Clarification from the agency

Current federal employees who hold or held a non-temporary career or career-conditional appointment Persons eligible for reinstatement Persons eligible for non-competitive appointment under special hiring authorities Veterans' preference eligibles or veterans who have been separated from the Armed Forces under honorable conditions after substantially completing at least 3 consecutive years of active duty

The positions are located in the Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Inspector General (DHS OIG), the Office of Investigations (INV), Washington Field Office (WFO) and the INV Major Fraud and Corruption Unit (MFCU). The Office of Investigations is responsible for investigating and bringing to the appropriate criminal and civil justice system those individuals and organizations involved in financial, professional, civil, or criminal misconduct relating to Department of Homeland Security programs and operations.

Both the INV Washington Field Office (WFO) and the INV Major Fraud and Corruption Unit (MFCU) are located in Alexandria, VA.

The Washington field office and INV HQs Major Frauds and Corruption Unit leverages a multi-disciplinary team of special agents, analysts, data scientists and forensic auditors/accountants.

Washington Field Office - The investigations involve multi-faceted, high level and often complex circumstances and are often called upon to provide their investigative expertise or assistance to both internal and external law enforcement entities.

Major Frauds and Corruption Unit (MFCU) - is a highly specialized unit established to proactively identify and investigate fraud and corruption that poses significant risk and major financial impact to DHS. The focus is to uncover and investigate high dollar procurement and grant fraud schemes throughout the U.S. and its territories. The MFCU leverages a multi-disciplinary team of special agents, analysts, data scientists and forensic auditors/accountants.

Being a Criminal Investigator makes you a valuable member of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG), Office of Investigations (INV). You will evaluate allegations and evidence, and participate in the planning and conduct of investigations involving illegal and criminal acts (Title 18, U.S. Code) such as bribery, fraud, conflicts of interests, embezzlements and misconduct, by Department employees including senior DHS officials. Typical assignments include:

• Evaluate assigned investigations. Analyze initial allegations and recommend the extent of investigative resources required and the necessity for any collateral support.
• Plan, organize and personally conduct investigations with regard to a wide variety of allegations received by the Office of Inspector General which typically involve extremely complex, difficult or sensitive criminal or administrative investigations of major importance and high level interest and misconduct allegations involving high ranking officials of the Department of Homeland Security.
• Plan workload and direct other criminal investigators and furnishes them with necessary information, advice and guidance on problem situations often times highly technical in nature, and review finished work for accuracy and completeness.
• Draft and prepare concise, logical reports of investigations and summaries, including recommendations for prosecutive and corrective action for the Office of Investigations.
• Personally maintains liaison with other law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and national levels for purpose of obtaining their cooperation in furnishing information concerning illegal activities involving violations of criminal law related to DHS personnel in the private sector which could assist in ferreting out violations

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position
• You must successfully pass a background investigation
• You must be able to obtain Top Secret security clearance
• You will be required to undergo periodic drug testing
• You will be required to carry a firearm
• You must be able to meet job-related medical and/or fitness standards
• Selective Service registration required
• Completion of one year probationary may be required.
• Must obtain and maintain a valid state issued driver's license.
• You will be required to sign a mobility agreement.
• This position is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment, 18 U.S.C. Section(g)(9)/Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968.
• Age Requirement: Applicants are subject to the maximum entry age into law enforcement positions with this agency, which is the date immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday.
• Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): LEAP in the amount of 25% has been approved for this position.

Qualifications

You qualify for the GS-13 grade level (starting salary $102,663) if you possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level performing at least 4 of the following duties:

• Initiating investigations from informant tips or leads;
• Developing evidence involving financial crimes, including contract or procurement fraud, by interviews, documentary searches, surveillance, etc.;
• Participating on multi-agency task forces and working groups involving contract or acquisition fraud and/or financial crime investigations;
• Preparing concise, logical reports and summaries involving major fraud and corruption investigations;
• Maintaining liaison with law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and national level as it relates to financial crimes investigations;
• Executing search and arrest warrants pursuant to criminal investigations;
• Testifying in criminal, civil or administrative court proceedings.

Additional Requirements:
- Age Requirement: Applicants are subject to the maximum entry age into law enforcement positions with
this agency, which is the date immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday. This age restriction may
not apply to those who have previously served in a Federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position
covered by special hazardous duty retirement provisions.
- Training Requirement: This position requires that you complete or have completed the eight week basic
criminal investigator course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA. Retention in
the position is subject to successful completion of the training.
- Firearm Requirement: This position requires you to be authorized to carry a firearm and maintain firearm
proficiency. Therefore, it is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment, 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) (9) and you
will be required to verify that you have not been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
- Medical Requirement: This position requires you to maintain physical fitness standards set by the agency.
Physical stamina, excellent eyesight and hearing, and emotional stability are essential. The duties of
positions in the criminal investigator series require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking
and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather

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 directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date 08/31/2020of this announcement.

Current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade level or equivalent grade band in the federal service. The time-in-grade requirement must be met by the closing date 08/31/2020 of this announcement.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education, and training will be rated using a job questionnaire that is based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job:

• Attention to Detail
• Criminal Investigation
• Oral Communication
• Technical Competence
• Writing

If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Preview the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10850777.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veterans must 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. (Note: Veteran's preference does not apply under
Merit Promotion procedures. View VEOA information on Feds Hire Vets.)

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.