The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is ranked within the top 5 mid-size agencies through the Partnership for Public Service’s Best Places to Work in the Federal Government Rankings! This Special Agent position is located in the Office of Executive Director. For more information visit: Office of the Executive Director (OED) | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Summary
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is ranked within the top 5 mid-size agencies through the Partnership for Public Service’s Best Places to Work in the Federal Government Rankings! This Special Agent position is located in the Office of Executive Director. For more information visit: Office of the Executive Director (OED) | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Applications will be accepted from current and former competitive service Federal employees, and people eligible under special hiring authorities. You may be reinstated within 3 years after the date of your separation. Reinstatement eligibility may be extended by certain activities that occur during the 3-year period after separation from your last career-conditional appointment.
As a Special Agent, some of your typical work assignments may include:
Plans, organizes, and executes complex protective service operations by conducting site advances and security surveys, developing detailed security, contingency, and evacuation plans, coordinating logistics, and adapting plans based on threat assessments and changing operational conditions.
Applies advanced knowledge of protective services, criminal investigative techniques, and applicable laws and regulations to conduct threat investigations, gather and analyze intelligence, develop evidence, and implement protective measures to safeguard senior officials.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with Federal, state, local, and international law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and high-level officials to coordinate protective missions, share intelligence, negotiate solutions, and resolve complex or sensitive issues.
Makes independent, real-time decisions in high-risk and uncertain environments involving threat response, protective measures, investigative actions, and operational adjustments to ensure the safety of protectees and mission success.
You must provide your SF-50 (see Required Documents section).
A one-year probationary period may be required.
A background investigation is required.
This is not a bargaining unit position (AFGE Local 421).
Generally, male applicants must be registered with the Selective Service.
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
If hired, you may be required to divest certain energy-related securities.
Time-in-grade requirements must be met within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement unless you are (1) eligible for a special hiring authority OR (2) reinstatement eligible.
You must meet qualification (experience and/or education) requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: • your performance and conduct; • the needs and interests of the agency; • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
You must have one full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 level. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience conducting protective surveys and performing protective operations; assisting in planning, organizing assessments and preparing investigative reports; and applying Federal rules, government laws, regulations, and policies to criminal procedures.
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 any volunteer experience.
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.
****REQUIRED CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT****
This position is designated as Emergency Essential and may require the incumbent to work during weather-related or other closures.
LAUTENBERG AMENDMENT: This position requires the incumbent to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, USC Section 992(g)). A felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence is generally defined under the statute, as an offense involving the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by the victim's current or former domestic partner, parent or guardian. The term convicted, as defined in the statute, excludes any person whose conviction has been expunged, set-aside or pardoned, or any person whose civil rights have been restored, so long as such restoration does not restrict the shipping, transport, possession or receipt of firearms or ammunition. Candidates who have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence within the meaning of the referenced statutes are not eligible for the position.
Security Clearance: The position requires access to classified material up through the TOP SECRET (TS) Clearance level. Incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Clearance (may be subject to re-investigation every five years thereafter).
Drug Testing: This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
Medical: This position is subject to successful completion of pre-employment medical examination, including psychological screening, vision, hearing, cardiovascular and mobility of extremities, by an authorized Government physician and be determined medically fit to perform strenuous physically demanding duties. Regular physical examinations will be required to maintain a level of medical health in accordance with the standards and policies of the agency.
Physical:This position is rigorous and physically demanding, meets the definition of a "Rigorous Position" contained in 5 CFR 842.802, and is subject to a maximum entry age of 37. The incumbent must meet the established physical fitness standards/requirements set forth by FERC, as is it considered essential to perform the duties of this position. This position is subject to successful completion of the FERC Physical Fitness Test (PFT) within 90 days of employment. In addition, the Agent is required to maintain and successfully pass the mandatory semi-annual FERC PFT assessment.
Training: The incumbent must qualify to obtain a Special Deputation by the United States Marshals Service; including at minimum: having successfully completed an accredited basic law enforcement training program (civilian or military); having at least one year of previous law enforcement experience; not have a break in service in Law Enforcement for over 5 years; and not having been convicted of a crime of domestic violence as defined in Title 18, USC Section 922 (g) (9) Lautenberg Amendment.
Firearms: The incumbent is required to carry and use a firearm while performing duties of this position so they must meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. The incumbent must qualify semiannually with all weapons issued by FERC CSO and maintain proficiency.
Driver's License: The incumbent must have or be able to obtain a valid driver's license to operate motor vehicles.
Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): As a Special Agent you will be required to work on an unscheduled basis in excess of the 40-hour work week. These positions require substantial overtime to include holidays, weekends and nights. You must be readily accessible to perform this unscheduled work. To ensure your availability, you will receive extra compensation in the form of Law Enforcement Availability Pay, which is calculated at a flat rate of 25 percent of base salary.
Retirement Coverage: 6C retirement coverage (based on 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) and 8412(d)) provides federal law enforcement officers (LEOs) with enhanced, early retirement benefits, typically allowing retirement at age 50 with 20 years of service, or any age with 25 years, with mandatory separation at age 57.
Must have at least one year of prior law enforcement experience with general arrest authority.
Must have completed, or be willing to complete, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's (FLETC) Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP).
Must have completed, or be willing to complete, the FLETC Protective Services Operations Training Program (PSOTP) and/or other federally recognized protective services operations training.
Education
There is no education requirement for this position; therefore, transcripts are not required.
Additional information
Our employees ranked FERC as a top 5 mid-size agency in Effective Leadership according to the Partnership for Public Service’s Best Places to Work in the Federal Government! In addition, FERC was also ranked #1 in Work-Life Balance and we are proud to offer telework and workplace flexibilities in accordance with agency policy.
The duty location of this position is Washington, DC. Agency employees are eligible for telework and other workplace flexibilities. Telework days and waiting periods for eligibility are determined when an employee enters on duty.
When promotion potential is shown, future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.
If selected for this position, you will be required to:
Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
Have your Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choice.
Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. FERC also participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). For more information about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify.
Attend a mandatory ethics training. We are governed by the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Standards of Conduct, the criminal conflict of interest statutes, and FERC’s supplemental ethics regulation, which specifically prohibits FERC employees from holding certain energy-related securities. To comply with these regulations and statutes, divestiture of these securities may be required after you begin employment. See 5 C.F.R. 2634-41; 18 U.S.C. 201-208; 5 C.F.R. 3401. If selected, you may also be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of appointment.
Receive authorization from OPM on any job offer you receive, if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the vacancy announcement closes, we will review your resume and any supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements for the position. Your resume must address the following competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities, and other characteristics):
The online assessment is used to evaluate your relevant education and experience in relation to the required competencies for this position.
If you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on your answers to the vacancy questionnaire. Your rating may be lowered if your responses are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your resume. The best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the selecting official.
You may be required to participate in a selection interview. If you are invited for an interview, you may be asked to bring a copy of your most recent performance appraisal. Please note - only your resume and cover letter will be forwarded to the selecting official.
Failure to submit all required documentation by the closing date of this vacancy announcement, including adhering to the maximum two-page resume requirement, will result in removal from consideration and loss of any special hiring preference (e.g., veterans’ preference, ICTAP/CTAP eligibility, Schedule A).
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR ALL CANDIDATES:
RESUME(maximum of 2 pages in length): Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire. You must ensure it contains the following information for each experience/position:
Position title
Name of employer
Beginning and ending dates of employment (Month/Day/Year format)
Hours worked per week
Detailed description of job duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable)
Series and grade or equivalent (for federal positions)
If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying based on your education, you must list your education history, including the type of degree and your major of study.
VACANCY QUESTIONNAIRE: You must submit and complete the online eligibility and vacancy questions.
TRANSCRIPTS (only required when the position has an education requirement, or you are qualifying for the position based on your education): You MUST submit copies of your college transcripts to verify your education. Unofficial copies are acceptable; however, if selected you will be required to provide official transcripts before your effective date.
STANDARD FORM 50 (SF-50)/NOTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL ACTION: For former and/or current Federal employees (which includes eligibility under an interchange agreement with other Merit Systems), you must submit a copy of your most recent non-award SF-50, showing you are/were in the competitive service, your highest grade held (or promotion potential) on a permanent basis, position title, series, and grade. You may obtain a copy of your SF-50 from your official personnel record. FERC employees can access their official personnel records electronically, by using eOPF: https://eopf.opm.gov/ferc/. If you separated from the Federal government, you may obtain a copy of your SF-50 via the Federal Records Center, National Archives and Records Administration.
OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT PREFERENCE OR ELIGIBILITY CLAIMS:
VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACT (VEOA): If you applying under VEOA, you must submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge. Ten-point preference eligibles must also submit an “Application for 10-point Veteran Preference” (SF-15), along with official VA letter and the required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15 form. For more information about veterans' preference, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.
CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CTAP)/INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated “Well Qualified” for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information about CTAP/ICTAP, visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp. The following documents are required:
Reduction in Force or RIF notice – written notice of your expected separation, or other documentation of priority consideration status;
Latest SF-50 noting your current position, grade level, and duty location;
Last performance appraisal, including your rating; and
Any documentation from your agency showing your current promotion potential.
Schedule A eligibility (applicants with disabilities): The federal government has a streamlined hiring process for individuals with disabilities, known as Schedule A. For more information about Schedule A and eligibility requirements, visit: https://www.ferc.gov/careers/info-disabilities.asp.
When applying to a FERC vacancy announcement, please remember you must complete and submit your entire application (including your resume, vacancy questionnaire, and any applicable supporting documentation) no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET) on the vacancy closing date. Please note, it may take you longer to apply to some vacancy announcements than others. Starting your application late on the evening the vacancy closes is not recommended because you might not have enough time to ensure your application is successfully submitted and received.
