What are the responsibilities and job description for the Firearms Program Specialist position at ATF?
Summary
This position is located under the Office of Enforcement Programs and Services, National Tracing Center Division, Firearms Tracing Branch in Martinsburg, WV. The NTC provides 24-hour assistance to Federal, State, local and foreign law enforcement agencies and is an essential component to investigations involving the criminal misuse of firearms.
Duties
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The major duties of the Firearms Program Specialist position include, but are not limited to, the following:
Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
The requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-05 by the closing date of this announcement.
Specialized experience is demonstrated experience, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Experience must be in the normal line of progression or must be related to the work of the position advertised and must be reflected in resume.
Specialized Experience Must Include All Of:
Completed (1) one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education; or (2) a bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement (SAA.). S.A.A. is based on class standing--upper third of the graduating class, grade-point average--3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale or election to membership in a national scholastic honor society.
OR
To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-07 by the closing date of this announcement.
Specialized experience is demonstrated experience, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Experience must be in the normal line of progression or must be related to the work of the position advertised and must be reflected in resume.
Specialized Experience Must Include All Of:
Have 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
Have a combination of specialized experience (less than 1 year) and graduate education (beyond 1 year), that when combined equals 100% of the qualification requirement
(NOTE: only graduate education in excess of one year (generally 18 semester hours) may be used in this calculation.
Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.
After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required of you. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement (08/07/2026) to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.
Education
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements, please see the statements below.
Education must be reviewed and certified by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, in order for it to be creditable towards your qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from accredited institution.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
Additional information
Additional Selections May Be Made From This Announcement.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations from ATF's Human Resources Operations Division. Please click on the following link to read important information. DOJ Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations
Career Transition Programs (CTAP or ICTAP): These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:
EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.
Reasonable Accommodation:ATF provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the job application and hiring process, and you meet the eligibility requirements listed above, please notify the human resources specialist listed on the vacancy announcement, or contact the ATF's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at (202) 648-8760 or send an email to reasonableaccommodations@atf.gov. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation is handled on a case-by-case basis.
Selective Service: If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
This position is located under the Office of Enforcement Programs and Services, National Tracing Center Division, Firearms Tracing Branch in Martinsburg, WV. The NTC provides 24-hour assistance to Federal, State, local and foreign law enforcement agencies and is an essential component to investigations involving the criminal misuse of firearms.
Duties
Help
The major duties of the Firearms Program Specialist position include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Research and evaluate firearms data from trace requests, manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers.
- Provide technical advice and assistance pertaining to firearms tracing to other EPS divisions in Martinsburg.
- Produce and analyze trace reports on imported firearms to discern sufficient information to complete traces on guns and analyze data from various computer generated reports.
- Conduct complex searches of Out of Business Records Section.
Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
The requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
- Must be U.S. Citizen or National
- Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
- May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
- Pass drug screening and subject to random drug test.
- Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation.
- You must meet all applicable time-in-grade requirements by the closing of this announcement.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-05 by the closing date of this announcement.
Specialized experience is demonstrated experience, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Experience must be in the normal line of progression or must be related to the work of the position advertised and must be reflected in resume.
Specialized Experience Must Include All Of:
- Performs trace requests on firearms, firearms manufacturer dealers, importers, related weapons; AND
- Responds to incoming inquiries regarding firearms tracing problems by providing technical advice and recommendation; AND
- Utilizes databases to complete traces, identify trends, search for patterns and generate reports; AND
- Conducts investigative methods to gather evidence, analyze information and conduct interviews to provide basic fact findings.
Completed (1) one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education; or (2) a bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement (SAA.). S.A.A. is based on class standing--upper third of the graduating class, grade-point average--3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale or election to membership in a national scholastic honor society.
OR
To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-07 by the closing date of this announcement.
Specialized experience is demonstrated experience, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Experience must be in the normal line of progression or must be related to the work of the position advertised and must be reflected in resume.
Specialized Experience Must Include All Of:
- Performs trace requests on firearms, firearms manufacturer dealers, importers, related weapons; AND
- Responds to incoming inquiries regarding firearms tracing problems by providing technical advice and recommendation; AND
- Utilizes databases to complete traces, identify trends, search for patterns and generate reports; AND
- Conducts investigative methods to gather evidence, analyze information and conduct interviews to provide basic fact findings.
Have 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
Have a combination of specialized experience (less than 1 year) and graduate education (beyond 1 year), that when combined equals 100% of the qualification requirement
(NOTE: only graduate education in excess of one year (generally 18 semester hours) may be used in this calculation.
Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.
After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required of you. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement (08/07/2026) to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.
Education
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements, please see the statements below.
Education must be reviewed and certified by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, in order for it to be creditable towards your qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from accredited institution.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
Additional information
Additional Selections May Be Made From This Announcement.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations from ATF's Human Resources Operations Division. Please click on the following link to read important information. DOJ Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations
Career Transition Programs (CTAP or ICTAP): These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:
- Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria;
- Be rated well-qualified (Highly Qualified) for the position with a score of 85 or above based on established ranking criteria; and
- Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.
Reasonable Accommodation:ATF provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the job application and hiring process, and you meet the eligibility requirements listed above, please notify the human resources specialist listed on the vacancy announcement, or contact the ATF's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at (202) 648-8760 or send an email to reasonableaccommodations@atf.gov. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation is handled on a case-by-case basis.
Selective Service: If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.