IN REGARDS TO THE DUTY LOCATION ABOVE: NEGOTIABLE IS DEFINED AS YOUR DUTY LOCATION WILL BE ASSIGNED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE AGENCY BASED ON ATF'S STAFFING NEED
THIS IS AN EXCEPTED SERVICE SCHEDULE B APPOINTMENT NOT TO EXCEED 3 YEARS AND 120 DAYS. AFTER COMPLETING 3 YEARS OF FULLY SATISFACTORY SERVICE, THE EMPLOYEE MAY BE CONVERTED WITHOUT FURTHER COMPETITION TO A PERMANENT CAREER APPOINTMENT IN THE COMPETITIVE SERVICE. NO OTHER APPOINTMENT TYPES WILL BE USED FOR THIS HIRING ACTION
Summary
IN REGARDS TO THE DUTY LOCATION ABOVE: NEGOTIABLE IS DEFINED AS YOUR DUTY LOCATION WILL BE ASSIGNED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE AGENCY BASED ON ATF'S STAFFING NEED
THIS IS AN EXCEPTED SERVICE SCHEDULE B APPOINTMENT NOT TO EXCEED 3 YEARS AND 120 DAYS. AFTER COMPLETING 3 YEARS OF FULLY SATISFACTORY SERVICE, THE EMPLOYEE MAY BE CONVERTED WITHOUT FURTHER COMPETITION TO A PERMANENT CAREER APPOINTMENT IN THE COMPETITIVE SERVICE. NO OTHER APPOINTMENT TYPES WILL BE USED FOR THIS HIRING ACTION
The career of an ATF Special Agent is unique and one of the most challenging in Federal law enforcement. Headquartered in Washington, DC, ATF has field offices throughout the United States and its territories. Highly trained special agents are responsible for investigating violations of Federal law relating to firearms, explosives, arson, and alcohol and tobacco diversion. These investigations involve surveillance, interviewing suspects and witnesses, making arrests, obtaining and executing search warrants, and searching for physical evidence. The profession of a special agent is exciting and rewarding.
Special agents must be tough - both physically and mentally. They must also be able to handle rigorous training, personal risks, irregular hours, and extensive travel. Special agents are subject to reassignment to any ATF office in the United States, to include any U.S. territory or ATF overseas assignment.
Major duties of this position include:
Investigating criminal violations of Federal laws within the enforcement jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Conducting investigations of violations relating to explosives, firearms, arson, and alcohol and tobacco diversion.
Preparing concise criminal investigative case reports.
Testifying for the Federal Government in court or before grand juries.
Gathering and analyzing evidence through investigative leads, seizures, arrests, execution of search warrants, and a variety of other means.
Law Enforcement Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and not older than 37 at the time of appointment. Candidates must be appointed before reaching their 37th birthday unless they are a preference eligible veteran OR presently serving or have previously served in a Federal civilian law enforcement retirement-covered position (after subtracting the years/months of prior Federal service worked in a primary law enforcement position, applicants must be less than 37 years of age). You must indicate your date of birth on your resume/application. Veterans must submit a Member 4 copy of their DD-214 or statement of service and VA Letter if applicable with your application as qualifying proof of Veterans Preference for employment (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/vet-guide-for-hr-professionals/)
Possess a current and valid automobile operator's license
Pass the ATF Special Agent Examination
Pass the ATF Special Agent Applicant Assessment Test
Successfully complete a structured panel interview-- a writing sample will be required.
Be in compliance with ATF's drug policy for special agent applicants. More information concerning ATF's drug usage policy can be found at the link provided: https://www.atf.gov/careers/drug-policy
Pass a drug test and submit to random drug testing
Pass a medical examination by an authorized government physician and meet medical requirements.
Sign a mobility statement and agree to be relocated at any time to any office in the United States, to include U.S. territories. All candidates will be required to perform a minimum of 3-5 years at their initial duty station.
Take and successfully complete a polygraph examination
Successfully complete a background investigation for a top secret security clearance. A periodic reinvestigation every 5 years will also be conducted.
Must successfully complete Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) and ATF Special Agent Basic Training (SABT)
Pass a firearms proficiency test and carry a firearm and ammunition
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be eligible for this position, you must possess the qualifying experience and/or education for the respective grade level(s) in which you are applying, as described below.
GL-05
To qualify at the GL-05 level, you must meet ONE of the following:
Education: Applicants must have completed a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in any field of study or possess a bachelor's degree in any field of study. (Must include official or unofficial transcripts to verify eligibility)
OR
Experience: Applicants must have three years of progressively responsible experience, 1 year of which was equivalent to at least the GS/GL-04 level in the Federal service, that demonstrates the ability to work in criminal investigative or law enforcement fields and that requires knowledge and application of laws relating to criminal violations.
