Investigative Systems Operations Specialist

Summary

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

This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  
  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
• Internal to an agency
  
  Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from internal employees only of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives serving under a career or career conditional appointment in the competitive service and from CTAP eligibles.

Duties

This position is located under the Office of Intelligence Operations, Operational Intelligence Division, Denial Enforcement & NICS Intelligence Branch in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

As an Investigative Systems Operations Specialist, you will perform an array of analytical NICS operation activities designed to identify, locate, and investigate individuals prohibited from purchasing, possessing, or carrying firearms due to previous criminal history, legal violations, or other statutory infractions.

In this position you will perform the below duties:

• Serving as a lead in a non-supervisory capacity to ensure consistency with guidelines, and handle and makes decisions for the most difficult and complex operating and processing activities pertaining to FBI NICS and ATF NICS Referral Application (ANR).
• Utilizing, maintaining and manipulating various sensitive record repository systems, public sources record search systems, the Interstate Identification Index (III), National Criminal Identification Center (NCIC) database, and other databases to obtain and verify Federal, State, or local criminal history on data.
• Performing long-range forecasting for the NICS program; projects future system requirements and anticipates the effects of pending and current legislative initiatives; analyzes criminal data to discern trends, statistics, or other observations to support investigations
• Establishing and maintaining working relationships with representatives of the FBI NICS, firearms industry, Federal, State, local law enforcement agencies, Assistant United States Attorneys and court personnel.
• Preparing responses to suggestions from supervisory personnel and field operations personnel on changes in program policies and procedures.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

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.

Key Requirements:

1. Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
2. Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation.
3. Must be registered or exempt from the Selective Service. See www.sss.gov
4. Must sign a mobility agreement as condition of employment

Qualifications

You must:

• Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
• Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service by 10/07/2024

To qualify for 11, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-9.

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. Examples of specialized experience include:

• Assisting in searching criminal history records utilizing ATF databases such as NCIC.
• Analyzing criminal data, trends from records and reports.
• Reviewing federal and state firearm laws and regulations.

OR

I have successfully completed a Ph.D. or an equivalent doctoral degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or an LL.M. degree from an accredited college or university that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise three years of graduate study. If that information is not available, use 54 semester or 81 quarter hours.

OR

I have a combination of successfully completed graduate education and experience which equals 100%.

To combine your education and experience, you must convert each to a percentage, and then add the percentages. The combined total of your percentage of education and experience must equal at least 100% in order to qualify. If your education is currently described in quarter hours, convert the quarter hours into semester hours by multiplying the quarter hours by the fraction 2/3. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, divide the number of graduate semester hours by 18. To determine your percentage of qualifying experience, you must divide your total number of months of qualifying experience by the required number of months of experience. Add your percentages of education and experience. The two percentages must total at least 100%.

NOTE: Your resume must indicate how you meet the qualifications above, otherwise, you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

The Career Transition Assistance Plan (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/

Additional information

Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations from ATF's Human Resources Operations Division. Please click on the following link to read important information. DOJ Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born 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. See www.sss.gov.

EEO Statement: The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a parent, genetic information, disability, age, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, or on the basis of personal favoritism. If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination, you must contact the ATF EEO office within 45 calendar days of when the alleged harm occurred at 202-648-8760 or eeointakemailbox@atf.gov. Please see DOJ Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy.

DIVERSITY Statement: "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."

Reasonable Accommodation Statement: 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 (202) 648-8760 or send an email to reasonableaccommodations@atf.gov. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation is handled on a case-by-case basis."Federal Regulations state no ATF employee, his/her spouse, or his/her minor child shall have, directly or indirectly, any financial interest, including compensated employment, stock, or proprietary interest in the alcohol, tobacco, firearms or explosives industries. You should be aware that you may be asked to relinquish any ownership of or interests in the alcohol, tobacco, firearms or explosives industries before a determination can be made whether access to ATF information, information technology systems, and/or facilities can be authorized."

Additional vacancies may be filled from this vacancy announcement.

