Clarification from the agency

Open to the Public

As a Special Agent, some of your typical work assignments may include:

• Plans, organizes, and executes complex protective service operations by conducting site advances and security surveys, developing detailed security, contingency, and evacuation plans, coordinating logistics, and adapting plans based on threat assessments and changing operational conditions.
• Applies advanced knowledge of protective services, criminal investigative techniques, and applicable laws and regulations to conduct threat investigations, gather and analyze intelligence, develop evidence, and implement protective measures to safeguard senior officials.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with Federal, state, local, and international law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and high-level officials to coordinate protective missions, share intelligence, negotiate solutions, and resolve complex or sensitive issues.
• Makes independent, real-time decisions in high-risk and uncertain environments involving threat response, protective measures, investigative actions, and operational adjustments to ensure the safety of protectees and mission succes

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• A one-year probationary period may be required.
• A background investigation is required.
• This is not a bargaining unit position (AFGE Local 421).
• Generally, male applicants must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Relocation expenses will not be paid.
• If hired, you may be required to divest certain energy-related securities.
• Maximum of 2 page resume.

You must meet all eligibility and qualification (experience and/or education) requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period  during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To view the eligibility and qualification requirements of a Special Agent, GS-1811, please visit: Special Agent, 1811 | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

You must have one full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 level. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience conducting protective surveys and performing protective operations; assisting in planning, organizing assessments and preparing investigative reports; and applying Federal rules, government laws, regulations, and policies to criminal procedures.

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 any volunteer experience.

Please do not cut and paste  the position description, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume, as this will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

****REQUIRED CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT****

• This position is designated as Emergency Essential and may require the incumbent to work during weather-related or other closures.
• LAUTENBERG AMENDMENT: This position requires the incumbent to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, USC Section 992(g)). A felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence is generally defined under the statute, as an offense involving the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by the victim's current or former domestic partner, parent or guardian. The term convicted, as defined in the statute, excludes any person whose conviction has been expunged, set-aside or pardoned, or any person whose civil rights have been restored, so long as such restoration does not restrict the shipping, transport, possession or receipt of firearms or ammunition. Candidates who have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence within the meaning of the referenced statutes are not eligible for the position.
• Security Clearance: The position requires access to classified material up through the TOP SECRET (TS) Clearance level. Incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Clearance (may be subject to re-investigation every five years thereafter). 
• Drug Testing: This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• Medical: This position is subject to successful completion of pre-employment medical examination, including psychological screening, vision, hearing, cardiovascular and mobility of extremities, by an authorized Government physician and be determined medically fit to perform strenuous physically demanding duties. Regular physical examinations will be required to maintain a level of medical health in accordance with the standards and policies of the agency.
• Physical:This position is rigorous and physically demanding, meets the definition of a "Rigorous Position" contained in 5 CFR 842.802, and is subject to a maximum entry age of 37. The incumbent must meet the established physical fitness standards/requirements set forth by FERC, as is it considered essential to perform the duties of this position. This position is subject to successful completion of the FERC Physical Fitness Test (PFT) within 90 days of employment. In addition, the Agent is required to maintain and successfully pass the mandatory semi-annual FERC PFT assessment.
• Training: The incumbent must qualify to obtain a Special Deputation by the United States Marshals Service; including at minimum: having successfully completed an accredited basic law enforcement training program (civilian or military); having at least one year of previous law enforcement experience; not have a break in service in Law Enforcement for over 5 years; and not having been convicted of a crime of domestic violence as defined in Title 18, USC Section 922 (g) (9) Lautenberg Amendment.
• Firearms: The incumbent is required to carry and use a firearm while performing duties of this position so they must meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996.  The incumbent must qualify semiannually with all weapons issued by FERC CSO and maintain proficiency.
• Driver's License: The incumbent must have or be able to obtain a valid driver's license to operate motor vehicles.
• Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): As a Special Agent you will be required to work on an unscheduled basis in excess of the 40-hour work week. These positions require substantial overtime to include holidays, weekends and nights. You must be readily accessible to perform this unscheduled work. To ensure your availability, you will receive extra compensation in the form of Law Enforcement Availability Pay, which is calculated at a flat rate of 25 percent of base salary.
• Retirement Coverage: 6C retirement coverage (based on 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) and 8412(d)) provides federal law enforcement officers (LEOs) with enhanced, early retirement benefits, typically allowing retirement at age 50 with 20 years of service, or any age with 25 years, with mandatory separation at age 57.
• Must have at least one year of prior law enforcement experience with general arrest authority.
• Must have completed, or be willing to complete, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's (FLETC) Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP).
• Must have completed, or be willing to complete, the FLETC Protective Services Operations Training Program (PSOTP) and/or other federally recognized protective services operations training.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

1. Once the vacancy announcement closes, we will review your resume and any supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements for the position. Your resume must address the following competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities, and other characteristics):

   Planning and Evaluating

   Technical Competence (Protective Operations & Investigations)

   Interpersonal Skills

   Decision Making

2. The online assessment is used to evaluate your relevant education and experience in relation to the required competencies for this position.
3. If you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on your answers to the vacancy questionnaire, using the Category Rating Method. This means you will be placed into one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified, depending on your responses. Your rating may be lowered if your responses are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your resume. Veterans’ preference is applied by listing preference eligibles ahead of non-preference eligibles within the same category in which they are placed. Qualified preference eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent (CPS and CP) will be placed at the top of the highest quality category (Best Qualified), ahead of all other preference and non-preference eligibles, regardless of the quality category in which they are placed as a result of the assessment of their qualifications (excepted for scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level and above). A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Qualified), provided no preference eligibles in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible.
4. You may be required to participate in a selection interview. Please note - only your resume and cover letter will be forwarded to the selecting official.

Failure to submit all required documentation by the closing date of this vacancy announcement, including adhering to the maximum two-page resume requirement, will result in removal from consideration and loss of any special hiring preference (e.g., veterans’ preference, ICTAP/CTAP eligibility, Schedule A).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR ALL CANDIDATES:

1. RESUME (maximum of 2 pages in length): Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire. You must ensure it contains the following information for each experience/position:
   • Position title
   • Name of employer
   • Beginning and ending dates of employment (Month/Day/Year format)
   • Hours worked per week
   • Detailed description of job duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable)
   • Series and grade or equivalent (for federal positions)
   • If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying based on your education, you must list your education history, including the type of degree and your major of study.
2. VACANCY QUESTIONNAIRE: You must submit and complete the online eligibility and vacancy questions.
3. TRANSCRIPTS (only required when the position has an education requirement, or you are qualifying for the position based on your education): You MUST submit copies of your college transcripts to verify your education. Unofficial copies are acceptable; however, if selected you will be required to provide official transcripts before your effective date.

OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT PREFERENCE OR ELIGIBILITY CLAIMS: 

1. VETERANS’PREFERENCE (DD-214, VA Disability Letter, etc.): If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge. Ten-point preference eligibles must also submit an “Application for 10-point Veteran Preference” (SF-15), along with official VA letter and the required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15 form. For more information about veterans' preference, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.
2. CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CTAP)/INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated “Well Qualified” for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information about CTAP/ICTAP, visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp. The following documents are required:
   • Reduction in Force or RIF notice – written notice of your expected separation, or other documentation of priority consideration status;
   • Latest SF-50 noting your current position, grade level, and duty location;
   • Last performance appraisal, including your rating; and
   • Any documentation from your agency showing your current promotion potential.

Next steps