Clarification from the agency

• Current federal civilian employees in the competitive service on permanent career or career-conditional appointments; • Former federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; • Current federal employees eligible under Interchange Agreements; and, • Applicants eligible under special hiring authorities (Schedule A, etc.).

The Inspector General of the Department of Education heads an independent and objective organization responsible for audit, investigation, and other services related to programs and operations of the Department. The Inspector General provides leadership and coordination and recommends policies for activities designed to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration of programs and operations, as well as to prevent and detect fraud and abuse in such programs and operations. The Inspector General is the principal advisor to the Secretary of the Department on the above matters and is responsible for keeping the Secretary and Congress fully and currently informed about problems and deficiencies relating to the administration of the Department's programs and operations and the necessity for and progress of corrective action.

The Office of the Inspector General consists of the following five components:

• Immediate Office of the Inspector General
• Investigation Services
• Audit Services
• Management Services
• Information Technology, Audits and Computer Crime Investigations

Investigation Services (IS) is responsible for all investigative activities relating to the Department's programs and operations and the prevention and detection of fraud and abuse in these programs and operations. IS also conducts, supervises, and coordinates investigations of suspected fraudulent activity by Departmental employees. IS is responsible for establishing the necessary procedures for coordination with the Department of Justice on all criminal matters dealing with the Department's programs and operations.

Incumbent serves as an advocate for the assigned region, exercising independent initiative and coordination of initial and ongoing criminal, civil and administrative investigations in communicating approaches, benefits and results of pursuing actions with management. Incumbent prepares regional performance reports to assess adequacy of resources, timeliness of investigations, and results obtained. Works to initiate changes in policies and procedures relative to investigative activites and program areas.

The incumbent identifies, plans, directs, coordinates and conducts extensive internal and external training and outreach relative to program areas and investigative activities. In addition, develops and assists in the management of new initiative, programs or special projects. Incumbents are responsible for reviewing investigative files to determine if such files accurately and definitively document the investigative activities taken during the course of the investigation prior to final closure.

In addition to potentially conducting complicated and sensitive investigations, the incumbent also: develop policy criteria, and procedures for investigations; conducts special projects and analyses in support of Investigation Services; and develops and implements training strategies to promote the professional development of Criminal Investigators. Incumbent coordinates national level, multi-regional or highly sensitive investigations where coordination of efforts and staffing may be necessary for overall outcome of investigative activities.

The incumbent manages the review and analysis of investigative activity request, such as consensual monitoring and undercover requests submitted by their regions. Initiates discussion with Special Agents (SA), Assistant Special Agents in Charge (ASAC), and Special Agents in Charge (SAC), to clarify or resolve inconsistencies in the requests. Presents view on the merits of proposals and issues raised.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENT: The duties of positions in this series require moderate 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, feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. Applicant must be able to pass an Audiometer test. Hearing loss exceeding a 30-decibel average in either ear in the conversational and speech range (500, 1000, 2000 cycles) is disqualifying. Applicant should possess uncorrected visual acuity of no less than 20/100 in each eye, correctable to 20/20 in one eye and 20/30 in the other eye. Ability to read, without strain, printed material the size of typewritten characters is required. Glasses are permitted. Normal depth perception: depth perception to the correctable standard of 80 seconds of ARC is permitted.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States citizen.
• Must complete a background investigation and fingerprint check.
• A pre-employment medical examination is required.
• Drug testing is required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Services.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

If you are a current federal employee, you must meet all time-in-grade and time-after competitive appointment qualifications within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. To verify that you meet these requirements, we will review your responses to the core eligibility questions on the occupational questionnaire, as well as your submitted resume and required documents.  To make an accurate determination, you will need to include on your resume your federal position title, pay plan, occupational series, grade level, agency, dates for which you held the grade level (stated as MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY, OR MM/YYYY to PRESENT).

- Applicants may be required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination by an Agency designated physician to determine if they are physically and medically qualified to perform the full duties of the position. Any physical condition which could hinder an individual's full, efficient and safe performance of his/her duties as a Criminal Investigator, or failure to meet any of the required physical or medical qualifications, will usually be considered disqualifying for employment, except when sufficient evidence is presented that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job efficiently and without hazard to themselves and others.

- Applicants who refuse to submit to the required examinations will not be considered for employment as a Criminal Investigator.

- Applicant must have satisfactorily completed the Basic Criminal Investigative Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia or its equivalent.

- Applicants must agree to work an average of two hours extra per day to meet the requirements of law enforcement availability pay (LEAP) as described in Title 5 U.S.C. § 5545A(d)(1).

- Applicants for this position are required to qualify with and use firearms and other weapons as part of assigned duties and to maintain such qualifications. Because of an amendment to 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9), which became effective September 30, 1996, and is referred to as the Lautenberg Amendment, applicants are ineligible for this position if at ANY time they have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence, unless such conviction was expunged, set aside, or the applicant received a pardon.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements

You may meet the minimum requirements for the GS-14 if you possess:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-13) in federal service that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position (see description below).

Specialized Experience for the GS-14:

One year of experience equivalent to the GS-13 performing all four (3) of the following duties or work assignments:

1. Experience planning and conducting complex criminal, civil and administrative investigations; controlling cases through all stages of the investigative process; preparing comprehensive reports.

2. Experience in analyzing records and complaints to validate allegations, interviewing others to obtain and verify information, and preparing comprehensive reports detailing the investigation of the alleged violations.

3. Experience briefing management and senior leaders on findings or special projects; and creating effective relationships across multiple entities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).

1.    Knowledge of investigative principles, techniques, methods, and procedures in order to conduct difficult, complex, and highly sensitive investigations.

2.    Knowledge of and skill in analyzing and organizing data.

3.    Ability to independently plan, organize, prioritize, and conduct complex investigations and reviews.

4.    Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships.

5.    Skill in oral and written communications.

How you will be evaluated

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

We use a multi-step process to review and evaluate applicants:

1.    Eligibility and Minimum Qualifications
Once the vacancy announcement closes, we will review your submitted resume and documents to determine if you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, including any required education, experience, and/or selective placement factors. You will be rated as ineligible if you are outside of the area of consideration (i.e., who may apply) or your application is missing any required documents. You will be rated as not qualified if you do not possess the minimum qualification requirements.

2.    Rating and Ranking
If you are found to meet both the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, we will assess the quality of your experience and the extent to which you possess the required KSAs by comparing your submitted resume and documents against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. (The occupational questionnaire is the list of questions in the automated system that you will have an opportunity to answer once you apply for the position).  

Based on the outcome of this evaluation, you will be assigned a numerical score (out of 100 possible). If your responses to the occupational questionnaire are not substantiated by your submitted resume, you may be eliminated from receiving further consideration.

3.    Referral and Selection
If you are found to be amongst the most highly qualified applicants, you will be referred to the selecting official. As part of the assessment and selection process, the selecting official may invite you to participate in a structured interview, check your references, and/or request that you submit a writing sample or complete a written assessment or exercise to further evaluate your qualifications for this position.