Criminal Investigator (Special Agent) (Open Continuous Announcement)

About the role

ATF is a law enforcement agency in the U.S. Department of Justice that protects our communities from violent criminals/criminal organizations, illegal use/trafficking of firearms, illegal use/storage of explosives, acts of arson/bombings, acts of terrorism, and illegal diversion of alcohol/tobacco products. We partner with communities, industries, law enforcement, and public safety agencies to safeguard the public through information sharing, training, research, & technology.

Responsibilities

• Performs the full range of expert level criminal investigative tasks, including conducting complex investigations involving illegal and/or organized crime organizations.
• Recognizes patterns of illegal operations and anticipates or influences events as they transpire, maintaining awareness of precedential court decisions in one or more judicial and law enforcement jurisdictions.
• Establishes and develops leads from known criminal activities and initiates investigations that are wide in scope and complexity, involving criminal conduct intertwined with legitimate business pursuits.
• Utilizes elaborate planning and coordination to resolve and overcome complex jurisdictional problems involving other Federal, State, county, and local agencies.
• Serves 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.
• Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation.
• Must be registered or exempt from the Selective Service. See www.sss.gov.
• May be required to serve a one year probationary period.
• Pass drug screening and subject to random drug tests.
• Must display and maintain required proficiency with firearms.
• Take and pass a medical examination and meet medical requirements.
• Must take and successfully complete a polygraph examination.
• Possess a current and valid automobile operator's license.
• May have to attend and successfully pass the following training:
• Occupational Questionnaire
• ATF Special Agent Applicant Assessment
• Physical Task Test
• ATF Special Agent Basic Training (SABT)
• Structured Interview
• Law Enforcement Training: Must have successfully completed and passed Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's Criminal Investigator training program (CITP), OR an equivalent and recognized federal law enforcement training program.

Qualifications

• GS-11: 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.
• GS-12: 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.
• GS-13: 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; communicating orally and in writing to prepare and present reports, briefings, and/or exchange information.

Benefits

Pay Scale & Grade: Determined by the job. Promotion Potential: 13. Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work Schedule: Full-time.

Travel Required: Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Salary

$73,939 - $171,268 per year.

Schedule

Full-time.

Benefits

May include relocation expenses, depending on eligibility.

Skills

Must be proficient with firearms, undergo a medical examination, and pass a polygraph examination.

Background Check

Yes. The type depends on the job.

Announcement Number

26-FO-ST-12840150-RT

Control Number

850788500

Application Deadline

Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on November 20, 2026.

Eligibility

• Current or former career/career-conditional employees
• Reinstatement eligible
• Special Appointing Authority (i.e., Military Spouse, Land and Base Management, Sch A) eligible
• 30% or more Veteran
• VEOA eligible Veteran
• ICTAP eligible
• OPM Interchange Agreement eligible

Location

Many vacancies in the following location: Location Negotiable After Selection, United States.

Relocation Incentive

May be paid to eligible current federal employees only and subject to successful completion of required Special Agent Basic Training at FLETC-Glynco, GA.

Job Series

• Supervisory status: No
• Federal service type: This job is in the Competitive Service
• Represented by a union: No
• Drug test: Yes
• Security clearance: Top Secret
• Position sensitivity and risk: Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk

Background Check Type

Financial disclosure required: No

Mobile Plan

New employees hired pursuant to this vacancy announcement must sign a mobility agreement.

Training

• Occupational Questionnaire
• ATF Special Agent Applicant Assessment
• Physical Task Test
• ATF Special Agent Basic Training (SABT)
• Structured Interview
• Law Enforcement Training: Must have successfully completed and passed Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's Criminal Investigator training program (CITP), OR an equivalent and recognized federal law enforcement training program.