U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Law Enforcement Specialist (Instructor)

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation.
  • Current and former federal employees within the General Schedule (GS) must meet the time-in-grade requirements outlined in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid state issued driver's license to conduct official government business.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain FLETC Law Enforcement Instructor certification within 12 months of employment.
  • You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
  • You will be required to undergo pre-appointment and random drug testing for illegal drug use. Employment is contingent upon favorable results.
  • You must be able to meet job-related medical and/or fitness standards. You will be subject to an initial and annual physical examination that measures your visual, hearing, and physical acuity.
  • You will be subject to rotation to other programs and/or training sections in order to provide depth to the FLETC’s instructor cadre.
  • Some positions carry a firearm and are subject to the Lautenberg Amendment - persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence are prohibited from occupying this position.
  • Some positions may require you to complete an OGE 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of starting your federal employment and annually thereafter as long as you occupy a position that requires financial disclosure.
  • Physical Techniques Instructors undergo the Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB) test and a physical exam. Additional information is listed under "Qualifications."
  • Firearms Instructors must pass an initial firearms proficiency test. Additional information is listed under the "Qualifications" section of this announcement.
  • Some positions may require you to have access, safeguard, and store classified national security information on a regular basis. You must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance.
  • This position is eligible for situational-only telework based on agency policy.
  • Overtime may be required.
  • Permanent Positions: Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).
  • Temp/Term/Intermittent Positions: This is not a bargaining unit position.

Qualifications

Please limit your resume to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Please visit www.fletc.gov/site-page/employment-faqs website for further guidance regarding this page limit.

This position has a Selective Placement Factor (SPF). If your resume does not demonstrate possession of the SPF, you will be rated ineligible.

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: In order to be considered for this position you must:

  • Possess experience as a sworn law enforcement officer or agent with full arrest authority in the prevention, detection, apprehension, detention and/or investigation of felony and/or misdemeanor violations of federal, state, local, tribal, or military criminal laws;
  • OR-
  • Have held a federal civilian position in the 1801 occupational series.
  • AND-

Specialized Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the federal service, or equivalent experience in the private or public sector performing the following duties, performing duties such as:

  • Performing law enforcement duties directly related to the topical area(s) for which you are applying. -OR-
  • Instructing law enforcement training curricula in the topical area(s) for which you are applying

Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.

All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

The law enforcement topical areas for which we are accepting applications include: firearms, driver training, marine training, maritime, active shooter, behavioral science, general investigative skills, counterterrorism, physical techniques, tactical medicine, financial fraud, forensics and special investigations, digital photography/video, electronic surveillance, cyber/digital forensics, enforcement operations, law enforcement leadership, online campus, and general training. Additional information on our instructor positions may be found here.

Time-in-grade: Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees, and those that have served in GS positions within the last 52 weeks, must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade, or a combination of the next lower grade level and an equivalent band in the federal service by the closing of this announcement.

Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1"), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. Employees applying with an interchange agreement must provide proof of their permanent appointment. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE.

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.

Physical Techniques Instructors: The work requires repetitive long distance running (1 to 3 miles several times daily), repetitive calisthenics, lifting moderate to heavy weights, and considerable physical exertion during the demonstration, instruction and active participation in other physical fitness related activities which include: warm-ups which involve multiple sets of calisthenics and flexibility exercises; strength training requiring full range of motion in all joints; cardiovascular training with the ability to perform a variety of cardiovascular training modes; calisthenics enabling you to perform calisthenics sessions for 30-45 minutes continuously and repetitively; and anaerobic training with the ability to perform sprints of various distances varying 30 feet to 440 yards. As such you will undergo a:

  • Physical Examination. This is a routine physical examination in accordance with Optional Form 178. No invasive procedures will be included (e.g., blood work); AND
  • Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB) test. A fitness test consisting of five different elements, you must pass with a minimum 40 percentile in each event. PEB score charts delineated by age and gender may be found here.

Firearms Instructors

  • Firearms Proficiency test. This is the standard 60-round course of fire used in the Firearms Instructor Training Program (FITP). A minimum score of 85%, which equates to 255 points out of a possible 300, is considered passing.

Note: Secondary Administrative Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Retirement Coverage is offered for most of the positions advertised. If selected, you will be offered LEO retirement coverage if approval is available from DHS at the time of the official offer.

Transfer Requirement for CSRS: To be eligible for secondary coverage, an employee must: - Transfer without a break in service exceeding 3 days directly from a primary position to a secondary position; AND - Be continuously employed in a secondary position since moving from a primary position; except a break in employment in secondary positions that begins with an involuntary separation (not for cause) and/or voluntary breaks in service that began prior to January 20, 1988.

Transfer Requirement for FERS: To be eligible for secondary coverage, an employee must: - Transfer without a break in service exceeding 3 days directly from a primary position to a secondary position; AND - Have completed 3 years of service in a primary position, including any such service during which no FERS deductions were withheld; AND - Be continuously employed in a secondary position since moving from a rigorous position; except a break in employment in secondary positions that begins with an involuntary separation (not for cause).

Pub. Law 114-285 grants the FLETC approval to hire retired federal employees with law enforcement/investigative experience to meet the expanding mission of the FLETC. Individuals may be selected for time-limited positions with eligibility for the dual-compensation waiver. The dual-compensation waiver allows retirees to return to work, earning their full salary with no offset to their FERS annuity. However, this waiver does not exempt the FERS annuity supplement from being reduced. Therefore, FERS retirees receiving a FERS annuity supplement, must be aware that like social security benefits, the FERS annuity supplement is subject to an earnings test and may be reduced if the salary earned is more than the social security exempt amount of earnings. Additional information is available on OPM's website or by contacting OPM.

FLETC Reemployed Annuitants | Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers

If selected, federal retirees will be eligible for a waiver of the dual compensation reduction. Click here for more information.

Education

Not Applicable

Additional information

The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the FLETC mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and FLETC policy, FLETC is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at FLETC are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.

For Permanent Positions: Re-employed annuitants' annual salaries will be reduced by the amount of their retirement annuity and by further cost of living increases. FERS retirees receiving a FERS annuity supplement must also be aware that, like social security benefits, their FERS annuity supplement is subject to an earnings test and may be reduced if the salary earned is more than the social security exempt amount of earnings. Additional information is available on OPM's website or by contacting OPM.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, FLETC requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for either suitability, Secret, Top Secret, or Top Secret/SCI as a condition of placement in this position. This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

Physical Demands: Generally, these positions will require a range of physical demands depending on the program/course presented. Some courses are confined to a classroom setting while others are outdoors requiring walking, standing, bending, sitting, lying down, or crouching in positions that may be tiring or uncomfortable. There may be the need to carry gear and packages.

Work Environment: The normal work place for the majority of these positions is a classroom or office and inside/outside physical exercise areas. Duties may require you to be exposed to varying climates and environmental conditions including both cold and warm weather conditions and/or exposure to high levels of noise and dangerous substances. All appropriate safety practices will be observed at all times. Safety gear, such as hearing, eye protection, and padding, will be used when needed.

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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.
  • Seniority level

    Mid-Senior level
  • Employment type

    Full-time
  • Job function

    Other, Information Technology, and Management
  • Industries

    Government Administration

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