This position is located in Office of Field Operations, Firearms Operations Division, National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) Branch, Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) Section in Beltsville, Maryland.
Performs developmental assignments such as examining physical evidence associated with firearms investigations. Responsible for operating, maintaining and updating the IBIS. Using microscopy, measuring devices, photography and IBIS imaging techniques, examines physical evidence associated with firearm-related cases, e.g. firearms, bullets and cartridge cases
Summary
This position is located in Office of Field Operations, Firearms Operations Division, National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) Branch, Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) Section in Beltsville, Maryland.
Performs developmental assignments such as examining physical evidence associated with firearms investigations. Responsible for operating, maintaining and updating the IBIS. Using microscopy, measuring devices, photography and IBIS imaging techniques, examines physical evidence associated with firearm-related cases, e.g. firearms, bullets and cartridge cases
Training in the safe operation of firearms to include basic design principles of firearms, laboratory safety procedures, and basic recognition of standard ammunition routinely seen in casework.
Under supervision, examines physical evidence associated with IBIS examinations consisting of firearms, ammunition, fired bullets, cartridge cases, and shot shells, using microscopy, measuring devices, digital photography and IBIS imaging techniques.
Assists in interpreting, analyzing and evaluating results of IBIS or firearms examinations and produces draft notifications based on results.
Contacts outside sources for information concerning materials and items examined in related casework.
Examines firearms for classification, operability, electronic bullet and cartridge casing imaging, comparisons, etc.
May be required to serve a one year probationary period.
Pass drug screening and subject to random drug test.
Must successfully complete a background security investigation.
To qualify, you must meet all qualification requirements described in this announcement by the closing date.
Qualifications
To qualify for the GS-11: You must have at least one year of specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-9 Federal grade level.
Specialized experienceis the ability and skills to use IBIS Systems, which incorporate the use of microscopy, measuring devices, photography, imaging techniques, firearms classification and other related firearms examinations to examine physical evidence associated with firearm related cases (e.g., firearms, bullets and cartridge cases).
OR
Three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in physical and biological sciences, graphic arts, police science, criminology, or law. Course work in fields other than those specified may be accepted, if it clearly provides applicants with the background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance in the position to be filled.
OR LLM., if related.
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov.
Additional information
Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
Periodic Reinvestigation: Subject to a 5-year periodic investigation
Travel and relocation expenses: are not authorized and will not be paid.
EEO Statement: The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, (including pregnancy, gender identify and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability (physical and mental), family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, retaliation, or other non-merit factor.
Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
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.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated and rated under ATF's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Gold - applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level of possession of all evaluation criteria, Silver - applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of possession of the evaluation criteria or Bronze - applicants possessing the specialized experience. Names of all candidates in the best qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Candidates within the Gold category who are eligible for veterans preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans preference eligibles. The assessment questionnaire is designed to measure your ability in the following competencies:
Experience in the evidentiary value of a physical evidence to avoid its destruction or break in chain of custody.
Experience in the various firearm calibers and caliber types and firearm function, malfunction and how they can be safely tested.
Analytic ability, judgment, discretion and knowledge of NIBIN and IBIS applications, principles, etc.
Ability to effectively communicate in writing and orally in order to produce clear, precise, and accurate draft notification.
Experience working with digital photography and its use for recording observation and documenting evidence.
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.
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.
It is your responsibility to ensure all documents are received on time and the materials are readable. If applying on-line poses a hardship to any applicant, please contact us at the telephone number listed on this announcement. Applicants MUST CONTACT US PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE to speak to someone who can provide assistance for on-line submission. Requests for extensions will not be granted. Paper applications submitted without prior approval from the agency point of contact may be handled as incomplete. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: If your contact information changes after the closing date of this vacancy announcement, update your profile information in MYUSAJOBS as well as contact the Human Resources Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement to ensure you can be contacted throughout the selection process. (1) Resume showing relevant experience (cover letter optional) (2) Veterans' preference documentation, if applicable. (3) CTAP/ICTAP documentation, if applicable. (4) Unofficial college transcript(s), if applicable. Official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day. Prior to selection, the candidate may be required to provide an original copy of any supporting/validating documentation as well as other documentation to verify eligibility. All required materials must be uploaded using the supporting documentation instructions described in the announcement. Failure to provide the required documentation by the closing date of this announcement will result in elimination of further consideration for this position.
It is your responsibility to ensure all documents are recieved on time and the materials are legible.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
This job is filled through a 3-step on-line application process.
STEP ONE - (Online Resume - USAJOBS) You must create a user account and at least one Federal resume at USAJOBS. Information you provide in USAJOBS is general information completed by all applicants. The information you provide and your Federal resume will become part of your application and will automatically be transferred to CareerConnector when you apply online. If you have an existing USAJOBS account, simply login and select the resume you wish to include with your application package for this announcement.
STEP TWO - (Vacancy Specific Questions CareerConnector) In CareerConnector, you will answer vacancy specific questions necessary to evaluate your qualifications for the job to which you are applying. When completed, the information you provided at USAJOBS and the answers to the CareerConnector questions will become your application package.
