Criminal Investigator (Special Agent) - (Reemployed Annuitant & CTAP/ICTAP/RPL) (Term Appointment)

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, located in Washington, District of Columbia.

ATF is looking for experienced Criminal Investigators. The primary purpose of this position is to be responsible for the prevention, detection, and investigation of substantive and conspiracy-type violations of laws administered and enforced by ATF.

As a Criminal Investigator (Special Agent), GS-1811-13, your typical work assignments may include:

• Performs the full range expert-level criminal investigative i.e. conducting complex investigations focused on violent crime and criminal organizations.
• Establishes and develops leads from known criminal activities and initiates investigations that are wide in scope and complexity and involve criminal conduct that is interwoven with legitimate business pursuits.
• Utilizes elaborate planning and coordination to resolve and overcome complex jurisdictional problems involving other federal, state, and local agencies.
• Serves as a lead investigator or coordinator when performing duties such as surveillance, criminal enforcement, or complex undercover work which may include sensitive or high-risk investigations.
• Recognizes criminal conduct and unlawful activity and maintain awareness of the implications of precedential court decisions in one or more judicial and law enforcement jurisdiction.

Salary

• $120,579 - $156,755/year

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.

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 employee movement through short-term or permanent reassignments throughout the Bureau. Applicants who decline to sign the required mobility agreement 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. May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
5. Pass drug screening and subject to random drug test.
6. Must display and maintain required proficiency with firearms.
7. Take and pass a medical examination and meet medical requirements.
8. Must take and successfully complete a polygraph examination.
9. Possess a current and valid automobile operator's license.
10. May have to attend and successfully pass the following training:
    • Occupational Questionnaire
    • ATF Special Agent Applicant Assessment
    • Physical Task Test
    • ATF Special Agent Basic Training (SABT)
    • Structured Interview
    • Law Enforcement Training: You must have successfully completed and passed Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's Criminal Investigator training program (CITP), OR an equivalent and recognized federal law enforcement training program- must upload certification.

Qualifications

Dual Compensation Off-Set Waiver for Criminal Investigators (Special Agents): This announcement is being used to recruit CSRS and FERS annuitants on a limited basis. A dual compensation waiver may be approved in accordance with applicable regulations under specified circumstances, for a period not to exceed 3 years.

Annuitants who are reemployed with a salary offset (dual compensation) waiver are eligible for:

• Full annuity and full Federal salary
• Annual and sick leave (not applicable for an intermittent work schedule)
• Full-time work schedules
• Receive overtime (on a full schedule). Overtime hours are counted towards the maximum hour limitations
• Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) - additional compensation of 25% of the base salary added to locality pay
• New hires under this authority will be offered a non-status, term appointment in the competitive service not to exceed 3 years or 1 day before their 60th birthdate, whichever comes first.

Annuitants reemployed with full salary and annuity under an exception granted in accordance with 5 CFR 533:

• Are not considered employees for purposes of subchapter III of chapter 83 or chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code.
• May not elect to have retirement contributions withheld from their pay;
• May not use any employment for which an exception is granted as a basis for a supplemental or recomputed annuity; and
• May not participate in the Thrift Savings Plan.

Reemployed annuitants may only receive one appointment per job series.

Applicants must meet all of the required qualification requirements described below by the closing of this announcement.

GS-13 - You qualify if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal, State, or Local government or equivalent public or private sector experience, performing all of the following duties:

• Applying a wide range of criminal investigative, enforcement, laws, regulations, guidelines, and precedent decisions; AND
• Identifying significant sources of information to detect illegal activity and document issues or probable cause and conduct investigations to determine if violations have occurred; AND
• Communicating orally and in writing to prepare and present reports, briefings, and/or exchange information.

Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.

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/.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP 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 proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/

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 the resume.

Education This position does not have an educational qualification requirement. Other Information Additional vacancies may be filled from this vacancy announcement. 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 Ethical Obligations You may be required to attend Special Agent Basic Training. 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. "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." 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. Your Pay Plan/series/grade and step and a detailed list of duties & accomplishments

Resumes must be limited to two pages in length. Applicants with resumes longer than two pages will not be considered. You can only submit one resume; Only the most recent resume submitted under the "Resume" "Document Type" will be used to determine your qualifications and for rating purposes.

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.

• Retirement SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action: Submit a copy of your retirement SF 50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing your tenure code, position occupied and highest grade and step. In addition, if you have or had service in a Federal Law Enforcement position covered by law enforcement or firefighter retirement provisions, including early or mandatory retirement, the SF-50 must show the retirement code.
• Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) certificate
• Federal law enforcement training program certificate
• Veterans' preference documentation (Member Copy 4 of DD-214, Revised October 2013 SF-15 https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf and VA letter), if applicable. NOTE: The revised October 2013 SF-15 is the latest copy, and all others are not usable.
• CTAP/ICTAP documentation, if applicable.
• Any other supporting documentation required for verification as described in the announcement.

It is your responsibility to ensure all documents are received on time and the materials are legible. If applying online 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 online 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 instructions for supporting documentation 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.

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, including 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 11/06/2025 to be considered. The application process is as follows:

1. To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
3. Click the Submit Application button before 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 after the announcement closes.

Please note: The eligibility section of the application process is designed to allow you to choose how you wish to be considered for this vacancy announcement. You will ONLY be considered for the appointment eligibility that you select. You must provide the supporting documentation to support your claim. Please review the list of documentation provided in the eligibilities language to ensure you provide the appropriate information. You may choose more than one eligibility.