Summary

This position is located in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Office of Cyber Threat and Investigation, Computer Investigations and Forensics Division (DS/CTI/CIF).

CIF provides specialized investigative support in the form of digital forensic analysis, online criminal and counterintelligence investigations, technical investigative and surveillance equipment, and various technical and non-technical operational support.

Duties

Help

• Oversees the development, installation, and updating of highly sophisticated systems utilized by CIF programs for evidence gathering, analysis, and detection of criminal activity.
• Develops appropriate CIF policies, procedures, and operational guidelines for equipment use and overall CIF Division operations.
• Manages CIF budgets, staffing, equipment, and contractor resources while justifying fund requests, ensuring regulatory compliance, overseeing procurement, and developing long-range plans to meet program demands and maximize resource effectiveness.
• Establishes overall goals, objectives, milestones, activities, and schedules for CIF and assures their implementation.
• Formulates policies, objectives, and methods of implementation for CIF.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Obtain/maintain eligibility to access Sensitive Compartmented Information
• Statement of Employment & Financial Interest required prior to appointment.
• Must be no more than 37 years of age upon entry into this position, unless an exception is met.
• Must possess a valid U.S. driver`s license.
• This position requires carrying a firearm, maintaining proficiency, and passing periodic qualifications. Individuals convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition (18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9)).
• Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) is authorized at 25% of base pay (incl. locality) and is mandatory. Requires averaging 2+ extra hours per workday, including evenings, nights, and weekends; hours vary by assignment. Paid during BSAC training.
• Must pass periodic physical examinations, meet physical standards set by the Agency for the position, and otherwise fulfill the requirements for law enforcement positions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c).
• Requires various shifts (e.g., 8:15am-5pm), 12am-8am, 4pm-12am, in addition to 2 or more LEAP hours, on a daily basis. The hours worked will vary depending on the nature of your assignment.
• Selectee must sign a mobility agreement to accept relocation to other geographic locations if required by the agency.
• Medical clearance may be required.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.

NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement.

Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F.

Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

• Experience managing computer forensic teams involved in identifying criminal activities from various digital sources in order to meet procedural, operational, and organizational investigative service needs.
• Experience managing fact-finding investigative activities and presenting high-level information for leadership to address critical components of the criminal justice system.
• Experience developing policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), or operational guidelines governing the use of sensitive law enforcement equipment and investigative programs to comply with applicable laws, regulations, Agency directives, and operational guidelines.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-15 position.

AGE REQUIREMENT: All applicants must be no more than 37 years of age upon entry into this position, unless one of the following exceptions are met:

• You are a preference eligible veteran (You must submit a copy of your DD-214 verifying your preference eligibility.); OR
• You have prior Federal civilian law enforcement experience covered by Title 5 U.S.C. section 8336 such that, when the years of service is subtracted from your current age, you will be under 37 years of age. (You will need to provide proof of service upon selection.)

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.

This position requires all incumbents to meet physical fitness standards to ensure they are prepared to carry out all of their official responsibilities. All applicants tentatively selected for this position must complete and submit a Physical Readiness Test (PRT) Self-Evaluation. Prior to receiving a final offer, applicants must pass a Diplomatic Security Service administered PRT. For information on the PRT standards, please visit https://careers.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/DS-PRT-Guide-Revised-161019.pdf and https://careers.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/DS-PRT-Standards-Revised-161019.pdf. Incumbents of this position will be required to maintain the physical fitness standards set by the agency and participate in triannual fitness testing.

In addition, applicant's experience must also demonstrate that the candidate possesses the following qualities:

• Ability to assign, review, and supervise the work of others;
• Objectivity and fairness in judging people on their ability, and situations on the facts and circumstances;
• Ability to adjust to change, work pressures, or difficult situations without undue stress;
• Willingness to consider new ideas or divergent points of view; and
• Capacity to "see the job through."

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

• To request a reasonable accommodation for additional time on the timed sections of the assessment, please submit your request using the "Request a Reasonable Accommodation" button within the Assessment Application.
  For all other reasonable accommodations at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations (OAA) at [redacted].
  OAA is responsible for reviewing and adjudicating reasonable accommodation (RA) requests for the Assessment Battery being used for this announcement. The following applies to all RA requests:
  
  • RA requests cover additional time on timed sections only.
  
  
  • Applicants submitting a RA request MUST attach supporting medical documentation signed by a licensed, treating medical provider. The documentation should describe the nature, severity, and expected duration of the condition, identify the relevant medical condition or diagnosis, and explain the basis for the requested extension. RA requests that do not contain supporting medical documentation attachments at the time of initial request may be subject to further review.
  
  
  • Note: the following documents do not, on their own, qualify for automatic approval of the RA request: Schedule A letters, VA benefits letters, or SSA letters.
  
  
  • Applicants MUST submit their application before the vacancy closes, even if pending an accommodation decision.
  
  
  • Applicants are encouraged to carefully follow instructions related to medical documentation provided in the vacancy announcement prior to beginning the RA process.
  
  
  • Applicants will have 48 hours after their RA request is adjudicated to complete the assessment battery. Scores generated after the allotted timeframe will not be admissible and the applicant will not be considered further for the vacancy.
  
  
• If eligible, situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days and may require a higher or lower security clearance. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.
• Agency & Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP & ICTAP): View OPM's CTAP & ICTAP eligibility website for more information. You must be rated in the Well-Qualified category and submit supporting documents under the required documents section of this announcement to receive selection priority consideration. To be considered Well-Qualified applicants must: score an 85 or above, meet Minimum Qualifications, and demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all major aspects of the position.

Expand Hide additional 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.

Benefits

Help

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.

Review our benefits

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.