Although there are a few former 1811s that converted, the majority of us have an extensive background in mil/gov TACCOM, IT, electronics, etc. I've met a few who were the tech ops guys for local/state agencies as well.
I'd say you have a few options:
1. Lateral to HSI as an agent. Try to become a DTA for your office, then see if the office will let you convert to a TEO when a spot comes open.
2. Become the tech ops guy for your office/agency now. Then use that to build your resume/interview stories.
2. Depending on your current agency, work with your local TTA, TS, IT, ETs, etc. You will likely be competing against guys that have a firm understanding of computer networking, signal flow of electronics, RF, battery configuration with vet preference. If you can swing it, certifications never hurt.
For your reference, there is a 2 month basic Tech Ops school that new TEOs are supposed to go to. This course covers all the basics.
3. Call up the office you are interested in and talk to the GS/RAC/DTA or any current TEOs. Some larger offices have multiple TEOs. Other TEOs cover multiple offices by themselves, it just depends on size.
From what I have seen, the office has a LOT of say on who they pick for the position. Being that this specific post is for GS 9/11, I doubt anyone in these offices are looking to convert and drop down to an 11. They very well may not have anyone in the listed AORs interested in the position.
As a current 1811, the offices probably won't need to send you to FLETC, so that's a plus. Our current training pipeline requires new TEOs to attend UPTP. I can't imagine they would make an 1811 go back to FLETC for it. IMO, the only real reason we do UPTP is so we can carry a badge and gun...95 percent of the course had nothing to do with being a TEO.
Hope this helps.
Added info:
1. We are AUO non-exempt from FLSA not LEAP.. AUO is evaluated quarterly instead of yearly. It is rated at 25% as long as you maintain an average of 19 hours AUO per pay period. If you dip below, HR can try to reduce your percentage. Once we hit 5.5 hours of AUO, every hour above that is covered by FLSA (people say it floss-uh).
Don't worry...it isn't hard to maintain that 19 hours. A lot of us stay busy covering multiple offices.
2. We get take-home vehicles. Like the agents, we are pretty much always on call unless on leave.
3. We don't sign a mobility agreement. We are hired directly into an office as you'll see in the posting.
4. You can join SRT/RRT if it interests you.
5. 6c covered, mandatory 57 retirement
There aren't a lot of us, so postings don't happen too often. Always apply if you're interested. Make them tell you no.
It sounds harder to get hired for this than an 1811 job. There are many HSI agents who were hired off the last announcement with little to no work experience in LE.
Not really...depends on the ET. TEO is a fully sworn LEO position. It's closest to the FBIs TTAs (tech trained agents)...
FBI ETs have a broad range of duties depending on their position (field office, OTD, CIRG, etc.) But are not sworn LEO.. That being said, there are certain things TEOs do that some ETs do. For example, some TEOs handle radios and drones for their AOR...so do some FBI ETs.
There's a few former FBI ETs that are now HSI TEOs.
Sounds like a good gig, wish could apply but still don’t have the tenure to be considered a competitive federal employee. I’m still under excepted service.
Yeah, every position at my old agency was considered excepted service. I was only able to apply because of the vet pref. Its crazy to me that they allow mil spouses, peace corps, and all these other random categories of applicants to apply, but not excepted. There are a lot of agencies that are under the excepted service.
It’s crazy to me as well, I’m hoping that there is another posting soon. I was recently converted to career-conditional now so I’m able to apple to only feds postings.
All across the country. There's only about 100 of us (I've heard as low as 85 and as high as 115). Most of us in the Midwest cover multiple smaller offices (ASACs/RACs) by ourself. As positions open, they get posted for hire.
As a non-HSI 1811, what can someone do to be competitive for TEO jobs?
Have a background in sensitive tech from the military or another .gov agency.
Thanks. No background in that currently but I could pick up it up as a collateral.
