This position is located in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), National Institute of Justice (NIJ), Office of Research, Evaluation, and Technology (ORET), Technology and Standards Division (TSD) in Washington, D.C. The National Institute of Justice is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Summary
This position is located in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), National Institute of Justice (NIJ), Office of Research, Evaluation, and Technology (ORET), Technology and Standards Division (TSD) in Washington, D.C. The National Institute of Justice is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Yes - Remote work is an arrangement in which an employee works at an approved alternative worksite (e.g., from home) that is at a location away from the agency worksite. The residence is the full-time official duty location. The difference in salary is determined by the locality pay in each location.
Telework eligible
Not applicable, this is a remote position.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - To attend meetings and conferences.
(The duties described reflect the full performance level of this position)
Serves as an agency-wide engineering expert on the most challenging problems in technology, standards, and conformity assessment applied to criminal justice and public safety.
Consults with Federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement on technology-focused research, development, and evaluation projects related to criminal justice policy and practice in the U.S.
Evaluates the value and applicability of new or improved technology, strategies, trends, or applications, assesses the implementation of technology, and makes recommendations.
Furthers NIJ's mission by developing strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including foreign government agencies with similar interests to NIJ.
Discusses technology and technology-related matters with Federal counterparts to assess suitability of existing technology application for criminal justice purposes and deconflict NIJ funding with other Federal research investments.
Coordinates NIJ's standards development activities, which includes the full lifecycle of developing and publishing new equipment performance standards and revising and publishing existing equipment performance standards.
Develops and maintains strategic partnerships with private-sector standards development organizations (SDO) and other government agencies involved with standards.
Consults with law enforcement practitioners to establish performance requirements for various equipment used by the practitioner community, such as body armor, firearms, helmets, shields, restraints, bomb suits, and other personal protective equipment.
Consults with testing laboratories, industry, and other stakeholders to understand and establish testing requirements, procedures, and practices as well as develops and tests new technologies, methods, approaches, and guides.
Reviews existing standards published by SDOs or other government agencies to determine whether they would meet the needs of the criminal justice system and makes recommendations.
Applies knowledge of mechanical engineering, materials science, and electrical engineering, among other technical disciplines, to the development of new standards or revision of existing standards involving body armor and other equipment.
Coordinates NIJ's conformity assessment activities, including the certification of products and providing guidance on selection, use, and care of products and technology based on existing standards and best practices.
Provides oversight of the NIJ Compliance Testing Program for body armor and other law enforcement equipment.
Coordinates NIJ's policies and activities with accreditation bodies, testing laboratories, inspection bodies, certification bodies, and other conformity assessment organization, as appropriate.
Serves on external technical committees, including those at the highest levels in the Federal Government, dealing with standards and conformity assessment.
Conducts intramural research on technology and standards topics related to criminal justice and public safety, such as literature reviews, environmental scans, data collections, data analyses, position papers, or original experimental research.
Provides leadership on highly complex issues of critical importance in the criminal justice system and advises other specialists on highly complex and unprecedented problems.
Publishes a variety of materials within subject matter expertise, including peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, articles in professional or industry journals, or agency publications and online resources.
Develops concepts for extramural grant solicitations based on research priorities that address the most pressing needs of the criminal justice system in the United States and develops grant funding recommendations for NIJ leadership.
Advises NIJ grant staff on the programmatic aspects of grants and cooperative agreements focusing on testing and evaluation of technology, technology implementation in the criminal justice system, standards development, and conformity assessment.
US Citizenship Required. Applicants must also reside in the US.
Subject to background/suitability investigation/determination.
Submit all required documents and Online Assessment Questionnaire.
Federal payments are required to be made by Direct Deposit.
Requires registration for the Selective Service. Visit www.sss.gov.
Pre-employment drug testing required.
1-year probationary period may be required.
See Other Information for further requirements.