(Note: Non-qualifying Work Experience: Work experience as a uniformed law enforcement officer, where the principle duties consist of arrests involving traffic violations, misdemeanors and comparable offenses. OR Work experience in which the major duties involve guarding and protecting property; preventing crimes, and/or legal research without the application of investigative techniques.)
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: Experience and education can be combined to meet the minimum qualification requirements. Experience and education should be computed as percentages of the overall requirements and must equal 100% when combined. Example: For 3 years of general experience, 18 months general experience (50% of the required experience) plus 2 years of undergraduate course work (50% of the required education) is qualifying for the GL-05 level. (Must include official or unofficial transcripts to verify eligibility)
GL-07
To qualify at the GL-07 level, you must meet ONE of the following:
Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one full-time year (12-months) of specialized work experience equivalent to the GL-05 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience in or related to investigations of criminal violations that provided the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience includes:
Utilizing basic investigative techniques while participating in criminal investigations;
Assisting in gathering and analyzing evidence through investigative leads, execution of search and arrest warrants and a variety of other means;
Preparing portions of criminal investigative case reports;
Participating in witness and suspect interviews; and
Testifying for the government regarding investigations in court or before grand juries.
OR
Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): SAA at the baccalaureate level is fully qualifying for the GL-07 grade level. To qualify for SAA, you must have completed all requirements for a bachelor's degree and meet ONE of the following:
A grade point average of "B" (a GPA of 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.
A grade point average of "B+" (a GPA of 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in the applicant's major field of study, or those courses in the applicant's major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.
Rank in the upper one-third of the applicant's class in the college, university, or major subdivision.
Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.
(Must include official or unofficial transcripts to verify eligibility)
OR
Education: Applicants must have one full year of graduate level education. (Must include official or unofficial transcripts to verify eligibility)
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: Experience and education can be combined to meet the minimum qualification requirements. Experience and education should be computed as percentages of the overall requirements and must equal 100% when combined. Example: 6 months of specialized experience (50% of the required experience) plus 1 semester of graduate course work (50% of the required education) is qualifying for the GL-07 level. (Must include official or unofficial transcripts to verify eligibility)
GL-09
To qualify at the GL-09 level, you must meet ONE of the following:
Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one full-time year (12-months) of specialized work experience equivalent to the GL-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience in or related to investigations of criminal violations that provided the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience includes:
Analyzing raw investigative data and preparing comprehensive written investigative reports;
Investigating claims involving suspected crimes or alleged fraud;
Investigating criminal cases requiring the use of recognized investigative methods that may have included presenting evidence in court;
Conducting interviews that involved eliciting evidence, data or surveillance information;
Conducting criminal investigations requiring the use of surveillance, undercover or other criminal detection methods; and
Testifying for the government regarding investigations in court or before grand juries.
OR
Education: Applicants must have a 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. (Must include official or unofficial transcripts to verify eligibility)
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: Applicants must possess a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience totaling 100% of the stated minimum qualifications for this position. Only graduate education in excess of one year (i.e., 18 semester hours) may be combined with experience under this standard. (Must include official or unofficial transcripts to verify eligibility)
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. PLEASE INCLUDE MO/YR START AND MO/YR END DATES OF POSITIONS HELD, AS WELL AS HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, AND A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DUTIES YOU PERFORMED FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL POSITION HELD.
Education
****Foreign Education****: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. This information must be provided at the time of application. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Additional information
If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. Only the October 2013 version of the SF-15 will be accepted, as older versions are obsolete and will not be accepted. For more information on veterans' preference see https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job-seekers/veterans/.
Active Duty Service Members-- You must submit a statement of discharge/certification of release or an official written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days from the date the certification is signed. Enlisted Record Briefs and military identification do NOT qualify as official documentation. If the appropriate information is not submitted to confirm the discharge status, dates of service, etc., you will not be considered for this job opportunity under Veteran Preference procedures. To gain access to your DD-214 online please visit https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/).
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible see http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap. To be found qualified and exercise selection priority for this job opportunity announcement, displaced Federal employees must submit all required documents as proof of ICTAP eligibility and qualifications for this position.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP): For information on how to apply as a CTAP eligible see http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ctap. To be found qualified and exercise selection priority for this job opportunity announcement, displaced Federal employees must submit all required documents as proof of CTAP eligibility and qualifications for this position.
Equal Employment Opportunity: The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.
Reasonable Accommodation: 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.
Contact Information for Reasonable Accommodation Requests ONLY:
ATF Special Agent/Industry Operations Investigator Staffing Branch
Email: Applicantinfo@atf.gov
This contact information is for Reasonable Accommodation Requests ONLY. No other information will be provided.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
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 resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. Failure to submit a complete application will result in disqualification.
