Job Opening: 54542
Open to current, permanent FBI employees in all locations.
Opening Date: April 30, 2024
Closing Date: May 14, 2024 @ 11:59 p.m. (EST)
Questions regarding this opening should be directed to CHaught2@fbi.gov and/or ACButera@fbi.gov.
Job Summary
Position: Computer Scientist - Field Ops, GS 09/11/12
Division: Houston Field Office
Location: Houston, Texas
Working Hours: May vary based on the needs of the Division.
Salary:
GS 09: $69,298.00 - $90,087.00 (Special Salary Rate Table 999E)
GS 11: $83,671.00 - $108,769.00
GS 12: $100,287.00 - $130,369.00
Full Performance Level: GS 13
Number of Positions Available: 1
Duration: Full Time/Permanent
In the event selection(s) are made from this job announcement, job offers will be contingent upon the position becoming vacant.
In order to recruit and retain highly qualified candidates, selectees may be eligible for a relocation incentive. To be eligible for a relocation incentive, proof of change in residency will be required. Prior to receiving a relocation incentive, an employee must sign a written agreement to complete a specific period of employment with the FBI at the new duty station.
Additional selections may be made from this announcement to fill positions within the same division when the position includes substantially the same duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.
Key Requirements

• Must be a current, permanent FBI employee.
• Must be able to obtain an SCI clearance.
• Selectee will be required to complete form FD-887, Request for Access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).

ALL applicants must verify completion of the basic education requirement by attaching a copy of college transcripts at the time of application submission.
Major Duties

• Performs system and network procurement, installation, administration and security.
• Develops and implements custom tools and methods, and uses, troubleshoots and modifies existing tools and methods to identify, isolate, preserve and analyze digital data.
• Identifies, vets and implements new tools and methods.
• Develops and uses basic computing environments for analysis.
• Provides technical assistance in conducting interviews, searches and other investigative and operational activity; performs liaison and outreach.
• Testifies in court.
• Drafts documents on technical and other professional matters in varying degrees of difficulty and at the appropriate technical level.
• Stays current with major new advances in relevant technology-related topics; provides guidance on tools and methods related to these advances.
• Coordinates with private sector and other divisions to resolve technical and other relevant issues.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Please make sure your specialized experience/requirement(s) can be identified in your resume. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Your application will be evaluated and rated under the FBI's Candidate Rating Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement and will be compared to your responses to the online assessment questionnaire. High self-assessment in the vacancy questions that is not supported by information in your resume, and/or supporting documents may eliminate you from Most Competitive status.
If you are deemed Most Competitive, you will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.
All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies:

• Analytic Thinking
• Communication
• Interpersonal Ability
• Problem Solving/Judgment
• Technology Awareness

Positive Education Requirement
This position has a specific education requirement; all applicants must verify completion of this basic educational requirement by submitting a copy of their college transcripts at the time of application submission . Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements provided you can show foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS: All applicants must have a bachelor's degree in Computer Science or bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in combination of mathematics, statistics, AND computer science (15 of the 30 semester hours MUST have been in any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus). Courses designed to provide an introduction to computer science techniques and methodologies are acceptable; courses in teaching elementary, business or shop mathematics are NOT acceptable.
Specialized Experience (SE) :
GS 09: Applicants must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS 07 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Troubleshoots, and modifies as needed existing tools and methods to identify, preserve and analyze digital evidence.
• Assists with the development of custom tools and methods to identify, analyze, and preserve digital evidence.
• Assists in drafting documents on more advanced technical matters.

GS 11: Applicants must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS 09 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Assists others with basic system and network procurement, installation, administration, and security.
• Uses, troubleshoots, and modifies existing cyber tools and methods to identify, preserve, and analyze digital evidence.
• Assists with the development and implementation of custom tools and methods.
• Provides basic technical and other professional assistance in conducting interviews, searches and other investigative, and operation activity.
• Drafts documents on basic technical and other professional matters, and assists in drafting documents on advanced matters.
• Assists in coordinating with the private sector and other divisions.

GS 12: Applicants must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS 11 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Performs basic computer system and network procurement, installation, administration and security and assists other on more complex matters.
• Uses, troubleshoots, and modifies existing cyber tools and methods to identify, preserve, and analyze digital evidence.
• Develops and implements basic custom tools.
• Provides technical and other professional assistance in conducting interviews, searches and other investigative activity.
• Drafts documents on technical and other professional matters, and assists in drafting documents on advanced matters.
• Performs liaison and outreach.

