Duties

The major duties of the Technical Surveillance Specialist position include, but are not limited to, the following: Serves as an expert source of technical electronics program knowledge and support for an assigned field division. Designs, acquires, assembles, modifies, tests and prepares technical surveillance equipment for installation. Develops operating guidance and maintenance procedures for field offices throughout the field division and at times throughout FO. Testifies on behalf of the Federal Government in criminal prosecutions. Attends and receives briefings concerning the objectives of specific investigations, available intelligence on identified suspects, and the evidence collection requirements for the activity, all of which must be documented. At briefings, provides options and recommendations pertaining to technical electronics support. Reviews affidavits and court orders prior to conducting technical surveillance activities. Assists AUSAs in the preparation of applications and court orders. Develops written operational plans that document the best technical electronic options for the specific investigations. Repairs systems and equipment to include detecting and diagnosing malfunctions, tearing down equipment, repairing or replacing parts or components, or aligning, calibrating and testing the modified or repaired equipment. Conducts covert installations in a variety of locations, to include high-voltage environments, and directly accompanies, participates and assists authorized personnel in making court-authorized entries onto a suspect's property to install, adjust, repair and/or recover surveillance units for an assigned field division. Accesses elevated or restricted locations to conduct technical surveillance installations, including work in high-voltage or hazardous environments.

Requirements

The requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Key Requirements: Must be U.S. Citizen or National Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file. May be required to serve a one-year probationary period. Pass drug screening and subject to random drug test. Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation. You must meet all applicable time-in-grade requirements by the closing of this announcement. Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines. 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. This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position at the GS-13 level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) by the closing dated of this announcement. 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 includes: Demonstrating experience planning, deploying, operating, and supporting technical surveillance equipment in a law enforcement environment; AND Conducting site surveys; installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting electronic surveillance systems; AND Applying audio, video, tracking, and network-based technologies; AND Ensuring compliance with legal authorities governing surveillance activities; AND Ability to support criminal investigations through the use of technical surveillance techniques and to operate in covert or sensitive operational environments. NOTE: Applicants with documented technical surveillance certifications, technical operator training, or experience applying electronic surveillance technologies in a law enforcement environment are highly desirable. The selectee is required to comply with the policy and training requirements outlined in ATF O 3260.2A, Certified Technical Operator Program (CTOP), to maintain operational certification and remain in good standing as a Technical Surveillance Specialist. Position requires moderate to heavy lifting, climbing ladders, antenna and radio towers, and operating aerial lift equipment such as bucket trucks. Work is performed in office, shop, and field environments, often in isolated or outdoor locations under varying climatic conditions. The incumbent may be required to work extended hours, remain on-call, and operate under stressful and time-sensitive conditions. Position requires moderate to heavy lifting, climbing high ladders and antenna towers, reaching locations via an aerial lift (e.g. bucket truck), bending, crouching, etc. These activities occur over prolonged periods of time during the installation, repair, and removal of surveillance systems in field environments. Installation, maintenance, and repair activities often take place outdoors or in isolated areas. May frequently be required to work outdoors under a variety of climatic conditions. Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime (AUO) is a category of premium pay that generally applies when you are responsible for recognizing, without supervision, circumstances that require you to remain on duty to complete specific work assignments on a routine, ongoing basis. AUO pay is a substitute form of payment for irregular, unscheduled overtime work and is paid annually instead of hourly. AUO pay is determined as a percentage, not less than 10% no more than 25% of the rate of your annual adjusted rate of pay and is fixed by law or administrative action for the position. Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating. See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.

Education

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone. No substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Other Information

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. 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 Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations Career Transition Programs (CTAP or ICTAP): These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; Be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. Reasonable Accommodation: 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 [email protected]. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation is handled on a case-by-case basis. Selective Service: If you were born male, on or 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. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov.