The incumbent of this position is a trainee criminal investigator assigned in a developmental capacity to a DCIS Field Office or Resident Agency; receives training and guidance on investigative methodology, techniques and policies; and performs the investigative duties associated with that position.  The employee performs investigative duties involving persons and property under the charge of DoD pursuant to Federal Statutes and applicable DoD Directives.  The incumbent also: 

• Conducts investigations that may result in criminal or civil/administrative prosecution or civil/administrative penalties. 
• Conducts arrests, searches, and seizures in accordance with the U.S. Constitution, pertinent laws, regulations, directives and court decisions; includes collection and the preservation of physical evidence.
• Analyzes allegations, complaints, referrals, and investigations to identify issues involved and the types of evidence needed to properly address each matter.
• Prepares comprehensive investigative reports in order to present complex and conflicting findings in a clear, logical, impartial, comprehensive, and concise manner.
• Advises and/or assists U.S. Attorney's or other prosecutors and/or their staff members in the preparation of investigations for presentation to Federal and/or State/local Grand Juries, and/or appears as a witness before Grand Juries and trial courts, or participate in other legal proceedings.
• Conducts liaison activities with other internal and external stakeholders and partners, including Federal, State, and local agencies, representing the interests of the employing agency. 
• Comply with all existing policies, procedures and guidelines (including the use of force policy) pertaining to use, display, safety and maintenance of firearms and intermediate weapons.
  

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Must be able to obtain and maintain Top Secret clearance
• Position is subject to random drug testing
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service
• This is an Excepted Service position - may require a two year trial period
• Must sign a Mobility Agreement
• Age requirement: Before your 37th birthday. (Veterans please see vetguide)

This is covered by the special retirement provisions for Federal Law Enforcement Officer (FLEO).  Position is approved for Primary 6C coverage under the provision of title, 5 USC, Sections 8336(c) and 8412(d). 

Incumbent will be required to work, or be available to work substantial amounts of unscheduled overtime duty based on the needs of the agency, and will receive availability pay, a special form of premium pay fixed at 25 percent of the adjusted salary (basic and locality).  

There is a Maximum Entry Age requirement (MEA): Must be under the age of 37.  Candidates without previous FLEO service must be under age 37. Employees subject to special retirement coverage for law enforcement officers must retire at age 57 upon completing 20 years of law enforcement service under the special retirement provisions for law enforcement officers. If these 20 years of service are not attained at age 57, mandatory retirement is required upon completion of 20 years of service. See OPM Retirement Handbook for further details. The Maximum Entry Age requirement may be waived for applicants eligible for veterans' preference.   Applicants previously covered by 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or 5 U.S.C 412(d) are not restricted from applying.  

Federal employees currently serving in the Competitive Service must acknowledge that they will voluntarily leave the Competitive Service by accepting an offer of employment in the Excepted Service.   

If you have not previously successfully completed a trial period within the Federal Government in a similar position, you will be required to serve a two year trial period.

This position requires a pre-employment physical exam and a pre-employment physical readiness test. An annual physical readiness test will be conducted.  

This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968.  An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position. 

Must be able to qualify and maintain authorization to carry firearms. 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification:

You must meet the minimum qualification requirements as stated in Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group-stds/gs-prof.asp  (http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/group-stds/gs-prof.asp).

GS-07:  1 full year of graduate level education from an accredited college or university or superior academic achievement (SAA).  SAA is based on (1) class standing - upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision; (2) grade-point-average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum, or (3) national scholastic honor society membership.

GS-09: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, LL.B., or J.D. from an accredited college or university that would otherwise substitute for specialized experience. 

OR

Combining Education and Experience:

Combined: GS-09:  Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for  the grade level specified, and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level, then determining the application's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level, and then adding the two percentages.  (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond two years by 18. Add the two percentages.)  The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.  Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at the GS-09.

Note:  If you are qualifying (applying) based on education, an unofficial or official transcript must be submitted at the time of application.  If transcripts are not received, you will be ineligible.

AND

Specialized Experience for the GS-7

- 52 weeks at the GS-5 level or equivalent that demonstrates skill and experience applying basic inspection, investigation, enforcement, and/or compliance principles, concepts, and procedures; applicable Federal laws and regulations; and practices common to business, public institutions, and other entities in order to select, gather, and organize information from various sources such as databases, witnesses, informants, or Federal, State, and local agencies; perform routine tasks to support the inspection, investigation, enforcement, or compliance process; inspect documents for accuracy and compliance; establish preliminary findings; and prepare reports.

Specialized Experience for the GS-9 is 52 weeks at the GS-7 level or equivalent that demonstrates skill in and experience applying inspection, investigation, enforcement, and/or compliance principles, concepts, and methodologies; laws, regulations, guidelines, and precedent decisions; requirements of various legal jurisdictions; and practices common to industries and entities regulated by applicable programs. These acquired knowledge and skills must demonstrate skill to independently perform duties such as: identify sources of information to detect illegal activity and document issues or probable cause; conduct investigations using accepted methodology and problem solving techniques; take statements from witnesses, third parties, and other knowledgeable persons; research, analyze, interpret, and evaluate data and information to make appropriate recommendations; and prepare reports and technical information.

Candidates will be further evaluated on the level and quality of their experience and possession of the following relevant competencies in order to determine the level of your qualifications. These competencies include:

• Ability to provide investigative and/or research support  
• Ability to research laws, regulations and directives relating to investigative processes
• Ability to inspect documents, gather data, and prepare reports
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing

NOTE: Management has the discretion to place selectee at the GS-07 or GS-09 grade level depending on an applicant's qualification and the availability of funds.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies within 90 calendar days of the referral certificate issue date.

Note: Training Requirement: Incumbent may be required to complete the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia, unless, the incumbent has successfully completed the CITP at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA, or an equivalent Federal course, such as the FBI Academy, DEA Academy, or U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division Special Agent Course.  Tribal, State, and local law enforcement academy training does not meet this requirement.  Incumbent must submit a photocopy of the training certificate showing completion.

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).  Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills, and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education: Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html 

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be assessed to the extent to which you possess the competencies listed in the "Qualifications" section above and ultimately placed into one of three quality category levels: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified and Qualified. Applicants will receive further consideration in accordance with category rating procedures.

Best-Qualified: This highest category will be used for those candidates who possess the type and quality of experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, including all selective placement factors and appropriate quality ranking factor(s), as determined by the job analysis.

Highly-Qualified: This higher category will be used for those candidates who possess the type and quality of experience that exceed the minimum qualifications of the position, as determined by the job analysis.

Qualified: This lowest category will be used for those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications of the position and are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the position. Candidates may require extensive training and/or orientation in order to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position.

During further evaluation, you may be asked to provide additional information or participate in other methods of assessment, such as structured interviews. Individuals who are subject matter experts in the requirements of this position may participate in further evaluations.

Your responses will be carefully reviewed and must be supported by factual information in your resume. Inflating or otherwise enhancing your qualifications and errors or omissions may result in loss of further consideration.