Suspervisory Criminal Investigator (ASAC)

Summary

This position is located in the Law Enforcement and Investigations staff, USDA Forest Service, Office of the Special Agent in Charge, on a Forest Service Unit. This position serves as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) for Law Enforcement and Investigations (LEI) in the Region. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact [email protected]

Duties

• Duties will be listed at the full performance level GS-14.
• Leads highly complex, multi-jurisdictional investigations; defines objectives, scope, and resources; and coordinates with Federal, State, local, and international law enforcement.
• Investigates violations under 18 USC, 16 USC, 21 USC, and 36 CFR, including cases involving jurisdictional conflicts, high public interest, transnational elements, and sophisticated criminal networks.
• Develops and sustains intelligence sources and professional contacts with experts, research institutions, law enforcement agencies, private industry, and professional organizations.
• Provides program management for investigative operations, including staffing, supervision, budget allocation, cooperative agreements, interagency coordination, and equipment approvals.
• Assesses regional law enforcement staffing needs and leads recruitment and outreach efforts in collaboration with Forest Supervisors, District Rangers, and the regional special agent in charge.
• Sets investigative and operational priorities to ensure effective use of personnel and equipment while protecting public safety, employees, and natural resources.
• Oversees investigative program budgets, ensuring compliance with law enforcement requirements, and coordinates complex case work with Office of General Counsel, U.S. Attorneys, and Federal and State law enforcement leaders.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Medical Requirements - The duties of positions in this series require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, and knee joints is required. Arms, hands, legs, and feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. Sufficiently good vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Near vision, corrective lenses permitted, must be sufficient to read printed material the size of typewritten characters. Hearing loss, as measured by an audiometer, must not exceed 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz levels. Since the duties of these positions are exacting and responsible, and involve activities under trying conditions, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to himself/herself, or others is disqualifying. Due to the requirements of this position, applicants must have prior law enforcement experience that included the following activities: enforcement of criminal laws of the United States through investigation, apprehension, or detection of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses against these criminal laws. This experience must be reflected in the resume. NOTE: To be eligible for Secondary Law Enforcement Coverage, you must 1) move directly from a federal Primary/Rigorous position; 2) complete 3 years of service in a primary/rigorous position, and 3) must be continuously employed in a secondary position(s) since moving from a primary/rigorous position. Selective Placement Factor: Must have at least three years of service in positions that have been approved for Rigorous or Primary Law Enforcement retirement coverage. GS-13: Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-12. Specialized experience is defined as 3 or more of the following: Conducting difficult and sensitive criminal investigations by developing investigative plans from general supervisory direction, analyzing obscure leads and conflicting evidence, and applying modified investigative techniques to resolve cases that expanded into multiple related investigative matters requiring careful linkage of facts and evidence. Planning and executing surveillance operations and limited undercover activities by establishing operational parameters, identifying suspect contacts and locations, coordinating with additional investigators, and making field decisions such as reassigning coverage when suspects separated or terminating surveillance operations due to safety or evidentiary concerns. Performing investigative activity in support of national security and critical-infrastructure protection missions, including gathering and sharing intelligence with authorized partners, operating within established counterterrorism frameworks, and assisting in identifying, disrupting, or responding to threats targeting resources within the National Forest System. Coordinating multi-jurisdictional investigations involving Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies by facilitating interagency operational planning, serving subpoenas and warrants, preparing cases for Federal Grand Jury consideration, testifying in court proceedings, and consulting with U.S. Attorneys on logistical and strategic issues arising during investigations. Providing investigative program support by advising colleagues on methods to detect fraud, misuse of government property, or internal misconduct; preparing detailed and legally sufficient investigative reports; participating in program planning meetings; and maintaining communication with agency officials to ensure investigative activities aligned with organizational priorities and regulatory requirements GS-14: Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade GS-13. Specialized experience is defined as 3 of the following: Leading and conducting complex criminal and civil investigations involving violations of Federal statutes (such as 18 USC, 16 USC, 21 USC, and 36 CFR), by defining investigative objectives, establishing operational boundaries, coordinating with partnering agencies, and preparing comprehensive reports that supported prosecutorial decisions by U.S. Attorneys and the Office of General Counsel. Providing technical guidance and limited administrative oversight to investigators or collateral-duty law enforcement personnel, including assigning investigative tasks, reviewing case documentation for legal sufficiency, assisting in establishing performance expectations, and offering input on training needs and operational priorities in support of supervisory managers. Coordinating investigative operations across multiple jurisdictions and agencies, including Federal, State, local, and tribal partners, by facilitating information-sharing, aligning investigative strategies, evaluating resource requirements, and assisting in the development of operational plans for investigations with complex legal, jurisdictional, or public-interest implications. Supporting program management functions by reviewing investigative staffing needs, assisting with budget planning for investigative activities, evaluating requests for technical equipment, preparing data for cooperative agreements, and providing recommendations to management on resource allocation to ensure that investigative programs operated within established guidelines. Maintain professional law enforcement networks and ensured compliance with training and policy requirements by establishing contacts with law enforcement training institutions and subject-matter experts, monitoring training and proficiency standards for personnel, and identifying strategies or adjustments needed to address operational challenges, unforeseen circumstances, or evolving investigative requirements. 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. TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

There are is no education requirement for this position. SPECIAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS: Physical Demands: Due to the physical and vigorous requirements of this position, the incumbent must meet the established medical and physical standards/requirements set forth by USDA as it's considered essential to perform the duties of this position, The work requires a person with good physical health and stamina to work under pressure, along with the ability to lift and carry heavy objects and have the physical agility and dexterity. Ability to operate specialized motorized equipment such as motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, boats and snowmobiles may be required. Maximum Entry Age: 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 for this position after your 37th birthday. You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement. Failure to provide this documentation with your application will result in the loss of eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement. Lautenberg Amendment: This position is covered by the 1996 Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968. A person convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence are not eligible for the position. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment (Title 18 USC Section 1001). Firearms Requirement: The incumbent is required to carry a firearm while performing duties of this position so they must meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlines in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. The incumbent must qualify semiannually with all weapons issued by the USDA and maintain proficiency. How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the competencies listed below: Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. If you meet the qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified, you will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities must meet minimum qualifications to be referred. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action. To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13079204 Other Information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary and term employees the opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years and the last temporary or term appointment must have been with the Forest Service. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status such as leave without pay is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met. If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is not guaranteed. This position is not eligible for telework. The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional Information is available on the OPM Website. This is a non-bargaining unit position. Forest Service daycare facilities are not available. Government Housing is not available. Pay rates vary depending on location, the salary shown is for the Rest of the U.S. Special Pay Rate Table. See Salaries & Wages for additional information on pay rates. Law Enforcement Retirement Coverage: This is a secondary law enforcement position under the provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Grooming/Attire/Appearance Standards: Hair: Neat, clean, well-groomed, No extreme styles/colors. Facial Hair; Trimmed; may require clean-shaven unless exempt. Tattoos: Offensive/inappropriate are banned; visible neck/face/hand tattoos must be covered. Jewelry: Limited to watch, wedding ring, conservative earrings; Facial piercings are prohibited. Hygiene: Maintain high standards, no offensive odor. Uniform: Clean, Pressed, in good repair.