Status of Industry Operations Investigator Vacancy Announcements 09-EXC-600 and 09-EXC-601
This notification is to advise that as of March 1, 2011, Executive Order 13162, which established the Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP) will be revoked by Executive Order 13562. Therefore, no appointments can be made under the FCIP after February 28, 2011.
Executive Order 13562 does not allow for any exceptions. Therefore, ATF vacancy announcements 09-EXC-600 and 09-EXC-601, Industry Operations Investigator (IOI), Grades 5/7/9, are impacted. If applicants have not already entered on duty as an IOI, we are unable to process your application further. To be considered for an IOI position with ATF you must apply to a future vacancy announcement. Updates on future vacancy announcements will be posted on our website at www.atf.gov.
Industry Operations Investigators
Industry operations investigators are the backbone of the ATF regulatory mission. Their work is primarily investigative and routinely involves contact with, and interviews of, individuals from all walks of life and all levels of industry and government. Investigations and inspections pertain to the industries and persons regulated by ATF (e.g., firearms and explosives users, dealers, importers, exporters, manufacturers, wholesalers, etc.); and are under the jurisdiction of the Gun Control Act, National Firearms Act, Arms Export Control Act, Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 and other Federal firearms and explosives laws and regulations.
The incumbent:
- Conducts investigations and inspections designed to carry out the Federal government's regulatory responsibilities pertaining to the firearms and explosives industries. Identifies evidence of falsification of records, inventories and document discrepancies through the analysis and examination of records, documents, and reports. Refers violations to special agents for further action.
- Determines if persons desiring to enter business in the regulated industries meet established legal requirements for obtaining a federal permit or license. Conducts interviews, inspects buildings, and performs routine background investigations to determine suitability. Prepares reports detailing results of investigations and inspections, and recommends further action when necessary.
- Utilizes knowledge of the Federal and state laws involving commerce in alcohol and tobacco, provides assistance to senior industry operations investigators, who are working with special agents on alcohol and tobacco diversion investigations. Verifies inventories and utilizes intelligence data to analyze records and examine business operations.
- Participates in conferences and discussions with Bureau officials concerning investigations and inspections. May develop presentations for industry associations and the public.
Conditions of Employment
- Be a U.S. Citizen
- To be eligible for Federal employment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify at the time of appointment that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law.
- Possess a current and valid automobile operator's license.
- Be in compliance with ATF's drug policy.
- Applicant must be physically able to handle the physical requirements of the position.
- This position may require overnight travel 11 or more nights per month.
- Applicants will not be reimbursed for relocation expenses, unless currently an ATF employee.
- Take and pass a drug test.
- Successfully complete a background investigation for a top secret clearance.
Industry Operations Investigator Training
Industry Operations Investigator Basic Training (IOIBT) is a comprehensive 8½-week program designed to train newly-hired Industry Operations Investigators (IOI) in the basic knowledge, skills and abilities needed to effectively conduct inspections of firearms and explosives licensees and permittees as well as render assistance to other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Since successful completion of IOIBT is mandatory in order for the newly hired IOI trainee to maintain employment, every aspect of the program is designed to ensure that trainees receive instruction of the highest caliber.
IOI trainees receive instruction on procedures for properly conducting firearms and explosives compliance and qualification inspections, including how to conduct such inspections safely and in accordance with all Federal laws and regulations. Training is also provided on explosives and firearms identification; firearms and explosives laws and regulatory requirements; firearms and explosives safe handling; report writing; research skills; business entities; interviewing techniques; sampling techniques; recognizing trafficking and diversion schemes; and procedures for obtaining permits and/or licenses to import, manufacture, or sell regulated products.
Because IOI trainees are expected to demonstrate their newly acquired knowledge, skills and abilities, a variety of individual and group practical exercises are conducted during IOIBT. Practical exercises include various interviewing scenarios, explosives safe handling; firearms identification; laser rangefinder and GPS use and operation; simulated inspections of licensed gun shops and explosives storage facilities; escape and evasion techniques; and revocation hearing testimony.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the requirements for becoming an ATF industry operations investigator?
