Promotion Potential: 13

This is not what I'd consider a bad job posting. It's fascinating - something you only imagine as a movie profession. It's certainly thorough. And precise. The only downside, besides the extreme nerd factor, is the part about working in Newark.

US Secret Service
Job Title: Criminal Research Specialist
Department: Department Of Homeland Security
Agency: U.S. Secret Service
Sub Agency: United States Secret Service
Job Announcement Number: INV-WJ007-11-DE

SALARY RANGE:	$50,154.00 - $119,935.00 /year
OPEN PERIOD:	Thursday, March 03, 2011 to Wednesday, March 09, 2011
SERIES & GRADE:	GS-1801-09/13
POSITION INFORMATION:	Full-Time Permanent
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:	13
DUTY LOCATIONS:	few vacancies - Newark, NJ; few vacancies - Dallas, TX; few vacancies - San Diego, CA
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:	All United States Citizens This vacancy is being concurrently advertised under merit promotion procedures INV-WJ007-11-MP. Candidates who wish to be considered under both procedures MUST apply to both vacancies.

JOB SUMMARY:

Building on a Tradition of Excellence and Meeting the Challenges of the Future The Secret Service is a premier law enforcement organization with two critical national security missions: protect our nation's leaders and to conduct criminal investigations.  Our team members continue a tradition of excellence - whether investigating financial crime or protecting national and visiting foreign leaders.  In the Secret Service, we serve the country with duty, loyalty, justice, integrity and courage. In the Secret Service, we: Protect the President, the Vice President, and other leaders; investigate threats against them; and safeguard their residences and other facilities Plan and implement security designs for National Special Security Events Investigate financial crimes including fraud, identity theft and computer-based attacks on banking or telecommunications infrastructure

KEY REQUIREMENTS: U.S. citizenship is required. Some travel may be required.

Duties

Additional Duty Location Info:

few vacancies - Newark, NJ; few vacancies - Dallas, TX; few vacancies - San Diego, CA

The selectee will serve as Criminal Research Specialist in the Newark Field Office. His/Her duties will include, but are not limited to:

Working with special agents and technical personnel in the area of criminal research and analysis on active investigations, crime trends, including making recommendations regarding allocation of resources, developing investigative leads and case clearances.

Using computer databases, electronic spreadsheets, desktop publishing, GIS/mapping software, word processing, statistical applications, and specialized tactical and criminal intelligence software applications to manipulate, analyze, and present financial, and investigative information. Criminal Research Specialists are also responsible for developing and maintaining new geographic data layers.

Acting as a liaison with other law enforcement agencies, government and private sector entities regarding law enforcement issues, facilitate the exchange of tactical and criminal intelligence between agencies, participate as a member in federal, state, and local law enforcement task-forces and partnerships.

Serving as the resident analytical expert in conjunction with the development of criminal investigations for the assigned field office, its subordinate resident offices and agencies, and other federal offices as required. Also serves as a member and/or lead of an investigative team, which requires frequent travel to other field office districts.

Qualifications and Evaluations

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

To qualify at the GS-9 level, you must possess:

At least one year of specialized experience which is: conducting complex and difficult research projects and assignments related to investigative and criminal intelligence cases, financial crimes and counterfeiting.

OR

A master's or equivalent graduate degree (such as LL.B. or J.D.) or two full years of progressively higher level graduate education, in a related field, leading to such a degree from an accredited college or university.

OR

A combination of specialized experience, as described above, and related graduate level education, beyond the first full year of graduate level study.

To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must possess:

At least one year of specialized experience which is: processing and evaluating analytical assignments and/or research projects in support of criminal investigations, analyzing data from a variety of sources to conduct field and statistical research on potential and past crime targets; forecasting crime trends, determining criminal associations and patterns of criminal activity and financial profiles.

OR

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. from an accredited college or university.

OR

A combination of specialized experience, as described above, and related graduate level education, beyond the first two years of graduate level study.

Foreign Degree Note: Foreign education must be evaluated by an approved organization. The U.S. Department of Education may be of help in providing information on these organizations.

To qualify at the GS-12 level, you must possess:

At least one year of specialized experience which is: applying and evaluating established investigative practices to specific problems which involve many variables; preparing investigative reports, using computer databases, electronic spreadsheets, desktop publishing (e.g. Analyst Notebook, PenLink, GIS/Mapping software); researching, designing and maintaining investigative databases, analytical software, and hardware; interact and work effectively with other law enforcement officials and agencies on crime analysis and research issues; assisting with criminal investigations, providing crime analysis training.

