Supervisory Management Analyst (Branch Chief) Job

Lead Critical Intelligence Programs: Become a Supervisory Management Analyst at the ATF

If you are a high-performing analytical professional looking to make a direct impact on national security and public safety, a leadership career within the Federal government offers unparalleled opportunities. The Department of Justice (DOJ), through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), is currently seeking a highly qualified professional to step into the role of Supervisory Management Analyst (Branch Chief) in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

This position is placed at the highly competitive GS-14 grade level and carries a salary range of $143,913 to $187,093 per year. It represents a premier opportunity to guide operations within the ATF's Office of Intelligence Operations. As the leader of the Denial Enforcement & NICS Intelligence Branch, the selected individual will stand at the intersection of data-driven intelligence and law enforcement operations, safeguarding communities by preventing illegal access to firearms.

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About the Agency: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

The ATF is a specialized law enforcement and regulatory agency within the United States Department of Justice. The agency’s primary mission is to reduce violent crime, combat criminal organizations, prevent the illegal trafficking and misuse of firearms, safeguard public safety against illegal explosives storage and use, and investigate acts of arson, bombing, and terrorism.

Operating under the Office of Intelligence Operations, Operational Intelligence Division, the Denial Enforcement & NICS Intelligence Branch serves as a vital analytical powerhouse. This branch tracks, reviews, and acts on National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) denials, providing the critical field intelligence necessary to stop violent criminals and unlawful buyers from obtaining firearms. By working at the ATF, you join an elite team of energetic, solution-oriented professionals dedicated to upholding the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law.

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Job Responsibilities of the Branch Chief

The Supervisory Management Analyst (Branch Chief) serves as the primary director and central point of control for the branch’s civilian personnel, strategic procedures, and analytical operations. If selected, your duties will include:

• Personnel & Operational Leadership: Managing, mentoring, and directing all personnel, including ISOS employees, within the Denial Enforcement and NICS Intelligence Branch in Martinsburg, WV.
• Advanced Analytical Studies: Initiating and leading complex, in-depth analytical studies that directly impact firearm safety, illegal sales, and national compliance regulations.
• Interagency Coordination: Formulating and leading active cross-functional working groups with other Department of Justice entities, federal, state, local, and international law enforcement bodies.
• Policy Defense & Strategic Communication: Reviewing, preparing, and defending high-level intelligence reports, briefings, and policy recommendation papers for senior executive leadership.
• Data Security & Safety: Overseeing the secure storage, proper handling, and operational workflows of sensitive intelligence materials and reports involving firearm sales.

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Position Requirements & Eligibility

To successfully qualify for this position, applicants must meet several critical federal standards and show evidence of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level.

General Federal Prerequisites

• Citizenship: Must be a United States Citizen or National.
• Selective Service: Males born after December 31, 1959, must demonstrate registration or an approved exemption.
• Clearance Level: Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Suitability: Subject to a rigorous background investigation, initial drug screening, and continuous random drug testing.
• Financial Disclosure: Selected candidates must submit financial disclosures to comply with DOJ ethical guidelines.
• Mobility Agreement: Candidates must sign a formal mobility agreement, which facilitates temporary or permanent relocation based on agency needs and mission requirements.

Education Substitution

There is no education substitution permitted for this role. You must meet the required qualifications using specialized experience alone.

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Specialized Experience Comparison

To qualify for this GS-14 level position, you must have at least one complete year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level. The table below outlines how GS-13 level foundational competencies match against the target GS-14 Branch Chief expectations:

Operational Competency	Foundational GS-13 Level Experience	Target GS-14 Branch Chief Expectations
Analytic Support	Provided individual analytical support related to federal, state, and local law enforcement firearms sales.	Oversees and manages the scope of all analytical studies, workflows, and program reviews across the entire branch.
Denial Intelligence	Handled and analyzed specific firearms denials, transferring actionable files to field offices.	Leads and coordinates the overall strategy for identifying, reviewing, and routing system-wide NICS denial investigations.
Technical Comms	Authored individual technical reports and presented briefings to immediate supervisors.	Prepares, defends, and briefs complex policy papers and organizational strategies to executive leadership and public partners.
Legal Interpretation	Interpreted regulatory guidance on firearm statutes to make localized recommendations.	Establishes strategic policy guidelines, programmatic benchmarks, and compliance measures for federal gun laws.

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Comprehensive Benefits Program

Careers within the federal civil service come with an exceptional suite of benefits designed to support your health, family, and financial future. Benefits for this role include:

• Comprehensive Healthcare: Choice of premium-subsidized health plans under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, plus vision and dental (FEDVIP).
• Robust Retirement Plans: Enrollment in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), combining a defined-benefit pension with Social Security.
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): The government’s 401(k) equivalent, offering up to 5% agency matching contributions with immediate vesting.
• Paid Time Off: Accrual of annual leave (vacation), sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Work-Life Balance: Access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), flexible spending accounts, and specialized wellness initiatives.

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Step-by-Step Application and Assessment Process

Applying for high-level federal positions requires meticulous attention to detail. Follow these steps to ensure your package is considered:

1. Submit via USAJOBS: Navigate to the official listing for Announcement 26-OIO-MP-12967329-CLG and click 'Apply'.
2. Review Resume Page-Limit Guidelines: Ensure your uploaded resume is highly optimized and no longer than two pages starting from your first work experience. Subject Matter Experts will not read beyond page two.
3. Do Not Plagiarize: Make sure your specialized experience is written in your own words. If you copy the vacancy announcement's language verbatim, your application will be automatically coded as ineligible.
4. Upload Required Documentation: Submit your resume, most recent non-award SF-50 (to prove time-in-grade), DD-214 Member 4 Copy (for veterans' preference), or Schedule A paperwork.
5. Complete USA Hire Assessments: After submitting, check your email for a unique URL to take the online USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete these assessments within 48 hours of the job's closing date (07/22/2026). Set aside up to 3 hours for this test.

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Strategic Tips for Your Application

• Tailor Your Resume to the Competencies: Frame your work history to explicitly demonstrate leadership, critical research, strategic program planning, and decisive problem-solving.
• The Two-Page Rule is Strict: Put your most impactful, relevant GS-13 equivalent duties at the very top of your work experience section. If your critical accomplishments are on page three or four, the SME reviewers will never see them.
• Focus on NICS Experience: If you have specific background in handling firearms background checks, regulatory tracking, or investigative referrals, prioritize these examples in your bullet points.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is this position eligible for remote work or telework?

No. This position is located in Martinsburg, West Virginia, and is classified as non-remote with no telework eligibility due to the sensitive and critical-secure nature of handling Top Secret operational intelligence.

Q2: What happens if I fail to complete the USA Hire assessment within the 48-hour window?

Your application will be marked as incomplete, and you will be automatically disqualified from the hiring process. Make sure to monitor your email inbox (including spam/junk folders) immediately after applying.

Q3: What documents are required to show time-in-grade eligibility?

You must upload your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) that proves you have held a GS-13 level position for at least one full year. Award SF-50s do not contain the necessary tenure information and will not be accepted.

Q4: Does the position require travel?

While this is a stationary leadership role, you must sign a mobility agreement as a condition of employment, which may occasionally require relocations or short-term programmatic travel to meet ATF mission requirements.

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Serving as the Supervisory Management Analyst (Branch Chief) for the ATF is more than a career; it is a commitment to keeping American communities safe through intelligent oversight and dedicated law enforcement partnership. If you possess the specialized experience required for this GS-14 role, prepare your two-page resume, apply through USAJOBS before July 22, 2026, and take the first step toward leading a critical branch in Martinsburg, West Virginia.