These positions are with Region 3 and Region 6 for Law Enforcement and Investigations as a Field Training Officer with USDA Forest Service. The incumbent will be expected to become an instructor in Firearms, Control Tactics/Conducted Energy Weapon, and/or Fitness for a zone(s) within a Region if not already an instructor. For additional information about the duties of these positions, please contact SM.FS.LEI_RECRUIT@USDA.GOV
In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Due to the requirements of this position, applicants must have prior law enforcement experience that included the following activities: be a certified USDA Forest Service LEI Field Training Officer and enforcement of criminal laws of the United States through investigation, apprehension, or detection of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses against these criminal laws. This experience must be reflected in the resume. Selective Placement Factor: Have you successfully completed the USDA Forest Service Law Enforcement Investigation Field Training Officer Course? Specialized Experience Requirement:GS-11: Applicant must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as a majority of the following: mentoring trainees in developing independent problem-solving skills and resources; Assisting with development analysis, and evaluation of new or revised law enforcement policy statements and guidelines for the law enforcement and investigations program; Analyzing reports to find trends related to enforcement problems and concerns; Reviewing complete enforcement and investigative files for research and analysis purposes; Carrying out law enforcement activities such as detection, investigation, apprehension, detention, prosecution, and conducting full investigations of misdemeanors and assisting in felony investigations. OR- 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 OR- an appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate-level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.).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. 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. TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Serve as a Field Training Officer (FTO) and evaluates Field Training Evaluation Program (FTEP) trainee performance to determine effectiveness of course instruction/materials.
Instruct specific courses for law enforcement personnel and/or Forest Protection Officers (FPOs).
Provide assistance to other instructors and staff on instruction of law enforcement courses.
Coordinate law enforcement planning activities with other USDA Forest Service units, State, Local and Federal agencies.
Serve as an instructor for the unit's Forest Protection Officer (FPO) program which is responsible for conducting annual FPO training.
Evaluate and document the Field Training and Evaluation Program trainee’s performance.
Conduct full investigations of misdemeanor crimes and offenses of regulatory and Federal criminal laws affecting National Forest System lands.
Plan, direct and conduct law enforcement patrols to prevent, detect and enforce violations of Federal laws and regulations on National Forest System lands related to resources, property, employees, and users.
Develop worksheets, training exercises, and remedial training as necessary.