This position requires a Top Secret security clearance. Therefore, applicants will be required to successfully complete a background security investigation, polygraph examination, and drug test. Revocation or failure to maintain a Top Secret security clearance would result in termination of employment.

This position may require considerable travel throughout the United States and some travel abroad. Candidates will be required to sign a Mobility/Travel Agreement as a condition of employment.

Candidates and their immediate families must be U.S. citizens.

Applicants must be within the guidelines of the NDIC Employment Drug Policy. Please read this section carefully before applying.

NDIC EMPLOYMENT DRUG POLICY

If you answered "YES" to any of the questions asked within the policy, you should NOT apply for the position. They are immediate disqualifiers.

In accordance with Executive order 12564, applicants selected for this position are required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is a drug-testing designated position subject to random testing for illegal drug use.

Duties and Responsibilities:

This position is located in the Digital Evidence Laboratory of the Document and Media Exploitation Branch of the Information Collection Section at NDIC. Incumbent conducts the examination and exploitation of seized computers and electronic devices. Incumbent assigned to this position will conduct field examinations and analyses of personal computers and related evidence (i.e., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes, memory cards, and similarly designed storage devices). Position requires a comprehensive knowledge of customized programs, encrypted or deleted files, and unusual operating systems. Incumbent ensures the integrity of original electronic magnetically stored evidence while in NDIC custody and provides expert technical assistance to case agents in various federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies on retrieving information from converted databases. Incumbent maintains liaison with counterparts in various other federal agencies as well as technical experts in the computer industry and academia and may be required to testify in court regarding methods and procedures of data retrieval.

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Qualification Requirements:

GS-9: Requires a master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B. or J.D., if related OR 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 level for the occupation.

GS-11: Requires 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., if related OR 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 level for the occupation.

GS-12 and above: Requires 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the occupation.

All current federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements.

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Specialized Experience:

Experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Experience would include: conducting forensic examinations and analyses of computer evidence; providing technical guidance regarding advanced recovery methods to retrieve information from customized programs, deleted files, and unusual operating systems. 

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Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics (KSAOCs):

Applicants who meet the qualification requirements above will be further evaluated to determine the extent to which their education, work experience, and training indicate they possess the KSAOCs required to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. Describe experience (paid or unpaid), education, training, and self-development as related to the KSAOCs. Please limit responses to one or two pages per KSAOC.

NOTE: Please select and respond to the set(s) of KSAOCs required for the grade level(s) for which you wish to be considered as you have specified in block #2 of the OF-612.

APPLICANTS MUST ADDRESS EACH KSAOC SEPARATELY ON ITS OWN PAGE.

GS-9

1. Experience demonstrates a thorough understanding of computer forensics technology.
    
2. Ability to make effective use of technical support.
    
3. Skill in establishing effective working relationships in a team environment.

GS-11

1. Comprehensive knowledge of the use and characteristics of a variety of computer systems including computer equipment, operating systems, application software, utility programs, forensic software, and magnetic media storage devices.
    
2. Ability to identify the uses of a variety of computer programs.
    
3. Ability to work in a team environment and communicate well with others on work related issues.

GS-12

1. Knowledge of rules of evidence as they pertain to the sensitivity of computer forensics examination.
    
2. Ability to disassemble and reassemble computer hardware and to create copies of evidence images to suitable mass storage media.
    
3. Well-developed written and oral communication skills to write technical reports and instructions in easily understood terms.

GS-13

1. Advanced knowledge of digital evidence examination methods and procedures as well as best practices in digital evidence handling, examination, and results reporting.
    
2. Expert knowledge of related disciplines such as computer science, information technology, computer engineering, computer operating systems, computer networks, computer security, and computer programming.
    
3. Exceptional ability to work in a team environment and communicate well with others on work related issues. Examples may include providing expert witness testimony and/or developing standard operating procedures.

The KSAOCs listed on this Vacancy Announcement have been identified as necessary for successful performance in the position for which you are applying. The information provided in the application will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position.

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How You Will Be Evaluated:

You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with this position as defined above. When describing your knowledge, skills, and abilities, please be sure to give examples and explain how often you used these skills, the complexity of the knowledge you possess, the level of the people you interacted with, and the sensitivity of the issues you handled, etc. Paid or unpaid experience will be considered. A consensus score will be calculated based on your responses to the KSAOCs. If you are eligible for veterans' preference, this will be notated on the referral listing to the selecting official for the position(s).

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Pay, Benefits, and Work Schedule:

All federal employees are required by PL 104-134 to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit.

This position will be filled on a full-time permanent basis. Employees are required to serve a 2-year trial period in accordance with 5 CFR 752.401(c) (5).

In addition to competitive wages and excellent working conditions, NDIC offers a comprehensive package of benefits to federal employees.

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Other Information:

This position is in the Excepted Service. It is excluded from provisions of the career transition assistance program. Because this position is in the Excepted Service, it may not be filled by a competitive appointment, and acceptance of the proposed appointment will take you out of the competitive service while you occupy the position. Upon being hired, you will be required to sign a memorandum of understanding concerning an Excepted Service appointment.

Your Social Security Number (SSN) is requested under the authority of Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may have the same name. As allowed by law or Presidential directive, your SSN is used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others who may know you. Failure to provide your SSN on your application materials will result in your application not being processed.

