Summary

This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Diversion Control Division, Office of Diversion Control Operations, Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section, Drug Control Unit (DOEP).

This position(s) primary purpose is to plan, direct, and evaluate programs for all drug and chemical control efforts.

Duties

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As a Pharmacologist, your typical work assignments may include:

• Serving as senior scientific advisor in pharmacology and related biological and physical sciences as applied to the implementation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
• Collecting and evaluating scientific articles and preparing reports concerning the pharmacological action of potential controlled substances and/or the application of new technology for their control for publication in agency, government, or scientific journals; or for presentation at scientific meetings.
• Providing scientific leadership in complex and/or specialized diversion studies, presenting significant drug issues on behalf of the agency.
• Serving as authority on drug schedules and substances of abuse and misuse with strong knowledge of uses, both legal and/or illegal.
• Representing and advocating on behalf of the DEA to ensure the goals and objectives of diversion control are taken into consideration.

Requirements

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Qualifications

For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the required qualification requirements described below by the closing of this announcement.

If you are qualifying based on education or if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript with your application.

Basic Qualification Requirements: The basic requirement for this position requires a degree with a major in an appropriate 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.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.

Applicants applying for the GS-13 must meet one of the following requirements:

Have at least one full year of qualifying specialized experience that is at least equivalent in difficulty and complexity to work performed at the GS-12 grade level. 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.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

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) advising on pharmacology, related biological sciences or physical sciences to resolve problems; 2) conducting research to identify short and long-term effects of drugs and/or chemicals; 3) managing a drug and/or chemical database system; and 4) preparing scientific reports for publication or presentation in meetings.

Applicants applying for the GS-14 must meet the following requirement:

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 scientific advisor in pharmacology and related biological and physical sciences as applied to the implementation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA); 2) developing presentations articulating agency regulation or policy; 3) providing medical/scientific perspective regarding the adverse impact of drug compounds or substances; and 4) serving as an expert witness in court regarding the impact of drug abuse and misuse as it relates to public health and safety.

Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.

Education

See the qualification section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials, visit: www.naces.org/members.

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.

Additional information

For reasonable accommodation at the Drug Enforcement Administration, please contact the Human Resources office listed in this announcement.

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.

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to similar positions in any Division/Office listed in this announcement. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.

Recruitment and/or Relocation Incentives may be considered and approved under conditions specified provided the agency has determined that the position is likely to be difficult to fill in the absence of an incentive and funding for such an incentive is available.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 1-year or 2-year trial period as appropriate during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.