At the ZA-03 level, the individual selected for these positions will:

• Conduct investigations that may result in criminal or civil/administrative prosecution and criminal or civil/administrative penalties.
• Conduct complex investigations of national or international scope, uncover and document the illegal commercialization and destruction of protected wildlife resources.
• Conduct domestic and international investigations, both civil/administrative and criminal, of suspected violations of laws and regulations under laws of the United States and specifically under the purview of NOAA.
• Work with civil/administrative and criminal prosecuting attorneys to prepare for an effective prosecution.
• Conduct arrests, searches, and seizures in accordance with the U.S. Constitution, pertinent laws, regulations, directives and court decisions.
• Comply with all existing policies, procedures and guidelines (including the use of force policy) pertaining to use, display, safety and maintenance of firearms and intermediate weapons.

Duties at the ZA-02 are developmental to the ZA-03 level.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National to apply.
• Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
• Must be suitable for Federal employment.
• Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
• Time-in-grade/band must be met by closing date of announcement.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The duties of positions in this series require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, and knee joints is required. Arms, hands, legs, and feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. Sufficiently good vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Near vision, corrective lenses permitted, must be sufficient to read printed material the size of typewritten characters. Hearing loss, as measured by an audiometer, must not exceed 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz levels. Since the duties of these positions are exacting and responsible, and involve activities under trying conditions, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to themselves or others is disqualifying.

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: There is no positive education requirement for this position. However, applicants MUST possess at least one year of specialized experience in order to be found minimally qualified.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

To qualify at the ZA-02 (GS-09 equivalent level):

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZA-02 level (GS-07) in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

• Conducting civil/administrative and criminal investigations.
• Identifying and developing sources of information for use in investigations.
• Working closely with prosecutors in preparing and presenting cases for civil/administrative or criminal prosecution.

-OR-

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION (for GS-09 equivalent level): Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related

-OR-

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: An equivalent combination of graduate level education and specialist experience if qualifying.

Note: Only graduate education in excess of one year is qualifying for combination.

To qualify at the ZA-03 (GS-11 equivalent level):

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZA-02 level (GS-09) in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

• Conducting complex federal civil/administrative and/or criminal investigations.
• Identifying, developing and managing sources of information for use in investigations.
• Working closely with prosecutors in preparing and presenting cases for civil/administrative or criminal prosecution.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other state and federal law enforcement agencies.

-OR-

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a LL.M., if related

-OR-

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: An equivalent combination of graduate level education and specialist experience if qualifying.

Note: Only graduate education in excess of one year is qualifying for combination.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

SECURITY CLEARANCE: You must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.

LICENSE: Will be required to operate a motor vehicle, and must possess and maintain a valid state operator’s license.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Will be required to submit a Form OGE-450 annually. Applying to this position may require the completion of additional forms and/or the submission of supplemental materials.

MOBILITY AGREEMENT: These positions may require the incumbent to be reassigned to a different geographic location. Accordingly, the incumbent will be required to sign a mobility agreement, which will remain in effect while assigned as a Criminal Investigator.

MEDICAL EXAM/DRUG TESTING: All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use and satisfactorily pass all required pre-placement physical/medical examinations prior to appointment. Selectee must be able to successfully pass annual and periodic physical/medical examinations, drug screenings, and psychological screenings to maintain a level of physical fitness in accordance with the standards and policies of this agency.

FIREARMS: Selectee will be required to carry and use a firearm, demonstrate proficiency on a recurring basis, and not be in violation of 18 USC 922 (Lautenberg Amendment).

NOTE: LAUTENBERG AMENDMENT – This position authorizes the incumbent to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, USC Section 992(g)). A felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence is generally defined under the statute, as any offense involving the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by the victim’s current or former domestic partner, parent or guardian. The term convicted, as defined in the statute, excludes any person whose conviction has been expunged, set-aside or pardoned, or any person whose civil rights have been restored, so long as such restoration does not restrict the shipping, transport, possession or receipt of firearms or ammunition. Candidates who have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence within the meaning of the referenced statutes are not eligible for the position.

MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE: This position is covered by the special retirement provisions for Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO). Candidates without previous LEO service must be under age 37. Those with current or prior federal LEO coverage will be considered only if they can demonstrate that they will have completed 20 years of covered service by mandatory retirement age of 57. (This requirement is waived for Veterans (please see link below). https://www.chcoc.gov/content/change-maximum-entry-age-requirements-veterans%E2%80%99-preference-eligibles If you have current or prior Federal Law Enforcement Officer coverage you must submit appropriate SF-50’s that shows period of coverage. Failure to provide proof of Federal LEO coverage may result in removal from consideration. Must maintain requirements to qualify for LEO retirement coverage (5 USC 8336(c) and 5 USC 8412(d)).

MANDATORY COMPLETION OF BASIC TRAINING: Applicants who have satisfactorily completed a basic law enforcement training program provided by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, or an equivalent training program which provided instruction in the laws of arrest, search and seizure as they relate to investigating offenses against the United States should provide a copy of your certification during the hiring process. Selectees who do not possess such certification will be required to successfully complete the course after entrance on duty. Selectee may be required to successfully complete agency-specific basic agent training required by agency policy.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions). However, your resume or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. The best-qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:

• Knowledge of law enforcement and operational administrative processes.
• Ability to conduct interviews using interviewing skills and techniques.
• Ability to conduct complex federal civil/administrative and/or criminal investigations.
• Knowledge of investigative case processing procedures.
• Ability to initiate and coordinate work with federal, state and local law enforcement officers.
• Ability to foster positive relations with the community through interactions, i.e., community-oriented policy and problem-solving approaches to enforcement.

Due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3), during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager. If referred, all relevant documents including performance appraisals and awards submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the hiring official for review.

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