Supervisory Criminal Investigator (Chief, Digital Forensics Branch)

ATF; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Federal benefits

Job summary

ATF Headquarters in Sterling, Virginia, seeks a Supervisory Criminal Investigator (GS-14) to lead the Digital Forensics Branch. The role involves guiding law enforcement investigations, managing the branch, and directing the use of digital forensics tools and methods.

The incumbent will oversee training, ensure high-quality reports, and coordinate with field agents. A senior federal position requiring specialized experience and a security-sensitive background check.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience in digital forensics for law enforcement investigations.
• Ability to apply forensic software and hardware to investigations.
• Experience preparing written reports and assessments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct criminal investigations and oversee the branch operations.
• Provide complex digital device forensics support to field agents.
• Oversee training and accountability of digital forensic examiners and related staff.
• Ensure compliance with applicable rules and federal ethics guidelines.

Skills

Digital forensics knowledge

Leadership

Report writing

Tools

Forensic software

Imaging hardware

Job description

Summary

The location is ATF Headquarters with the Branch housed in Sterling, Virginia. The Digital Forensics Branch provides complex digital device forensics support and guidance to field agents relative to computer imaging and examinations, mobile device extractions and examinations, digital storage media, digital video recorders as well as computer software and hardware relating to law enforcement investigations.

Duties

Help

• Conducts criminal investigations, regulate the firearms and explosives industries, and assist other law enforcement agencies
• Provides complex digital device forensics support and guidance to field agents relative to computer imaging and examinations, mobile device extractions and examinations, digital storage media, digital video recorders
• Oversees technical training for ATF digital forensic examiners, digital media collection specialists, and special agents. Incumbent is involved in the property accountability of computer forensics equipment.
• Knowledgeable in digital forensics and is responsible for the oversight of the branch.

Requirements

Help

• 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.
• 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 is demonstrated experience, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. 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.

Specialized Experience Must Include All Of

• Understanding in the field of digital forensics for law enforcement investigations; AND
• Understanding of digital forensics applications to assist with market research, testing and evaluation, and acquisition of new forensic software and hardware; AND
• Preparing written reports and assessments.

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.

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.

Review our benefits

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.

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.