Pentagon Force Protection Agency Logo
Position Title
Explosives Investigator
Agency
Pentagon Force Protection Agency
Announcement Number
ST-12187313-24-ER Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 to Monday, November 6, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2.
  • Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
  •  
    • Position title;
    • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
    • Agency; and,
    • Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
  •  
 (limit characters)
3. You are eligible for this hiring category if you are currently employed on a permanent appointment in the competitive service with a federal agency.

Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your appointment eligibility, by submitting a copy of your last or most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, (block 24 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a"1").

NOTE:  If you are serviced by WHS you are not required to submit an SF-50.
*If you are currently working on a temporary or term appointment, or are serving on active duty in the U.S. military service, you are NOT eligible for this hiring category.
*If you are currently working for a private sector company performing work related to a contract with a federal agency, you are NOT eligible for this hiring category. (limit characters)
4. You are eligible for this hiring category if you are a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who has permanent change of station (PCS) orders (not for training).
  • Limited to the geographic area as specified in the PCS orders. This includes the surrounding area which people reasonably can be expected to travel daily to and from work.
  • Must relocate with the service member to be eligible.
  • Must be currently located in the commuting area to be authorized preference.
Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference which includes:

Documents required to be submitted with Application for Military Spouse Preference Eligible:
(NOTE: DoD agencies may require additional documentation. Please refer to the announcement to ensure that all required documentation is submitted with your application. It is highly recommended that you save all these documents to your USAJOBS account in order to facilitate applying to multiple positions.)

Military Spouses with prior Federal work experience:
  • Narrative resume
  • PCS orders
  • Marriage certificate or license
  • SF-50s, if applicable (e.g., LWOP, highest grade held, overseas appointments, etc.)
  • Documentation of performance rating of record (dated within the last 12 months), if applicable
  • Signed self-certification checklist
  • Veteran's preference documentation (e.g., DD-214, VA letter, Statement of Service), if applicable
  • Transcripts, if applicable
Military Spouses without prior Federal work experience:
  • Narrative resume
  • PCS orders
  • Marriage certificate or license
  • Signed self-certification checklist
  • Veterans' preference documentation (e.g. DD 214, VA letter, Statement of Service), if applicable
  • Transcripts, if applicable
 (limit characters)
5. You are eligible for this hiring category if you have completed 52 weeks in an appropriated fund position, performed under a local hire appointment overseas. Work must have been performed during the time the family member was accompanying a sponsor, officially assigned to an overseas area and the eligible family member must have received a fully successful or better (or equivalent) performance rating. Creditable service may have been under more than one appointment and need not be continuous.

An individual must have been a family member at the time s/he met the overseas service requirement, but does not need to be a family member at the time of non-competitive appointment in the United States. A family member is a spouse or unmarried child under the age of 23.

Any law, Executive Order, or regulation that disqualifies an applicant for appointment in the competitive service also disqualifies the applicant for appointment under E.O. 12721.

An individual is eligible for temporary, term, or career-conditional appointment(s) under E.O. 12721 for a period of 3 years following the date of return from the overseas to the United States to resume residence.

Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your eligibility for E.O. 12721 which may include: A copy of your last or most recent SF-50, "Notice of Personnel Action," reflecting 52 weeks of creditable service or 26 weeks of creditable service if the sponsor's tour was curtailed.

For more information visit the Department of State website: http://E.O. 12721 (limit characters)
6. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position?

If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy
• your grade is equivalent to or above the grade level of the vacancy or has greater promotion potential than the grade level of the vacancy
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

You will be required to submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of ICTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice, copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), and most recent performance appraisal showing a rating of record that is at least fully successful or equivalent.  For more information, review https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/ (limit characters)
7. You are eligible for this hiring category, if you are: 
  • A current non-appropriated fund (NAF); OR 
  • Other Interchange Agreement eligible employee; AND 
  • served continuously for at least one year under a permanent appointment; OR 
  • Former Interchange Agreement eligible (e.g., NAF) employee who served under an appointment described above, and was involuntarily separated within the past year without personal cause (i.e., not because of unacceptable conduct or performance).
 (limit characters)
8. Are you eligible under this authority for appointment?
• Current or former Land Management Agency employee (i.e. the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture; the Bureau of Land Management of the Department of the Interior; the National Park Service of the Department of the Interior; the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior; the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the Department of the Interior; or the Bureau of Reclamation of the Department of the Interior); and
• Who currently are or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies.

