Become a Supervisory Specimen Controller (Forensic) with the U.S. Army

The U.S. Army Medical Command is looking for disciplined, experienced leaders to fill the role of Supervisory Specimen Controller (Forensic). Located at Fort Meade, Maryland, this position is essential for maintaining the high standards required for Department of Defense forensic laboratory operations. If you have a background in specimen management and a desire to lead a professional team, this could be your next career milestone.

Job Responsibilities

As a Supervisory Specimen Controller, your primary duties involve the intersection of technical oversight and team leadership. You will:

Supervise a team of 8-11 employees at the GS-06 and GS-07 levels.
Manage daily workflow, adjust priorities, and ensure that production deadlines are consistently met.
Provide high-level guidance to staff on complex specimen-processing policies.
Collaborate with laboratory management to suggest and implement procedural improvements.
Ensure the legal defensibility of all memorandums and documentation regarding SOP deviations.
Conduct regular quality control audits of team members' work.

Requirements

To be considered for this position, applicants must demonstrate:

One year of specialized experience at the GS-07 level or equivalent.
The ability to translate complex laws into actionable workflows.
Experience resolving unusual technical and administrative challenges.
A clean, concise, and professional two-page resume.

Comparison Table: Qualifications at a Glance

Requirement Area	Expectation
Experience	Min 1 year at GS-07 equivalent
Supervisory Status	Required (8-11 personnel)
Education Substitution	Not Permitted
Residency	U.S. Citizenship Required
Resume Limit	2 Pages Maximum

Salary Overview

This position offers a competitive annual salary ranging from $70,623 to $91,815, inclusive of applicable locality pay or market supplements, depending on candidate experience and management discretion.

Benefits

Federal employees enjoy a robust benefits package, including:

Comprehensive Health, Vision, and Dental plans.
Participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching.
Federal Retirement system eligibility.
Accrued annual and sick leave.

Application Tips

Respect the Limit: Keep your resume strictly under two pages.
Clarity is Key: Avoid jargon and military-specific acronyms. Use plain, professional English.
Detail Your Work: Clearly state your employer, title, start/end dates, and hours worked per week for every position listed.
Check Your Status: Use the USAJOBS dashboard to track your application status regularly.

Serving as a Supervisory Specimen Controller (Forensic) is a unique opportunity to lead, innovate, and contribute to the safety and readiness of our military personnel. If you meet the qualifications, apply now to join a team dedicated to excellence.

Why This Supervisory Specimen Controller (Forensic) Job Matters

Advance your career in forensic science by leading a dedicated team of specimen professionals within the U.S. Army Medical Command.

Supervisory Specimen Controller (Forensic) Job Overview

The U.S. Army Medical Command is seeking experienced professionals for the position of Supervisory Specimen Controller (Forensic) at Fort Meade, Maryland. This role is managed under the Direct Hire Authority (DHA) and focuses on the specialized oversight of specimen processing workflows, administrative compliance, and team leadership. As a supervisor, you will manage a team of 8-11 employees, ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and legal defensibility of forensic documentation. This is an open continuous announcement, meaning we are accepting and reviewing applications on an ongoing basis to fill multiple vacancies.

Requirements for Supervisory Specimen Controller (Forensic)

Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level.
Experience providing technical guidance to management regarding laboratory procedure improvements.
Demonstrated ability to apply complex laws and regulations to coordinate laboratory workflow.
Ability to resolve unusual situations and provide oversight regarding specimen-processing policies.
Resume must be limited to exactly two pages or less.
Ability to complete a probationary period if required.

Preferred Qualifications for Supervisory Specimen Controller (Forensic)

Prior experience supervising staff of 8-11 personnel.
Background in forensic drug testing or high-volume laboratory settings.
Expertise in maintaining legal documentation and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Strong organizational skills for planning and adjusting production schedules.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive Federal Salary
✓Health and Life Insurance options
✓Retirement plans including TSP (Thrift Savings Plan)
✓Paid vacation and federal holidays
✓Opportunities for professional development within the DoD

💡 How to Apply Supervisory Specimen Controller (Forensic) Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Supervisory Specimen Controller (Forensic) Job

Ensure your resume is no longer than two pages.
Complete the online questionnaire via the USA Staffing portal.
Upload all required supporting documentation, including transcripts if applicable.
Verify that your application is marked as complete before the closing date.
Monitor your status through your USAJOBS account dashboard.

💡 General Tips

Use plain language and avoid acronyms that may be unfamiliar to reviewers.
Be specific about your work hours per week to prove your experience level.
Submit your application early to avoid last-minute technical delays.
Double-check your resume page count—resumes exceeding two pages are automatically disqualified.
Sanitize sensitive information from supporting documents like marriage certificates before uploading.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Direct Hire Authority (DHA)?

DHA allows agencies to hire qualified candidates more quickly by bypassing traditional competitive service rating and ranking procedures for specific mission-critical positions.

Can I substitute education for experience?

No, this specific role requires meeting the qualification requirements through relevant professional experience alone.

What happens if my resume is longer than two pages?

Per the job announcement, any resume exceeding the two-page limit will be excluded from consideration.

Job from U.S. Army Medical Command

The U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) is the backbone of health and medical support for the U.S. military. By integrating civilian talent with military medical operations, the command ensures that all forensic toxicology and drug testing requirements are met with precision. Employees in this agency play a vital role in the Total Army mission, providing expertise that is essential to operational readiness.