Clarification from the agency

This announcement is only open to non-competitive eligibles, which includes, but is not limited to, current and former federal employees who have held a position at or above the GS-12 level; interchange agreement eligibles, individuals with disabilities, peace corps, former overseas employees, military spouses, and 30% disabled veterans.

• Instructing basic and advanced law enforcement training classes.
• Planning, coordinating, and executing field training and lab exercises.
• Administering class curricula.
• Monitoring and documenting the progress of students.
• Recommending and executing remedial and corrective action for students.
• Participating in the development of law enforcement program/course materials.
• Conducting research on emerging law enforcement technologies, practices, and techniques.

Conditions of employment

• Some positions carry a firearm and are subject to the Lautenberg Amendment. The appointment of a person convicted of state or federal misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence to these positions is prohibited.
• Some positions may require you to complete an OGE 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of starting your federal employment and annually thereafter as long as you occupy a position that requires financial disclosure.
• Physical Techniques Instructors undergo the Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB) test and a physical exam. Additional information is listed under "Qualifications."
• Firearms Instructors must pass an initial firearms proficiency test. Additional information is listed under the Qualifications section of this announcement.
• Some term instructors located in Artesia, New Mexico, are required to speak Spanish proficiently, demonstrated and tested via a practical oral exercise. Additional information is listed under the Qualifications section of this announcement.
• Some positions may require you to have access, safeguard, and store classified national security information on a regular basis. You must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance.
• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for these positions.
• Must be able to pass and maintain FLETC Law Enforcement Instructor certification within 12 months of employment.
• You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state issued driver's license to conduct official government business.
• You will be required to undergo pre-appointment and random drug testing for illegal drug use. Employment is contingent upon favorable results.
• You must be able to meet job-related medical and/or fitness standards. You will be subject to an initial and annual physical examination that measures your visual, hearing, and physical acuity.
• This position is eligible for situational-only telework based on agency policy.
• Any applicant who within the previous 52 weeks has held a General Schedule position under a term or permanent appointment in the competitive or excepted service must possess at least 52 weeks at the GS-11 grade level.

Qualifications

Please limit your résumé to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

The law enforcement topical areas for which we are accepting applications include: firearms, driver training, marine training, maritime, active shooter, behavioral science, general investigative skills, counterterrorism, physical techniques, financial fraud, forensics and special investigations, digital photography/video, electronic surveillance, enforcement operations, law enforcement leadership, and general training. Additional information on our instructor positions may be found here.

Remember that 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.

All candidates must possess the selective placement factor and specialized experience by the time their resume is reviewed.

Selective Placement Factor:

1. Experience as a sworn law enforcement officer or agent with full arrest authority in the prevention, detection, apprehension, detention and/or investigation of felony and/or misdemeanor violations of Federal, state, local, tribal, or military criminal laws; OR
2. You have held a federal civilian position in the 1801 occupational series.

Specialized Experience:

1. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level instructing law enforcement training curricula in the topical area(s) for which you are applying; OR
2. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level performing law enforcement duties directly related to the topical area(s) for which you are applying.

For the positions listed below, you must possess the selective placement factor, specialized experience, and pass the required tests.

Some Term Instructors located in Artesia, New Mexico:

1. Spanish Proficiency test. Conducted during the interview process. The oral test will involve a series of 10 questions delivered in Spanish followed by your accurate response in Spanish. You will be required to effectively PASS the oral test in order to receive further consideration. The test will not test subject knowledge. The questions will be on topics that anyone can speak to and will test Spanish speaking comprehension and grammar.

