Clarification from the agency

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

This position is located in the Office of Field Operations, Firearms Operations Division, National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN), National Correlation Training Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a senior analyst in the examination of firearms and toolmark evidence from criminal investigation of firearms violations, bombings and arson.

As a Firearms and Toolmark Examiner, GS-1397-13, your typical work assignments may include:

• Performing challenging firearms and toolmark examinations without technical guidance, using scientifically sound and applicable procedures.
• Examining firearms for function testing and comparative examinations, serial number restoration and gunshot residue testing for muzzle to target distance determination. 
• Examining ammunition components and comparative examination of firearm test specimens and ammunition components to determine if they share a common source.  
• Examining post-blast debris and non-firearm related evidence for toolmarks, properly and accurately assessing the tool individuality, using proper procedure for developing test marks and the comparison of test marks with evidence marks.
• Serving as a subject matter expert in the examination and comparison of firearm and toolmark evidence and maintaining a broad-based knowledge of all areas of forensic science. 
• Providing expert witness testimony based on laboratory examinations, advising prosecutors on the appropriate approach to use in presenting scientific testimony and in the preparation of questions.
• Serving as a trainer for firearm and toolmark trainees and as an advisor to peers and lower graded firearms and toolmak examiners or technicians or specialists.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• May be required to serve a one year probationary period.
• Pass drug screening and subject to random drug test
• Must successfully complete a background security investigation
• Must be registered or exempt from the Selective Service. See www.sss.gov

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.

Qualifications

To qualify for the GS-13 candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-12.

Additional Conditions of Employment:

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

** Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.**

Certification as a Firearms and Toolmark Examiner by the Association of Firearms and Tool Mark Examiners (ATFE) is desired.

Extensive National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN)/Integrated Ballistics Information System(IBIS) experience as a current user of the system is preferred and must demonstrate a standard of excellence in knowledge, experience and accomplishment.

Specialized experience is demonstrated experience, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Experience must be in the normal line of progression or must be related to the work of the position advertised and must be reflected in resume.  Examples of specialized experience include:

• Preparing complex written laboratory reports resulting from criminal investigations of firearms violations and
• Acting as a liaison with the courts, law enforcement personnel, and the public on firearm and toolmark evidence and procedures and
• Performing specific applications involving analysis, microscopic comparisons and identification of firearms test specimens, ammunition components, and toolmark related evidence; performing serial number restoration and
• Preserving evidence for laboratory analysis and comparisons and
• Providing expert witness testimony based on laboratory examinations of firearms related evidence, post-blast debris and other non-firearm related evidence for toolmarks.

Please do not cut and paste  the position description, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume, as this will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

The 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:https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/

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 (minimum score of 85) 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:https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/

Veteran Preference:  If you are entitled to veteran preference, you should indicate the type of veteran preference you are claiming on your résumé.

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 the October 2013 Revised 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.

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. 

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/ and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, we will use your responses to the assessment questionnaire to place you in one of three categories based on your experience, education, and/or training. The assessment questionnaire is designed to measure your ability in the following competencies:

• Examinations
• Oral Communication
• Written Communication
• Planning and Evaluation
• Analytical
• Teaches Others
• Technical

 If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:

1. Gold: 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), as determined by the job analysis.
2. Silver: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPF’s as determined by the job analysis.
3. Bronze: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs 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. Candidates within the Gold category who are eligible for veterans’ preference will receive selection priority over candidates without veterans’ preference.