Summary

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Organizational Location: This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, in McLean, Virginia.

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies within the National Capital Region.

Duties

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As a Fingerprint Specialist (Senior), at the GS-14 you will perform the following duties:

• Participate in all aspects of the science of friction ridge analysis to include principles, theories, techniques, philosophies, concepts, and practices.
• Make recommendations that involve complex and difficult case law decisions that influence the development and modification of significant policies for federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
• Conduct verification, technical, and administrative reviews of journeyman Fingerprint Specialists casework to maintain superior quality control and to ensure that analyses are conducted in accordance with best practices, accepted analytical methods, scientific standards, and evidence handling requirements.
• Prepare, communicate, and report examination results and conclusions and illustrative exhibits for court use.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• You must successfully pass a drug screen.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
• Requirements by Closing Date: Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• Time in Grade: Current Federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the Federal service. Time in grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
• Probationary Period: This is a full-time permanent position (Career/Career-Conditional appointment). Upon appointment to this position, you may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• The incumbent must be certified in latent print examination by the International Association for Identification (IAI), or otherwise possess a current professionally recognized equivalent certification.
• It is preferred the incumbent hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and have no less than 5 years of experience performing duties as they pertain to friction ridge analysis.
• Security Clearance: Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret Clearance.
• Travel may be required to provide court testimony and attend professional conferences.

Qualifications

Please limit your resume to 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level or equivalent performing duties such as:

• Conducting advanced analyses to develop and identify friction ridges on complex evidence by utilizing a full range of scientific methodologies and forensic techniques;
• Providing technical advice, casework assistance, and support to less experienced specialists and trainees;
• Serving as a case manager to plan and coordinate forensic friction ridge activities; and
• Ensuring laboratory procedures, forensic examinations, and evidence handling protocols are current and are within the scope of relevant scientific communities.

Additional Requirements:

In addition to meeting the specialized experience detailed above, you must also possess certification in latent print examination by the International Association for Identification (IAI), or otherwise possess a current professionally recognized equivalent certification.

It is preferred the incumbent hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and have no less than 5 years of experience performing duties as they pertain to friction ridge analysis. A bachelor's degree is commensurate to 9 years of experience performing duties as they pertain to friction ridge analysis.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

This position is at the full performance level.

Benefits: DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

A student loan repayment incentive may be available, in which case a service agreement will be required.

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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.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.