Current land management agency appointees:
must have initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to the time-limited appointment,
must have served under 1 or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years, and
must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service.

Former land management agency employees:
must have initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to the time-limited appointment,
must have served under 1 or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a total period of more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years,
must have performed at an acceptable level throughout the service period(s),
must apply for a position covered by these provisions within 2 years after their most recent date of separation, and
must have been separated, with respect to their most recent separation, for reasons other than misconduct or performance.

Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable proof of your appointment eligibility by submitting a copy of your most recent SF-50 (block 24 must be a "0" or "3" AND block 34 must be a"1"), Notification of Personnel Action, documenting your Land Management eligibility for a competitive service appointment AND performance rating showing you have performed at an acceptable level. (limit characters)
9. You are eligible for this hiring category if you:
  • Are a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty,
  • Are a spouse of a 100 percent disabled service member injured while on active duty; OR
  • Are the un-remarried widow or widower of a service member who was killed while performing active duty.
Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your eligibility for E.O. 13832 which may include:
  • verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage); and,
  • Documentation verifying active duty status; or
  • verification of the member's 100 percent disability; or
  • verification of the member's death while on active duty.
Additionally, you may need to submit a Standard Form-15 (SF-15), an Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference, and applicable supporting documents as noted on the form. Obtain a copy of SF-15 at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf 

**For appointments made on or after August 13, 2023, the following additional criteria must be met for eligibility for appointment: (A) The member of the armed forces must have received orders authorizing a permanent change of station.  (B) The spouse must have married the member of the armed forces on, or prior to, the date of such orders authorizing the permanent change of station. (C) The spouse must have relocated or is relocating with the member of the armed forces to the new duty station specified in the documentation ordering the permanent change of station.
  (limit characters)
10. Were you formerly employed as a federal civilian on a permanent competitive appointment but are not currently a permanent competitive federal employee? 

If eligible, submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. 
• Your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect career or career-conditional (Tenure 1 or 2) AND
• Your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied is 1).

NOTE:  If you are serviced by WHS you are not required to submit an SF-50.
  (limit characters)
11. You are required to submit proof of your eligibility. Examples of special appointment authority include appointment of people from Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service, General Accounting Office, Panama Canal Commission, Peace Corps, Postal Career Service/Postal Rate Commission, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), VISTA/ACTION Volunteers, Schedule A 5 CFR 213.3102 (u), etc. You are required to provide acceptable documentation of your appointment eligibility, by submitting a copy of proof of employment, from the appropriate agency, on official letterhead, with your complete application. (limit characters)
12. Are you a veteran whose discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:
• served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (NOTE: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility) OR
• a preference eligible veteran

If eligible, submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If currently on active duty and within 120 days of separation, in lieu of a DD-214, submit certification from your military personnel office verifying retirement/separation date and type/character of discharge.

Note: Current or former Federal employees (i.e., an individual who within the previous 52 weeks held a GS position under nontemporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch) applying under VEOA eligibility will be subject to time-in-grade restrictions IAW 5 CFR 300.604. If applying to a GS position in the competitive service, you are required to provide a SF-50 or SF-50s that show that you have held the next lower grade level of the position to which you are applying for at least one year OR held the same or higher grade level. 

For more information, review https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/  (limit characters)
13. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions and you:
• recently separated (within the past 3 years)
• are a disabled veteran
• served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition OR
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal

If eligible, submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service.  If claiming disability preference, provide the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.

