Criminal Investigator (Special Agent) (Open Continuous Announcement)

About the Role

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is a law enforcement agency within the U.S. Department of Justice. This position is for a Criminal Investigator (Special Agent) assigned to the Homeland Security Task Force, located within the Office of Field Operations. This is an Open Continuous Announcement used to fill multiple vacancies, with location negotiable after selection.

Duties

As a Special Agent, your typical work assignments may include:

• Performing the full range of expert level criminal investigative duties, including conducting complex investigations involving illegal and/or organized crime organizations.
• Recognizing patterns of illegal operations to anticipate and/or influence events as they transpire while maintaining awareness of the implications of precedential court decisions in one or more judicial and law enforcement jurisdictions.
• Establishing and developing leads from known criminal activities and initiating investigations that are wide in scope and complexity, involving criminal conduct interwoven with legitimate business pursuits.
• Utilizing elaborate planning and coordination to resolve and overcome complex jurisdictional problems involving other Federal, State, county, and local agencies.
• Serving as the key person or coordinator when performing duties such as surveillance or undercover work involving extremely complex, delicate, or dangerous elements.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st, 1959 (those not registered must have an approved exemption on file).
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Must pass drug screening and be subject to random drug tests.
• Must be suitable for Federal employment as determined by a background investigation.
• Must meet all applicable time-in-grade requirements at the time of application.
• Must display and maintain required proficiency with firearms.
• Must take and pass a medical examination and meet medical requirements.
• Must take and successfully complete a polygraph examination (reciprocity may be provided).
• Must possess a current and valid automobile operator's license.
• Must successfully complete Special Agent Basic Training (SABT); failure to pass may result in removal from the position.
• All applicants must pass a standardized Physical Task Test (PTT).
• Must successfully complete Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP), or an equivalent recognized federal law enforcement training program (certification must be uploaded).
• New employees must sign a mobility agreement to facilitate movement through short-term assignments or permanent reassignments throughout the Bureau; declining to sign will result in removal from the hiring process.
• This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Qualifications

GS-11: You qualify if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GL-9 grade level in the Federal, State, or Local government or equivalent public or private sector experience, performing all of the following duties: conducting the full range of criminal investigations using accepted methodology and problem solving techniques; obtaining investigative leads and factual data; participating in operational planning, searches, seizures, and arrests; reviewing evidence; and preparing case reports at the conclusion of a criminal investigation.

OR you possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Criminal Justice and/or Administration; Law and Society; Forensics; Public Safety and/or Administration; Homeland Security; Law Enforcement; Justice Administration; Organizational Security and Management; Criminology; Cyber Security; Social Work; Fire Science; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or an LL.M., if related.

OR you have a combination of specialized experience (less than one year) and graduate education (less than the required one year) that totals 100% of the requirement.

GS-12: You qualify if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal, State, or Local government or equivalent public or private sector experience, performing all of the following duties: conducting the full range of criminal investigations of greater than average complexity and importance using accepted methodology and problem-solving techniques; serving as a lead agent in planning and conducting investigations, operations, searches, seizures, or arrests; reviewing evidence; and preparing case reports at the conclusion of a criminal investigation. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience is not available for this grade level.

GS-13: You qualify if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal, State, or Local government or equivalent public or private sector experience, performing all of the following duties: applying a wide range of criminal investigative, enforcement, laws, regulations, guidelines, and precedent decisions; identifying significant sources of information to detect illegal activity and document issues or probable cause and conduct investigations to determine if violations have occurred; and communicating orally and in writing to prepare and present reports, briefings, and/or exchange information. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience is not available for this grade level.

Relocation Incentive

A relocation incentive may be paid to eligible current federal employees only, subject to successful completion of required Special Agent Basic Training at FLETC-Glynco, GA. Total amount: $25,000 (may not exceed 25% of total salary, including locality pay). Annual amount: $12,500 over two years (subject to federal taxes and any applicable state/local taxes).

Additional Information

Additional selections may be made from this announcement. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of the American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) provide eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates. To receive selection priority, you must meet eligibility criteria, be rated well-qualified (score 85 or better), and submit appropriate documentation with your application.

The Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) allows eligible veterans to apply and compete for positions announced under merit promotion procedures. To be eligible, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three or more years of continuous active military service. Applicants applying under the Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) Authority may only be placed at the GS-11 grade level.

Experience must be in the normal line of progression or related to the work of the position advertised and must be reflected in your resume.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.