Applicants who meet minimum qualifications will receive an email invitation to complete the ATF Special Agent Exam and ATF Special Agent Applicant Assessment Test. Please be patient as this could take several weeks. The email invitation will contain instructions on how to schedule the required test session. Applicants must schedule and pass the ATF Special Agent Exam and Applicant Assessment to be considered further for the position. The test session is approximately 4 hours for both tests.
You should regularly monitor your email for the invitation to the ATF Special Agent Exam and Applicant Assessment. Your results will be kept on record for 3 years for use when applying to this position in the future. You will not be allowed to re-take an exam for one year if you fail one or both of the exams or fail to show up to take the exams or fail to cancel within the required time frame.
NOTE: The ATF Special Agent Exam and Applicant Assessment will be proctored and administered in a variety of different locations. You will be able to select your preferred testing location when you schedule your testing session. Travel expenses will NOT be paid.
Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the ATF Special Agent Exam and Applicant Assessment must be received before the Job Opportunity Announcement closes to be considered for this job opening. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. After notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to schedule and complete the ATF Special Agent Exam and Applicant Assessment. You must schedule and complete the ATF Special Agent Exam and Applicant Assessment within the timeframe specified in the email invitation.
Applicants who pass the ATF Special Agent Exam and Applicant Assessment will be scheduled for a physical task test. After passing of the physical task test, applicants will be scheduled for a structured panel interview. Applicants who pass both the physical task test and the structured panel interview will be designated as candidates and move on to the next phase of the hiring process.
Applicants who pass all phases of the hiring process will be referred to the hiring official in accordance with 5 CFR 302.304(5)i, the unranked method. In this method applicants will be referred in the following order:
Veterans preference eligibles having a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more;
Other 10-point veterans preference eligibles;
5-point veterans preference eligibles;
Non-veterans preference eligibles.
Within each category, applicants from the reemployment list will be placed ahead of applicants from the regular employment list.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your Résumé
2. A complete Online Assessment Questionnaire (This is to be completed online during the application process, it is not a physical document you need to submit.)
3. Other required documents: - OF 306 (Declaration for Federal Employment). All applicants must submit this form. Please PRINT and SIGN your COMPLETED form, then scan and upload it with your other application documents. You must use the October 2011 edition as other editions are obsolete and will not be accepted. Please ensure the information on your form is current and contains a signature and current date. Link to this form: http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of0306.pdf.
- Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable
- College transcript(s) (unofficial or official), if qualifying based on education or combination provision. NOTE: If currently a student, applicants must be within 9 months of graduation and your transcript must show that you are currently enrolled. Please include anticipated graduation date (month/year) on resume. Education must be complete and verified before applicant can be appointed.
- ICTAP or CTAP documentation, if applicable
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.
To apply for this position: You must complete the online application and occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.
Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
Select documents you want included in this application.
Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
Select if you want to include your demographic information.
After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
Review and Submit Application.
While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job.
Note: When you click "Update Application", you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
99 New York Ave, NE
Washington, DC 20226
US
Next steps
If you meet the minimum qualifications required, you will receive an email inviting you to schedule and complete the ATF Special Agent Exam and ATF Special Agent Applicant Assessment Test. The two exams must be completed within the timeframe specified in the email invitation being sent. Please be patient as this could take several weeks. Applicants who pass the ATF Special Agent Exam and ATF Special Agent Applicant Assessment Test will be scheduled for the physical task test. Applicants who pass the physical task test will be scheduled for a structured panel interview.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your Résumé
2. A complete Online Assessment Questionnaire (This is to be completed online during the application process, it is not a physical document you need to submit.)
3. Other required documents: - OF 306 (Declaration for Federal Employment). All applicants must submit this form. Please PRINT and SIGN your COMPLETED form, then scan and upload it with your other application documents. You must use the October 2011 edition as other editions are obsolete and will not be accepted. Please ensure the information on your form is current and contains a signature and current date. Link to this form: http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of0306.pdf.
- Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable
- College transcript(s) (unofficial or official), if qualifying based on education or combination provision. NOTE: If currently a student, applicants must be within 9 months of graduation and your transcript must show that you are currently enrolled. Please include anticipated graduation date (month/year) on resume. Education must be complete and verified before applicant can be appointed.
- ICTAP or CTAP documentation, if applicable
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.
To apply for this position: You must complete the online application and occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.
Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
Select documents you want included in this application.
Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
Select if you want to include your demographic information.
After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
Review and Submit Application.
While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job.
Note: When you click "Update Application", you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
99 New York Ave, NE
Washington, DC 20226
US
Next steps
If you meet the minimum qualifications required, you will receive an email inviting you to schedule and complete the ATF Special Agent Exam and ATF Special Agent Applicant Assessment Test. The two exams must be completed within the timeframe specified in the email invitation being sent. Please be patient as this could take several weeks. Applicants who pass the ATF Special Agent Exam and ATF Special Agent Applicant Assessment Test will be scheduled for the physical task test. Applicants who pass the physical task test will be scheduled for a structured panel interview.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
