Law Enforcement Specialist (Forensic/Investigative Instructor) Job in Glynco, GA

Vacancy No. FLETC-TTO/IOD-25-12636245 Department Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers
Salary $86,962.00 to $113,047.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/11/2024 Close Date 12/24/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Glynco, GA


Summary

"The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), through strategic partnerships, prepares the federal law enforcement community to safeguard America's people, property, and institutions." We are a unique inter-agency organization preparing the next generation of law enforcement officers to meet our Nation's most pressing security challenges." Click here to learn more.

Duties

Serving as a Law Enforcement Specialist (Forensic/Investigative Instructor) GS-1801-12 makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) team and mission. This position is located in the Investigative Operations Division (IOD) under the Technical Training Operations (TTO) Directorate and located in Glynco, Georgia.

The primary purpose of this position is planning and conducting classroom, laboratory, and/or field instruction sessions as part of the division's forensic techniques and applications training programs.

Typical duties include:

  • Conducting training in programs such as the: Advanced Forensics Techniques in Crime Scene Investigations Level I; Advanced Forensics Techniques in Crime Scene Investigations Level II; Digital Photography for Law Enforcement I; Digital Photography for Law Enforcement II; Sexual Assault Investigations; Crime Scene Investigator Training Program; Criminal Investigator Training Program; Uniform Police Training Program; and the Land Management Police Training Program.
  • Conducting training classes for personnel and planning, coordinating, and executing field training and lab exercises for courses such as Physical Evidence, Crime Scene Processing, Crime Scene Preservation, Fingerprints, Prisoner Processing, Controlled Substances Identification, and Authentication of Identification Documents.
  • Using experience in conducting forensic investigations to create complex mock physical evidence and crime scenes containing trace, biological, fingerprints, footwear impressions and other types of forensic evidence used in training scenarios.
  • Monitoring the progress of students, documenting results, and recommending remedial and corrective actions.
  • Using life experiences and expert knowledge of forensic investigations and the legal presentation of physical evidence in courtrooms to enhance course content and respond to student questions.
  • Participating in the development of course/program materials, initiating suggestions and recommendations for program/course content changes and developing different approaches and methods of instruction.
  • Conducting research on emerging technology, practices, and techniques to enhance instructional knowledge and skill.
  • Participating in ad hoc committees made up of representatives of the FLETC and other agencies concerned with training policies and academic requirements.
View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation.
  • You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid state issued driver's license to conduct official government business.
  • This is not a bargaining unit position.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain FLETC Law Enforcement Instructor certification within 12 months of employment.
  • You will be required to undergo pre-appointment and random drug testing for illegal drug use. Employment is contingent upon favorable results.
  • You will be subject to rotation to other programs and/or training sections in order to provide depth to the FLETC’s instructor cadre.
  • This position is eligible for situational-only telework based on agency policy.
  • You may be required to work weekends and federal holidays.
  • Overtime work may be required.

Qualifications

Please limit your resume to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Please visit www.fletc.gov/site-page/employment-faqs website for further guidance regarding this page limit.

This position has a Selective Placement Factor (SPF). If your resume does not demonstrate possession of the SPF, you will be rated ineligible.

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: In order to be considered for this position you must:

A. Possess experience as a sworn law enforcement officer or agent with full arrest authority in the prevention, detection, apprehension, detention and/or investigation of felony and/or misdemeanor violations of federal, state, local, tribal, or military criminal laws;
-OR-
B. Have held a federal civilian position in the 1801 occupational series.

-AND-

Specialized Experience: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal government, performing duties such as:
  • Conducting criminal and crime scene investigations and served as a Field Training Officer for new officers/agents. In addition, you have significant field experience in at least three of the following: (1) Crime scene processing and management; (2) Forensic/examination quality photography at crime scenes; (3) Latent friction ridge impression development and preservation at crime scenes; (4) Trace and biological evidence identification/recovery at crime scenes; (5) Two and three dimensional impression evidence preservation/recovery at crime scenes; (6) Collection of major case prints; (7) Sexual assault investigations; 8) Drug investigations.
  • OR
  • Researching, developing, modifying and instructing law enforcement curriculum in the forensic techniques and applications topical area.
Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.

All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job announcement.

Note: Secondary Administrative Law Enforcement Officer retirement coverage is being offered for this position.

