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Posted: March 2, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Technical Surveillance Specialist

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives

Department of Justice

Fresh

Salary

$108,810 - $158,322

per year

Type

Closes

March 20, 2026More DOJ jobs →

GS-13 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $88,520 - $115,079

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-12. Expert-level knowledge in field.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves being an expert in setting up, maintaining, and troubleshooting hidden electronic surveillance equipment to support law enforcement investigations for the ATF.

The role requires coordinating technical operations from headquarters and helping field offices with clandestine tech in various challenging environments.

It's a good fit for someone with strong electronics skills, hands-on experience in surveillance systems, and the ability to work in physically demanding outdoor conditions.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12 level in electronic surveillance techniques and equipment
  • Expert knowledge of electronic equipment design, development, evaluation, testing, installation, operation, and maintenance
  • Experience designing and analyzing circuits, determining design feasibility, and evaluating equipment performance under varying conditions
  • Ability to analyze and diagnose faults in electronic systems, interpret circuit wiring, and troubleshoot various systems
  • Adherence to ATF Certified Technical Operator Program (O 3260.2A) and obtaining/maintaining Contracting Officers Representative (COR) certification
  • Physical ability to perform moderate to heavy lifting, climbing ladders/towers, using aerial lifts, and working outdoors in various weather conditions for prolonged periods
  • Availability for Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime (AUO) pay due to irregular, unscheduled work

Full Job Description

Serving as a Technical surveillance specialist (electronics specialist) in the Technical Operations Branch of the Special Operations Division (SOD).

As such, he/she is an expert in the conduct of electronic/technical surveillance and is responsible for coordinating all technical activities relating to law enforcement clandestine technologies and operations at the ATF Headquarters program level and provides support to ATF field divisions and field offices.

To qualify for this position at the GS-13 grade level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) by the closing dated 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 includes: Requires significant expertise and a professional knowledge of the theories, principles, practices, techniques, uses, and operation of electronic/technical surveillance equipment, and demonstrated experience indicating use of complex ES investigative techniques.

Must possess demonstrated experience in technical support and use of ES equipment; AND Working knowledge of electronic equipment design, development, evaluation, testing, installation, operation, and maintenance; AND Designing and analyzing circuits; determining design feasibility, evaluating equipment performance under varying environmental conditions, and collecting performance data; AND Analyzing and diagnosing faults in the operational configuration of electronic systems and equipment and ability to interpret circuit wiring and ability to troubleshoot various systems.

NOTE: Applicants with documented technical surveillance, basic technical operator certifications, training in and/or experience with the application of electronic surveillance technologies in a law enforcement environment are highly desirable.

The selectee is required to adhere to the policy and training requirements in ATF O 3260.2A Certified Technical Operator Program to remain in good standing as a Technical Surveillance Specialist and is also is required to obtain and continue to maintain a Contracting Officers Representative (COR) certification to serve as a COR.

Position requires moderate to heavy lifting, climbing high ladders and antenna towers, reaching locations via an aerial lift (e.g. bucket truck), bending, crouching, etc.

These activities occur over prolonged periods of time during the installation, repair, and removal of surveillance systems in field environments.

Installation, maintenance, and repair activities often take place outdoors or in isolated areas. May frequently be required to work outdoors under a variety of climatic conditions.

AUO is a category of premium pay that generally applies when you are responsible for recognizing, without supervision, circumstances that require you to remain on duty to complete specific work assignments on a routine, ongoing basis.

AUO pay is a substitute form of payment for irregular, unscheduled overtime work and is paid annually instead of hourly.

AUO pay is determined as a percentage, not less than 10% no more than 25% of the rate of your annual adjusted rate of pay and is fixed by law or administrative action for the position.

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. Major Duties:

The major duties of the Technical Surveillance Specialist position include, but are not limited to, the following: Serves as an expert source of technical electronics program knowledge and support for ATF Headquarters and field divisions.

Develops operating guidance and maintenance procedures for Headquarters and field divisions.

Attends and receives briefings concerning the objectives of specific investigations, available intelligence on the identified suspects, and the evidence collection requirements for the activity, all of which must be documented.

Repairs systems and equipment to include detecting and diagnosing malfunctions, tearing down equipment, repairing or replacing parts or components, or aligning, calibrating and testing the modified or repaired equipment.

Develops written operational plans that document the best technical electronic options for specific investigations. Reaching locations using a bucket truck

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Posted on USAJOBS: 3/2/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/3/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 26-FO-ST-12884171-KW