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Criminal Investigator (Special Agent) – Entry‑Level / Recent Grads (GL 5-9)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives 
Location Negotiable Nationwide
**NOTE: ATF is offering a $60K signing bonus to new special agents**

Position Summary
This open continuous announcement hires entry‑level Special Agents (GL‑5/7/9) with promotion potential to GS‑13. You do not need prior investigative experience and may qualify through education alone.

Key Responsibilities
• Conduct investigations involving firearms, explosives, arson, and alcohol/tobacco diversion.
• Gather and analyze evidence, execute search warrants, make arrests, and develop investigative leads.
• Prepare investigative reports and testify in court and grand juries.
• Support ATF’s mission to prevent violent crime and protect the public.

Who Can Apply
• Open to all U.S. Citizens with valid driver’s license.
• Age 21-36 at time of selection (with certain veteran exceptions).
• Ability to pass a Top Secret clearance, polygraph, medical exam, drug test, physical test, structured interview, and background investigation.
• Willingness to relocate anywhere in the U.S.
• Ability to complete CITP (12 weeks) + ATF SABT (15 weeks).

Entry Qualifications (multiple pathways)
• GL‑5: Three years of general experience OR bachelor’s degree in any field.
• GL‑7: One year of specialized experience OR one year of graduate study OR bachelor’s with Superior Academic Achievement.
• GL‑9: One year of higher‑level investigative experience OR a master’s degree/J.D./LL.B.

Incentives
• Recruitment incentive up to $60,000 for new federal employees.
• Relocation incentive up to $25,000 for current federal employees.
• Law Enforcement Availability Pay (25% of base salary).

NOTES:
-Recent grads must submit a transcript (unofficial OK) showing completion of a degree. Those who have not yet graduated cannot apply; so please wait until graduation. 
-Becoming an special agent is a long process. ATF HR pulls resumes every few weeks, reviews them for eligibility, and sends them to field operations for review and interviews. After passing, candidates go through PT tests, polygraphs, aptitude tests, etc. and are only then sent to FLETC for training.
-The biggest hurdles for candidates are the PT test (see standards here: https://www.atf.gov/careers/pre-employment-physical-task-test) and the poly. The concern with the poly is that a lot of people want to downplay some of the things from their past. The better advice is to be honest, regardless of what happened in your past.