Summary
TOUGH WORK. VITAL MISSION. Challenge yourself! You have the power to help combat drug trafficking. Be a part of DEA! It's tough work, but a vital mission. Whatever your background or expertise, your work at DEA will be tremendously rewarding because it will have a daily impact on national security and the quality of life of all Americans.
DEA Intelligence Research Specialists support counter drug investigations, within the U.S. and abroad, working behind the scenes to protect their communities.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
U.S. Citizens or Nationals
Duties
This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).The incumbent assists Senior Intelligence Research Specialists and Special Agents by performing preliminary research, analysis and evaluation of raw intelligence data for segments of large projects and studies.
As an Intelligence Research Specialist, work assignments may include, but not limited to:
- Collects and catalogs new drug law enforcement intelligence information in a file or automated system according to class and topic.
- Receives or gathers intelligence reports and data in support of drug law enforcement investigations. Provides input on drug-related aspects of political, social, or economic trends or situations, such as the common methods used to smuggle narcotics into the country.
- Utilizes national and international information systems and databases, as appropriate.
- Evaluates all available intelligence information pertaining to a complete but limited topic or assigned area of study, or contributing to a larger study in an area, especially in the area of drug law enforcement, but also in areas such as one related to political, economic, social, technical or military conditions in one or more foreign countries. Alerts supervisor or higher-grade specialist of new information or emerging trends that merit further examination or study.
- Produce written strategic, operational and tactical intelligence products.
- Provide oral briefing to senior level managers and policy makers.
- Collects information through various means, including the debriefing of witnesses and informants.
- Collects and catalogs new drug law enforcement intelligence information in a file or automated system according to class and topic.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret clearance.
- Must sign a mobility agreement that confirms your understanding and agreement to accept relocation to any location depending on the needs of the DEA and the Intelligence Program
- Polygraph is required.
- Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/).
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: http://www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.
- Incumbent is subject to random drug testing
- Successful completion of an one-year probationary period is required.
- Must possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle license.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all of the required qualification requirements described below by the closing of this announcement. If you are qualifying based on education, you MUST submit a copy of your transcript with your application that clearly displays conferred degrees and/or relevant credit hours. All applicants must meet one of the basic qualification requirements described below for this position.
For the GS-07 level:
This experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-5 level in the Federal service. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate experience with the following: selecting, abstracting, and compiling data from specific sources; and evaluating and making preliminary analyses of data; - OR-
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: The experience requirement for the GS-7 level may be met by one full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to successfully perform the duties of the position, - OR-
Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA). In order to be creditable under this provision, SAA must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position and is based on:
- Class Standing: Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class, based on completed courses,
- Grade Point Average: Applicants must have a grade point average of:
- 3.0 or higher: Based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or
- 3.5 or higher: Based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.
- Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society: Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. -OR-
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.
For the GS-09 level:
Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level or pay band in the Federal service that includes performing the following duties: data processing, data tracking and file management; locating, compiling, and developing information to fill intelligence gaps; and performing preliminary research, analysis and evaluation of raw data; - OR-
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: 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, - OR-
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.
Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.
Education
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 (http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/).
PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.
GRADUATE EDUCATION: One year of graduate education in considered to be the number of credit hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, click here.
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.
There are four evaluation phases used to determine the applicants who are Best Qualified for the position:
Phase 1: Intelligence Research Specialist (IRS) Assessment
Candidates who meet minimum qualifications based on the initial online questionnaire responses will receive an email invitation to complete the IRS Assessment. The online assessment measures the following competencies: Attention to Detail, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Learning, Reasoning, Memory, Self-Management, Teamwork and Writing.
Phase 2: Proctored Testing
The best qualified candidates will receive an email invitation to schedule an appointment to complete Phase 2 of the recruitment process. Phase 2 requires candidates to complete the logic-based reasoning and the Writing Assessment at a proctored testing center. These assessments measure the following competencies: Writing and Reasoning.
Phase 3: Minimum Qualifications and Conditions of Employment
The best qualified candidates will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume will be conducted and compared against your responses to the assessment questions to determine if you are qualified for this job. Note: Responses to questions that are not fully supported by the information in your resume may result in adjustments to your rating.