Qualifications
Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
A. Have a bachelor's degree in engineering from a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
OR
B. Have a bachelor's degree in engineering with a program that included courses in differential and integral calculus, AND courses (more advanced that first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (1) statics, dynamics; (2) strength of materials; (3) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (4) thermodynamics; (5) electrical fields and circuits; (6) nature and properties of materials; and (7) other areas of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics;
OR
C. Be currently licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico;
OR
D. Be currently registered as an Engineer Intern (EI) or Engineer-In-Training (EIT) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico;
OR
E. Have successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in a State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico;
OR
F. Have successfully completed less than a full engineering degree program that included 60 semester/90 quarter hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included courses in differential and integral calculus, AND courses in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (1) statics, dynamics; (2) strength of materials; (3) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (4) thermodynamics; (5) electrical fields and circuits; (6) nature and properties of materials; and (7) other areas of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics;
OR
G. Have a bachelor's degree in an appropriate related scientific field (e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, geology, etc.), AND have one year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance, such as supervision by a general engineer, mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, etc., following an established plan of intensive training designed to develop professional engineering competence. This combination of education and experience must have provided the applicant with a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering (e.g., calculus; statics, dynamics; strength, nature, and properties of materials; fluid mechanics, hydraulics; thermodynamics; electrical fields and circuits, etc.) and provided a good theoretical and practical understanding of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.
MINIMUM FEDERAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Qualifying experience for the GS-14 level includes one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-13 level which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.
Examples of specialized experience at the GS-13 level include: Utilized knowledge of mechanical engineering, materials science, and electrical engineering, among other technical disciplines, to challenges involving criminal justice equipment; Reviewed existing standards published by standards development organizations or other government agencies to determine whether they would meet the needs of the criminal justice system and makes recommendations; Conducted intramural research on technology and standards topics related to criminal justice and public safety, such as literature reviews, environmental scans, data collections, data analyses, position papers, or original experimental research; Consulted with Federal, state, local, and/or tribal law enforcement on technology-focused research, development, and evaluation projects related to criminal justice policy and practice; Resolved novel or obscure problems in the field of criminal justice using a broad range of advanced engineering theories, principles, concepts, standards, and methods.
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications as described above will be further evaluated based upon the following technical qualifications:
Ability to research, analyze, and evaluate information. Knowledge of engineering design principles, concepts, and practices. Ability to provide program management analysis, advice, and assistance. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and develop solutions.
Duty Station and Salary: Selectees residence is the full-time official duty location. Salary range listed on this announcement is the Rest of U.S. pay scale. Actual salary will be dependent upon physical location of selectee and is determined by the locality pay in each duty location. Upon selection, the salary will be adjusted to include locality. Salaries for all areas are available on the OPM website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2023/general-schedule/
Selectee(s) will be required to sign a Remote Work Agreement upon initial appointment and review/complete a new Remote Work Agreement every two years.
US Citizenship Required. Applicants must also reside in the US.
This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
OJP offers opportunities for flexible work schedules.
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.
To explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees, visit the Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter/Index/Interactive/Benefits#icc.
Fitness Reimbursement: OJP offers a fitness reimbursement program for employees' individual fitness-related expenditures.
OJP also offers credit union services; ATM machine on-site; a health unit and on-site nurse for your usage.
Transit Benefits: To defray your commuting cost, we are pleased to offer the Employee Transit Benefit Program.
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.
You will be considered under all categories for which you are eligible.
For All U.S. Citizens: Your application will be evaluated and rated under DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Names of all candidates in the best qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Candidates within the best qualified category who are eligible for veterans preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.
For Status/Merit Promotion/VEOA candidates: Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on the announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your resume and application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.
For Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)/Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) applicants: The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. The 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 agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, or 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 ICTAP/CTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. Under merit promotion procedures, to be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and score 85 or better on established ranking criteria. Under category rating procedures, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria.
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.
To explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees, visit the Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter/Index/Interactive/Benefits#icc.
Fitness Reimbursement: OJP offers a fitness reimbursement program for employees' individual fitness-related expenditures.
OJP also offers credit union services; ATM machine on-site; a health unit and on-site nurse for your usage.
Transit Benefits: To defray your commuting cost, we are pleased to offer the Employee Transit Benefit Program.
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.
REMINDER: ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MIDNIGHT Eastern Time (Washington, D.C. time) ON THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (ALL APPLICANTS):
1. Resume and/or work history profile 2. Responses to the online questions 3. Veterans Preference Documentation (if applicable; see below for more information) 4. Unofficial transcript, or other documentation
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (FEDERAL EMPLOYEES): 5. SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (for current and former federal employees; see below for more information), and 6. Performance Appraisal (for current federal employees) Note: if not provided, will be required at time of interview.
Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Veterans Preference 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.