Transfer Requirement for CSRS: To be eligible for secondary coverage, an employee must: - Transfer without a break in service exceeding 3 days directly from a primary position to a secondary position; AND - Be continuously employed in a secondary position since moving from a primary position; except a break in employment in secondary positions that begins with an involuntary separation (not for cause) and/or voluntary breaks in service that began prior to January 20, 1988.

Transfer Requirement for FERS: To be eligible for secondary coverage, an employee must: - Transfer without a break in service exceeding 3 days directly from a primary position to a secondary position; AND - Have completed 3 years of service in a primary position, including any such service during which no FERS deductions were withheld; AND - Be continuously employed in a secondary position since moving from a rigorous position; except a break in employment in secondary positions that begins with an involuntary separation (not for cause).

Pub. Law 114-285 grants the FLETC approval to hire retired federal employees with law enforcement/investigative experience to meet the expanding mission of the FLETC. Individuals may be selected for time-limited positions with eligibility for the dual-compensation waiver. The dual-compensation waiver allows retirees to return to work, earning their full salary with no offset to their FERS annuity. However, this waiver does not exempt the FERS annuity supplement from being reduced. Therefore, FERS retirees receiving a FERS annuity supplement, must be aware that like social security benefits, the FERS annuity supplement is subject to an earnings test and may be reduced if the salary earned is more than the social security exempt amount of earnings. Additional information is available on OPM's website or by contacting OPM.

If selected, federal retirees will be eligible for a waiver of the dual compensation reduction. Click here for more information. FLETC Reemployed Annuitants | Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

Education

Not Applicable

Additional information

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and FLETC policy, FLETC is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at FLETC are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, FLETC requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selectees must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for suitability as a condition of placement in this nonsensitive, moderate risk position. This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

There are a range of physical demands depending on the course presented. Some courses are confined to a classroom or shop setting while others are outdoors requiring walking, standing, bending, sitting, lying down, or crouching in positions that may be tiring or uncomfortable.

The normal workplace is a classroom or office and inside/outside demonstration areas. The position requires exposure to varying climate and environmental conditions and/or exposure to high levels of noise and dangerous substances. Appropriate safety practices will be utilized at all times. Safety gear will be used when needed.

This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies during the next 90 days. This could result in a few or many vacancies being filled from this announcement.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to fletc-jobinfo@fletc.dhs.gov.

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.

Please limit your resume to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If met, we will use multiple assessments to place you in one of three categories based on your education, training, and experience demonstrating the following competencies:

Education and Training, Forensics, Sworn Law Enforcement Officer/Agent, and Teaching Others

The first assessment will consist of skilled-based questions designed to evaluate the degree to which you possess the skills needed to perform the duties of the positions being filled. These questions are scored, and you must score at least 85 out of 100 points in order to be evaluated in the second assessment.

The second assessment will be a Structured Resume Review. Applicants who score a minimum of 85 on the assessment questionnaire will be evaluated to further assess an applicant's technical proficiency as it relates to the position. More information will be provided to applicants as they progress through the application process.

If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:

  1. Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF), and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis.
  2. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPF's and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
  3. Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Preview the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12636245

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be removed from consideration or your score may be lowered.

Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category. Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference.

Required Documents

  1. Your resume (click the link for information on what to include). If you are a current or former Federal employee, your resume must indicate the GS or pay band level for each position held. Please limit your resume to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
  2. Your responses to the job questionnaire. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12636245
  3. Are you a veteran? You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable. If claiming 10 point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference." If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans' information.
  4. Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Submit the following:
    • A copy of your agency notice,
    • A copy of your most recent performance rating, and
    • A copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.

How to Apply

To begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and/or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English.

We strongly encourage you to apply online. If you cannot apply online, you may contact the individual listed in the "Agency Contact Information" section of this job opportunity announcement between the hours of 7:30AM and 4:30PM ET (excluding Federal holidays) prior to the closing date of this announcement to receive assistance. When e-mailing, please include the vacancy announcement number in the subject line.

Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You must submit your resume, your online questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM eastern standard time on the day the announcement closes.

It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your application.

To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Applicants must submit all required documentation to properly qualify for this position.

Agency contact information

Jenny Kern
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 60 daysafter the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment

Note: If you receive a final job offer to onboard, please complete the onboarding forms and submit them electronically in an expeditious manner. Your start date may be delayed if the action above is not completed.

DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more aboutE-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

Any Offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.

Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.