Thread: Dea 1811 - 2012

Originally Posted by dmclark

Lauderdale...call the office you wish to apply through and ak for the Agent Recruiter. Discuss interest/questions and tell him/her you'd like to drop the app in person. Honestly, depending on the load of apps, they may or may not be receptive. Give it a shot!

Thank you sir, always a good idea since I am sure it's a collateral duty.

Originally Posted by thisguyjc24

Maybe somebody on here can decode this for the board:

ppointing Authority: Initial appointment to the position is made in the excepted service. Excepted service appointments are made under the Schedule A (Section 213.3110 c, 3) or Schedule B (Section 213.3210, a) appointing authorities. Applicants who qualify under the OPM qualifications standards for the 1811 series will be appointed under the Schedule B authority. Applicants who qualify based on unique skills/experience will be appointed under the Schedule A authority. Employees appointed under Schedule A may be converted to Schedule B appointments following satisfactory performance during their trial period and when they gain enough investigative experience to qualify for appointment under the Schedule B authority. Employees initially appointed under Schedule B appointments or converted from Schedule A to Schedule B appointments may be converted to career appointments in not less than three years and not more than four years.

This is beyond my skill.

Basically, you have a 3 year probationary period. During those first three years the DEA can fire you for anything. Once you get converted to career appointment, then it's a little harder to get fired.

thisguyjc24, hope this helps. Schedules A and B are exceptions to the general hiring authority and procedures. Schedule B allows the agency more selectivity with regard to applicants, and place new appointments in the excepted service for a period of time, generally three years. Excepted service has less protection than career appointments, but for applicants it should simply be viewed as a probationary period at the end of which fully successful employees convert to career status and are covered by additional merit protections. Schedule A is more particular, allowing the term hiring of very specific needs and talents. This would allow a very critical need to be met in the short term, even if the applicant does not meet all of the other qualifications. Theoretically, a Schedule A hire would be let go when that specific need no longer exists. In practice, agencies non-competitively convert Schedule A hires after they successfully perform in the position for two years.

Here's more on the subject: Federal Hiring Flexibilities Resource Center

All veterans' preference applies to these alternative hiring modes and applicants would probably do best to treat all this as back office mumbo-jumbo and just apply where they qualify. Schedule B hires are on a little firmer footing than Schedule A hires, but about the time everybody has been around for 5 years, it doesn't mean anything. It does not affect salary and benefits.

This is definitely
a different application process for a federal job. They want you to fill out some forms first and send them in the mail. Usually the process is done online. Oh well I'm sending my documents certified mail today. I just hope non vets will be given a chance this time since the announcement says many vacancies.

Originally Posted by ATF SAC

All veterans' preference applies to these alternative hiring modes and applicants would probably do best to treat all this as back office mumbo-jumbo and just apply where they qualify.

This is what I was looking for. Thanks for the clarification. I'm not looking to apply, but I'd like to know what I'm talking about when I refer people to the announcement.

My pleasure. In looking I also found this on the general competitive process. http://www.opm.gov/hcaaf_resource_ce.../Tal_tool3.pdf. I thought the flow chart of the 45 day process laid it out very well in general, although the additional requirements for an 1811 position, (suitability/BI/poly/medical) all prevent the positions from being done from start to finish in 45 days.

Just a heads up, it might be a good idea to call ahead as some field offices are not accepting applications in person.

The DEA in my region just received my application. I received an email from my recruiter asking for an official college transcript because all I had was an unofficial copy. Hopefully when the recruiter receives it on Monday the ball will get rolling.

A suggestion: Mail your app registered mail return receipt or FEDEX. You want a paper trail for everything you give the recruiter and KEEP A COPY of EVERYTHING! You want a hard copy of your SF86 too. Things can get "misplaced" and someone can say you missed 'X' deadline. Remember if you talk to ANYONE about your app, politely ask for their full name and direct telephone number. Welcome to Fed App 101!

I had a recruiter call and ask some information regarding my application a couple weeks ago. I clarified and then on 7/6 I received an email asking me to complete an assessment through USAJobs regarding my background and experience. I qualified under GS-9 based on education. Submitted and waiting for the next correspondence.

I'm right there with you. Right now I qualified under GS7 and by Dec I'll be able to qualify as GS9 when I finish my Masters in CJ. Also took the assessment and waiting on the response.

I sent everything out certified mail on Friday the 6th. Had to wait a little bit to get in my a official transcripts. Hopefully Ill hear something this week.

I've heard some conflicting opinions on the applicant pool lately and was wondering if anyone had any recent knowledge in regards to this: Applicants from the last DEA announcement in 2008 that continued to move forward in the process, but never received academy dates, are they still simply awaiting an academy date and finished with the hiring process, or were they scrubbed from the process and starting fresh (as ATF did with their applicant pool in 2011)?

Some remain active, others have moved on. I can tell you from experience that the pool dissipates VERY quickly when offers go out. Some have gone on to other LE jobs, life situations have changed, mama now really isn't mobile, etc.

I've seen them almost clear the available pool to put two classes (50 ea) together.

Out of curiosity how long did it take for all of you that applied to hear a response after they received your application? I'm sitting at 8 days and am starting to think a follow up phone call may be in order just to be on the safe side.