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
Duties
This position is located under the Office of Field Operations - Programs, National Center for Explosives Training and Explosives (NCETR) National Canine Division in Front Royal, Virginia. The Chief, National Canine Division manages ATF's leaders in the training, research, and development of explosives and accelerant detection canines. Provides comprehensive courses on the ATF canine training methodologies and utilization of explosives and accelerant detection canines, as well as advanced training and deployments. These canines are used to protect the public, both in the United States and internationally. The NCD strives to train in a safe and consistent manner. Conducts short- and long-range planning for overall Division or Branch goals and objectives in response to changes in funding levels, policy changes or legislative changes pertaining to Division or Branch programs and projects. Plans, directs, coordinates, and oversees studies and surveys to evaluate Division or Branch programs and ensure efficiency and economy of operations. Responsible for assessing, developing, and evaluating program goals, needs, operations, and accomplishments. Develops and implements Division or Branch policies, practices and procedures. Advises the Assistant Director and/or Deputy Assistant Director(s) on significant issues or matters pertaining to Division or Branch programs and projects, e.g., the impact of new technology, new initiatives, etc.
Salary
Conditions of Employment
The time-in-grade requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement. The qualification requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of the announcement. 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: Top Secret/SCI clearance is required for this position Subject to random drug testing Requires proficiency with a firearm per ATF's Standard. May be required to serve a 1-year probationary period. This is a non-bargaining unit position.
Qualifications
To qualify for GS-15, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-14. 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 include: Developing and implementing Division policies, practices; AND Assessing, developing and evaluating program goals, needs, operations and accomplishments; AND Planning, directing, coordinating and oversee effective development of Division programs; AND Representing the Bureau in inter-agency meetings, conferences and ad hoc committees on Division issues and program initiatives; AND Directing the coordination of projects and programs with management officials in other divisions. 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 (for scored examining) 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/
Other Information
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. 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. A one year probationary period is required for new supervisors and managers.
Required Documents
Required Documents (if applicable): ALL APPLICANTS: You must submit a detailed resume containing the following pieces of information for each job entry listed in your employment history: Official position title; Employer name and contact information; Start and end dates (including month and year); 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. All required materials must be uploaded using the supporting documentation instructions described in the announcement. 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.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. You must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/28/2025 to be considered. The application process is as follows: To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period return to your USAJOBS account. There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Edit My Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement is closed. To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account. Your applications will appear on the Welcome page. Navigate to the job application and click Track this application to view your application status. The link will take you to the hiring agency application system, which has the most up-to-date status of your application. There you can review any notifications sent to you related to this application, including the invitation to take the USA Hire assessment. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means click here.
