Fbi Legal Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This position advertised has been exempted from the federal civilian hiring freeze.
Current FBI employees are ineligible to apply if serving under the same conditions as that for which is advertised, including:

• Appointing organization (FBI)
• Type of position (full-time, part-time, etc.)
• Same or higher grade
• Duty location (city or state)
• Type of appointment (permanent, temporary, etc.)

Job Opening: 66075
Opening Date: June 26, 2026
Closing Date: July 11, 2026 at 11:59 pm (ET)
Job Title Legal Instruments Examiner, GS 6/7 Full Performance Level GS-9 Division Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS) Unit National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Operations Location Clarksburg, WV Working Hours Variable Shifts Job Type Full Time/Permanent Who May Apply All U.S. Citizens Number of Positions Available Multiple Questions Email: HRS Terry Hamilton @ tehamilton@fbi.gov Salary GS-6: $45,409.00 - $59,031.00
GS-7: $50,460.00 - $65,599.00
We currently have a variety of day, mid, and night shifts, with hours starting as early as 6:00 a.m. and ending as late as 1:30 a.m. Shifts are 8 or 10 hours long with a ½ hour non-paid lunch. Shifts are filled by seniority and performance, and all shifts work at least one weekend day. Newer employees typically start on a mid or night shift. Also, shifts periodically change to ensure the needs of the Bureau are met.
When the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Section experiences an extremely high volume of firearm background checks, the Legal Instruments Examiners are sometimes required to work a set number of mandatory overtime hours. Management attempts to provide as much notice as possible when overtime will be mandated.
The firearm industry is considered a retail business. As such, expect to work Black Friday and Christmas Eve. Leave restrictions are set in place during the holiday shopping season and during the Valentine's Day/tax season. All Legal Instruments Examiners are considered essential employees. This means you could be expected to work holidays and weekends. Additionally, as an essential employee, you should also be prepared to travel to work even during inclement weather.
Additional selections may be made from this announcement to fill positions within the same division when the position includes substantially the same duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.
KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance
• This position is designated as "emergency". As an "emergency" employee, you may be expected to report to work during periods of adverse weather conditions or other types of emergency situations when it is announced that an "unscheduled leave policy" is in effect or that federal agencies are closed in your immediate vicinity.
• Because this position involves conducting background checks for individuals wanting to purchase firearms, to avoid any actual or even an appearance of a conflict of interest, employees and contractors in this position are not permitted to hold a current Federal Firearms License (FFL) or otherwise be employed by an FFL. Any newly hired employee, or a contractor, holding an FFL or otherwise employed by an FFL, would be required to relinquish that FFL or employment if offered this position. If someone in the employee's (or contractor's) immediate family holds or is otherwise associated with an FFL, an assessment would need to be conducted to determine if a conflict of interest exists.

MAJOR DUTIES:

• Serves as an examiner in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Operations Center. Reviews and analyzes criminal records and documents and determines within three days, as established by the Brady Act, if there are prohibiting factors that prevent potential gun buyers from purchasing firearms.
• Receives telephonic inquiries and performs a name only search in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Interstate Identification Index (III), and the NICS Index.
• Reviews descriptive data on the potential gun buyer provided by the Federal Firearm Licensee (FFL) and compares it to possible hits.
• If the search is negative and there is no criminal record, advises FFL that the sale may proceed. If a hit or potential hit occurs, it may be necessary to ask for additional descriptive information. Incumbents review the criminal records and determine whether the name and information match the subject (potential gun buyer).
• Verifies the FFL number and password, remaining constantly alert of possible attempts by unauthorized persons to gain access to the NICS by pretext.
• Ensures adherence to security regulations so that at no time will criminal history information be made available to the FFL.
• Receives, reviews, and analyzes those cases which require limited research for a determination to be made. May require review of several records. Reviews the record to determine if charge is a felony or misdemeanor, which may require research of state and federal law. If there is not a disposition, must contact the state bureau and/or court, provide information and request the final disposition. If a hit is against a manual record, must review the record and request or ensure it is automated.
• Reviews the record, documents, and information; determines if a prohibiting factor exists; and advises the FFL of decision made.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EVALUATIONS
Please ensure that your specialized experience and requirements are clearly identifiable in your resume. Your application will be evaluated using the FBI's Candidate Rating Procedures. Your resume and supporting documents will be reviewed to verify that you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
If you are found minimally qualified, your application will move forward to additional phases of the review process.
The competencies will be used in a Structured Resume Review to objectively evaluate applicant resumes. Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather you must describe in your resume how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the competencies identified below. Your resume should demonstrate that you possess the following competencies.
Competencies:

• Analytic Thinking
• Communication
• Customer Service
• Problem Solving/Judgment
• Technology Application

Specialized Experience (SE)
GS-6: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Orally gathered and conveyed information, using tact to gain cooperation.
• Summarized data in writing.
• Performed research to develop information.
• Analyzing information to reach conclusions.
• Performed work under stress on short deadlines and/or difficult individuals.