Education
All degrees must be from an accredited college or university. Education may be substituted for specialized experience as follows:
GS 09: Applicant must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related.
GS 11: Applicant must have a Ph.D. OR equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related.
GS 12 and above: Education may not be substituted for specialized experience.
How to Apply
For detailed instructions related to applying, uploading documents, withdrawing an application or updating your application, please review instructions on How to Apply . If applying online is a hardship, please use the contact information listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.
Required Documents
To apply to this position, interested applicants must provide a complete application package by the closing date which includes:

1. Your resume, specifically noting relevant work experience and associated start and end dates
2. A complete assessment questionnaire
3. Other supporting documents (if applicable) :
   • College transcripts
   • Memorandum for Record (MFR)

Documents that were uploaded one or more years ago will need to be uploaded again. Although an applicant may see these documents within their current profile, the HR Specialists may not have access to view them. All applicants are being asked to upload another copy (if applicable) to ensure the staffing units can review the complete application.
You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. If applying online is a hardship, please contact the HR Specialist listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.
What to Expect Next
Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The Most Competitive candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your status throughout the process.
Additional Information

• Failure to provide necessary and relevant information required by this vacancy announcement may disqualify you from consideration. Additional information will not be requested if your application is incomplete. Your application will be evaluated solely on the basis of information you have submitted.
• As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
• Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing the other workplace safety protocols. Positions with fitness for duty requirements or those that require international travel may require proof of certain vaccinations.
• Required Training: Selectees must successfully complete a 10 week mandatory Computer Scientist Field Operations Training in Quantico, VA, within the first year of employment.
• Management may select at any grade for which this position has been announced.
• Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance of higher-level duties.
• Limited Movement: Policy has been implemented wherein support employees entering a position through a competitive OR non-competitive action may be precluded from moving to another position within the Bureau by means of reassignment or change to lower grade for a minimum of 12 months. HRD will waive this limited movement policy for qualified employees, who have received an official notification letter that their current position is being relocated to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama by 2024, so those employees can compete for a position elsewhere.
• Probationary employees are precluded from being considered for all job opportunities until 12-months of their 24-month probationary period has concluded. Probationary employees may be considered for competitive vacancies that are advertised within their respective division or field office after serving 90 days within the FBI.
• Candidates will not be considered if currently on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP); a Letter of Requirement (LOR); or have failed a PIP or LOR and are currently awaiting the final action by HRD.

a. A Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) is a 90-day written developmental plan for an employee whose performance on one or more critical elements is rated "Inconsistent."
b. A Letter of Requirement (LOR) is issued when a supervisor identifies leave abuse and/or when frequent absences negatively impact operations of an office.

• Relocation expenses will be borne by the selectee, except FBI employees returning from LEGAT assignment. Employees returning from LEGAT assignments must advise the Staffing and Administrative Unit / International Operations Division of their application for this position.
• Current tax law impacts your transfer by making your moving expense reimbursements taxable. Please contact Transfer_Issues for information regarding taxable expenses. For additional insight on the personal impact of the IRS tax rules, you may wish to contact the IRS or a tax professional. Federal Travel Regulation provides that the Withholding Tax Allowance (WTA) plus the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) are designed to "substantially reimburse" an employee for the additional Federal, State, and Local taxes associated with a change of duty station and the FBI has the authority to compensate employees through the WTA and RITA.
• Candidates receiving a transfer of physical location, whether at the expense of the FBI or not, will be required to complete a one year commitment to the assignment, prior to moving to a new position at the FBI. The 12-month waiting period begins the day an employee reports for duty at the new location.
• Employees selected for promotions at the GS-12 level or higher, as well as employees selected for positions where a transfer of location is required, will be processed through the name check program prior to being notified of their selection.
• Memorandum for Record: Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on a SF-50, i. e., back-up duties), has to be documented in detail by an immediate supervisor in order to receive full credit for amount of time worked in that position. If no documentation is furnished no credit will be given for time worked in that position. The following notations must be specified in the documentation (Memorandum for Record):

a. Percent of time worked in the particular position (cannot conflict with main duties)
b. The month/year work began
c. Frequency worked (i.e., daily, monthly, etc.)
d. Specific duties performed
Attach the Memorandum for Record to your application in the "Cover Letters and Attachments" section of My Career Tools on the Careers Home page. Please upload the attachment as type "Other."
Nepotism
Nepotism is the act of favoring relatives in the hiring process, and is prohibited by law. Public officials are prohibited from hiring or promoting relatives or relatives of officials in their chain of command, as well as actively or indirectly endorse a relative's appointment or promotion.
During the hiring process, all selected candidates and FBI hiring managers will be required to certify they are not related to anyone involved in the hiring process.
Reasonable Accommodation Request
The FBI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation pursuant to a sincerely held religious belief or medical disability for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please notify the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Affairs (OEEOA) Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Program by either e-mail at REASONABLE_ACCOMMODA@fbi.gov , telephone at 202-324-2158, or FAX at 202-324-3976. Your request will receive an individualized assessment.
This e-mail address is only for reasonable accommodation requests. Please do not submit your application and/or any questions unrelated to reasonable accommodations. Should any applications be received, they will not be forwarded for consideration during the hiring process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The FBI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this vacancy. Unless explicitly authorized by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of, color, race, religion, national origin, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age (40 or over), sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, gender identity, and sexual orientation), or on the basis of personal favoritism, or any other non-merit factors.

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