2020 ATF Schedule B Hiring

[OCN_1]

Anybody know the usual turn around from drug test to medical?

[Adrenaline54]

Equip submitted on aug 5 and just got an email today about scheduling my poly in October.

[Checkmate]

Completed interview earlier this week. I did well (and was told as much) but it was still the hardest LEO interview I’ve ever had. ATF doesn’t mess around.

[2CK2021]

Congrats man! would you say it was pretty standard interview questions?

[Checkmate]

Fairly standard yes but there were some questions I had not prepared for and had to come up with something quickly on the spot. I had canned responses for most of the other questions but the curveballs stressed me out.

[Adrenaline54]

Completed interview earlier this week. I did well (and was told as much) but it was still the hardest LEO interview I’ve ever had. ATF doesn’t mess around.

Can confirm. Definitely the toughest out of all my LE interviews.

[NYC1175]

Without giving away too much, why would you say it was the most difficult? I've done interviews for USMS, USSS, NCIS, and the FBI for reference.

[Checkmate]

I have passed interviews for USSS and USMS and it felt way harder than either of those. The quantity and specificity of the questions were challenging.

[NYC1175]

Checkmate between your description and the requirement of a writing sample, it seems similar to the FBI/NCIS interviews. Guess it's time to brush up on my interviewing skills again.

[Willitopen82]

Poly completed today. Felt good vibes from guy when leaving. Either way hopefully hear something soon. Oh well bullet is out of the gun, I just hope I hit the target and not the hostage. Time to wait and check my email every 20 mins like a dope addict waiting for the results.

[Marvin Blank]

Hey,

Was hoping someone could answer a few questions I couldn't find via searches specific to this announcement. Thanks in advance.

As far as the writing sample, anyone able to share a general description, as far as size and general context (writing about a current event, yourself, etc.)?

If you already have a DoD TS, while they want to do their own DOJ one, do you need to redo an EQUIP? All the info is probably the same, minus an update here or there.

Finally, in regards to the Schedule B Hiring.....are you more likely, space available, to get the Office you applied with if it is your highest preference? Or are they throwing people around/offering all over the place? I.E., is Schedule B just so you have a local POC to start the application process, or are you actually applying to that office?

Thanks for everyone who has shared along the way. Have a panel interview coming up soon, and this thread has been helpful as I've gone through the process.

[Checkmate]

The writing sample is very easy. I wrote more challenging essays in middle school. If you've had any kind of formal education in APA formatting I think you'll be fine.

I don't think any federal LE agencies accept DOD clearances. At least to the best of my knowledge. Every single veteran I've known who has joined an agency has needed another investigation, even those with TS-SCI.

For last question ref schedule B, I don't know. Maybe others who are further in the process can speak to that.

[Willitopen82]

Not sure what this means but I took poly yesterday and guy said he was submitting it for review before he left the office. Here is the kicker I just got email for my medical stuff a few mins ago. Does that mean I passed poly?

[Wojo7]

Yes. The medical email is the unofficial "you passed" without saying it directly. I was told it was being submitted for review a few months back when I did mine and got the exact same email for a drug test a day later and then a medical scheduling email a few days after that.

[OCN_1]

Wojo7 how long from completion of medical until the next step in the process? Got my medical scheduled next week

[Checkmate]

Has anyone completed the ATF poly and the CBP poly? I'm wondering how similar or different the experiences were. Obviously without violating the NDA...

ATF has a higher pass rate from what I've heard.

[OCN_1]

Checkmate there seems to be a disconnect between DHS agencies & DOJ (ATF specifically) in regards to polygraph reciprocity. I’m under DHS as well, and we were told that our agency polygraph is the only one that ATF would reciprocate - which they didn’t. However, coworker had his last week and was reciprocated completely.

[Checkmate]

I give up.

[LRTPA]

I’ve been monitoring this thread for a while now and haven’t felt the need to comment because most of the information put out by everyone is pretty accurate. I’m a lateral candidate who applied in May and have done the PT test, interview, and background. I received an email today from ATF asking if I’ve completed a poly within the last five years for any government agency. They said because of COVID they are reciprocating polys from other agencies. I responded that I did not complete one with the last five years and within 10 minutes sent me an eQip link to complete the eQip packet and register for a poly. So they are reciprocating polys.

[Frank020387]

...................

[Grey De Leon]

Just wrapped up my interview, it was roughly 1-1.5Hrs. I'd put it right up there with the FBI interview, though lot more GS14 interviewing than with the FBI interview. Now onto the next step.

[cmor5150]

Are interviews in person or virtual?

[Grey De Leon]

cmor5150 interview is in person. But it’s a bit of a wait between each step of the process.

[Willitopen82]

Drug test notice came through today. Medical scheduled for Friday. What come after these and how long?

[Grey De Leon]

Willitopen82 how long was it between your interview and getting the TOL package?

[Checkmate]

I'd like to know that too ^

[soxdude322]

Anyone on here have to retake the poly more than once?

[Kt_kt_kt]

Yes I did. Took the polygraph twice. 3 months apart. And I moved on to the next step in the process.

[Adrenaline54]

Drug test notice came through today. Medical scheduled for Friday. What come after these and how long?

Mine took like 4 months

[NYC1175]

Interview done. I'll echo what other's said and say that it's the most difficult one I've done so far. I felt I did well though, so now the wait begins.

[Checkmate]

How long is it typically between interview and the next step? Is it an e-mail notification/TOL or…? They said at the interview that you may get something via snail mail.