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VA-OIG Recent Graduate Program

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Affairs, Inspector General
This job announcement has closed

Summary

VA-OIG's Recent Graduates Program affords developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. Successful applicants are placed in a dynamic, developmental program with the potential to lead to a civil service career in the Federal Government.

Following the completion of program requirements, selectees may be considered for non-competitive conversion to a career-conditional or term appointment. All conversion requirements will be identified in the Participant Agreement. Program requirements include but are not limited to:

  • Succssful completion of at least 1-year
  • Demonstration of successful job performance; and
  • Meet the qualification standards for the position to which the Recent Graduate may be converted.
It is anticipated that there will be significant interest in the announcement. As a result, the announcement will close at 11:59 p.m. ET on the date of receipt of the 200th application or at 11:59 p.m. ET on DATE OF CLOSURE; whichever occurs first. Any required documents should be submitted at the time that you apply as documents will not be accepted after the vacancy closes.

OIG is organized into three line elements: the Offices of Investigations, Audits and Evaluations, and Healthcare Inspections; along with the Office of Contract Review and the Office of Management and Administration. In addition to the Washington, DC, headquarters, OIG has offices located in more than 30 cities throughout the country.

The Criminal Investigator (Special Agent), located in the Office of Investigation, is responsible for planning, managing, conducting, and concluding, independently or as a team leader, the most complex, sensitive and difficult OIG criminal, civil, and/or administrative investigations of allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse directed at VA programs and/or operations.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
02/06/2018 to 02/08/2018
Salary
$53,635 to - $69,208 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 09
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
1 vacancy
Travel Required
25% or less - Travel nationwide under tight deadlines. The incumbent should anticipate frequent walking and standing as a component of this travel.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Recent graduates - initial period of one year or more. Position may be converted to a permanent or term position.
Work schedule
Full-time - Full time; Excepted Service; Pathways Program - Recent Graduates; Appointment is for an
Service
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Announcement number
18-VAOIG-87-X
Control number
490628500

This job is open to

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Duties

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The following are the duties of this position at the GS-13. If you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform all these duties, and will receive training to help you grow in this position.

  • Functions as a law enforcement officer with full law enforcement authority, i.e., carrying authorized firearms and other enforcement equipment; applying for and executing arrest and search warrants; apprehending, searching, and transporting criminals and arranging for their detention.
  • Provides expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to agency management and other senior agents, officers, or inspectors on critical operations.
  • Solves problems demanding technologically advanced methods and innovative approaches.
  • Collects and analyzes operational and strategic intelligence from wide-ranging sources including Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies.
  • Assists the Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) and the Resident Agent in Charge (RAC) in the day-to-day operation of the office.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Please refer to "Conditions of Employment."
  • Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
  • Must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals.

The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or volunteer service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week on your résumé.

Qualifications

You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Meet the qualification standards for the position to which the Recent Graduate may be converted. To be eligible for the Recent Graduates Program, applicants must have, within the previous 2 years*, completed all educational requirements for a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying institution.

*Veterans who, due to a military service obligation, were precluded from applying to a Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2 year eligibility period may have their eligibility period extended so that they receive the full 2 years of eligibility. The remaining 2-year eligibility period will begin upon his or her release or discharge from active duty. The veteran's eligibility period may not extend beyond 6 years from the date of completion of all requirements of an academic course of study.

Medical Requirements: The selectee must pass a pre-appointment physical examination and meet the physical requirements for this position as required by this agency. The duties of this position require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, and knee joints is required. Arms, hands, legs, and feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. Sufficiently good vision and hearing are required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Because the duties of this position are exacting, responsible, and sometimes performed under trying conditions, the selectee must possess emotional and mental stability. Any physical condition that would cause the selectee to be a hazard to himself/herself, or others is disqualifying.

AND

Age Restriction: The date immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday is the maximum entry age for original appointment to a law enforcement officer position. This requirement does not apply to a) Preference-eligible veterans; OR b) Individuals who are 37 years of age or older and have previously served in law enforcement officer positions that were covered by a special law enforcement retirement plan.

AND

Specialized experience: For the GS-09 you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:

  • Researching laws, regulations, guidelines, and approved procedures to provide findings; AND
  • Analysis of technical documents from different/multiple sources and summarizing review in a written product; AND
  • Verbal communications that include interviews, briefings and presentations; AND
  • Writing reports or products that presented facts, findings, logical conclusions, and persuasive arguments; AND
  • Applying investigative techniques to conduct and assist in investigations.
OR Education: Master's degree or equivalent or 2 years progressively higher education leading to such a degree, or an LL.B. or J.D. if related. (Attach copy of transcript or list of college courses designating semester or quarter hours earned to ensure proper credit. OR You may qualify by a combination of experience and education. Only graduate level education in excess of the first 18 semester hours may be combined with experience.


Additional information

- We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.
- This is a non-bargaining unit position.
- We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- A one year probationary period may be required.
- Must successfully complete a background investigation.
- If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
- Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
- Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
- Obtain and use a Government-issued purchase card for business-related travel.
- File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
- Carry and use a firearm. Maintaining firearm proficiency is also mandatory. You will be ineligible to occupy this position if at any time you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, unless you received a pardon or your conviction was expunged or set aside.
- Complete a pre-employment medical examination, unless already working in a position covered under 5 USC 8336(c) with another Federal law enforcement agency and have passed a physical exam within the previous 6 months. Prior to appointment, the selectee must be determined to be physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties such as making arrests, conducting surveillances, using firearms, etc., and also pass a medical examination (which includes vision, hearing, cardiovascular, mobility of extremities, and other factors) given by an authorized government physician. Any physical condition that would cause the selectee to be a hazard to herself/himself or others is disqualifying. You may be required to provide medical or related documentation to Federal Occupation of Health at the time of the pre-employment physical. You will be required to undergo regular physical examinations and to maintain a level of physical fitness in accordance with the standards and policies of this agency.
- Complete or have previously completed the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, GA OR its equivalent.
- Agree to work an average of two extra hours per day. Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) has been approved to compensate for unscheduled duty in excess of the 40-hour workweek.
- Possess and maintain a valid driver's license from one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
- Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application includes your résumé, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your résumé includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a “not qualified” determination.

Rating: Your application will be evaluated in the following areas:

  • Self Management Skills
  • Technical Skills
  • Communication Skills
Category rating will be used to rank and select eligible candidates. If qualified, you will be assigned to one of three quality level categories, A-Exceptionally Qualified, B-Highly Qualified, or C-Qualified, depending on your responses to the online questions, regarding your experience, education, and training related to this position. Your rating may be lowered if your responses to the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application.

Veterans' preference is applied after applicants are assessed. Preference-eligibles will be listed at the top of their assigned category and considered before non-preference-eligibles in that category. Qualified preference-eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest category.

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview.

If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)) you must be assigned the middle category or better to be rated as “well qualified" to receive special selection priority.

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