Forensic Chemist Advisor

Amentum is a premier global services partner supporting critical programs of national significance across defense, security, intelligence, energy, and environment. Amentum draws from a century-old heritage of operational excellence, mission focus, and successful execution underpinned by a strong culture of safety and ethics. Headquartered in Chantilly, VA., Amentum employs more than 50,000 people on all seven continents.

Amentum is supporting the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in providing specialized training, advisory and mentoring services to host nations under the Criminal Division’s International Criminal Investigative Training and Assistance Program (ICITAP).  https://www.justice.gov/criminal-icitap.

ICITAP is a cornerstone of America’s global strategy for combating transnational crime, terrorism, countering trafficking in persons, establishing rule of law and enhancing human rights in developing countries.  Amentum is the contract service provider to the DOJ ICITAP and Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) programs. 

Please Note: This is an Independent Contractor position with Amentum, it should not be considered an employment relationship with Amentum.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Amentum is currently seeking a qualified candidate to serve as a global Forensic Chemist Advisor in Kenya and various locations as needed. This position will be responsible for being the principal subject matter expert in forensic examinations involving drugs and/or explosives chemistry.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• The advisor mentors host-country experts on training, techniques and procedures used in the collection, preservation, examination, analysis, and court production of evidence associated with drugs and/or improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and homemade explosive compositions (HME).
• The advisor is responsible for advising and training host country officials on the use, calibration, maintenance and testing of equipment associated with chemical analysis as well as best practices for analysis, report writing and chain of custody records management.
• The advisor will also work with various US officials from Departments of State (DoS) and Justice (DOJ).
• Duties also include facilitating meetings; leading working groups; developing reports and specialized papers; reviewing and editing policies; and conducting briefings.
• A particular focus may include contributing advice on the development of a national public health approach to NPS.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:  

(Superior experience in critical areas may be substituted for other areas at DOJ discretion)

• Minimum of 10 years of forensic science experience progressively increasing responsibilities involving complex drug cases and/or explosives cases;
• Minimum of 5 years of related drug chemistry experience in an ISO 17025 accredited facility;
• Experience using the Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) and other analytic methods; for drugs, experience implementing DEA’s GUARDS method.
• Bachelor’s degree in forensic science, chemistry, or related fields from a US Department of Education recognized institution;
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust certification from the U.S. DOJ.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Experience in applying chemical analysis and expertise to state or national level drug strategies;
• Experience in applying forensic explosives chemical analysis and expertise to terrorist criminal cases;
• Experience supervising or managing forensic chemistry activities;
• Demonstrated experience in QA/QC inspections and validation for forensic facilities;
• Continuing education demonstrated through publications, presentations, coursework, internships, or certifications; and,
• Language and foreign service skills/experience;
• Experience training or advising foreign officials.