Security ClearanceTop Secret
Duties
Duties listed are at the full performance level.,Evaluates training records and proficiency requirements for all regional law enforcement personnel, ensuring adherence to standards and identifying corrective actions where deficiencies exist.,Develops operational strategies to address emerging criminal threats, adjusts investigative priorities, and ensures safe, compliant field operations under dynamic conditions.,Supervises and leads agents in conducting complex criminal and civil investigations, providing technical direction, case guidance, and oversight of investigative strategies.,Builds and maintains intelligence networks with law enforcement, research institutions, and professional organizations to support investigative operations.,Manages investigative program operations, including staffing, budget oversight, equipment approvals, and interagency coordination.,Plans, assigns, and prioritizes investigative workloads, ensuring effective use of personnel, equipment, and resources across multi-jurisdictional operations.,Reviews and approves investigative plans, evidence collection methods, reports, and case documentation to ensure legal sufficiency and adherence to agency standards.,Coordinates investigative activities with prosecutors, Office of Genearl Counsel, and Federal, State, and local law enforcement partners to advance criminal cases and protect agency interests.,Evaluates agent performance, delivers coaching and corrective actions, resolves personnel issues, and ensures staff maintain required training and professional proficiency.
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. 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. 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. 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. Specialized Experience Requirement: GS-1811-13: Applicants must have one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as 3 or more of the following: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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 GS-1811-14: Applicant must have one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as 3 or more of the following: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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 is no education requirement.
Other Information
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP 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/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA). Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies 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. 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. Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period. For more information on applying under special hiring authorities such as the certain military spouses. Explore the different Hiring Paths on the USAJOBS website. PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 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 neither implied or 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. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's Website 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; many require clean-shaven unless exempt. Tattoos: Offensive/inappropriate banned; visible neck/face/hand tattoos must be covered. Jewelry: Limited to watch, wedding ring, conservative earrings; facial piercings usually prohibited. Hygiene: Maintain high standards; no offensive odor. Uniform: Clean, pressed, in good repair.