Supervisory Criminal Investigator (Branch Chief, Incident Support Branch)

ATF; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

ATF’s Supervisory Criminal Investigator (Branch Chief) leads the Special Operations Division’s Incident Support Branch, directing investigations and performance for branch programs. The role requires strategic oversight, policy implementation, and cross-agency coordination to advance law enforcement objectives in complex cases.

Applicants must meet stringent requirements, including federal service principles, probationary terms, and background investigations.

Qualifications

• Leading and providing guidance on investigative procedures (arrest, processing, dangerous evidence).
• Conducting surveys, studies, and analyses to identify problems and solutions.
• Interpreting ATF statutory responsibilities across jurisdictions.
• Preparing reports on progress, findings, recommendations, and impacts.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements branch policies, practices, and procedures.
• Advises leadership on branch programs and projects.
• Assesses, develops, and evaluates program goals, needs, operations, and accomplishments.
• Plans short- and long-range objectives for branch goals.
• Coordinates with management across ATF and DOJ, and with other agencies.

Skills

Investigative procedures

Surveys & analyses

ATF statutes

Report writing

Education

Experience-based only (no substitution)

Tools

None

Job description

Summary

The Supervisory Criminal Investigator serves as a Branch Chief in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Special Operations Division, Incident Support Branch. The Branch Chief provides investigative expertise and oversight for criminal investigations and organizational performance relating to law enforcement programs.

Duties

The major duties of the Supervisory Criminal Investigator (Branch Chief) position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develops and implements branch policies, practices, and procedures.
• Advises the deputy division chief and/or division chief on significant issues and matters pertaining to branch programs and projects,
• Responsible for assessing, developing, and evaluating program goals, needs, operations, and accomplishments.
• Conducts short- and long-range planning for overall branch goals and objectives in response to changes in funding levels, policy, or legislation pertaining to branch programs and projects.
• Coordinates projects/programs with management officials in other branches and divisions within the directorate, with management officials in other directorates at ATF Headquarters, and with officials from the DOJ or other Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies.

Requirements

Conditions of employment: The requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

• Must be U.S. Citizen or National
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• You must be a current permanent ATF employee with competitive status or a CTAP/RPL eligible candidate.
• Pass drug screening and subject to random drug test.
• Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation.
• You must meet all applicable time-in-grade requirements by the closing of this announcement.
• Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.

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. This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Qualifications

To qualify for the Supervisory Criminal Investigator position at the GS-14 grade level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-13) by the closing date of this announcement.

Specialized Experience Must Include All Of

• Leading and providing accurate information and guidance regarding investigative procedures (i.e., arrest and processing, arrest principles, handling of dangerous evidence; AND
• Conducting surveys, studies, and analyses to identify problems and provide solutions to highly complex and sensitive issues; AND
• Interpreting and applying ATF's statutory responsibilities and related information of Federal, State, and local jurisdictions, as well as regulated firearms and explosives industries; AND
• Preparing reports of progress, findings, recommendations, and impacts of task force groups.

Please do not cut and paste the position description or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume, as this will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

Your resume and experience must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.

See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.

Education

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone. No substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Additional Selections May Be Made From This Announcement

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

Career Transition Programs (CTAP or ICTAP)

• Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria;
• Be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and
• Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.

EEO Statement/Policy

The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.

Reasonable Accommodation

ATF provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the job application and hiring process, and you meet the eligibility requirements listed above, please notify the human resources specialist listed on the vacancy announcement, or contact the ATF's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at [phone] or send an email to [e-mail]. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation is handled on a case-by-case basis.

Selective Service

If you were born male, on or 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. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov.

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.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.