For more information, review https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/ (limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for applying to the Explosives Investigator position, GS-1801-9/11/12, with the Pentagon Force Protection Agency. (limit characters)
1. GS-9 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Select the one statement that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Explosives Investigator at the GS-9 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. (limit characters)
2. GS-11 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Select the one statement that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of an Explosives Investigator at the GS-11 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.
 (limit characters)
3. GS-12 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Select the one statement that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of an Explosives Investigator at the GS-12 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. (limit characters)
This position has Conditions of Employment that must be obtained prior to your start date and maintained for the duration of this employment. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
4. This position requires you to obtain and maintain a Top Secret (Sensitive Compartmented Information) security clearance. A Special Background Investigation (SBI) is required with favorable adjudication by a determining authority. Are you willing to meet the security clearance requirements? (limit characters)
5. This position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the civilian drug-testing program. As a mandatory requirement for employment in this TDP, the incumbent is to (a) refrain from the use of illegal drugs and (b) if required, submit to urinalysis testing. The selectee must sign statements acknowledging the position is identified as a TDP. Are you willing to meet the drug testing requirements? (limit characters)
6. The employee must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license from the jurisdiction where he or she resides. Are you willing to meet this requirement? (limit characters)
7. This position may require occasional travel away from your normal duty station for official business in military or commercial aircraft. Travel may be up to 30% of the duty time. Are you willing to meet the travel requirements? (limit characters)
8. The employee assigned to this position is designated as a MISSION ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEE. Mission essential employees may be required to report for, or remain at, work in dismissal or closure situations due to adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, or other emergency situations (e.g., building closure due to power outage) causing disruptions of government operations, and are required to maintain contact with their supervisor during any dismissal or closure situation unless specifically excused by their supervisor. Are you willing to meet the Mission Essential requirement? (limit characters)
9. This position is subject to recall 24/7 and the employee may be required to work shifts; days off vary. Are you willing to meet this requirement? (limit characters)
10. The incumbent is required to take and pass a pre-employment and annual PFPA medical and physical fitness examinations. This position requires the employee to take and pass annual PFPA medical and physical fitness examinations; to carry and qualify with PFPA service issued firearms twice a year; to wear personal protective equipment, i.e., bomb suit, ballistic vest, etc.; and to pass all designated PFPA certification programs. He or she must have the capacity to perform the essential functions of the position without risk to themselves or others. Are you willing to meet this condition of employment? (limit characters)
11. Employee must meet the requirements of the "Lautenberg Agreement": This position shall require the employee to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, U.S.C., Section 922(g)(9)). Are you able to meet this condition of employment? (limit characters)
12. The employee must be in a constant state of physical readiness and must be capable of demonstrating maximum physical exertion without warning. Are you willing to meet this requirement?
 (limit characters)
13. The following medical requirements apply to all employees: good near and distant vision, ability to distinguish basic colors,emotional and mental stability, and the ability to hear the conversational voice. In addition, the position requires common physical characteristics and abilities in agility, dexterity, and strength to endure regular and recurring physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking, driving, bending, stooping, carrying, or moving heavy or unwieldy objects over 50 pounds, running, climbing,crouching, crawling and kneeling during pursuit possibly in restricted, dark and hot or cold spaces, or defending oneself or others against possible exposure to explosives, chemicals, or other weapons of mass destruction. Are you willing to meet this condition of employment? (limit characters)
14. As an Explosives Investigator representing PFPA, it is essential that the employee present a professional and competent image, providing appropriate responses, as well as maintain clean and neat attire, and a well-groomed, tidy appearance. Are you willing to meet this condition of employment?
 (limit characters)
15. The employee must work in all weather conditions, unpredictable terrain, with long periods of standing, walking long distances, carrying moderately heavy objects, climbing multiple flights of stairs, and crouching, all while wearing up to and including a bomb suit and Occupational Safety and Health Administration Level A suit with Self Contained Breathing Apparatus. Are you willing to meet this requirement? (limit characters)
16. The employee is required to perform hazardous duties in a dangerous environment involving live explosives and sample materials that may contain Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) agents. Are you willing to meet this requirement? (limit characters)
17. The employee is required to work with and transport explosives, explosively driven tools, weapons, and CBRN agents every day. Are you willing to meet this condition of employment? (limit characters)
18. It is highly desirable that the applicant is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Hazardous Devices School; AND the applicant has a minimum of 3 years of experience as a full-time, salaried, sworn employee of a public safety agency.

