Job Opening: 57897

Open to ALL U.S. Citizens.

Opening Date: November 8, 2024

Closing Date:  November 22, 2024 @ 11:59 p.m. (EST) 

Questions regarding this opening should be directed to HR Specialist C. Gissy at CHaught2@fbi.gov and/or HR Specialist A. Butera at ACButera@fbi.gov. 

Job Summary

Position: IT Specialist - Digital Operations Specialist, GS 09/11/12

Division: Dallas Field Office 

Location: Dallas, Texas 

Working Hours: Hours may vary based on the needs of the Division. 

Salary:

GS 09: $66,732.00 - $86,750.00 (Special Salary Rate Table 999C)

GS 11: $78,820.00 - $102,463.00

GS 12: $94,473.00 - $122,811.00

Full Performance Level: GS 12

Number of Positions Available: 1

Duration: Full Time/Permanent

In the event selection(s) are made from this job announcement, job offers will be contingent upon the position becoming vacant. 

Additional selections may be made from this announcement to fill positions within the same division when the position includes substantially the same duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.

In order to recruit and retain highly qualified candidates, selectees may be eligible for a relocation incentive.  To be eligible for a relocation incentive, proof of change in residency will be required.  Prior to receiving a relocation incentive, an employee must sign a written agreement to complete a specific period of employment with the FBI at the new duty station.

Key Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must have (or be able to obtain) a valid driver’s license.
• Must be able to obtain a Top Secret-SCI clearance.
• Some travel may be required. 

Mission Statement: The mission of the FBI is to protect the American People and uphold the Constitution of the United States.

Major Duties

• Plans and completes assignments while adhering to established instructions, policies, practices and procedures.
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to exchange information, provide recommendations, and provide analytical support.
• Communicates with others to provide training while preparing and presenting reports and briefings.
• Utilizes computer related hardware and software to collect, examine, preserve, and duplicate digital evidence while adhering to all legal authorities, policies, and guidelines.
• Provide onsite technical guidance as a Subject Matter Expert by troubleshooting errors and problems in order to retrieve data/digital evidence, ensuring proper policies and procedures are followed, preventing data loss and equipment damage.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Your qualifications for this position will be assessed in 2 phases.

Phase 1:  Your application will be evaluated and rated under the FBI's Candidate Rating Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the initial job qualifications listed in this announcement and will be compared to your responses to the online assessment questionnaire. High self-assessment in the vacancy questions that is not supported by information in your resume, and/or supporting documents may eliminate you from Most Competitive status.

Please make sure your specialized experience/requirement(s) can be identified in your resume. Applicants must meet the initial qualification requirements in phase 1 above by the closing date of this announcement.

Phase 2:  Those that meet the initial job qualifications mentioned in phase 1 will have their applications forwarded to the program manager for a technical interview.  Those applicants who successfully complete the technical interview will be deemed Most Competitive and will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies:

• Analytic Thinking
• Communication
• Data Analysis
• Interpersonal Ability
• Problem Solving/Judgment
• Technology Application

Specialized Experience (SE):

GS 09: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of SE equivalent to the GS 07 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Planned and completed assignments involving digital evidence and/or technical data while adhering to established instructions, policies, practices and procedures.
• Established and maintained working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to exchange information, provide recommendations, and analytical support on matters related to technical data and/or digital evidence.
• Communicated orally, in writing, and through reports, briefings, formal/informal training sessions, and other methods of information exchange on matters involving technical data and/or digital evidence.
• Utilized computer related hardware and software to collect, examine, preserve, and duplicate technical data and/or digital evidence while adhering to all legal authorities, policies, and guidelines.
• Troubleshoot errors and identified problems retrieving technical data and/or digital evidence.

GS 11: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of SE equivalent to the GS 09 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Planned, interpreted, and refined the methods and technologies used to retrieve technical data and/or digital evidence to support digital operations.
• Established and maintained working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to exchange information, provide guidance, recommend new procedures and techniques to better support digital operations.
• Communicated orally, in writing, and through reports, briefings, formal/informal training sessions, and other methods of information exchange on matters involving technical data and/or digital evidence. 
• Utilized computer related hardware and software to identify, collect, examine, preserve, and duplicate technical data and/or digital evidence while adhering to all legal authorities, policies, and guidelines.
• Troubleshoots errors and problems retrieving technical data and/or digital evidence ensuring proper policies and procedures are followed to prevent data loss and equipment damage.
• Provided onsite technical guidance as a Subject Matter Expert.