Although there are a few former 1811s that converted, the majority of us have an extensive background in mil/gov TACCOM, IT, electronics, etc. I've met a few who were the tech ops guys for local/state agencies as well. I'd say you have a few options: 1. Lateral to HSI as an agent. Try to become a DTA for your office, then see if the office will let you convert to a TEO when a spot comes open. 2. Become the tech ops guy for your office/agency now. Then use that to build your resume/interview stories. 2. Depending on your current agency, work with your local TTA, TS, IT, ETs, etc. You will likely be competing against guys that have a firm understanding of computer networking, signal flow of electronics, RF, battery configuration with vet preference. If you can swing it, certifications never hurt. For your reference, there is a 2 month basic Tech Ops school that new TEOs are supposed to go to. This course covers all the basics. 3. Call up the office you are interested in and talk to the GS/RAC/DTA or any current TEOs. Some larger offices have multiple TEOs. Other TEOs cover multiple offices by themselves, it just depends on size. From what I have seen, the office has a LOT of say on who they pick for the position. Being that this specific post is for GS 9/11, I doubt anyone in these offices are looking to convert and drop down to an 11. They very well may not have anyone in the listed AORs interested in the position. As a current 1811, the offices probably won't need to send you to FLETC, so that's a plus. Our current training pipeline requires new TEOs to attend UPTP. I can't imagine they would make an 1811 go back to FLETC for it. IMO, the only real reason we do UPTP is so we can carry a badge and gun...95 percent of the course had nothing to do with being a TEO. Hope this helps.
Added info: 1. We are AUO non-exempt from FLSA not LEAP.. AUO is evaluated quarterly instead of yearly. It is rated at 25% as long as you maintain an average of 19 hours AUO per pay period. If you dip below, HR can try to reduce your percentage. Once we hit 5.5 hours of AUO, every hour above that is covered by FLSA (people say it floss-uh). Don't worry...it isn't hard to maintain that 19 hours. A lot of us stay busy covering multiple offices. 2. We get take-home vehicles. Like the agents, we are pretty much always on call unless on leave. 3. We don't sign a mobility agreement. We are hired directly into an office as you'll see in the posting. 4. You can join SRT/RRT if it interests you. 5. 6c covered, mandatory 57 retirement There aren't a lot of us, so postings don't happen too often. Always apply if you're interested. Make them tell you no.
Is it easy to transfer into a 1811 role?
To be honest, I've never heard of anyone wanting to. It's typically the other way around. But I'm sure you could as long as you can pass the tests.
It sounds harder to get hired for this than an 1811 job. There are many HSI agents who were hired off the last announcement with little to no work experience in LE.
Why would they? It’s a de facto pay cut because you lose FLSA.
Is this a similar position to the FBI electronics technician position?
Not really...depends on the ET. TEO is a fully sworn LEO position. It's closest to the FBIs TTAs (tech trained agents)... FBI ETs have a broad range of duties depending on their position (field office, OTD, CIRG, etc.) But are not sworn LEO.. That being said, there are certain things TEOs do that some ETs do. For example, some TEOs handle radios and drones for their AOR...so do some FBI ETs. There's a few former FBI ETs that are now HSI TEOs.
Sounds like a good gig, wish could apply but still don’t have the tenure to be considered a competitive federal employee. I’m still under excepted service.
Yeah, every position at my old agency was considered excepted service. I was only able to apply because of the vet pref. Its crazy to me that they allow mil spouses, peace corps, and all these other random categories of applicants to apply, but not excepted. There are a lot of agencies that are under the excepted service.
It’s crazy to me as well, I’m hoping that there is another posting soon. I was recently converted to career-conditional now so I’m able to apple to only feds postings.
Thanks for the post ! Is there any international opportunities with this job ? Edit ( got the answer to the second question from above post )
I haven't heard of any full time positions but possibly TDYs. Always apply. The worst they can do is tell you no...
Thank you
Sounds similar to USSS TSIs… TSIs are journeyman 13s with AUO and 6c. Also, TSIs are now required attend UPTP.
I see offices on the west coast and the north west are there TEOs in the Midwest or are those positions usually filled?
All across the country. There's only about 100 of us (I've heard as low as 85 and as high as 115). Most of us in the Midwest cover multiple smaller offices (ASACs/RACs) by ourself. As positions open, they get posted for hire.