GS-7: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Orally communicated to exchange information with cooperative and hostile individuals.
• Prepared written documents to support findings.
• Performed additional research to further develop information.
• Evaluated information to make decisions.
• Maintained composure when dealing with diverse personalities and/or stressful situations.

Education
All degrees must be from an accredited college or university. Education may be substituted for specialized experience as follows:
GS-6: Education may be substituted for SE at this grade level. Applicant must have a bachelor's degree.
GS-7: Applicant must have a bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement or one (1) full year of graduate level education. Superior academic achievement is the completion of all the requirements of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average of 3.0 or higher as recorded on an official transcript, or as based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum, or (3) honor society membership.
Education is not required to qualify for this position, but may be used to qualify. If you are using education to qualify, a copy of your transcripts MUST be attached to your application.
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements provided you can show foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.
HOW TO APPLY
For detailed instructions related to applying, uploading documents, withdrawing an application or updating your application, please review instructions on How to Apply . If applying online is a hardship, please use the contact information listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
To apply to this position, interested applicants must provide a complete application package by the closing date which includes:

1. Utilizing the Resume Builder, outline your relevant work experience and associated start and end dates. Uploaded resumes will not be reviewed or used for qualification purposes.
2. Other supporting documents (if applicable):
   • College transcripts, if qualifying based on education or if there is a positive education requirement
   • Former civilian Federal employees must submit a copy of your MOST RECENT SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your tenure, grade and step, salary, and type of position occupied (i.e., Excepted or Competitive); or similar Notification of Personnel Action documentation, i.e., Transcript of Service, Form 1150, etc. This is a requirement to verify your Time in Grade (TIG). Actions such as promotion, within grade increase, or reassignment actions must be submitted as your most recent SF 50.
   • Most recent Performance Appraisal; not applicable to current FBI employees
     Veterans: DD 214; Disabled Veterans: DD 214, SF-15, and VA letter dated 1991 or later
   • Memorandum for Record (MFR): Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on an SF-50, i. e., back-up duties), has to be documented in detail by an immediate supervisor in order to receive full credit for amount of time worked in that position. If no documentation is furnished no credit will be given for time worked in that position. The following notations must be specified in the documentation:
     • Percent of time worked in the particular position (cannot conflict with main duties.
     • The month/year work began
       Frequency worked (i.e., daily, monthly, etc.)
     • Specific duties performed

Attach the Memorandum for Record to your application in the "Cover Letters and Attachments" section of My Career Tools on the Careers Home page. Please upload the attachment as type "Other."
While applicants might see these documents in their profile, HR Specialists may be unable to access them. Therefore, all applicants MUST upload another copy to ensure that staffing units can review the complete application.
Please note: Failure to provide the necessary and relevant information required by this vacancy announcement may disqualify you from consideration. Incomplete applications will not be supplemented with additional requests for information; your application will be evaluated solely on the information you submit. You must complete the application process and submit all required documents by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the announcement's closing date.
WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The Most Competitive candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your status throughout the process.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• The FBI is in the Executive Branch of the federal government. It is one of the components of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The FBI is the principle investigative arm of the DOJ. All FBI positions are in the excepted service.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens and consent to a complete background investigation, urinalysis, and polygraph. You must be suitable for Federal employment; as determined by a background investigation.
• Positions with fitness for duty requirements or those that require international travel may require proof of certain vaccinations.
• Management may select any grade for which this position has been announced.
• Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance of higher-level duties.
• If you are selected, you will be required to serve a two-year probationary period. Probationary employees are precluded from being considered for all job opportunities until 12-months of their 24-month probationary period has concluded. Probationary Employees may be considered for competitive vacancies that are advertised within their respective division or field office after serving 90 days within the FBI.

Veterans' Preference
If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume and application. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.
Nepotism
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