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Technical Enforcement Officer

Department of Homeland Security
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Homeland Security Investigations
This job announcement has closed

Summary

View Common Definitions of terms found in this announcement.

Organizational Location: This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Columbus, OH.

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
09/14/2020 to 09/23/2020
Salary
$54,762 to - $86,131 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Location
Columbus, OH
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
DAL-INV-10903314-DEU-MET
Control number
578580400

Duties

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As a Technical Enforcement Officer, you will perform the following duties:

  • Participate directly with criminal investigators and other law enforcement officers in active criminal investigations and applies advanced investigative techniques to gather evidence and intelligence;
  • Testify in court on surveillance and evidence collection operations and as an expert witness on electronic surveillance matters;
  • Provide extensive expertise in the planning and execution of the electronic surveillance phase of major investigative and enforcement operations;
  • Makes covert court ordered entry onto/into the property (residence, business, vehicle etc.) of targets of criminal investigations to apply investigative electronic surveillance techniques and equipment to collect evidence;
  • Serve as a technical authority and provides training and guidance to journey level Technical Enforcement Officers, special agents and other Law enforcement Officers engaged in electronic surveillance and investigative work.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation.
  • You must successfully pass a drug screen.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
  • Requirements by Closing Date: Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
  • Probationary Period: This is a full-time permanent position (Career/Career-Conditional appointment). Upon appointment to this position, you may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
  • Convictions: If selected for this job, you will be required to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, U.S.C. Section 922 (g)(9).
  • Pre-Employment Physical Fitness Testing: A pre-employment physical fitness test (PFT) may be administered. If administered, a PASSING score will be required in order to continue in the hiring process.

Qualifications

You qualify for the GS-09 grade level if you possess one of the following:

Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level performing duties such as:

  • Demonstrating knowledge of current theories, principles, practices, techniques, use and operation of modern electronic surveillance equipment utilized by law enforcement.
  • Demonstrating experience in gathering evidence of criminal activity through the application of covert investigative surveillance techniques.
  • Demonstrating working knowledge of the laws and regulations that govern electronic surveillance and evidence gathering.
OR
  • Education: A master's (or equivalent graduate degree such as a L.L.B/J.D.) or 2 academic years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of successfully completed post-high school education and experience. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.

You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess one of the following:

Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level performing duties such as:
  • Demonstrating proficient knowledge of current theories, principles, practices, techniques, use and operation of modern electronic surveillance equipment utilized by law enforcement.
  • Demonstrating good working experience in gathering evidence of criminal activity through the application of covert investigative surveillance techniques.
  • Demonstrating good working knowledge of the laws and regulations that govern electronic surveillance and evidence gathering.
OR
  • Education: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree such as LL.M or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of successfully completed post-high school education and experience. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

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.

Current or Former Political Appointees: 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.

Physical or Medical: You must be physically, emotionally, and mentally able to perform the job duties and must pass a pre-employment medical examination (which includes vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and mobility of extremities screening) given by an authorized government physician. A direct relationship exists between the physical and medical requirements and the strenuous and hazardous nature of the duties of this weapon-carrying position. Any chronic disease or condition that would impair full performance of the job duties is disqualifying. Also, any condition that would hinder full, efficient performance of the duties or that would cause you to be a hazard to yourself or to others is disqualifying.

Fitness Program: This job is covered by the agency Mandatory Fitness Program for law enforcement positions. You will be required to undergo regular physical examinations. You may, in the future, be required to maintain a level of physical fitness in accordance with the standards and policies of the agency; failure to maintain such a level of fitness may lead to removal from the position or other actions as may be specified in the Program.

Training: You will be required to attend paid training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA. This technical training must be successfully completed according to the standards of this agency. Failure to do so will be grounds for mandatory removal from the position. Such failure will result in either reassignment to a different position, demotion, or separation by appropriate procedures. (If you have previous Federal law enforcement experience, you may only be required to attend the agency-specific session.)

Age Restrictions: You can be appointed into this position as long as you have not reached your 37th birthday.Department of Homeland Security has established an Interim Policy for Appointment of Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, and Customs and Border Protection Officers. The age restriction as articulated above shall NOT apply to veteran's preference eligible as defined in Title 5, U.S.C., Section 2108, item (3). Applicants meeting this definition of "preference eligible" shall be considered for this position regardless of age.

Law Enforcement Retirement: This position meets the eligibility criteria for law enforcement retirement under both the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Employees covered by either retirement system who reach age 50 or over with at least twenty years of service as a law enforcement officer are qualified for law enforcement retirement. In addition, employees covered by FERS (all new hires to the Federal government) of any age with at least 25 years of service as a law enforcement officer are qualified for law enforcement retirement. Finally, employees who reach age 57 with at least twenty years of service as a law enforcement officer are subject to mandatory retirement.

Financial Disclosure: If you are hired, you may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days after appointment.

E-Verify: DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Additional information

Firearms Requirement: You will be required to carry a firearm while performing duties of this position. Maintaining firearm proficiency is also mandatory. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition.Candidates under consideration will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of such an offense. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment.

Work Conditions: You may need to stand for prolonged periods on concrete floors and walk over rough and uneven terrain. You may need to bend, stoop, walk, stand, and climb, and work in cramped positions. Much of the work environment involves high risk with exposure to potentially dangerous situations or unusual environment stress that requires a range of safety and other precautions.

Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime (AUO): You will be required to work on an unscheduled basis in excess of the 40-hour work week. You must be readily accessible to perform this unscheduled work. To ensure your availability, you will receive extra compensation in the form of Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime.

Promotion Potential: When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.

Suitability: If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet these standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully obtain and maintain a background investigation for Top Secret as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

Benefits: DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

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 and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, we will use an Assessment Questionnaire to place you in one of three categories based on your experience, education and training. The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Teamwork
  • Technology Application
  • Writing

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.

Interviews may be required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.

Veterans: 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. (This position is not considered scientific/professional.) Other 10-point preference eligible and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligible within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under ICTAP, you must be placed in the well-qualified category for this position, as described above. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job announcement.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12564, and the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan, ICE is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions (testing designated positions) are subject to random drug testing. Moreover, other drug testing of employees (e.g., reasonable suspicion drug test) may be conducted in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. All applicants tentatively selected for employment at ICE are subject to pre-employment drug testing and a final offer of employment is contingent upon a negative drug test result.

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