Photography Trainee 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: 64539
Opening Date: May 21, 2026
Closing Date: June 5, 2026 at 11:59 pm (ET)
Job Title Photographer (Forensic) Full Performance Level GS--11 Division Laboratory Division (LD) Unit Latent Print Operations Unit (LPOU) Location Quantico, VA Working Hours 8:00am-4:30pm (Flexible) Job Type Full Time/Permanent Who May Apply All U.S. Citizens Number of Positions Available 1 Questions Email: HRS Mary Arbelo at marbelo@fbi.gov Salary GS-7 $57,736.00--$75,059.00
GS-9 $70,623.00--$91,815.00
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.
JOB SUMMARY
Appropriate candidates for the Photographer (Forensic) position in LPOU will have a college degree and photographic experience. Upon successful completion of the training program, photographer trainees will become a qualified Forensic Photographer. As a qualified photographer in the LPOU, responsibilities include the photography of latent prints on various substrates/surfaces. Additional duties include the digital processing of captured prints and other duties deemed necessary by the LPOU Supervisory Photographer.
KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Travel is required.
• As a condition to employment, DNA samples are required from all FBI personnel who interact with evidence or federal DNA database samples in Laboratory Division (LD) space or whose work requires them to enter LD examination areas where evidence or DNA database samples are processed or examined as part of the quality control process to detect sample/evidence contamination, in accordance with the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA), 75 Federal Register (FR) 68932; 29 C.F.R. 1635.8(b)(6).
• This position may be potentially exposed to situations or information that depicts violent acts, lewd images, or involves isolated working condition.

Upon successful completion of the training program, photographer trainee will become a qualified Forensic Photographer.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Work requires physical exertion such as standing, stooping, crouching, lifting and/or carrying heavy equipment often exceeding 50 lbs. Employee may encounter lighting extremes from hazardous sources such as laser emissions, and long- and short-wave ultra violet radiation, compounding the eye strain caused by highly demanding visual acuity of minute detail. Laboratory and field work alike, is often under highly stressful conditions due to pressing time constraints, the need to multitask, and in making quick and accurate decisions. There are often extended periods of walking and carrying heavy equipment in potentially hazardous conditions, creating considerable physical exertion.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed primarily in a laboratory setting, but can be in a variety of often demanding and uncontrollable conditions, indoors and out, when conducting field assignments. Latent print photography is often performed in a makeshift setting and, at times, requires an exceptional amount of creative adaptation while working in cramped surroundings for extended periods of time. Environmental conditions, both laboratory and field, maybe potentially hazardous, with exposure to explosive devices, radioactive materials, and biological threats such as Anthrax and Ricin. Incumbent may be required to lead and/or assist in latent, photographic matters when working directly with Emergency Response Teams, Disaster Squads, and Crisis Management Teams in the field. Circumstances can be extreme in nature including severe weather, political unrest, and hostile environments. Incumbent may be subjected to working conditions where disease and sanitation issues are uncontrolled, in remote areas, and under less than ideal conditions.
MAJOR DUTIES:

• Serves as a photographer primarily responsible for forensic photography. Assignments include complex and advanced evidentiary, forensic, crime scene and object captures, and may require handling of evidence with potential hazardous contamination, to include explosive, biological, or chemical hazards.
• Performs forensic photography using reflective ultra-violet, infrared, oblique, or other alternate and Forensic Light Sources (FLS), requiring calibration and training. Captures high-resolution, minute detail from highly irregular surfaces with multi-colored backgrounds requiring complex set-up of equipment and skilled understanding of lighting techniques. Produces evidentiary image documentation utilized in forensic examinations.
• Performs image enhancement for use in forensic, intelligence, criminal and investigative matters including screen capture, downloading, editing, and printing. Conducts analog and digital processing, enhances and calibrates images, and categorizes evidence.
• Conducts research; evaluates new techniques, methodologies, technologies and equipment; and develops new or modified technologies for investigative use in unique situations.
• Operates and maintains computer systems with associated state of the art applications and programs to conduct digital processing, graphic design, photographic retouch, photographic processing, cataloguing of images, and preparation of forensic images for use by Laboratory examiners.
• Deploys under difficult and unpredictable conditions with Laboratory examiners and Evidence Response Teams and/or serves on the Hazardous Evidence Analysis Team (HEAT).
• Photographers are required to develop new and novel techniques that fit the unique situations that they are presented with outside of a laboratory setting. May be required to testify in court.

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 first five 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:

• Technical Photography [Forensic, Investigative, Operational]
• Communication
• Organizing and Planning
• Technology Application
• Collaboration
• Interpersonal Ability

Specialized Experience (SE)
GS-7: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of SE equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Operational and technical knowledge regarding the operation and maintenance of automated photographic processing/imaging equipment to ensure equipment functions properly.
• Comprehensive knowledge in the use of standard and highly-specialized digital photographic equipment.
• In-depth understanding and ability to operate digital imaging software in order capture, transfer, process, retrieve and facilitate the storage of evidentiary images in case-related databases utilizing specialized software, technologies and equipment.

GS-9: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of SE equivalent to the GS-7 grade level. ( In addition to the above) SE is defined as follows:

• Knowledge of digital imaging (i.e. resolution requirements, digital processing/enhancement, output, and image enhancement/management software) to include how to preserve and enhance the minute forensic detail without altering or obscuring the information captured, producing high quality images for forensic examination, to preserve the evidentiary record, and ensure acceptance in judicial proceedings.
• Knowledge of requirement for evidence handling and chain of custody procedures. Adept at handling evidence for photography purposes, to ensure unprotected and delicate forensic evidence is not damaged or destroyed during capture.
• Knowledge of court proceedings to ensure proper procedures are followed and to appear as a competent government witness, relative to criminal and investigative photography.

Desired Skills
Desired skills are NOT mandatory and will NOT be utilized to minimally qualify applicants. Desired Skills are:

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing in order to liaise with all levels of personnel to present information clearly and at a level appropriate for intended audiences in order to promote a thorough understanding of the subject.

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 consi...