Thread: ATF 2012 Hiring - Part Deux

Originally Posted by ICEman

ATF and HSI have an MOU in place that clearly deliniates each agency's investigative responsibilities and authorities, however I think the moral of the story is that most of the significant and successful cases involve the coordination and contribution of both ATF and HSI, not to mention many other S&L and federal partner agencies.

Well said. As I have mentioned in other places, and ICEman re-affirms, we are often working cases from opposite ends. ATF will be on a straw-purchcasing ring in TX, while ICE is working the same group based upon a seizure at the border. We are often, in effect, working both ends against the middle up to a point. The MOU is very clear, and in my office we get along well with ICE.

Rarely does a medium-large scale investigation not involve at least one other federal agency. Those agents that are the most successful will have a couple of "go to" buddies at other agencies that can pool the resources of everyone. ATF does certain things very well, and somethings not so well. This is true of all agencies, so learning who can do what quickly will make your life much smoother in the end.

I recieved some basic training from an ATF Explosive Enforcement Officer this week. Its an interesting avenue in the ATF, and might be of particular interest to current EOD personnel in the U.S. Military.

For those interested:

http://www.atf.gov/publications/fact...-officers.html

Originally Posted by o2force

I recieved some basic training from an ATF Explosive Enforcement Officer this week. Its an interesting avenue in the ATF, and might be of particular interest to current EOD personnel in the U.S. Military.

For those interested:

http://www.atf.gov/publications/fact...-officers.html

EEO's are a small community with a very specific skill set. The publication you linked to said that there are only 26 EEO's nationwide. I'm not sure on the exact numbers but that seems correct. I can't recall the last time they posted an opening.

They are covered, gun toting positions. They are the subject matter experts when it comes to explosives and destructive devices. I haven't known them to carry a caseload, but there is no shortage of work and travel for them.

If you are interested, at a bare MINIMUM you should be a civilian bomb tech with HDS training or military EOD with some sizeable experince. It is a highly sought after job with low turnover.

If you think the odds are tough for the current Special Agent opening, getting an Explosives Enforcement Officer gig is probably equivalent to the odds on the Mega Millions drawing.

Been on the road again and out of touch and headed out again soon. I'll leave the veterans' preference alone except to note that in the end only about 25 of all the applicants will get a job offer from this go round. Everyone that is hired will be exceptionally qualified and the distinction between them and those not selected will be very thin. Acting Director Jones' plans for the outyear should create wider opportunities with larger numbers to be hired.

ATF and HSI do cooperate on SWB gun smuggling, but unless ATFpoa or whatchagot are aware of a major change, most gunrunning traditionally crosses a few county lines, a great deal goes across State lines, and some goes across the SWB. Most illegal gun trafficking is domestic in both origin and destination.

Originally Posted by ATF SAC

Most illegal gun trafficking is domestic in both origin and destination.

As a disclaimer, I'm not in a trafficking group (I work in a field division office where duties are split between groups based loosely on areas of enforcement. My division has a group specifically dedicated to trafficking.) However, I think we are starting to see a few more cases with international nexus. However, the VAST majority of trafficking involves persons in source states (generally the South) trafficking guns to demand states (CA, NY, IL, MD, etc).

Thanks. I am aware that the cartels will spend top dollar and as their presence in the US spreads, minions will be shopping for them. Still, I suspect the tracing data still shows most States are the primary source for firearms traced in that State, that interstate trafficking still identifies a few primary out of state sources (which I believe has more to do with demographics and traditional relationships between those states than the often oversimplified comparison of the relative strength of gun control laws - although that is a factor). My experience in both New England and the South highlighted the traditional flow between GA, VA and MD to the Northeast, when Vermont, which was a heck of a lot closer, barely caused a blip. An as a VT State Police Captain once remarked, "I think the only gun law in my State is that you cannot buy a machine gun on Sunday unless you are carrying a Cabbage Patch doll." Not really on the point of this thread, other than to note that while folks point to the tip of the iceberg, and often properly so, most of what is going on is not sticking up in the light of day and that ATF does not lack for work to be done.

Just wanted everyone to know that hasn't received a test date that I got an email from OPM today that said they are still processing applications and everyone will be notified within the next 6 weeks on a test date or denial of application.

Has anyone here (or heard through the grapevine) received a testing date that is not a veteran?

Has anyone tested this week?

I'm Testing Thurs in St. Louis. Anyone else?

I test on Friday in New Orleans.

Tested in Dulles this week. Application manager was updated with "structured interview" added under the assessments tab. Hopefully that means this thing will move as fast as advertised.

Originally Posted by Slaggy

Tested in Dulles this week. Application manager was updated with "structured interview" added under the assessments tab. Hopefully that means this thing will move as fast as advertised.

Did everyone who tested get a "structured interview" update field? How long will they take to score exam sheets?

So far, I have not received a Test Date, but under assessments, I have an entry for a structured interview......so I don't think it means anything

Just received my denial email. Stated that I was not vet pref OR I didn't provide enough documentation for it. I called them b/c I am a 5pt vet, MBA, 12 yrs LEO and they said that since I served from 95-99 and was not in an "active wartime" I wasn't being considered at this time. Not sure how to take that but oh well. Good luck to all that tested.

FYI.... Mine had structured interview listed as well