GS 12: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of SE equivalent to the GS 11 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Initiated, established and maintained working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to enhance information sharing and collaboration.
• Communicated orally, in writing, and through reports, briefings, formal training sessions, and other methods of information exchange on matters involving technical data and/or digital evidence.
• Utilized a variety of digital services and digital data storage systems to include equipment, processes, operating systems, software, programs, storage devices and other digital operations products to extract technical data form complex digital devices.
• Identified, troubleshoot, and correct complex errors and problems retrieving technical data and/or digital evidence ensuring proper policies and procedures are followed to prevent data loss and equipment damage.
• Provided onsite technical guidance as a Subject Matter Expert.
• Established and maintained effective internal quality controls over search and retrieval methods to safeguard the collection of technical data and/or digital evidence and comply with appropriate laws and regulations.

Education

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements provided you can show foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.

All degrees must be from an accredited college or university. Education may be substituted for specialized experience as follows:

GS 09: Applicant must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related.

GS 11: Applicant must have a Ph.D. OR equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related.

GS 12: Education may not be substituted for SE at this grade level.

Degrees must be in one of the following fields: computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management OR a degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems, or networks.

How to Apply

For detailed instructions related to applying, uploading documents, withdrawing an application or updating your application, please review instructions on How to Apply.  If applying online is a hardship, please use the contact information listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.

Required Documents

To apply to this position, interested applicants must provide a complete application package by the closing date which includes:

1. Your resume, specifically noting relevant work experience and associated start and end dates
2.  A complete assessment questionnaire
3. Other supporting documents (if applicable):

• College transcripts, if qualifying based on education.
• Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50; not applicable to current FBI employees.
• Memorandum for Record (MFR), Please see Additional Information.
• Most recent Performance Appraisal; not applicable to current FBI employees.
• Veterans: DD 214; Disabled Veterans: DD 214, SF-15, and VA letter dated 1991 or later.

Documents that were uploaded one or more years ago will need to be uploaded again. Although an applicant may see these documents within their current profile, the HR Specialists may not have access to view them. All applicants are being asked to upload another copy (if applicable) to ensure the staffing units can review the complete application.

You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. If applying online is a hardship, please contact the HR Specialist listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.

What to Expect Next

Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The Most Competitive candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your status throughout the process.

Additional Information

• Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols. Positions with fitness for duty requirements or those that require international travel may require proof of certain vaccinations.
• The FBI is in the Executive Branch of the federal government. It is one of the components of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The FBI is the principle investigative arm of the DOJ. All FBI positions are in the excepted service.
• As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens and consent to a complete background investigation, urinalysis, and polygraph. You must be suitable for Federal employment; as determined by a background investigation.
• Required Training: Selectees must successfully complete a 10 week mandatory Digital Operations Specialist Training in Huntsville, AL within the first year of employment.
• Failure to provide necessary and relevant information required by this vacancy announcement may disqualify you from consideration. Additional information will not be requested if your application is incomplete. Your application will be evaluated solely on the basis of information you have submitted.
• Management may select any grade for which this position has been announced. 
• Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance of higher-level duties.
• If you are hired, you will be required to serve a two-year probationary period. Probationary employees are precluded from being considered for all job opportunities until 12-months of their 24-month probationary period has concluded. Probationary Employees may be considered for competitive vacancies that are advertised within their respective division or field office after serving 90 days within the FBI.
• Memorandum for Record: Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on an SF-50, i. e., back-up duties), has to be documented in detail by an immediate supervisor in order to receive full credit for amount of time worked in that position. If no documentation is furnished no credit will be given for time worked in that position. The following notations must be specified in the documentation (Memorandum for Record):

        a. Percent of time worked in the particular position (cannot conflict with main duties)
        b. The month/year work began
        c. Frequency worked (i.e., daily, monthly, etc.)
        d. Specific duties performed

Attach the Memorandum for Record to your application in the “Cover Letters and Attachments” section of My Career Tools on the Careers Home page. Please upload the attachment as type “Other.”

Veterans' Preference

If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume and application. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.

Nepotism

Nepotism is the act of favoring relatives in the hiring process, and is prohibited by law. Public officials are prohibited from hiring or promoting relatives or relatives of officials in their chain of command, as well as actively or indirectly endorse a relative’s appointment or promotion.

During the hiring process, all selected candidates and FBI hiring managers will be required to certify they are not related to anyone involved in the hiring process.

Reasonable Accommodation Request

The FBI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities.  If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please notify the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Affairs (OEEOA) Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Program by either e-mail at REASONABLE_ACCOMMODA@fbi.gov, telephone at 202-324-2158, or FAX at 202-324-3976.  Your request will receive an individualized assessment.

This e-mail address is only for reasonable accommodation requests.  Please do not submit your application and/or any questions unrelated to reasonable accommodations.  Should any applications be received, they will not be forwarded for consideration during the hiring process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The FBI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this vacancy. Unless explicitly authorized by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of, color, race, religion, national origin, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age (40 or over), sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, gender identity, and sexual orientation), or on the basis of personal favoritism, or any other non-merit factors.

Benefits

The FBI offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees:  http://www.opm.gov/insure/new_employ/index.asp