Duties

Summary

This position is a Supervisory Criminal Investigator Deputy Chief, GS- 1811-15 working in Falls Church, Virginia for the R9-Chief-Office of Law Enforcement. As the Deputy Chief, participates fully with the Chief in providing staff support to the Director on Service responsibilities in the areas of all law enforcement activities that contribute to the protection of plant and wildlife species.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The mission of the Office of Law Enforcement is to protect wildlife resources. Through the effective enforcement of Federal laws, the Office of Law Enforcement contributes to the Fish and Wildlife Service efforts to recover endangered species, conserve migratory birds, preserve wildlife habitat, safeguard fisheries, combat invasive species, and promote global wildlife conservation.

As a Supervisory Criminal Investigator Deputy Chief your duties will include but are not limited to the following:

• As the second-ranking LE Officer, the Deputy Chief has full delegated authority to act in the absence of the Chief, in all areas involving operational, investigative, and law enforcement matters.
• Assists the Chief of LE with providing overall leadership and direction for the law enforcement activities for which other public agencies and the general public have a vested interest or legal concern.
• Serves as a senior technical expert in the area of law enforcement and assists with the administration of a sound law enforcement program within FWS.
• Participates with the Chief in directing the activities of the four divisions: Law Enforcement Operations Branch, Special Operations Branch, National Forensics Laboratory, and Digital Evidence Recovery and Technical Support Unit.
• Serves as the Chiefs representative in the performance of a variety of top liaison assignments and in representing FWS before Congressional Committees, Congress, Federal Courts, Dept of Interior, Federal agencies, and State governments.

Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
• Drug testing position: Selectees tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and you will be subject to random drug testing while you occupy this position
• Drivers License: Selectees must possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
• The maximum entry-age for this position shall not exceed age 37, unless you are a preference eligible veteran or have sufficient prior Federal civilian law enforcement experience to be retirement eligible by the age of 57
• Medical Requirements
• Supervisory Probationary Period: Selectees who have not previously completed a supervisory probationary period, will be required to serve a one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period for this position.
• Qualify to carry and use firearms. Maintain a minimum 80% proficiency with assigned firearms throughout tenure.
• Mobility agreement required, which states that the candidate is completely mobile, will accept reassignments to any location, and that the candidate has no personal or family reasons which limit mobility in the future.
• Notice of Financial Disclosure Report Requirement: This position is subject to a financial disclosure requirement and you will be required to complete either OGE Form 278e or OGE Form 450 as applicable within 30 days of your appointment
• Criminal Investigators must, on an annual basis, work an average of 2 hours of unscheduled duty in excess of each regular workday to be eligible for Law Enforcement Availability Pay, which is 25% of the annual base pay.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 04/28/2021 will be considered. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess Minimum Qualification.

Minimum Qualification GS-15
One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-14 in the Federal service. Experience includes directing law enforcement policy and staff functions, developing short and long-range plans and formulating and implementing policies, standards and procedures for a regional or national law enforcement program; supervising law enforcement staff work on programmatic issues, and advising management concerning controversial and complex issues.

The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA),P.L. 114-47 , allows certain individuals who currently or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies to compete under merit promotion procedures.

Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA. Performance documentation can be obtained by contacting the supervisors for the positions you served in during your 24 months. If they did not complete performance appraisals ask them to provide a statement of performance for each period of service. The statement must specify the dates for each employment period and your level of performance (dates should match the dates on the SF-50s).Current appointees:

• Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency;
• Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; AND
• Must have performed at an acceptable level.

Former appointees:

• Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency;
• Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years;
• Must apply for position within 2 years after separation;
• Must have been separated for reasons other than misconduct or performance; AND
• Must have performed at an acceptable level.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.
For information on CTAP visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/"

