Summary Ths position is located in region 1 with Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations and is responsible for performing supervision and direction of subordinate supervisory Law Enforcement Officers whose duties include detection, investigation, apprehension, detention, and prosecution activities associated with enforcement of laws and regulations. For additional information about the duties of this position, Please email SM.FS.LEI_RECRUIT@USDA.GOV Responsibilities The incumbent serves as the Region's principle technical expert on Law Enforcement Officer and Forest Protection Officer functions in carrying out the mission of serving people and protecting natural resources and property. Provides oversight and direction, within established agency policy, in all aspects of the enforcement function. Provides oversight and advice to the Special Agent in Charge concerning the administration of the Region's Cooperative Law Enforcement Agreements and Annual Operating and Financial Management Plans. Participates in the analysis and decision-making process for operational prioritization which involves determinations on the effective use of personnel and equipment utilized to protect the public, employees, and natural resources. Participates as the Forest Service representative/member on inter and intra-agency work groups and task forces related to enforcement responsibilities. Works closely with the Office of General Counsel's Regional Attorney, U.S. Attorneys, and heads of other federal and state law enforcement agencies to ensure that Forest Service interests are achieved. Plans, assigns, schedules, directs, and reviews the work of the subordinate supervisory law enforcement officers. Evaluates work performance and takes appropriate disciplinary action or makes recommendations for awards. Resolves work problems and explains management policies and goals. Conducts the full range of civil, administrative and misdemeanor criminal investigations affecting National Forest System lands and may be assigned full or partial felony investigation under the direction of the Special Agent in Charge. Apprehends and detains persons who have committed or are suspected of committing criminal offences affecting National Forests System lands. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications 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. Medical Requirements - The duties of positions 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 in order that applicants may perform the 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. Hearing loss, as measured by an audiometer, 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 disqualifying. Work Environment: The work environment regularly involves high risks with exposure to potentially dangerous situations or unusual environmental stress which require a range of safety and other precautions, e.g., possible physical attack or mob conditions, operation of automobiles in high-speed chases, or similar situations where conditions cannot be controlled. Physical Demands: The work requires, on a regular and recurring basis, considerable and strenuous physical exertion, including periods of standing, walking, and running over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; frequent climbing of multiple flights of stairs; lifting heavy objects over 50 pounds; crouching or crawling in restrictive areas during search or pursuit activities; and/or physically subduing uncooperative individuals. The work involves the risk of attack without warning, requires quick decisions to protect the lives of other law enforcement personnel and the public, with deadly force used only as a last resort. Due to the requirements of this position, applicants must have prior law enforcement experience that included the following activities: 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. NOTE: To be eligible for Secondary Law Enforcement Coverage, you must 1) move directly from a Federal Primary/Rigorous position; 2) complete 3 years of service in a primary/rigorous position, and; 3) must be continuously employed in a secondary position(s) since moving from a primary/rigorous position. Selective Placement Factor: Must have at least three years of service in positions that have been approved for Rigorous or Primary Law Enforcement retirement coverage. Specialized Experience Requirement: GS-13 Level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as one or more of the following: planning, coordinating, and leading complex patrol operations involving other law enforcement agencies which may have included saturation patrols, checkpoints, and/or specialized units; advising or collaborating on violation prevention and law enforcement strategies; planning and conducting special studies, reviews, and evaluating related to investigative activities; providing technical guidance to field staff on law enforcement intelligence and/or counter intelligence gathering. 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. Education Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary and term employees the opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years and the last temporary or term appointment must have been with the Forest Service. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status such as leave without pay is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met. The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional Information is available on the OPM Website. This is a non-bargaining unit position.