When the specialized experience statement in the vacancy announcement requires experience presenting information to a large audience, your resume should include speeches or presentations you've given.
Make sure you verify that your resume clearly indicates possession of the competencies and specialized experience listed under the “Qualifications and Evaluations” and “How You Will Be Evaluated” sections of this announcement.
Remember to submit all required and supporting documentation listed under the “Required Documents” section of this announcement.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: FERC provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact DisabilityManager@FERC.gov no later than 11:59 pm ET on the vacancy closing date. The decision to grant a reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
FERC
888 First Street, NE
Washington, District of Columbia 20426
United States
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. You will be notified of the status of your application up to four times throughout the application process, via your USAJOBS dashboard. To verify the status of your application, both during and after the announcement open period, log on to your USAJOBS account. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an option to “Track this application.” Your “Applicant status” will also appear along with the dates you applied to this position and when your application was last updated. To learn more about your specific job status and how this helps you track jobs and applications visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status
Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement.
More than one selection for similar positions may be made from this announcement and the program office for that selection may vary. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s).
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Failure to submit all required documentation by the closing date of this vacancy announcement, including adhering to the maximum two-page resume requirement, will result in removal from consideration and loss of any special hiring preference (e.g., veterans’ preference, ICTAP/CTAP eligibility, Schedule A).
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR ALL CANDIDATES:
RESUME(maximum of 2 pages in length): Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire. You must ensure it contains the following information for each experience/position:
Position title
Name of employer
Beginning and ending dates of employment (Month/Day/Year format)
Hours worked per week
Detailed description of job duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable)
Series and grade or equivalent (for federal positions)
If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying based on your education, you must list your education history, including the type of degree and your major of study.
VACANCY QUESTIONNAIRE: You must submit and complete the online eligibility and vacancy questions.
TRANSCRIPTS (only required when the position has an education requirement, or you are qualifying for the position based on your education): You MUST submit copies of your college transcripts to verify your education. Unofficial copies are acceptable; however, if selected you will be required to provide official transcripts before your effective date.
STANDARD FORM 50 (SF-50)/NOTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL ACTION: For former and/or current Federal employees (which includes eligibility under an interchange agreement with other Merit Systems), you must submit a copy of your most recent non-award SF-50, showing you are/were in the competitive service, your highest grade held (or promotion potential) on a permanent basis, position title, series, and grade. You may obtain a copy of your SF-50 from your official personnel record. FERC employees can access their official personnel records electronically, by using eOPF: https://eopf.opm.gov/ferc/. If you separated from the Federal government, you may obtain a copy of your SF-50 via the Federal Records Center, National Archives and Records Administration.
OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT PREFERENCE OR ELIGIBILITY CLAIMS:
VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACT (VEOA): If you applying under VEOA, you must submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge. Ten-point preference eligibles must also submit an “Application for 10-point Veteran Preference” (SF-15), along with official VA letter and the required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15 form. For more information about veterans' preference, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.
CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CTAP)/INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated “Well Qualified” for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information about CTAP/ICTAP, visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp. The following documents are required:
Reduction in Force or RIF notice – written notice of your expected separation, or other documentation of priority consideration status;
Latest SF-50 noting your current position, grade level, and duty location;
Last performance appraisal, including your rating; and
Any documentation from your agency showing your current promotion potential.
Schedule A eligibility (applicants with disabilities): The federal government has a streamlined hiring process for individuals with disabilities, known as Schedule A. For more information about Schedule A and eligibility requirements, visit: https://www.ferc.gov/careers/info-disabilities.asp.
When applying to a FERC vacancy announcement, please remember you must complete and submit your entire application (including your resume, vacancy questionnaire, and any applicable supporting documentation) no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET) on the vacancy closing date. Please note, it may take you longer to apply to some vacancy announcements than others. Starting your application late on the evening the vacancy closes is not recommended because you might not have enough time to ensure your application is successfully submitted and received.
When the specialized experience statement in the vacancy announcement requires experience presenting information to a large audience, your resume should include speeches or presentations you've given.
Make sure you verify that your resume clearly indicates possession of the competencies and specialized experience listed under the “Qualifications and Evaluations” and “How You Will Be Evaluated” sections of this announcement.
Remember to submit all required and supporting documentation listed under the “Required Documents” section of this announcement.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: FERC provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact DisabilityManager@FERC.gov no later than 11:59 pm ET on the vacancy closing date. The decision to grant a reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
FERC
888 First Street, NE
Washington, District of Columbia 20426
United States
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. You will be notified of the status of your application up to four times throughout the application process, via your USAJOBS dashboard. To verify the status of your application, both during and after the announcement open period, log on to your USAJOBS account. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an option to “Track this application.” Your “Applicant status” will also appear along with the dates you applied to this position and when your application was last updated. To learn more about your specific job status and how this helps you track jobs and applications visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status
Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement.
More than one selection for similar positions may be made from this announcement and the program office for that selection may vary. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s).
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
