Position: Legal Instruments Examiner, GS 5/6/7

Division: Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS)

Section: National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)

Unit: NICS Operations

Location: Clarksburg, WV

Working Hours:

We currently have a variety of day, mid, and night shifts, with hours starting as early as 7:30 a.m. and ending as late as 1:30 a.m. Shifts are 8 or 10 hours long with a ½ hour non-paid lunch. Shifts are filled by seniority and performance, and all shifts work at least one weekend day. Newer employees typically start on a mid or night shift. Also, shifts periodically change to ensure the needs of the Bureau are met.

When the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Section experiences an extremely high volume of firearm background checks, the Legal Instruments Examiners are sometimes required to work a set number of mandatory overtime hours. Management attempts to provide as much notice as possible when overtime will be mandated.

The firearm industry is considered a retail business. As such, expect to work Black Friday and Christmas Eve. Leave restrictions are set in place during the holiday shopping season and during the Valentine’s Day/tax season. All Legal Instruments Examiners are considered essential employees. This means you could be expected to work holidays and weekends. Additionally, as an essential employee, you should also be prepared to travel to work even during inclement weather.

Salary:

GS-5 $37,696.00-$49,009.00

GS-6 $42,022.00-$54,625.00

GS-7 $46,696.00-$60,703.00

Full Performance level: GS-9

Number of Positions Available: Multiple

Duration: Full Time/Permanent

Additional selections may be made from this announcement to fill positions within the same division when the position includes substantially the same duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.

Key Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance
• This position is designated as "emergency". As an "emergency" employee, you may be expected to report to work during periods of adverse weather conditions or other types of emergency situations when it is announced that an "unscheduled leave policy" is in effect or that federal agencies are closed in your immediate vicinity.
• Because this position involves conducting background checks for individuals wanting to purchase firearms, to avoid a perceived conflict of interest, neither employees in this position, nor any immediate family members (with which you have a relationship) are permitted to hold a current Federal Firearms License to sell guns.

ALL applicants must verify completion of the basic education requirement by submitting a copy of college transcripts by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. (if applicable)

Mission Statement:

The mission of the FBI is to protect the American People and uphold the Constitution of the United States.

Major Duties:

• Serves as an examiner in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Operations Center. Reviews and analyzes criminal records and documents and determines within three days, as established by the Brady Act, if there are prohibiting factors that prevent potential gun buyers from purchasing firearms.
• Receives telephonic inquiries and performs a name only search in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Interstate Identification Index (III), and the NICS Index.
• Reviews descriptive data on the potential gun buyer provided by the Federal Firearm Licensee (FFL) and compares it to possible hits.
• If the search is negative and there is no criminal record, advises FFL that the sale may proceed. If a hit or potential hit occurs, it may be necessary to ask for additional descriptive information. Incumbents review the criminal records and determines whether the name and information match the subject (potential gun buyer).
• Verifies the FFL number and password, remaining constantly alert of possible attempts by unauthorized persons to gain access to the NICS by pretext.
• Ensures adherence to security regulations so that at no time will criminal history information be made available to the FFL.
• Receives, reviews and analyzes those cases which require limited research for a determination to be made. May require review of several records. Reviews the record to determine if charge is a felony or misdemeanor, which may require research of state and federal law. If there is not a disposition, must contact the state bureau and/or court, provide information and request the final disposition. If a hit is against a manual record, must review the record and request or ensure it is automated.
• Reviews the record, documents and information; determines if a prohibiting factor exists; and advises the FFL of decision made.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Please make sure your specialized experience/requirement(s) can be identified in your resume. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Your application will be evaluated and rated under the FBI’s Candidate Rating Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement and will be compared to your responses to the online assessment questionnaire. High self-assessment in the vacancy questions that is not supported by information in your resume, and/or supporting documents may eliminate you from Most Competitive status.

Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Most Competitive, Competitive, or Least Competitive. Names of candidates in the Most Competitive category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Veterans’ preference will be applied.

All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies:

• Analytic Thinking
• Communication
• Customer Service
• Problem Solving/Judgment
• Technology Application

Specialized Experience (SE):

Please make sure your SE/requirement(s) can be identified in your resume.

A copy of your resume providing all relevant work experience MUST be submitted in PDF format by the closing date of this job announcement.

GS 5: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS 4 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Orally gathered and conveyed information, using tact to gain cooperation.
• Performed research and analyzed information to reach conclusions.
• Performed work under stress on short deadlines and/or difficult individuals.

GS 6: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS 5 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Orally gathered and conveyed information, using tact to gain cooperation.
• Summarized data in writing.
• Performed research to develop information.
• Analyzing information to reach conclusions.
• Performed work under stress on short deadlines and/or difficult individuals.

GS 7: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS 6 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Orally communicated to exchange information with cooperative and hostile individuals.
• Prepared written documents to support findings.
• Performed additional research to further develop information.
• Evaluated information to make decisions.
• Maintained composure when dealing with diverse personalities and/or stressful situations.

Education:

GS-5: Education may be substituted for SE at this grade level.

Applicant must have four (4) years of education above the high school level.

GS-6: Education may be substituted for SE at this grade level.

Applicant must have a bachelor’s degree.

GS-7: Education may be substituted for SE as follows:

Applicant must have a bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement or one (1) full year of graduate level education. Superior academic achievement is the completion of all the requirements of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average of 3.0 or higher as recorded on an official transcript, or as based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum, or (3) honor society membership.

All degrees must be from an accredited college or university. A copy of your transcripts MUST be attached to your application.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements provided you can show foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.

How to Apply

For detailed instructions related to applying, uploading documents, withdrawing an application or updating your application, please review instructions on