Criminal Investigator (Special Agent) (Open Continuous Announcement)

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

ATF is a federal law enforcement agency within the U.S. Department of Justice that safeguards communities from violent crime, illegal firearms activity, explosives, arson, terrorism, and illegal alcohol/tobacco diversion.

This vacancy offers opportunities to apply advanced investigative principles in complex cases. The position is based in Phoenix, Arizona, and requires progression through GS-11/12/13 level duties with increasing responsibility, including planning investigations, leading teams,

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-9 grade level in federal/state/local government or equivalent.
• Performing investigations, obtaining leads, planning operations, reviewing evidence, and preparing case reports.

Responsibilities

• Conduct the full range of criminal investigations using accepted methods.
• Obtain investigative leads, participate in searches, seizures, and arrests; review evidence; prepare reports.
• Lead agent duties including planning and conducting investigations; review evidence and prepare reports.

Skills

Criminal investigations

Evidence handling

Oral and written communication

Education

Ph.D. or doctoral degree related to Criminal Justice/Administration/Law

3 years of progressively higher graduate education

LL.M. if related

Job description

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.

GS-11

You qualify if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GL-9 grade level in the Federal, State, or Local government or equivalent public or private sector experience, performing all of the following duties:

• Conducting the full range of criminal investigations using accepted methodology and problem solving techniques; AND
• Obtaining investigative leads and factual data; participating in operational planning, searches, seizures, and arrests; reviewing evidence; and preparing case reports at the conclusion of a criminal investigation.

You have one of the following:

• A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Criminal Justice and/or Administration; Law and Society; Forensics; Public Safety and/or Administration; Homeland Security; Law Enforcement; Justice Administration; Organizational Security and Management; Criminology; Cyber Security; Social Work; Fire Science; or
• 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or
• LL.M., if related.

You have the specialized experience as described above but less than one year; and have some graduate education as described above, but less than the required one-year. The percentage of the requirements MUST total least 100%.

GS-12

You qualify if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal, State, or Local government or equivalent public or private sector experience, performing all of the following duties:

• Conducting the full range of criminal investigations of greater than average complexity and importance using accepted methodology and problem-solving techniques; AND
• Serving as a lead agent in planning and conducting investigations, operations, searches, seizures, or arrests; AND
• Reviewing evidence; and preparing case reports at the conclusion of a criminal investigation.

GS-13

You qualify if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal, State, or Local government or equivalent public or private sector experience, performing all of the following duties:

• Applying a wide range of criminal investigative, enforcement, laws, regulations, guidelines, and precedent decisions; AND
• Identifying significant sources of information to detect illegal activity and document issues or probable cause and conduct investigations to determine if violations have occurred; AND
• Communicating orally and in writing to prepare and present reports, briefings, and/or exchange information.

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

The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)

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)

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)

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 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.

Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) Authority

Applicants applying under the VRA Authority may only be placed at the GS-11 grade level.

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.