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Supervisory Criminal Investigator (Branch Chief)

Department of Justice
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
Office of Intelligence Operations
This job announcement has closed

Summary

ATF is a law enforcement agency in the U.S. Department of Justice that protects our communities from violent criminals/criminal organizations, illegal use/trafficking of firearms, illegal use/storage of explosives, acts of arson/bombings, acts of terrorism, and illegal diversion of alcohol/tobacco products. We partner with communities, industries, law enforcement, and public safety agencies to safeguard the public through information sharing, training, research, & technology. Visit www.atf.gov

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/30/2025 to 10/06/2025
Salary
$142,488 to - $185,234 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
Washington, DC
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
25-OIO-IMP-12783200-CLG
Control number
847120000

Duties

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This position is located under the Office of Intelligence Operations, Operational Intelligence Division, Emerging Threats Center in Washington, District of Columbia.

The primary purpose of this position is to manages a specific branch responsible for criminal investigations, law enforcement programs, functions, or operations encompassing the overall law enforcement mission of the organization and provides investigative expertise and oversight for criminal investigations and organizational performance relating to law enforcement programs.

As a Supervisory Criminal Investigator (Branch Chief), GS-1811-14, your typical work assignments may include:

  • Manages a branch responsible for criminal investigations, law enforcement programs, functions, or operations encompassing the overall law enforcement mission of the organization.
  • Plans, directs, coordinates, and oversees studies and surveys to evaluate branch programs and ensure efficiency and economy of operations.
  • Coordinates projects/programs with management officials in branches and divisions within a directorate at ATF Headquarters and officials from the DOJ or other Federal, State, local law enforcement agencies.
  • Advises the deputy division chief and/or division chief on significant issues and matters pertaining to branch programs and projects, e.g., the impact of new technology, new initiatives, etc.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

The time-in-grade requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement. The qualification requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

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.

Key Requirements:
  1. Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  2. Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation.
  3. Must be registered or exempt from the Selective Service. See www.sss.gov
  4. May be required to serve a one year probationary period.
  5. Pass drug screening and subject to random drug test.
  6. Must display and maintain required proficiency with firearms.
  7. Take and pass a medical examination and meet medical requirements.
  8. Must take and successfully complete a polygraph examination.
  9. Possess a current and valid automobile operator's license.
  10. May have to attend and successfully pass the below training:
    • Occupational Questionnaire
    • ATF Special Agent Applicant Assessment
    • Physical Task Test
    • ATF Special Agent Basic Training (SABT)
    • Structured Interview
    • Law Enforcement Training: You must have successfully completed and passed Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's Criminal Investigator training program (CITP), OR an equivalent and recognized federal law enforcement training program- must upload certification.

Qualifications

GS-14 - You qualify if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal, State, or Local government or equivalent public or private sector experience, performing the following duties:

  • Providing leadership and supervision to a team; AND
  • Evaluating programs or projects to analyze, evaluate and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of operations; AND
  • Communicating with all levels of management to include senior officials of any Federal, State, Local, and Private law enforcement agencies.

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

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 score 85 or better on established ranking 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/.


Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (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 score 85 or better on established ranking 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/


Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) allows eligible veterans to apply and compete for positions announced under merit promotion procedures when the hiring agency is recruiting from outside its own workforce. To be eligible for a Veteran Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three (3) or more years of continuous active military service. If you are 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.

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.

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

A one-year probationary period is required for new supervisors and managers.

Additional vacancies may be filled from this vacancy announcement.

Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations from ATF's Human Resources Operations Division. Please click on the following link to read important information. DOJ Ethical Obligations

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov

EEO Statement: The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a parent, genetic information, disability, age, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, or on the basis of personal favoritism. If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination, you must contact the ATF EEO office within 45 calendar days of when the alleged harm occurred at 202-648-8760 or eeointakemailbox@atf.gov. Please see DOJ Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you receive the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.

"Federal Regulations state no ATF employee, his/her spouse, or his/her minor child shall have, directly or indirectly, any financial interest, including compensated employment, stock, or proprietary interest in the alcohol, tobacco, firearms or explosives industries. You should be aware that you may be asked to relinquish any ownership of or interests in the alcohol, tobacco, firearms or explosives industries before a determination can be made whether access to ATF information, information technology systems, and/or facilities can be authorized."

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

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. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

The assessment questionnaire is designed to measure your ability in the following competencies:

  • Leadership
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Project Management
  • Oral Communication

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12783200

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