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
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
Applications will be accepted from all groups of qualified individuals within the civil service.
The position of Special Agent in Charge (SAC) manages a major field division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and exercises executive responsibility for the primary enforcement of Federal alcohol, tobacco, firearms, explosives and arson laws and regulations. This position is located in: Newark Field Division, Woodland Park, NJ
1. You must be a United States Citizen or National.
2. Veterans' preference is not applicable to the Senior Executive Service.
3. Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
4. You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check for the security level designated for this position.
5. You may also be subject to post-employment conflict of interest restrictions under 18 USC 207 (c).
6. You will be required to undergo a drug screening and obtain favorable results prior to being appointed.
7. You may be subject to a one-year probationary period effective from the date in which you are appointed.
8. This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) upon entry, and annually thereafter in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
9. You must meet all minimum qualifications to be deemed eligible. Only experience obtained by closing date of this announcement will be considered.
As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Mandatory Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications.
Experience required for the ES-1811 series: You must have substantive experience serving as a principal advisor to senior management on laws, regulations, policies and procedures pertaining to law enforcement and regulatory operations.
The 1811 position requires law enforcement experience and is covered by special retirement provisions, including maximum entry age requirements. The successful applicant must be able to display and maintain the required proficiency with firearms per ATF's firearms proficiency standards. Complete or have previously completed the basic criminal investigative courses at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). Complete a medical examination (including vision, hearing, cardiovascular and mobility of extremities) by an authorized government physician and be determined physically fit to perform strenuous physically demanding duties. You will be required to undergo regular physical examinations and to maintain a level of physical fitness in accordance with ATF's standards and policies.
The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-ONLY. Applicants must show clear evidence of their demonstrated leadership ability by addressing the the Executive Core Qualifications(ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) embedded within their resume. The resume-based application should not to exceed 2 pages (1-sheet double-sided or 2 sheets one-sided)
**Note: Applicants who have completed the SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) and have had their ECQs certified by OPM must provide a copy of their certificate as part of their application. Candidates must still satisfy the MTQs of the position.
We recommend that your resume emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of the programs managed, and your program accomplishments, including the results of your actions. You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required of the position and on the extent your application demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of the Special Agent in Charge. Please be sure to give concrete examples of your experience and demonstrate the complexity of the knowledge you possess.
ECQ1- Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: Involves demonstrating knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
ECQ2- Driving Efficiency: Involves demonstrating the ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
ECQ3- Merit and Competence: Involves demonstrating knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
ECQ4- Leading People: Involves demonstrating the ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
ECQ5- Achieving Results: Involves demonstrating the ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.
For this position, the following Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) have been established and should be addressed within the resume application.
MTQ1: Knowledge of federal laws, regulations and policies governing law enforcement and regulatory operations in order to plan, direct, implement and evaluate comprehensive law enforcement and regulatory programs, or high risk tactical operation and critical incidents in a field or Headquarters environment, with particular emphasis on programs related to the enforcement of Federal alcohol, tobacco, firearms, explosives and arson laws and regulations.
MTQ2: Knowledge of the legal procedures applicable to federal law enforcement operations, such as criminal court procedures, methods of obtaining and securing evidence, jurisdictional guidelines, and other legal procedures, as well as knowledge of intelligence and investigative skills and techniques in order to provide critical and timely intelligence and information to law enforcement entities in the intelligence community.
MTQ3: Demonstrated experience in forming and maintaining effective partnerships with counterparts in other Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, local political and community leaders, and other individuals or groups to plan and coordinate joint solutions to local or regional law enforcement challenges, and demonstrated knowledge to effectively coordinate efforts of public safety and security (e.g. developing and implementing the multi-agency federal law enforcement responses to assist other law enforcement entities overwhelmed by a terrorist and/or natural or man made disaster).
MTQ4: Broad management experience in planning, developing, administering, and directing an organization, including overall responsibility for short and long range program planning, allocation of human and material resources, development of operational guidelines and policies, implementation of technology solutions, and creation of new methods and procedures to solve complex management problems.
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
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.
Your application will first be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications. A rating and ranking panel of senior executives will review your application and evaluate your qualifications for this position. It will determine the extent to which your professional and volunteer experience, education and training, and awards or professional recognition indicate you possess the required executive and technical experience. Candidates determined to be highly qualified will undergo at least one interview. Prior to selection, candidates will undergo a reference check.
Note: All applicants must thoroughly address the Mandatory Technical Qualifications. Current and former SES members, and other applicants who have already been certified by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB), are not required to address the Executive Core Qualifications. However, they must provide documentation of certification in the form of a SF-50 showing career SES status or an OPM issued SES qualification certificate.
Applicants who fail to submit all required information and documents will not receive consideration for the position.
Your complete online application and any required supplemental documentation must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. It is also your responsibility to ensure all documents are received on time and the materials are readable. If applying on-line poses a hardship to any applicant, please contact us at the telephone number listed on this announcement. Applicants must contact us prior to the closing date to speak to someone who can provide assistance for on-line submission. Requests for extensions will not be granted. Paper applications submitted without prior approval from the agency point of contact may be handled as incomplete.
Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. You must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/07/2025 to be considered. The application process is as follows:
Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments. The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.