Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens. Subject position(s) will be filled through delegated examining procedures. For definitions of common terms found in this announcement: http://dhsconnect.dhs.gov/org/comp/mgmt/dhshr/hr/Documents/JOA_Common_Definitions.pdf This job is also open in another announcement:

As a "rigorous/primary" position, this position is covered by the Law Enforcement Retirement System. In accordance with Public Law 100-328 and Departmental Personnel Management Letter 338-2, candidates for law enforcement positions can not have reached their 37th birthday prior to the date of referral on a Certificate of eligible for a federal civilian law enforcement position. In unusual situations, a waiver may be authorized by the USCG Commandant up to age 39. An individual who has passed the maximum entry age limit, but previously served in a covered position, may be eligible for consideration and reinstatement of coverage if he will be able to complete a total of 20 years of covered law enforcement service by the time he reaches the mandatory retirement day of 57. See OPM Retirement Handbook for further details. The Maximum Entry Age requirement may be waived for applicants eligible for veterans' preference. (See Maximum Entry-Age Requirements for Veterans' Preference Eligibles.) This position requires a mobility agreement. The selectee will be required to sign a mobility agreement indicating their willingness to accept reassignment to positions in other duty locations as determined by and based on the needs of the Coast Guard Investigative Service. The mobility agreement must be signed during pre-appointment and will remain as a condition of employment. The incumbent must carry firearms and maintain proficiency in their care and use. Therefore, the position is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment, 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(9) and selectee will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment (Title 18, USC., Section 1001). This position requires successful completion of a pre-employment physical which certifies that you are physically and medically qualified to perform the full duties of the position. Please see the GS-1811 Medical Requirements. Results of a recent (up to one-year old) physical examination must be provided prior to appointment. Determination as to sufficiency of medical record will be made at time of appointment.

You will serve as a Criminal Investigator in the Computer Forensic and Technical Services Program, supporting Coast Guard operations and CGIS investigative activities through the exploitation, recovery, seizure, analysis, expert testimony in matter of evidence found in computers and digital storage media.

Being a civilian working for the Coast Guard makes you a valuable team member.  Typical duties include:

• Conducting computer forensics analysis and technical service operations in direct support of CGIS operations and providing oversight of the enforcement and intelligence databases.
• Providing technical services such as the installation of covert and overt audio and video recording devices or the exploitation of data, information or communication that may be contained in electronic means.
• Conducting criminal investigations requiring the use of specialized technical equipment and computer forensics services.
• Conducting inquiries, investigations, and operations in conjunction with elements of the Coast Guard Counterintelligence (CGIS) and CI components of other federal agencies.
• Preparing clear and concise investigative reports and other documents in a timely manner.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Physical is required.
• State Driver's License is required.
• Mobility agreement is required.
• Drug Testing required.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

The duties of this position 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 this position 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 himself/herself, or others is disqualifying.

Applicants must have at least one full year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience includes: conducting complex criminal investigations, conducting and/or participating in undercover operations, surveillance; search/seizure operations; making apprehension/arrests; interviewing witnesses, and interrogating suspects; gathering and developing criminal information and intelligence (HUMINT) leading to the development of further law enforcement or analytical actions; recognizing, developing and presenting evidence which reconstructs events, sequences and time elements, and establishes relationships, responsibilities, legal liabilities/responsibilities, and conflicts of interest for presentation in legal hearings and court proceedings; writing investigative reports and other documents, presenting indicated and developed information to supervisors, relevant commands, attorneys and courts; and preparing and delivering oral briefings for different levels of personnel of a variety of Federal, state, and local agencies.

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 and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.

The Office of Personnel management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees.  If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule, C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

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 résumé and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training will be rated using the on-line assessment to place you in one of three categories.

The necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities to perform this job are:

1. Knowledge of policies, concepts, and principles currently practices by Federal law enforcement as well as familiarity with current international Coast Guard security and intelligence policies and procedures.
2. Knowledge of computerized law enforcement and intelligence databases, information, and communications systems.
3. Skill to prepare written correspondence and reports on sensitive and complex matters investigated by CGIS for the purpose of quality assurance and oversight of CGIS activities.
4. Knowledge in technical services operations in the conduct of criminal investigations and intelligence collection activities such as the installation, use, and policies governing the audio and video surveillance, tracking devices, and electronic interceptions in order to facilitate potential evidentiary analysis.

If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:
1. Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF) and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis.
2. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
3. Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.

If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Your resume and responses to the self-assessment questions are an integral part of the process for determining your qualifications for the position. Therefore, you must support your responses to the self-assessment questions by providing examples of past and present experience in your resume.

Veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they are qualified. Veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. For information on veterans' preference, click here.