Criminal Investigator (Digital Forensics)
What you'd do
This vacancy is for a Criminal Investigator (Digital Forensics) in the Seized Computer Evidence Recovery Unit, Office of Export Enforcement (OEE), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement (EE), Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) within the Department of Commerce.
Major duties
As a Criminal Investigator (Digital Forensics), you will perform the following duties: As a Seized Computer Evidence Recovery Specialist (SCERS), provide support and advice to OEE concerning the search and seizure of computers and computer related media, the processing of seized electronic evidence and the investigation of criminal activity involving the use of computer technology. Conduct forensic investigations of personal computers, removable media, mobile phones and other electronic equipment that form the basis for investigative leads in complex, highly sensitive investigations of national and international dimensions. Receive, develop and evaluate leads, original requests, complaints and allegations. Find and develop evidence sufficient to prove or disprove allegations of actual or attempted violations. Develop an investigative plan designed to obtain essential facts and proof and performs accurate and impartial fact- finding to execute that plan. Conduct interviews, interrogations, and examination/procurement of pertinent records. Conduct investigative activities including surveillance, writing and serving of subpoenas, taking sworn statements, preparing and serving search and arrest warrants, developing and utilizing informants and conducting detentions/seizures of shipments/items. Study and review laws, regulations and legal opinions. Coordinate findings with other law enforcement agencies, other regulatory agencies, and other DOC program areas, and the United States Attorney's Office, as appropriate. Summarize and report all investigative activities efficiently in a clear, logical and impartial manner. Serve as an expert witness to be called upon to testify before Grand Juries, courts, or administrative hearings on the facts of investigative cases; specifically, articulation of testimony on the results and technical evidentiary issues of forensic laboratory analysis and computer forensic related matters. This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Criminal Investigator (Digital Forensics), GS-1811-13, Full Performance Level (FPL) GS-13 positions within the Department of Commerce in the same geographical locations with the same qualifications and specialized experience.
What you need to qualify
Firearms: This position requires the incumbent to carry a firearm while performing duties and maintain firearm proficiency and successfully pass periodic firearm qualifications. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition in accordance with 18 USC 922 (Lautenberg Amendment). Applicants for the Criminal Investigator position who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are not eligible for employment. Lautenberg Amendment: This position authorizes the incumbent to carry a firearm. Any person convicted of a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, USC Section 992(g)). A felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence is generally defined under the statute as any offense involving the use or attempted use of physical force or the threatened use of a deadly weapon committed by the victim's current or former domestic partner, parent, or guardian. The term convicted, as defined in the statute, excludes any person whose conviction has been expunged, set aside, or pardoned, or any person whose civil rights have been restored, so long as such restoration does not restrict the shipping, transport, possession or receipt of firearms or ammunition. Candidates convicted of a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence within the meaning of the referenced statutes are not eligible for the position. Individual Occupational Requirements - Medical Requirements: The duties in this position 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 for applicants to perform their 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. As measured by an audiometer, hearing loss 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 unqualifying. AND In addition to meeting Individual Occupational Requirements, candidates must also meet the additional specialized experience requirement. Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Occupational-Series Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. 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. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: Performing forensic examinations and analyses of acquired digital evidence from sophisticated or damaged devices, networks, or large-scale data sets, applying advanced principles, specialized tools, and methods to recover and interpret hidden, deleted, or obfuscated data; and Authoring comprehensive, court-ready investigative reports that synthesize acquisition processes, in-depth technical analyses, artifact interpretations, timelines, and conclusions to withstand rigorous scrutiny; and Leading identification, seizure, and acquisition of electronic data from diverse and challenging sources (e.g., networked systems, encrypted devices, multiple interconnected storage media) using advanced forensic techniques with minimal supervision. Additional information: Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): Incumbent is required to work an average of two or more LEAP hours per scheduled workday, which may include evenings, nights and weekends. The incumbent is subject to work unscheduled duty hours and must be available for unscheduled duty based upon the needs of the Agency. Therefore, the incumbent is eligible for LEAP of an additional 25% and is subject to the provisions of the LEAP Act of 1994. Maximum Entry Age: This position is covered by the special retirement provisions for Federal Law Enforcement Officers (FLEO). FLEO must retire at age 57 upon completing 20 years of law enforcement service. If 20 years of service are not attained at age 57, mandatory retirement is required upon completion of 20 years of service. The day immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday is the last date for original appointment to a position as a law enforcement officer. This requirement does not apply to a) Preference-eligible veterans; OR b) Individuals who have previously served in a Federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. Section 8336 (c) provisions. Maximum entry-age requirement may be waived. Telework: Criminal Investigators in the Office of Export Enforcement are not eligible for telework.
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