Clarification from the agency

Current (DHS) FLETC employees serving under a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service. You must submit an SF-50 that shows you currently work for (DHS) FLETC on a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service.

Serving as a Lead Law Enforcement Specialist (Firearms Instructor) GS-1801-13 makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) team and mission. This position is located in the Cheltenham Advanced Weapons Branch (CAW), Office of Cheltenham Operations (OCH), NCR Training Operations Directorate (NCR), Office of the Associate Director for Training (TOPS) located in, Cheltenham, Maryland.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve in a lead capacity over a team of Firearms Instructors involved in planning and conducting classroom, laboratory, and/or field instruction sessions as part of the firearms training program.

Typical duties include:

• Serving as a lead instructor, subject-matter expert, and course developer for specialized firearms training programs, ensuring instruction in the safe handling, proficient application, and legally justified use of firearms.
• Planning, coordinating, and delivering classroom, laboratory, and field training, including designing lesson plans, courses of fire, and exercises that align with agency standards, policies, and use-of-force requirements.
• Leading the development, review, and revision of firearms curricula, training materials, and performance objectives; conducting research on emerging firearms technology, tactics, and best practices to keep training current and relevant.
• Monitoring student performance during training, documenting results, providing remedial and corrective instruction when needed, and adjusting instructional methods to meet individual and group learning needs.
• Serving as a technical authority and liaison with partner organizations to identify training needs; participating in curriculum conferences; and developing or coordinating training plans, agreements, and program documentation.
• Ensuring strict compliance with all firearms safety standards, range rules, and handling procedures; exercising on-site authority to safeguard personnel, weapons, and ammunition during all training activities.

View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• Current and former federal employees within the General Schedule (GS) must meet the time-in-grade requirements outlined in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement.
• Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).
• Must possess and maintain a valid state issued driver's license to conduct official government business.
• You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain FLETC Law Enforcement Instructor certification within 12 months of employment.
• 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.
• You will be subject to rotation to other programs and/or training sections in order to provide depth to the FLETC’s instructor cadre.
• Position is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment - persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence are prohibited from occupying this position.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Overtime may be required.
• Must pass an initial firearms proficiency test with an 85% score, which equates to 255 points out of a possible 300 points. This test is the standard 60-round course of fire in the Firearms Instructor Training Program (FITP).

Qualifications

A resume must be no more than two pages. If an applicant's resume exceeds two pages, the USAJOBS database will not allow the application to be submitted. For additional assistance, please visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements

This position has a Selective Placement Factor (SPF). If your resume doesn't demonstrate possession of the SPF, you will be rated ineligible. The SPF for this position is:

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: In order to be considered for this position you must:

A. Possess 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-
B. Have held a federal civilian position in the 1801 occupational series.

-AND-

Specialized Experience:
You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the federal service, or equivalent experience in the private or public sector performing the following duties:

• (1) Leading as a technical authority in law enforcement firearms training. (2) Articulating program objectives, coordinating logistical activities for training events, and representing the team in meetings with agency officials and partner organizations. (3) Researching and integrating emerging firearms technology, practices, and techniques into training programs.

Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.

All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Time-in-grade: Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees, and those that have served in GS positions within the last 52 weeks, must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade, or a combination of the next lower grade level and an equivalent band in the federal service by the closing of this announcement.

Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1"), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. Employees applying with an interchange agreement must provide proof of their permanent appointment. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE.

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.

Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the Department of Homeland Security, you are not CTAP eligible. View information about CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

Note: Secondary Administrative Law Enforcement Officer retirement coverage is being offered for this position.

Transfer Requirement for CSRS: To be eligible for secondary coverage, an employee must: - Transfer without a break in service exceeding 3 days directly from a primary position to a secondary position; AND - 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, an employee must: - Transfer without a break in service exceeding 3 days directly from a primary position to a secondary position; AND - Have completed 3 years of service in a primary position, including any such service during which no FERS deductions were withheld; AND - 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).

Re-employed annuitants' annual salaries will be reduced by the amount of their retirement annuity and by further cost of living increases. FERS retirees receiving a FERS annuity supplement must also be aware that, like social security benefits, their 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 web

How you will be evaluated

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

A resume must be no more than two pages. If an applicant's resume exceeds two pages, the USAJOBS database will not allow the application to be submitted.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If met, we will use multiple assessments to determine the degree to which your experience, education, and training demonstrate the following competencies needed to perform this job:

To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process, including the application, Structured Resume Review and Firearms Qualification.

Structured Resume Review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. SMEs will review ONLY two (2) pages of your resume, starting at your work experience. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., links embedded in your resume will not be opened). Applicants passing the resume review will move on to the next phase of the assessment process.

Firearms Qualification: You must pass an initial firearms proficiency test with an 85% score, which equates to 255 points out of a possible 300 points. This test is the standard 60-round course of fire in the Firearms Instructor Training Program (FITP).You will be expected to visit a FLETC location to demonstrate the required job-related skills. Travel, lodging, and meals will be at the applicant's expense.

Preview the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12875225

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be removed from consideration or your score may be lowered.

Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3).