STEP THREE - (Supporting Documentation) You may upload supporting documentation in one of two ways:
(l) Once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement, you will be prompted to upload your document(s) to your application package. You will be given the choice to either upload the document as part of the application process, or you can select a document that you've already loaded on USAJOBS, or simply fax supporting documentation, which will provide you the necessary cover sheets for each of your documents so that they will be correctly submitted to the appropriate vacancy announcement. The fax number will be available on the cover sheet.
(2) You can upload a document to an existing application by logging into your USAJOBS account profile. Click on "My Applications" and search for the vacancy. Once you have located the vacancy, click on the vacancy and select "Apply Online". Move through your existing application to the Documents page and select "Upload" in order to add a document to your application. Be certain to review your complete application for confirmation that the document uploaded and click on "Finished" to be returned to USAJOBS. Your complete online application and any required supplemental documentation (e.g. DD-214) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives
Please apply online
Washington, DC 20226
US
Next steps
After the vacancy closes, the Human Resources Office will use the application package to automatically rate, rank and certify candidates. You can check the status of your application anytime by accessing the USAJOBS online application system at http://www.usajobs.gov. You will need to provide your USAJOBS User ID and Password to access the Track your Online Job Application feature. You may also click on the link provided to access additional information on Career Connector. All applicants will be notified at four (4) stages in the hiring process:
(1) upon receipt of your application;
(2) after your qualifications have been assessed;
(3) whether or not you've been referred to the Selecting Official; and
(4) whether or not you've been selected for the position. The hiring manager makes a selection from among applicants in the Gold category. If your name is sent to the hiring manager, you may be invited for an interview.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
It is your responsibility to ensure all documents are received on time and the materials are readable. If applying on-line poses a hardship to any applicant, please contact us at the telephone number listed on this announcement. Applicants MUST CONTACT US PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE to speak to someone who can provide assistance for on-line submission. Requests for extensions will not be granted. Paper applications submitted without prior approval from the agency point of contact may be handled as incomplete. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: If your contact information changes after the closing date of this vacancy announcement, update your profile information in MYUSAJOBS as well as contact the Human Resources Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement to ensure you can be contacted throughout the selection process. (1) Resume showing relevant experience (cover letter optional) (2) Veterans' preference documentation, if applicable. (3) CTAP/ICTAP documentation, if applicable. (4) Unofficial college transcript(s), if applicable. Official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day. Prior to selection, the candidate may be required to provide an original copy of any supporting/validating documentation as well as other documentation to verify eligibility. All required materials must be uploaded using the supporting documentation instructions described in the announcement. Failure to provide the required documentation by the closing date of this announcement will result in elimination of further consideration for this position.
It is your responsibility to ensure all documents are recieved on time and the materials are legible.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
This job is filled through a 3-step on-line application process.
STEP ONE - (Online Resume - USAJOBS) You must create a user account and at least one Federal resume at USAJOBS. Information you provide in USAJOBS is general information completed by all applicants. The information you provide and your Federal resume will become part of your application and will automatically be transferred to CareerConnector when you apply online. If you have an existing USAJOBS account, simply login and select the resume you wish to include with your application package for this announcement.
STEP TWO - (Vacancy Specific Questions CareerConnector) In CareerConnector, you will answer vacancy specific questions necessary to evaluate your qualifications for the job to which you are applying. When completed, the information you provided at USAJOBS and the answers to the CareerConnector questions will become your application package.
STEP THREE - (Supporting Documentation) You may upload supporting documentation in one of two ways:
(l) Once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement, you will be prompted to upload your document(s) to your application package. You will be given the choice to either upload the document as part of the application process, or you can select a document that you've already loaded on USAJOBS, or simply fax supporting documentation, which will provide you the necessary cover sheets for each of your documents so that they will be correctly submitted to the appropriate vacancy announcement. The fax number will be available on the cover sheet.
(2) You can upload a document to an existing application by logging into your USAJOBS account profile. Click on "My Applications" and search for the vacancy. Once you have located the vacancy, click on the vacancy and select "Apply Online". Move through your existing application to the Documents page and select "Upload" in order to add a document to your application. Be certain to review your complete application for confirmation that the document uploaded and click on "Finished" to be returned to USAJOBS. Your complete online application and any required supplemental documentation (e.g. DD-214) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives
Please apply online
Washington, DC 20226
US
Next steps
After the vacancy closes, the Human Resources Office will use the application package to automatically rate, rank and certify candidates. You can check the status of your application anytime by accessing the USAJOBS online application system at http://www.usajobs.gov. You will need to provide your USAJOBS User ID and Password to access the Track your Online Job Application feature. You may also click on the link provided to access additional information on Career Connector. All applicants will be notified at four (4) stages in the hiring process:
(1) upon receipt of your application;
(2) after your qualifications have been assessed;
(3) whether or not you've been referred to the Selecting Official; and
(4) whether or not you've been selected for the position. The hiring manager makes a selection from among applicants in the Gold category. If your name is sent to the hiring manager, you may be invited for an interview.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
