Job Opening: 55640
Open to current, permanent FBI employees in all locations
Opening Date: 06/14/2024
Closing Date: 06/28/2024 11:59 p.m. (EST)
Questions regarding this opening should be directed to HRS Agnes Mazon at amaozn@fbi.gov.
Job Summary
Position: IT Specialist - Digital Forensic Examiner, GS-12/13
Division: Operational Technology Division
Unit: Digital Forensic Analysis Unit
Location: Huntsville, AL
Working Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm (flexible)
Salary: GS-12 $90,431.00-$117,556.00
GS-13 $107,534.00-$139,798.00
Full Performance Level: GS-14
Number of Positions Available: Multiple
Duration: Full Time/Permanent
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.
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 one (1) year of employment with the FBI at the new duty station.
Key Requirements

• Must be a current, permanent FBI employee
• Some travel may be required
• Must have obtained and maintained a FBI Digital Forensic Examiner Certification. If applying at the GS-13 level, must have obtained and maintained the FBI Digital Forensic Examiner Senior Certification. Training records verifying this requirement must be provided by the close date of the job opening.

Working Conditions: The work may involve regular, recurring exposure to hazardous materials, toxic substances, and blood borne pathogens. Incumbents are expected to follow safe laboratory practices and wear protective clothing, including facial masks, safety glasses, gloves, and other protective equipment as necessary. The position of Digital Forensic Examiner (DFE) may require incumbents to view pictures, video, or review graphic text which is Child Exploitative in nature.

Physical Demands: The work requires manual dexterity, flexibility and some assignments which require considerable, strenuous physical exertion, which may require lifting of objects of up-to-fifty (50) pounds or more.

Major Duties
GS-12:

• Conducts forensic exams of computer related evidence using established policies, procedures and precedent techniques. Properly identifies, categorizes, itemizes, marks and records items of evidence on appropriate forms. Makes duplicate copies of evidence to preserve against destruction. Retrieves information stored on computer systems in a form useful to investigators and prosecutors.
• Examines disks and other evidence to determine manufacturer and proper operating system. Determines compatibilities with available computer equipment and whether additional hardware, software, or utility programs or modifications are necessary. Uses specific utilities to view text files and to retrieve data on deleted files.
• Conducts basic examinations of physically write protected media to include: partition information, directory listings, deleted file listings, un-allocated file space and slack extractions.
• Receives on-the-job training in more difficult examination techniques. Assists senior examiners in more complex cases. With guidance, uses various specialized utilities to view text files and retrieve deleted files; retrieves data from custom, modified, or damaged software and hardware; identifies, diagnoses and corrects error and problem conditions.
• Drafts oral and written reports to FBI field investigators, U.S. Attorneys, state and local police and prosecutors as well as others within the law enforcement community which convey findings of the incumbent as determined through examinations conducted.
• Certified FBI Digital Forensics Examiner

GS-13 (In addition to the above):

• Provides testimony in court.
• Mentors and trains junior examiners.
• Certified FBI Senior Digital Forensic Examiner (may be a current GS-13 being grandfathered into the new certification policy)

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
• Customer Service
• Forensics - Digital/Computer
• Problem Solving/Judgment
• Technology Awareness

Current Certification:
As an additional requirement for this position, applicants must have obtained and maintained the FBI Digital Forensic Examiner Certification. For the GS-13 position, applicants must have obtained and maintained the FBI Senior Digital Forensic Examiner Certification (may be a current GS-13 being grandfathered into the new certification policy). A copy of a CART Training Record showing these requirements have been completed must be uploaded as part your application in order to receive further consideration.
In addition to meeting the above Basic Requirements, the applicant's ultimate qualification will be based on the Specialized Experience Requirements listed below. Applicants qualifying on specialized experience must address the bulleted points in their resume. A review of the resume and the responses to the competency questionnaire will determine whether the applicant qualifies.
Specialized Experience (SE):
GS-12: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Knowledge of microcomputer systems including the characteristics of the computer equipment, internal computer processes, operating systems, application software, and utility programs to conduct basic examinations of computer evidence following established protocols and to assist higher level employees in portions of more complex exams.
• Knowledge of computer systems and programming language to perform moderately difficult data searches and retrievals of data files on custom or modified application software.

GS-13: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Ability to duplicate copies of fixed and removable digital evidence storage devices from original evidence utilizing automatic disk duplicators.
• Knowledge of Federal rules and agency policies in defining, handling and examining evidence.
• Skilled in oral and written communications to report results of examinations and draft reports to make recommendations for adaptation to standard methods.

Education
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, if qualifying based on education or if there is a positive education requirement
   • Memorandum for Record (MFR), Please see Additional Information

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.
• 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 MAY be borne by the FBI. 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. ( if applicable )
• 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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