Ice Sa

[Maverick24]

Originally Posted by callrich1

I just got my letter saying I passed the interview after the 09/07 test. Does anyone know at what point of the process negotiations for pay/step levels could occur at? I will be transitioning out of the military to get on with an agency (I test with ATF, Tampa Test this Month), but I am afraid ICE will be too large of a pay cut. Do they negotiate (possibly with seldom seen step 00)?

From what I was told by the ICE personnel manager at my panel interview, the only way they match (with a 7-00 under the entry level announcement) are if you are CBP, USBP, and (if I remember correctly) TSA (there may be one or 2 others). Other than those situations 7-10 is the highest you can get through the entry level announcement.

[Diggy]

Guys,

I have had an ICE SA pin number for about six months now and have not been able to register for the exam. The announcement was supposed to open last year in Sept, but it was postponed for Jan 08 however, once again it appears that it may have been postponed...again. Anyone heard anything about this or in a similar situation?

[Maverick24]

Diggy,

It was postponed again unfortunately. I think the new registration date is Mar 1st. Your PIN for jan is still good.

[Kyn]

Since there was already a thread on ICE, I didn't want to start a new one.

I've been following ICE recruitment very closely and haven't heard anything lately on their site, or on USAJobs.com as far as the 1811 position. I decided to call them today and earlier this evening I spoke with an ICE Recruiter who informed me that they are taking applications (OF 612 only) for the 1811 position however only through tomorrow, Jan. 15th. It seems like a brief window of opportunity that I am planning on acting on.

However when I was on the phone with the recruiter I had completely forgot to ask her what the "Announcement number" was for the position, and of course I can't find it anywhere on the site or on USAJobs.com. My question to you guys is, what should I do? Obviously I can't leave that field blank. Any suggestions/ideas would be of great help. Thanks!

[Big Sexy]

Call the recruiter and ask them.

[timberwulf]

Originally Posted by Kyn

Since there was already a thread on ICE, I didn't want to start a new one.

I've been following ICE recruitment very closely and haven't heard anything lately on their site, or on USAJobs.com as far as the 1811 position. I decided to call them today and earlier this evening I spoke with an ICE Recruiter who informed me that they are taking applications (OF 612 only) for the 1811 position however only through tomorrow, Jan. 15th. It seems like a brief window of opportunity that I am planning on acting on.

However when I was on the phone with the recruiter I had completely forgot to ask her what the "Announcement number" was for the position, and of course I can't find it anywhere on the site or on USAJobs.com. My question to you guys is, what should I do? Obviously I can't leave that field blank. Any suggestions/ideas would be of great help. Thanks!

ICE 1811 jobs aren't posted on USAJobs.com. They only hire through a recruiter. They will fill in the "announcement number."

[zxcvbnm]

Anyone heard any updates about ICE hiring at GS-9 for the SA position?

[Kyn]

So I ended up submitting my application to the NY office and a few weeks later I received my notification/instructions for the Special Agent Registration. However I do have two questions,

1) The date that I received in the notification is that strictly the registration date, and once I register on-line it'll notify me as to what my test date is? I called the NY office and left a voice mail for the recruiter but haven't heard anything yet.

2) For those who took the exam what were your experiences like, and what did you do to properly prepare for it? Was the exam extremely difficult?

[ROS]

Originally Posted by Kyn

1) The date that I received in the notification is that strictly the registration date, and once I register on-line it'll notify me as to what my test date is? I called the NY office and left a voice mail for the recruiter but haven't heard anything yet.

It's been about 2 years since I applied with ICE, so it's hard to remember exactly, but I think that date is when you take the written test. You may register online anytime prior to that. May want to wait until you hear back from your recruiter to be sure, but I'd definitely log on to the registration site and see if you can already complete it.

Originally Posted by Kyn

2) For those who took the exam what were your experiences like, and what did you do to properly prepare for it? Was the exam extremely difficult?

I failed it, and didn't get much as far as feedback on what part(s) I failed, or what my overall score was. For me it didn't seem overly difficult, but then I didn't pass, so I guess it's all relative. I'd suggest studying the guide they give you for the exam, as well as the ARCO TEA prep guide (you can buy one by doing a search on Amazon.com).

[Kyn]

Thanks for the feed back Ros! I did purchase the TEA prep guide by ARCO (I believe Maverik recommended it)

As far as the registration process it simply states to log onto the site on the given day to register, I'm assuming that the exam isn't on-line (silly assumption but I'm asking anyway heehee).

[ROS]

Originally Posted by Kyn

I'm assuming that the exam isn't on-line (silly assumption but I'm asking anyway heehee).

Unless it's changed you're correct. I took the ICE exam at an OPM building in Atlanta. It was a written exam and took a couple of hours.

[Maverick24]

Originally Posted by Kyn

So I ended up submitting my application to the NY office and a few weeks later I received my notification/instructions for the Special Agent Registration. However I do have two questions,

1) The date that I received in the notification is that strictly the registration date, and once I register on-line it'll notify me as to what my test date is? I called the NY office and left a voice mail for the recruiter but haven't heard anything yet.

2) For those who took the exam what were your experiences like, and what did you do to properly prepare for it? Was the exam extremely difficult?

1.) The date you recieved for registration is not the test date. That is the date you will input your registration number (march 3rd I think) and fill out a few online forms. At the end you will be asked a testing and interview preference location. Once you complete that you will be assigned a test date along with an official test notice to print out (to bring to the exam with you). The test dates are usally 2-3 months or so for registration.

2.) I love the ARCO book. It helped me pass the TEA for both USSS, ATF, and the ICE SA exam. Study it and DONT neglect the reading comprehension sections (many just worry about the math). Dont bother studying the investigations section because the ICE exam does not have one. The math is a little bit easier then the TEA IMO. If you can do the TEA math in the ARCO book, you will have no problem. Also there is an ICE exam study guide provided by ICE. You can request a hard copy from MHC (you will get the info when you register I believe). It has only a few questions, but it will give you a basic feel for the test. Good Luck!

[ROS]

Originally Posted by Maverick24

1.) The date you recieved for registration is not the test date. That is the date you will input your registration number (march 3rd I think) and fill out a few online forms. At the end you will be asked a testing and interview preference location. Once you complete that you will be assigned a test date along with an official test notice to print out (to bring to the exam with you). The test dates are usally 2-3 months or so for registration.

Listen to Maverick. He's been through the process more recently than me. ;)

[Kyn]

Ros and Maverick,

Thanks a ton you two! You both provide such great help/advice. Thanks again!

[Maverick24]

No problem. Oh and one last thing: ICE is trying something new this time around. Online registration begins at 12:00am 3/3 EST. The kicker is they are accepting only the first 1000 applicants who enter their registration #'s. It is first come first serve so I would be ready to log on right at 12 just in case. Good luck!