• 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. Opens in a new windowLearn 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. The assessment questionnaire is designed to measure your ability in the following competencies

• Oral Communication
• Reasoning
• Technical Competence
• Technology Application
• Writing

If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be contacted for an interview. As a part of the interview process, additional selection criteria may be administered by the hiring manager.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12547494

• 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. Opens in a new windowLearn 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.
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  
  • ALL APPLICANTS: You must submit a detailed resume containing the following pieces of information for each job entry listed in your employment history:
  
  
  
  1. Official position title;
  2. Employer name and contact information;
  3. Start and end dates (including month and year);
  4. The number of hours worked per week (or indicate full-time). Permanent and Volunteered
  5. Your Pay Plan/series/grade and step and a detailed list of duties & accomplishments
  
  
  Showing relative permanent and volunteer work experience, education, and training. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must support your answers to the completed online assessment questions.
  
  
  • SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):
    
    
    • Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
    • An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.
    • Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
    • Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
      
      • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
      • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
      • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
  • CTAP/ICTAP documentation, if applicable.
  • An official college transcript (Note: If you're selected for this position, official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day.)
  • Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable at this time; however, official copies will be required prior to entrance on duty) or a list of coursework with hours completed provided from the institution. Education must be from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education obtained from a foreign university or college is not creditable unless it has been evaluated by an organization that specializes in interpretation of education credentials. For a listing of accrediting agencies see www.naces.org. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.
  
  
  It is your responsibility to ensure all documents are received on time and the materials are legible. 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. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: If your contact information changes after the closing date of this vacancy announcement, update your profile information in MYUSAJOBS as well as contact the Human Resources Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement to ensure you can be contacted throughout the selection process.
  
  Prior to selection, the candidate may be required to provide an original copy of any supporting/ validating documentation as well as other documentation to verify eligibility. All required materials must be uploaded using the supporting documentation instructions described in the announcement.
  
  Failure to provide the required documentation by the closing date of this announcement will result in elimination of further consideration for this position.
  
  
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
  
  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
  schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  
  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
• How to Apply
  
  A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
  
  This job is filled through a 3-step on-line application process.
  
  STEP ONE - (Online Resume- USAJOBS) You must create a user account and at least one federal resume at USAJOBS. Information you provide in USAJOBS is general information completed by all applicants. The information you provide and your federal resume will become part of your application and will automatically be transferred to USA Staffing System when you apply online. If you have an existing USAJOBS account, simply login and select the resume you wish to include with your application package for this announcement.
  
  STEP TWO - (Vacancy Specific Questions USAJobs) In USAJobs, you will answer vacancy specific questions necessary to evaluate your qualifications for the job to which you are applying. When completed, the information you provided at USAJOBS and the answers to the USAJob questions will become your application package.
  
  STEP THREE - (Supporting Documentation) You may upload supporting documentation in one of two ways:
  
  (l) Once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement, you will be prompted to upload your document(s) to your application package. You will be given the choice to either upload the document as part of the application process, or you can select a document that you've already loaded on USAJOBS, or simply fax supporting documentation, which will provide you the necessary cover sheets for each of your documents so that they will be correctly submitted to the appropriate vacancy announcement. The fax number will be available on the cover sheet.
  
  (2) You can upload a document to an existing application by logging into your USAJOBS account profile. Click on "My Applications" and search for the vacancy. Once you have located the vacancy, click on the vacancy and select "Apply Online". Move through your existing application to the Documents page and select "Upload" in order to add a document to your application. Be certain to review your complete application for confirmation that the document uploaded and click on "Finished" to be returned to USAJOBS. Your complete online application and any required supplemental documentation (e.g. SF-50, CTAP) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
  
  Agency contact information
  
  Kennisha Miller
  
  Phone
  
  0000000000
  
  Email
  
  kennisha.miller@atf.gov
  
  Address
  
  Office of Intelligence Operations
  
  99 New York Ave., N.E.
  
  Washington, DC 20226
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  You can check the status of your application anytime by accessing the USAJOBS online application system at http://www.usajobs.gov. You will need to provide your USAJOBS User ID and Password to access the Track your Online Job Application feature. You may also click on the link provided to access additional information on USAJobs. All applicants will be notified at four (4) stages in the hiring process:
  
  (1) upon receipt of your application;
  
  (2) after your qualifications have been assessed;
  
  (3) whether or not you've been referred to the Selecting Official; and
  
  (4) whether or not you've been selected for the position.
  