PCS INFORMATION: Yes, entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 302-3.101, are authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station when the change meets the distance tests as provided in FTR 302-1.1 and 302-2.6. All moving expenses are taxable. In addition, relocation discretionary entitlements MAY be authorized for this position including contractor-provided home sale.
Telework: This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be able to operate a government-owned or leased motor vehicle. A valid state driver's license is required.
• Require to accept, maintain, and exercise law enforcement authority.
• Maintain proficiency with firearms and successfully pass periodic firearm qualifications. Additionally, to comply with 18 U.S.C. 922(g) (9), must not be convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
• Must pass periodic physical examinations, meet physical standards set by the Service for the position, and otherwise fulfill the requirements for law enforcement.
• Required to perform substantial amounts of irregular, unscheduled law enforcement availability pay hours
• Firearms: Qualify to carry and use firearms. Maintain a minimum 80% proficiency with assigned firearms throughout tenure.
• Statement of Employment and Financial Interests : File a financial disclosure statement under the provision of Title 2 of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 prior to appointment and annually thereafter.
• Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): Maintain requirements set forth in the Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) Act of 1994 and related Service policies. Criminal Investigators must, on an annual basis, work an average of 2 hours of unscheduled duty in excess of each regular workday to be eligible for LEAP, which is 25% of the annual base pay.

THIS IS A DRUG TESTING DESIGNATED POSITION: Applicant(s) tentatively selected for this position will be required prior to appointment to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use. Incumbent(s) will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
This position sensitivity level has been designated as critical sensitive. The selectee must undergo a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) prior to appointment.
Lautenberg Amendment: This position authorized the incumbent to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, U.S.C. Section 922(g)(9). Candidates under consideration will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
37th BIRTHDAY: The maximum entry-age for this position shall not exceed age 37, unless you have sufficient prior Federal civilian law enforcement (or firefighter, if applicable) experience, or you are a preference eligible veteran. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible after your 37th birthday. You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form DD214 (DD-214) along with a Standard Form 15(if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with instructions in this vacancy announcement. Failure to provide this documentation with your application will result in loss of eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement. You must indicate your date of birth on your application/resume due to the age requirement of the position convicted of such an offense. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment (Title 18 U.S.C., Section 1001).

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications which resulted in you being listed in the highest quality category, you may lose consideration, or be assigned to a lower quality category for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

• Interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective liaison with private, State, Federal, and foreign government agencies; conservation organizations; and the general public sufficient to work cooperatively and effectively with individuals and groups from varying backgrounds, particularly political and senior career personnel.
• Broad professional knowledge in general criminal investigative activities, including coordinating investigations and developing and administering policies and programs related to all Federal, domestic, and foreign wildlife law enforcement matters.
• Skill to supervise and motivate numerous law enforcement officers and clerical support personnel residing throughout the United States and in foreign posts of duty while engaged in a variety of complex and varying investigations and activities.
• Extensive knowledge of the major functions of natural resources program and how elements of those programs interrelate to recognize how policy, legislative and budget initiatives could affect these programs and operations.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

You must submit a complete application package. We will not make assumptions about your experience and/or education.

Required Documents:

1. Resume: You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included in your Resume. If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written form you choose then you must describe your job-related qualifications that includes beginning and ending dates for paid and non-paid work experience, hours worked per week, month and year of employment for each job title listed, annual salary, and description of job duties. Include name and address of employer; supervisor name and telephone number. Additional information on what to include can be found here . Your experience needs to address every required qualification.

2. SF-50: (non-award), or equivalent Notification of Personnel Action if you are a current or former Federal employee. Your SF-50 (non-award) must show tenure code 1 or 2 in block 24, and position occupied code 1 (competitive service) in block 34. If you have previously held a higher grade than the grade/position you currently occupy, you must submit a copy of the last non-award SF-50 you received for that position.

• Note: Federal employee who has reinstatement eligibility please review the How to Apply for Reinstatement page for all required documents
• Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment if you are requesting to be considered Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act eligibility. For Public Land Corp eligibility, a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Compliance Hiring Based for Public Land Corps Service is required for verification of eligibility.

If you have any questions regarding which SF-50's to submit, it is highly recommended that you contact the person listed on this vacancy announcement before the closing date.

Additional Documentation if applicable:

1. Cover Letter

2. Veterans' Preference Documentation: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 Member Copy 2 or 4 showing you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, attach an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference in addition to the proof required by that form (i.e. VA letter). You may not be awarded preference if you do not attach the correct Veteran Documentation as specified above.

3. CTAP Documentation: If you are applying under CTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility under 5 CFR 330.602(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.

4. Performance Appraisal: Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level

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.