Phase 4: Structured Interview
Candidates will be contacted to schedule an appointment to participate in a structured interview. Individuals will be evaluated on the following competencies: teamwork, self-management, reasoning, attention to detail, flexibility, oral communication. Candidates must complete and pass the oral assessment to receive consideration.
The DEA stores oral assessment results for one year and applies assessment scores to other DEA job announcements applicants apply to that require the same oral assessment. If a candidate has completed the equivalent oral assessment in the previous 12 months, the DEA will refer to the previously earned score on the oral assessment and the applicant will not be contacted to schedule an oral assessment. *You will not be able to retake the IRS assessment for one (1) year, regardless of whether you pass or fail.
Category Rating Procedures: If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the three categories:
- Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies.
- Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies.
- Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies.
The Category Rating Process does not add veteran's preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Qualified Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category.
View information on veterans' preference on OPM's Fed Hire Vets website.
Required Documents
All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted to our automated system by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
1. Resume showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours per week worked/volunteered. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must support your answers to the completed online assessment questions.
2. Transcripts, if applicable and you are qualifying based on education: See the Qualification and Education sections of this announcement for more information. If selected, an official/sealed college transcript(s) will be required to verify education prior to employment.
3. Veterans' Preference Documentation, if applicable:
- To claim 5-point preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
- To claim 10-point preference, submit all required documentation outlined on the SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) to support your claim (e.g., DD-214, official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs, etc.). If we cannot verify your 10-point preference claim, your application will be reviewed for 5-point preference.
- To claim 10-point derived preference (i.e., spouses, widows, widowers or mothers of veterans), submit a completed SF-15 and all required documentation listed on the SF-15 to support your claim.
- To claim 0-point Sole Survivorship preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 or another form of official documentation showing that your discharge or release from active duty occurred on or after August 29, 2008 and was based on a sole survivorship discharge.
- For all preference claims:
- DD-214 Member 4 copies are preferred and must show the dates of service, type of discharge, and any qualifying service campaign medals.
- If you are currently on active duty and applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must provide a certification on letterhead from your military branch which contains your military service dates, expected date of discharge or release, and the character of service to show that your military service was performed under honorable conditions. The expected date of discharge or release must be no later than 120 days after the certification is submitted for consideration for this vacancy announcement.
- For more veterans' preference information, visit the USAJOBS Help Center.
4. ICTAP/CTAP documentation, if applicable (e.g., reduction-in-force (RIF) separation notice, RIF separation SF-50 personnel action, certification of expected separation, etc.).
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
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
Prepare your application in USAJOBS
To start your application, click Apply and the system will provide guidance on how to attach a resume and any required documents.
During the application process you can review, edit, delete, and update your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won't lose any changes. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement 05/21/2024to complete the application process.
STEP 1: Select the "Apply" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS.
STEP 2: Submit your resume. Please see the Required Documents section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume.
STEP 3: Complete the online assessment questions.
STEP 4: Submit all required documentation applicable to you, as listed in the Required Documents section.
Alternate Application Procedures
If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET at least 2 working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the IRS Assessments, you will be prompted to request a reasonable accommodation after logging into to your invitation link, prior to beginning Phase 1 and Phase 2 testing. Upon your request, the DEA Reasonable Accommodations Team will contact you and request any applicable medical documentation. Once the request has been fully adjudicated you will be notified via email to proceed with testing.
Next steps
After all application packages are received, we will review applications and evaluate applicants' qualifications and will refer candidates, as described in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section, to the hiring manager for selection consideration. Candidates who are determined to be minimally qualified must successfully complete a series of pre-employment assessments and interview to determine if the individual attains the skills, knowledge, and ability to successfully carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position.
Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment must successfully complete a series of pre-employment screenings to include a polygraph examination, medical evaluation, urinalysis drug screening, psychological assessment, and background investigation to determine if they attain the ability to successfully carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position. All Intelligence Research Specialist candidates will be reviewed by a DEA hiring panel.
Failure to complete the pre-employment screenings will result in the termination of employment consideration.
Your application status will be updated up to four times during the following hiring phases:
- After applications are received.
- After applications are assessed to determine qualifications.
- After candidates are referred to the hiring manager.
- If selected, candidates may receive additional notifications regarding the next steps in the hiring process.
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