Types of Jobs in ATF

Current Status of Special Agent
Recruiting in ATF

Date: 03/15/04

Applications or resumes for the ATF Criminal Investigator (Special Agent) position will only be accepted in response to an open vacancy announcement or job information notice. Announcements or job notices will be opened on an as needed basis. For hiring updates, please contact the ATF Recruitment and Hiring Center periodically at 202-927-5690 or e-mail agent/inspectorinfo@ATF.gov.

Please see the following Frequently Asked Questions for important information about the ATF Special Agent position.

Frequently Asked Questions (Special Agent)

  1. What are the basic qualification requirements and conditions of employment for the ATF Special Agent position?

    2. See Special Agent Information Packet.

  2. Can I be placed on a list and be notified about future Treasury Enforcement Agent exams?

    3. No – the ATF Recruitment and Hiring Center receives literally thousands of inquiries about the special agent position. ATF does not guarantee that prospective applicants will be notified about future announcements or job notices. For hiring/testing updates, please contact the ATF Recruitment and Hiring Center periodically at 202-927-5690 or e-mail agent/inspectorinfo@ATF.gov.

  3. I have already taken the TEA exam for another agency. Do I still have to take the exam under an ATF announcement or job notice?

    4. Yes - under our current recruitment efforts, all applicants are required to take and pass an ATF-sponsored TEA exam. Test results will be valid for a period of three years from the date of the exam.

  4. I have previously taken the ATF TEA exam. How can I find out my numeric score?

    5. ATF offers the TEA exam on a pass / fail basis only. ATF does not receive numeric scores from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) therefore numeric scores will not be available to applicants.

  5. As a special agent applicant, can I apply for a specific duty location?

    6. No – newly hired special agents can be assigned to any office in the United States and are subject to relocation throughout their careers with ATF.

During the field panel interview, applicants are allowed to complete a field office preference sheet in which they can select up to five duty location preferences. Duty assignments however are made based on ATF’s staffing needs and preferences are not guaranteed.

  1. Can an 1811 with another Federal agency lateral over to ATF?

    2. ATF will only consider a lateral announcement if and when the need arises. Under our current recruitment efforts, current 1811’s are welcome to apply however they will only be considered at the GS-5, GS-7, or GS-9 grade level. They will also be required to leave the Competitive Service and enter the Excepted Service for a period of three years.

  2. How are grade level determinations made?

    3. Grade determinations are based upon documentation submitted by an applicant prior to the closing date of a vacancy announcement or job information notice. The information is weighed against the qualifications standards established by the Office of Personnel Management. Duties and accomplishments gained after the closing date of an announcement or job notice cannot be accepted for the purpose of determining grade levels.

    Applicants are advised of their proposed grade during the pre-employment screening process and prior to reporting for duty. Proposed grade levels are not negotiable and will only be changed if an error was made in evaluating an individual’s application.

    Once an applicant reports for duty, he/she must remain in grade for 52 weeks before being eligible for the next grade. This policy also applies to current Federal employees who accept a lower grade with ATF.

  3. What type of degree or course work is helpful in receiving consideration for a special agent position?

    4. The following are qualifying, but not all inclusive: Criminal Justice, Accounting, Sociology, Administration of Justice, Political Science, Fire Science, Chemistry, or related Criminal Justice Forensic Sciences. The degree must be from an accredited college or university.

  4. I am currently in college and will be obtaining a four-year degree in the near future. Can I submit an application for the special agent position?

    5. If applying based on the education requirement, ATF will accept your application or resume if you are within 9 months from obtaining your four-year degree (provided we have an open vacancy announcement or jot notice at time of application).

  5. Can applicants with past drug use or with an arrest record be considered for a special agent position?

    6. All suitability issues are reviewed on a case-by-case basis during the pre-employment screening process.

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