Physical Techniques Instructors: The work requires repetitive long distance running (1 to 3 miles several times daily), repetitive calisthenics, lifting moderate to heavy weights, and considerable physical exertion during the demonstration, instruction and active participation in other physical fitness related activities which include: warm-ups which involve multiple sets of calisthenics and flexibility exercises; strength training requiring full range of motion in all joints; cardiovascular training with the ability to perform a variety of cardiovascular training modes; calisthenics enabling you to perform calisthenics sessions for 30-45 minutes continuously and repetitively; and anaerobic training with the ability to perform sprints of various distances varying 30 feet to 440 yards. As such you will undergo a:

1. Physical Examination. This is a routine physical examination in accordance with Optional Form 178. No invasive procedures will be included (e.g., blood work); AND
2. Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB) test. A fitness test consisting of five different elements, you must pass with a minimum 40 percentile in each event. PEB score charts delineated by age and gender may be found here.

Firearms Instructors:

1. Firearms Proficiency test. This is the standard 60-round course of fire used in the Firearms Instructor Training Program (FITP). A minimum score of 85%, which equates to 255 points out of a possible 300, is considered passing.

Note: Secondary Administrative Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Retirement Coverage is offered for most of the positions advertised. If selected, you will be offered LEO retirement coverage if approval is available from DHS at the time of the official offer.

Transfer Requirement for CSRS: To be eligible for secondary coverage, you must:

1. Transfer without a break in service exceeding 3 days directly from a primary position to a secondary position; AND
2. Be continuously employed in a secondary position since moving from a primary position; except a break in employment in secondary positions that begins with an involuntary separation (not for cause) and/or voluntary breaks in service that began prior to January 20, 1988.

Transfer Requirement for FERS: To be eligible for secondary coverage, you must:

1. Transfer without a break in service exceeding 3 days directly from a primary position to a secondary position; AND
2. Have completed 3 years of service in a primary position, including any such service during which no FERS deductions were withheld; AND
3. Be continuously employed in a secondary position since moving from a rigorous position; except a break in employment in secondary positions that begins with an involuntary separation (not for cause).

Physical Demands: Generally, these positions will require a range of physical demands depending on the program/course presented. Some courses are confined to a classroom setting while others are outdoors requiring walking, standing, bending, sitting, lying down, or crouching in positions that may be tiring or uncomfortable. There may be the need to carry gear and packages. Travel to field locations to coordinate training activities may be involved.

Work Environment: The normal work place for the majority of these positions is a classroom or office and inside/outside physical exercise areas. Duties may require you to be exposed to varying climates and environmental conditions including both cold and warm weather conditions and/or exposure to high levels of noise and dangerous substances. Rest assured that all appropriate safety practices will be observed at all times. Safety gear, such as hearing, eye protection, and padding, will be used when needed.

Pub. Law 113-76 grants the FLETC approval to hire retired federal employees with law enforcement/investigative experience to meet the expanding mission of the FLETC. Individuals may be selected for time-limited positions with eligibility for the dual-compensation waiver. The dual-compensation waiver allows retirees to return to work, earning their full salary with no offset to their FERS annuity. However, this waiver does not exempt the FERS annuity supplement from being reduced. Therefore, FERS retirees receiving a FERS annuity supplement, must be aware that like social security benefits, the FERS annuity supplement is subject to an earnings test and may be reduced if the salary earned is more than the social security exempt amount of earnings. Additional information is available on OPM’s website or by contacting OPM.

If selected, federal retirees will be eligible for a waiver of the dual compensation reduction. Click here for more information.

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 for the topical area(s) to which you apply. If you meet the minimum qualifications, we will use a job questionnaire to determine the degree to which your experience, education, and training demonstrate the following competencies:

1. Experience as a sworn law enforcement officer or agent with full arrest authority in the prevention, detection, apprehension, detention, and/or investigation of felony and/or misdemeanor violations of Federal, state, local, tribal, or military criminal laws.
2. Experience in classroom and practical exercises and instructional methods, practices, and procedures.
3. Skill in developing and revising course content and training materials
4. Skill in conducting course-related research
5. Skill maintaining awareness of current law enforcement practices.
6. Experience adapting training and instructional materials to meet the varying skill and knowledge level of students.
7. Skill communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.

Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards as an indicator of quality of prior experience. If you are determined to be best-qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Any applicable tests will be administered as part of the interview process.

Please limit your résumé to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

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.