To qualify at the GS-13 level, you must possess:

At least one year of specialized experience which is: applying, evaluating and publishing investigative practices to specific problems which involve many variables; preparing and reviewing investigative reports, developing computer databases, electronic spreadsheets, desktop publishing (e.g. Analyst Notebook, PenLink, GIS/Mapping software); researching, designing and maintaining investigative databases, analytical software, and hardware; training and briefing other law enforcement officials and agencies on crime analysis and research issues; planning and directing criminal investigations.

Conditions of Employment

If selected for this position, you will be required to:

• Obtain and maintain a top secret clearance. Completion of a full field investigation is required before appointment.
• Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.
• Certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so, if you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge skills, and abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

Knowledge of financial crimes and related statistical procedures for the identification of links, associations, and trends in criminal activity related to financial crimes.

Knowledge of analytical techniques as it relates to criminal, telephone and financial analysis and related software.

Working knowledge of law enforcement systems such as the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS), Treasury Enforcement Communications System (TECS)-II, commercially-available systems (e.g., Lexis-Nexis).

Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively both orally and in writing with a variety of individuals and for varying purposes.

Your application will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the duties of the position. A score will automatically be calculated based on your answers to the vacancy specific questions. All answers provided in the online process must be substantiated by your resume. If, upon review, it is determined that your resume, essay responses, and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, your application will not be considered and you will be deemed ineligible.

The Category Rating procedures are being used to rate our candidates. Applicants will be ranked based on three category groups, as follows:

• Best Qualified - you must be highly proficient with an overall comprehensive level of knowledge, skills, and abilities of the job based on a complete review of your application.
• Highly Qualified - you must have an overall accomplished level of knowledge, skills, and abilities of the job.
• Qualified - you must have an overall basic level of knowledge, skills, and abilities of the job

If you are among the best qualified candidates, your application will be referred to a selecting official for consideration and possible interview.

Qualified veterans with a service-connected disability of 10 percent or more (CPS/CP) will be placed at the top of the best qualified group, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher. Qualified veterans' preference eligibles will be afforded preference by being placed at the top of the appropriate category group.
To preview questions please click here.

Benefits and Other Info

BENEFITS:

As a federal employee, you will be eligible to participate in the
following benefits programs.

• Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program
• Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)
• Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)
• Retirement Benefits
• Thrift Savings Plan
• Federal Holidays
• Annual and Sick Leave

More information about benefits may be found by going to http://www.usajobs.gov/ei61.as
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OTHER INFORMATION:

We will not pay relocation expenses with the exception of current Secret Service Employees.

How To Apply

HOW TO APPLY:

This position is being advertised via CareerConnector which is an automated staffing system.  Please apply online as we will not accept paper applications or resumes for this announcement.
You must complete the application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. Instructions outlining the application process can be found at http://www.secretservice.gov/online_application_procedures.shtml

If applying online poses a hardship, please contact the Personnel Division and an employment packet will be sent to you. The employment packet must be completed and received within the Personnel Division no later than the closing date (Eastern Standard Time) of this vacancy announcement.

The Secret Service provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, on a case-by-case basis.  Please contact us if you require this for any part of the application and hiring process.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

All supporting documentation must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on the closing date of the announcement. In addition to submitting your resume and addressing the vacancy specific questions, you must also submit the following documentation:

• If you are qualifying based on education, rather than, or in addition to experience, you  must submit a copy of your college transcript.
  
• If you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty (DD-214 Member 4 Copy) or a letter from the military branch of service.  If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also include an application for 10-point veterans' preference SF-15 and a VA letter.  More information on veterans' preference may be found at USAJobs.
  
• If you are claiming special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must submit 1) a copy of your agency notice, 2) a copy of your most recent performance rating (with at least a satisfactory rating), and 3) a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location. 

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Personnel Division Phone: 202-406-6420 Fax: 999-999-9999 TDD: 202-406-5390 Email: hrsupport@secretservice.gov

Agency Information: United States Secret Service Please read entire announcement Please apply online Washington, DC 20223 Fax: 999-999-9999

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your eligibility. Best-qualified candidates will be referred for further consideration and possible interview.

You may check the status of your application for this position by going to www.usajobs.gov. Click on the "My USAJOBS" tab, enter your user id and password, and click on "My Applications".  You will also receive an email notification regarding your application

(Via USAJOBS)