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 a 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, veterans' preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which qualified. In addition, qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more will be placed at the top of the category in which you are rated (i.e., Best Qualified).
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three or more years of continuous active military service. If applying for a Merit Promotion announcement and wish to be considered under the VEOA, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214, in addition to any other required documents listed on this announcement.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)/Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must submit proof by the closing date of the announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(u) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. The proof includes a copy of the Agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action for Competitive Appointment
Non-competitive Eligibility You can apply for a non-competitive appointment if you meet the basic eligibility requirements and you are eligible for special appointment such as those authorized for the severely disabled; veterans with service-connected disabilities of 30% or more; returning volunteers from the Peace Corps or Vista, Veterans' Recruitment Appointment, etc. Appropriate documentation to support your claim must be included in your application, along with the type of special appointment you are seeking.
Current/Former Federal Employees If you are a current Federal employee in a permanent, competitive service position, you must submit document to confirm your status. Failure to submit an appropriate SF-50 will automatically disqualify you from further consideration. Submit an SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or other official agency documentation that shows your current (or most recent) grade and competitive service status. (The position occupied block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your tenure block should show a "1" or "2") Submit your most recent Performance Appraisal (dated within the last 18 months) or a separate statement explaining why you are unable to submit your appraisal. If not provided at time of application, it will be required at time of interview.
If you are a former Federal employee who is reinstatement eligible based on prior federal permanent competitive service, you must submit documents to confirm your eligibility. Submit an SF50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or other official agency documentation that shows your current (or most recent) grade and competitive service status. (The position occupied block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your tenure block should show a "1" or "2".)
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.
If you are unable to apply online, you may contact Avue Digital Services for alternate application procedures. Please call Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM PST at (253) 573-1877 or email at joeavue@avuetech.com.
Office of Justice Programs
810 7th St, NW
Washington, Dist of Columbia 20531
US
Next steps
Once your completed application is certified and received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
REMINDER: ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MIDNIGHT Eastern Time (Washington, D.C. time) ON THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (ALL APPLICANTS):
1. Resume and/or work history profile 2. Responses to the online questions 3. Veterans Preference Documentation (if applicable; see below for more information) 4. Unofficial transcript, or other documentation
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (FEDERAL EMPLOYEES): 5. SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (for current and former federal employees; see below for more information), and 6. Performance Appraisal (for current federal employees) Note: if not provided, will be required at time of interview.
Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Veterans Preference 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.
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 a 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, veterans' preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which qualified. In addition, qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more will be placed at the top of the category in which you are rated (i.e., Best Qualified).
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three or more years of continuous active military service. If applying for a Merit Promotion announcement and wish to be considered under the VEOA, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214, in addition to any other required documents listed on this announcement.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)/Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must submit proof by the closing date of the announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(u) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. The proof includes a copy of the Agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action for Competitive Appointment
Non-competitive Eligibility You can apply for a non-competitive appointment if you meet the basic eligibility requirements and you are eligible for special appointment such as those authorized for the severely disabled; veterans with service-connected disabilities of 30% or more; returning volunteers from the Peace Corps or Vista, Veterans' Recruitment Appointment, etc. Appropriate documentation to support your claim must be included in your application, along with the type of special appointment you are seeking.
Current/Former Federal Employees If you are a current Federal employee in a permanent, competitive service position, you must submit document to confirm your status. Failure to submit an appropriate SF-50 will automatically disqualify you from further consideration. Submit an SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or other official agency documentation that shows your current (or most recent) grade and competitive service status. (The position occupied block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your tenure block should show a "1" or "2") Submit your most recent Performance Appraisal (dated within the last 18 months) or a separate statement explaining why you are unable to submit your appraisal. If not provided at time of application, it will be required at time of interview.
If you are a former Federal employee who is reinstatement eligible based on prior federal permanent competitive service, you must submit documents to confirm your eligibility. Submit an SF50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or other official agency documentation that shows your current (or most recent) grade and competitive service status. (The position occupied block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your tenure block should show a "1" or "2".)
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.
If you are unable to apply online, you may contact Avue Digital Services for alternate application procedures. Please call Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM PST at (253) 573-1877 or email at joeavue@avuetech.com.
Office of Justice Programs
810 7th St, NW
Washington, Dist of Columbia 20531
US
Next steps
Once your completed application is certified and received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