  If your name is sent to the hiring manager, you may be invited for an interview.
  
  After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. We expect to make a final job offer to selectee(s) upon favorable completion of the background.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

• ALL APPLICANTS: You must submit a detailed resume containing the following pieces of information for each job entry listed in your employment history:

1. Official position title;
2. Employer name and contact information;
3. Start and end dates (including month and year);
4. The number of hours worked per week (or indicate full-time). Permanent and Volunteered
5. Your Pay Plan/series/grade and step and a detailed list of duties & accomplishments

Showing relative permanent and volunteer work experience, education, and training. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must support your answers to the completed online assessment questions.

• SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):
  
  
  • Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
  • An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.
  • Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
  • Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
    
    • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
    • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
    • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
• CTAP/ICTAP documentation, if applicable.
• An official college transcript (Note: If you're selected for this position, official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day.)
• Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable at this time; however, official copies will be required prior to entrance on duty) or a list of coursework with hours completed provided from the institution. Education must be from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education obtained from a foreign university or college is not creditable unless it has been evaluated by an organization that specializes in interpretation of education credentials. For a listing of accrediting agencies see www.naces.org. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.

It is your responsibility to ensure all documents are received on time and the materials are legible. 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. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: If your contact information changes after the closing date of this vacancy announcement, update your profile information in MYUSAJOBS as well as contact the Human Resources Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement to ensure you can be contacted throughout the selection process.

Prior to selection, the candidate may be required to provide an original copy of any supporting/ validating documentation as well as other documentation to verify eligibility. All required materials must be uploaded using the supporting documentation instructions described in the announcement.

Failure to provide the required documentation by the closing date of this announcement will result in elimination of further consideration for this position.


If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

This job is filled through a 3-step on-line application process.

STEP ONE - (Online Resume- USAJOBS) You must create a user account and at least one federal resume at USAJOBS. Information you provide in USAJOBS is general information completed by all applicants. The information you provide and your federal resume will become part of your application and will automatically be transferred to USA Staffing System when you apply online. If you have an existing USAJOBS account, simply login and select the resume you wish to include with your application package for this announcement.

STEP TWO - (Vacancy Specific Questions USAJobs) In USAJobs, you will answer vacancy specific questions necessary to evaluate your qualifications for the job to which you are applying. When completed, the information you provided at USAJOBS and the answers to the USAJob questions will become your application package.

STEP THREE - (Supporting Documentation) You may upload supporting documentation in one of two ways:

(l) Once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement, you will be prompted to upload your document(s) to your application package. You will be given the choice to either upload the document as part of the application process, or you can select a document that you've already loaded on USAJOBS, or simply fax supporting documentation, which will provide you the necessary cover sheets for each of your documents so that they will be correctly submitted to the appropriate vacancy announcement. The fax number will be available on the cover sheet.

(2) You can upload a document to an existing application by logging into your USAJOBS account profile. Click on "My Applications" and search for the vacancy. Once you have located the vacancy, click on the vacancy and select "Apply Online". Move through your existing application to the Documents page and select "Upload" in order to add a document to your application. Be certain to review your complete application for confirmation that the document uploaded and click on "Finished" to be returned to USAJOBS. Your complete online application and any required supplemental documentation (e.g. SF-50, CTAP) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

Agency contact information

Kennisha Miller

Phone

0000000000

Email

kennisha.miller@atf.gov

Address

Office of Intelligence Operations

99 New York Ave., N.E.

Washington, DC 20226

US

Next steps

You can check the status of your application anytime by accessing the USAJOBS online application system at http://www.usajobs.gov. You will need to provide your USAJOBS User ID and Password to access the Track your Online Job Application feature. You may also click on the link provided to access additional information on USAJobs. All applicants will be notified at four (4) stages in the hiring process:

(1) upon receipt of your application;

(2) after your qualifications have been assessed;

(3) whether or not you've been referred to the Selecting Official; and

(4) whether or not you've been selected for the position.

If your name is sent to the hiring manager, you may be invited for an interview.

After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. We expect to make a final job offer to selectee(s) upon favorable completion of the background.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request