The following informational packet provides detailed information about the ATF industry operations investigator position to include major duties, basic qualifications, conditions of employment and specific requirements:
- ATF P 2310.5 – Investigator Informational Packet
Q: How can I find out about future industry operations investigator vacancy announcements?
- IOI vacancy announcements will be posted at www.usajobs.gov. Register here to receive vacancy announcement email notifications
Q: Will ATF consider applicants with an arrest record or with a history of drug use?
- All suitability issues are reviewed on a case-by-case basis during the pre-employment screening process.
Q: How can current industry operations investigator applicants find out the status of their application?
- Due to the large volume of applications processed by ATF, the Recruitment, Hiring and Staffing Center will be unable to assist with individual status checks. Applicants are considered to be in the hiring process unless they receive written notification that they are no longer under consideration.
- As noted in each industry operations investigator vacancy announcement, the ATF hiring process can be very lengthy. Applicants are forwarded through the hiring process on an as needed basis and not on any set schedule. Budget issues, staffing issues and previously existing pool(s) of applicants may significantly affect the time it takes to complete the hiring process.
Q: I am currently a student in college and will be obtaining a four-year degree in the near future. Can I submit an application for the industry operations investigator position?
- If applying based on the education requirement you must already have completed your degree at the time of application. Industry Operations Investigator vacancy announcements are posted at www.USAJobs.gov. Register here to receive vacancy announcement email notifications.
Drug Policy for ATF Applicants
(The term applicant refers to any individual that has applied for a direct hire Government position with ATF.)
An applicant for an ATF position may not have illegally used any Schedule I through Schedule V controlled substance during the past 10 years and not more than minimal experimental usage during his/her lifetime. Schedules I through V as defined in the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C., Section 812, include but are not limited to, cocaine, crack, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), amphetamines, methamphetamine, heroin, and anabolic steroids. Although Schedule I includes marijuana, ATF’s drug policy on marijuana usage is set forth below.
An applicant for an ATF position may not have illegally used marijuana within the past 3 years and not more than limited experimental usage during his/her lifetime. The various forms of marijuana include cannabis, hashish, hash oil, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in both synthetic and natural forms.
An applicant for an ATF position may not have illegally used a controlled substance (including marijuana) while employed as a law enforcement officer or in a prosecutorial position or while employed in a position of public safety, or while maintaining a security clearance for access to National Security Information (NSI).
With the exception of experimental usage as noted above, an applicant for an ATF position may not have violated any provision of the Controlled Substances Act, including but not limited to, the illegal sale or manufacture of a controlled substance or conspiring to illegally sell or manufacture controlled substances.
An applicant for an ATF position may not intentionally misrepresent his/her drug usage.
Questions
Salary
- Base Annual Salary Range For Year 2012:
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$27,431 (Grade 5, Step 1) to $41,563 (Grade 9, Step 1) (Salary range excludes locality pay)
Base salary will depend upon grade qualifications. Application materials will be reviewed by the Recruitment, Hiring & Staffing Center to determine the grade for which an applicant may qualify. All applicants must meet basic qualifications at the grade 5 to be eligible for the position.
- Locality Pay:
- Promotion Potential:
All ATF duty stations qualify for locality pay. Employees receive an additional percentage of their base salary, depending upon their locations. The current range of locality pay is 14.16% to 35.15%.
The full performance level for this position is grade 13 ($71,674 - $93,175 - excludes locality pay).
Benefits
- Annual leave (vacation time) is earned at the rate of 13-26 days per year, with a maximum accumulation of 240 hours per year.
- Sick leave is earned at the rate of 13 days per year and may be accumulated without limit.
- Paid holidays.
- Low cost health insurance with the option to choose from a variety of plans.
- Low cost life insurance.
- Tax-deferred Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
- Health improvement (physical fitness) program.
- The Foreign Language Award Program authorizes cash awards for ATF employees who possess and make substantial use of one or more foreign language(s) in the performance of their official duties. The cash award is based upon proficiency and substantial usage
- Federal benefits and additional related information are available on the following websites: