to other investigators.
Conditions of Employment
- Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
- Incumbent will be required to undergo a pre-appointment physical exam and annual exams thereafter.
- Incumbent will be required to lift up to 40lbs.
- This position requires the incumbent to participate in DNA profiling database within the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory.
- Secret Clearance is required.
Qualifications
Who May Apply: US Citizens
In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.
Basic Requirement for: Physical Scientist (Forensic Computer Examiner):
A. Degree: Bachelor’s degree (or higher degree) in 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.
OR
B. Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to one of the majors, as shown in A above, that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:
GS-11:
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes collecting and analyzing digital evidence, maintaining proper chain of custody and preparing reports. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).
OR
Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: physical science.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.
GS-12:
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes reviewing examination requests, determining authenticity of computer media, and preparing written reports of evidentiary findings. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).
GS-13:
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes conducting forensic examinations and analysis of computers, mobile devices, and other electronic and digital devices and utilizing specialized techniques to recover data based information. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-12).
Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, at the GS-12 and GS-13 grade level, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone–no substitution of education for experience is permitted.
You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:
- Forensics
- Oral Communication
- Teaching Others
- Technical Competence
- Writing