Are you a graduate of the listed with a minimum of 3 years experience? (limit characters)
19. The employee must obtain and maintain a Department of Defense Hazardous Materials Technician certification. Are you willing to meet this condition of employment?
 (limit characters)
20. The employee must satisfactorily complete job related training and meet physical health standards required for certain courses. Are you willing to meet this requirement? (limit characters)
21. Retention in this position is contingent upon the successful completion and passing of all agency-trained requirements to include recertification or re-qualification courses. Are you willing to meet this requirement? (limit characters)
22. The employee will be required to obtain and maintain training required for Federal Law Enforcement Officers. Are you willing to meet this requirement? (limit characters)
23. Position may be authorized for the Domicile-to-Duty Transportation Program. Domicile-to-Duty mileage is limited to operators living within 50 driving miles one way of their duty location. Are you willing to meet the Domicile-to-Duty Transportation Program requirements? (limit characters)
24. This position is identified as a covered position under the PFPA Civilian Mobility Program, Regulation 1400.24, effective September 28, 2015. This position requires that the candidate must sign a mobility agreement as a condition of employment. PFPA may relocate covered positions and covered employees in permanent changes of duty statement between PFPA duty locations in the National Capital Region; Raven Rock Mountain Complex (Adams County, Pennsylvania); Glynco, Georgia; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania or Baltimore, Maryland and potentially other locations to improve mission effectiveness or enhance individual career progression. Are you willing to sign a Mobility Agreement? (limit characters)
In this part you will respond to questions about your experience as it relates to the position for which you are applying. Carefully review the level descriptions (A to E) listed below. For each task question, choose the level description that best describes your experience and/or training. Your responses must be fully supported within the text of your resume. Failure to properly identify your experience may result in the lowering of your overall score and/or your disqualification for this position.
 (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
25. Secures explosive material and other evidence, while maintaining and documenting the chain of custody, to ensure consistency with applicable standard operational procedures and complete law enforcement reports.
 (limit characters)
26. Analyzes information from instruments, sources and alternate detection and identification technologies in support of investigations involving criminal violators of federal explosives and arson laws.
 (limit characters)
27. Works with internal and external emergency response forces and other public safety agencies (e.g., Federal, State, foreign, local) in order to develop and render safe procedures, recommendations for a hazard area exclusion zone if the device functions as designed.
 (limit characters)
28. Research and compiles information from a variety of technical resources (e.g., open source, sensitive data, witness statements, EOD databases, and law enforcement databases) in order to provide technical investigative assistance. (limit characters)
29. Collaborates with representatives from other emergency responder agencies to share information or coordinate activities at a hazardous devices incident or weapon of mass destruction attack.
 (limit characters)
30. Performs reconnaissance and hazardous scene surveillance activities in a bomb suit personal protective ensemble using detection and identification equipment, (e.g., photographic and video equipment to collect information for use in subsequent actions.
 (limit characters)
31. Conducts investigations to detect and identify hazardous materials to include commercial explosives, military explosives, homemade explosives and radioactive isotopes.
 (limit characters)
32. Conducts hazardous device assessments, following established standards and ensure adherence to agency policies and procedures. (limit characters)
33. Conducts investigation of a hazardous device in a bomb suit and collects evidence to support a criminal investigative process.
 (limit characters)
34. Fosters commitment and team spirit resulting in the achievement of organizational goals (limit characters)
35. Works in a small team operational environment to cooperate with all members in order to achieve common objectives and mission goals.
 (limit characters)
36. Develops professional relationships and collaborates within the team and agency to work toward common goals.
 (limit characters)
37. Operates the technology to highly specialized tools and equipment effectively to analyze and communicate critical information in common terminology and format.
 (limit characters)
38. Operates hazardous devices detection and identification equipment in an explosive environment using various technologies to include x-ray, electronic countermeasures and High Purity Germanium (HPGe) radioactive nuclei identifier.
 (limit characters)
39. Uses knowledge as a hazardous devices technician to advise others on hazards and protective measures.
 (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
40. INTEGRITY CERTIFICATION

Your ratings in this questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification based on the documents you submitted. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy. By agreeing to the statement below, you are confirming that you: 1) understand this warning; 2) have reviewed your responses to this questionnaire for accuracy; and 3) have verified that your responses accurately describe your current level of experience and capability as reflected in your resume. Do you certify the accuracy of your responses?


 (limit characters)
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