Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all U.S. citizens.

• Conducting and coordinating mandatory quarterly training for the Special Response Team (SRT) to include curriculum development planning, logistics, coordination of instructors/facilities and delivery of training. 
• Developing and implementing new and ongoing programs designed to enhance the performance of ATF with external agencies. 
• Performing short and long term planning and policy in SRT, Firearms Program (Use of Force) and equipment in support of programs.
• Serving as the principal researcher and adviser from the Special Operations Division (SOD) regarding weapons and related equipment for Special Response Team (SRT) members.
• Develops new criteria for measuring and evaluating program accomplishments, results, and effectiveness. Conducts a continuing review of programs and accomplishments to ensure that training is of the highest quality and that client goals and objectives are effectively met. 
• Responsible for budget planning for procurement and testing, ensuring that funding is available to meet the training goals of the SRT. Ensures that funds are appropriately used to further the goals of the SRT Program. 
• Utilizing expertise in the areas of management and organizational development, submits recommendations and decisions that reflect effective analysis of laws and regulations, budgets, strategic plans, operating plans, staffing plans, work studies, and other pertinent material. 
• Developing short- and long-range plans concerning the implementation of various training programs, integrating them with with the overall  strategic planning function; typically manages a budget in excess of one million dollars and approves purchase of state-of-the-art equipment, ammunition, materials, supplies, etc.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progresses.

Conditions of employment

• Pass drug screening and subject to random drug test.
• May be required to serve a 1-year probationary period.
• Required to sign a mobility agreement as a condition of employment.
• Must maintain a valid driver's license and operate a government vehicle.
• Must be U.S. Citizen
• Must successfully complete a background security investigation

The qualification requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

MOBILITY PLAN:  New employees hired pursuant to this vacancy announcement must sign a mobility agreement.  The purpose of ATF’s mobility policy is to enhance career development and progression, and achieve mission and business effectiveness.  To accomplish these objectives, the mobility plan will facilitate the movement of employees through special short-term assignments or permanent reassignments throughout the Bureau. Applicants who decline to sign a mobility agreement, as required, will be removed from the hiring process.

It is preferred and highly desirable that the successful candidate possesses advanced knowledge of and experience in the following areas of law enforcement and instructor training i.e. SWAT Commander or Team Leader, Federal Task Force Officer, SRT training, dignity protection training, certified firearms instructor, certified M4 instructor, certified shoot-house instructor, less-lethal instructor, hostage rescue instructor and active shooter.

Qualifications

To qualify for the GS-14: You must have at least one year of specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-13 grade level.

Specialized experience for the GS-14 level is a mastery knowledge of and experience in all of the following areas of tactical law enforcement and instructor training of special weapons and tactics (SWAT); extensive experience as a Commander or Team Leader of a full-time state/local SWAT team, Federal Task Force Officer experience, SRT training and special response operations, tactical movement and vehicle assault training, dignitary protection training, certified firearms instructor, certified tactical carbine rifle instructor, certified shoot-house instructor, less-lethal instructor, hostage rescue instructor and active shooter instructor experience in order to provide training for tactical law enforcement officers; demonstrated ability in developing long- and short-range plans concerning the implementation of various tactical law enforcement training programs; managing a large scale budget and purchasing state-of-the-art tactical equipment, weapons, ammunition, tactical equipment, etc.; and experience as it applies to knowledge and application of civilian criminal laws and principles and procedures used in apprehending criminal suspects.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP). The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the silver or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.

The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the silver or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.

Veterans' Preference: If you are entitled to veteran preference, you should indicate the type of veteran preference you are claiming on your résumé.
http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp - In order to verify your veteran preference entitlement, please submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions.

In addition, if you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the natural mother of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference," and the other required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim. If the SF-15 is not submitted, the documentation required by the form verifying the service connected disability (e.g. letter from the VA confirming the disability) must be submitted in order to receive 10-point preference consideration.

Although veteran preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under "How You Will Be Evaluated," veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which they are qualified. In addition, qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more are placed at the top of the highest quality category (i.e. Gold Category)

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:

• Demonstrated experience in the area of tactical law enforcement teaching, training, research, making presentations, lecturing, testing and other instructional methods. 
• Master knowledge and experience in tactical law enforcement and instructor training with special weapons and less-lethal tactics. 
• Master knowledge of and experience as a SWAT Commander and/or Team Leader of a full-time state/local SWAT team, and Federal Task Force Officer.  
• Master knowledge and experience in SRT training and special response operations, tactical movements, vehicle assault training and providing training for tactical law enforcement officers.
• Certified firearms instructor, certified tactical carbine rifle instructor, certified shoot-house instructor, less-lethal tactics and hostage rescue instructor training and active shooter instructor experience in order to provide training for tactical law enforcement officers. 
• Knowledge and experience in firearm usage and related issues, such as ammunition, range regulations and safety and use of force policies. 
• Knowledge of the federal mission and functions of a bureau, and how those social, political, and technological systems work and operates effectively within them.  This includes the programs, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization as it relates to civilian law enforcement.
• Knowledge of ammunition and explosives and their uses, interactions, dangers, production, handling, storage and disposal.
• Knowledge and experience with civilian laws, principles, and procedures used in the apprehension of criminal suspects, including policies for pursuit and proper use of force and capture such as Miranda rights.
• Knowledge and experience in planning, coordination, and execution of business functions, resource allocation, and production.