Clarification from the agency

The Human Exploitation Rescue Operation (HERO) Child-Rescue Corps Program is administered by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). This program is designed to combat and prevent child exploitation and is open to wounded, ill, and injured veterans and transitioning service members who have or expect to receive a VA disability rating.

The HERO Program is seeking candidates for a one-year PAID internship at computer forensic laboratories in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations law enforcement offices throughout the United States.

These positions are designed and reserved for:

• Wounded, ill, or injured veterans who have a VA disability rating; or
• Wounded, ill, or injured service members transitioning out of the military with an anticipated VA disability rating.

As a part of the HERO Child-Rescue Corps Program, interns will attend 3 weeks of indoctrination training and 10 weeks of computer forensics training in Fairfax, VA. The indoctrination training includes vital new employee training and agency familiarization. During the computer forensics training, interns will learn and perform the following:

• Learn the role of the computer forensic analyst in the investigation of child exploitation, human trafficking, and other HSI investigative portfolios;
• Preview hard drives using forensically sound procedures to scan for evidence;
• Conduct analysis of internet artifacts;
• Image and analyze Random Access Memory (RAM) on a live computer system;
• Analyze the Windows Registry to determine removable volumes that have been attached to the computer system;
• Examine Exchangeable Image File Format (EXIF) information embedded inside graphic images;
• Assist with conducting validation testing of computer forensic hardware and software.

• Seize, capture, and analyze forensic evidence used to identify child victims, prosecute sexual predators, and prevent sexual abuse;
• Prepare detailed written reports outlining forensic findings for case agents in support of criminal prosecutions;
• Occasionally testify as a witness at trials to support cases.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation, as well as obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.
• You must successfully pass a drug screen.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
• Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
• If selected for an in-person interview, your attendance is required. Expenses incurred to attend the in-person interview are not reimbursable and are the sole responsibility of the candidate.
• All pre-employment clearance requirements, including the drug screen and background investigation, must be completed with successful results by May 16, 2025. Candidates not cleared to Enter on Duty by May 16, 2025 will be removed from the program.
• You must be able to attend 13 weeks of training from June 16, 2025 through September 12, 2025 in Fairfax, VA. Attendance is mandatory.
• You must be able to work 40 hours per week.
• You must pass training evaluations, examinations, and perform job duties at an acceptable level throughout the internship.
• Certification Requirement: During the 13 weeks of training, interns must pass all exams and certification requirements. Failure to do so will result in removal from the program.
• If selected to participate in the internship, you will receive study materials for CompTIA A+ certification. You will be required to familiarize yourself with the material prior to training.

Qualifications

Program Overview:

• 13 weeks of paid introductory training and intensive computer forensics training in Fairfax, VA. Approximate dates are June 16, 2025 to September 12, 2025.
• 9 months of paid practical experience assisting with criminal cases at various U.S. locations. Approximate dates are September 15, 2025 to June 12, 2026.

Program Benefits:

• Travel, meals, and lodging accommodations are provided during the 13 weeks of training.
• Compensation for the entire duration of the internship program at the GS-05 or GS-07 grade level, as well as:
  • Paid annual and sick leave, and paid holidays
  • Eligible to purchase federal health, dental, and vision insurance
• Eligible for permanent placement as a full-time employee with Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the conclusion of the internship.

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

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

Program Qualifications: The HERO Program follows the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's Group Standards for Administrative and Management Positions for the GS-1801 job series in determining salary packages for the internship.

You qualify for the GS-05 grade level if you possess one of the following:

Experience: Three years of progressively responsible experience, one year of which was equivalent to at least GS-04, that demonstrates the ability to (1) analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; (2) plan and organize work; and (3) communicate effectively orally and in writing. Experience of a general clerical nature (typing, filing, routine procedural processing, maintaining records, or other nonspecialized tasks) is not creditable.

OR

Education: Four-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree, at an accredited college or university. A college transcript(s) is required if claiming education in lieu of experience and must show your grade point average for all four years of undergraduate study, including all transferred courses.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of successfully completed education and experience. Education must be from an accredited college or university.

You qualify for the GL-07 grade level if you possess one of the following:

Experience: One year of specialized experience at the GS-05 grade level or equivalent, related to the work of the position, such as (1) assisting in investigations requiring computer forensic analysis, including inventorying, examining, and performing basic analysis of seized computer related evidence such as media and digital storage devices, and electronic and mobile devices; (2) testing computer forensic hardware and software and participating in setting up virtualized computer system environments; (3) writing detailed reports and verbally outlining forensic findings; and (4) training in the use of specialized technical equipment to discover and analyze deleted or "hidden" information that may serve as useful evidence in a criminal case.

OR

Education: One (1) full year of graduate level education OR a bachelor's degree that meets one of the Superior Academic Achievement Provisions listed below. All education must be from an accredited college or university in a field of study which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of a GS-07 Computer Forensic Analyst.

1. Rank in the upper one-third of your graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision.
2. Grade Point Average (GPA):
   • 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or
   • 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.
3. Election to membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.

A college transcript(s) is required if claiming education in lieu of experience and must show your grade point average for all four years of undergraduate study, including all transferred courses. GPAs are rounded to one decimal place. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9. If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail or similar basis, your claim must be based on class standing or membership in an honor society.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of successfully completed graduate education and experience as described above that totals 100%. Education must be from an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Eligibility and qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Eligibility and 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.

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.

Current Federal Civilian Employees: Current federal civilian employees are eligible to apply; however, if selected, must resign from their current position prior to the start date of the internship.

Retirement Annuity: Individuals receiving a retirement annuity from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) based on retiring from the federal government are eligible to apply; however, if selected, may have their annuity reduced if selected for the program.

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 program based upon your responses to the questionnaires, the required documents submitted with your application, successful completion of a virtual interview, and successful completion of an in-person interview. Not all candidates will be invited to participate in the virtual or in-person interviews.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGES OR APPLICATION PACKAGES MISSING ANY OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD IN THE CONSIDERATION PROCESS.