Before being hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application.

If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.

Employees who received a buyout and subsequently return to positions in federal agencies, whether by reemployment or contracts for personal services, are generally obligated to repay the full amount of the buyout to the agency that paid it.

Employment may be denied as a result of information of which the applicant is genuinely unaware or by an assessment that an applicant does not meet the agency's overall employment criteria. A negative employment determination by the agency is final, and normally no specific reasons regarding non-selection will be made. Employment with NDIC is not a right upon which an applicant can insist. NDIC notifies all applicants, in writing, of the outcome of their application.

Appointments to NDIC are made by the Director.

Applicants must meet all qualification requirements at the time of application.

Relocation costs will not be paid.

ALL EXPENSES INCURRED BY APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE APPLICANT.

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How to Apply:

Please submit the following documents to the address provided in this announcement:

1. An OF-612* form (Application for Federal Employment). Completed form should include the names and telephone numbers of current and former supervisors. Application must be typed or printed clearly in dark ink. NOTE: You must specify in block #2 of the OF-612 the grade level(s) for which you are applying.
    
2. A narrative assessment of your qualifications in terms of the KSAOCs identified within this announcement.
    
3. A list of three references who are not related to you. At least two references should know your qualifications and fitness for the kind of job for which you are applying; one should know you well on a personal basis. The person's full name, telephone number(s) (including area code), and present business or home address are needed. Providing this information constitutes permission to contact these references.
    
4. A completed SF-181* form (Ethnicity and Race Identification). (Optional)
    
5. A completed and signed OF-306* form (Declaration for Federal Employment)
     
6. Current or prior federal employees must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal (must be within the past 15 months from the closing date of the announcement). Applicants unable to provide their most recent performance appraisal must provide written justification for its absence.
    
7. Current or prior federal employees applying for this position must submit a copy of their most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing position title, series, and grade.
    
8. Applicants claiming veterans' preference must submit a copy of their DD-214 and any other required documentation with your application package. To be eligible for veterans' preference, a veteran must be honorably separate. (See Note Below)

NOTE: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to appointments in the "excepted" service; however, NDIC considers veteran's preference eligibility as a positive hiring factor.  External applicants eligible for veteran's preference are required to include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD-214 and SF-15 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions. You must include the appropriate documentation in order to receive the proper consideration.

*The Optional and Standard Forms (OF-612, SF-181, and OF-306) are available in two formats on our website:

OF-612  MS Word   PDF
SF-181  MS Word   PDF
OF-306  MS Word   PDF

Please note that these forms must be completed in MS Word format if you wish to submit your application package electronically. These forms can also be downloaded from the following website: www.opm.gov/forms.

Please submit all requested information listed in the “How to Apply” section of this announcement. FAILURE TO SUBMIT KSAOCS WILL RESULT IN YOUR NOT RECEIVING CONSIDERATION. Missing information will not be requested. Applicant qualifications will be evaluated solely on the information submitted in their application. Materials submitted as part of the application will not be returned.

Please do not submit your application package in a notebook or binder with extraneous information. Documents should not be stapled or paper clipped. Applicants should provide sufficient information to enable the Human Resources Unit (HRU) to properly evaluate your application against the Qualification Standards, time-in-grade, and/or time after competitive appointment restrictions.

For additional information about this position, please contact:

Ms. Diane Vitko
Human Resources Specialist
(814) 532-4676
NDIC.Jobs@usdoj.gov

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Submission Options

Once your employment package is completed, there are several different ways of sending it to HRU at NDIC. Please note that only employment related correspondence will be accepted.

The submission methods include:

Postal Mail:

National Drug Intelligence Center
ATTN: HRU #283-ND-08
319 Washington Street, 5th Floor
Johnstown, PA 15901-1622

Unclassified Fax:

Required information faxed to: (814) 532-5809
Attention: HRU #283-ND-08

Electronic Mail:

Application packages consisting of Microsoft Word documents and scanned file attachments may be sent via e-mail to: NDIC.Jobs@usdoj.gov.

Internal applicants:

Submit applications to HRU by 5 p.m. on the closing date.

Applicants choosing fax or electronic mail must send their entire application package in one transmission by NDIC's closing time of 5 p.m. on the closing date of this announcement. Partial or incomplete applications using any submission method will not be considered.

Mailed applications will not be accepted if received after 5 p.m. on the closing date.

Internal applications must be received by close of business on the closing date to receive consideration.

NDIC is a secured facility. No applications will be accepted at the guard station.

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What To Expect Next:

You will be notified by mail upon receipt of your application. Once a review of all submitted applications is completed, a Human Resources Specialist will issue a referral certificate or list of eligibles containing the names of those candidates determined to be " best qualified"  (BQ) for the position(s) to be filled. The selecting official has the option to interview or may select from the BQ list. You will be notified by mail of the outcome of your application.

NDIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of color, race, religion, national origin, politics, marital status, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, status as a parent, membership or nonmembership in an employee organization, or on the basis of personal favoritism.

NDIC welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and will reasonably accommodate the needs of those persons. NDIC is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within NDIC. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify NDIC. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

NOTE: This Excepted Service position will be filled under the NDIC Schedule A appointing authority. A successful candidate currently employed by another federal agency will be converted to the NDIC appointment from their current employing agency.

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