This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/599208100. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
This position is located in the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, Investigation Services. This position is responsible for planning, implementing, and guiding a regional investigative program with oversight from a Special Agent in Charge.
The position requires expert-level knowledge and skills in investigative techniques, theories, concepts, and practices.
Learn more about this agency04/22/2021 to 05/05/2021
$117,365 - $156,979 per year
GS 14
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
50% or less - Travel required is 50% or less for this position.
Yes—Relocation expenses may be paid.
Permanent
Full-time
Competitive
14
Yes
Yes
OIG-HQ-2021-0024
599208100
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.
Family members of a federal employee or uniformed service member who is or was, working overseas.
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
• 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 inspection 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:
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. Investigation Services is responsible for establishing the necessary procedures for coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on all criminal matters dealing with the Department’s programs and operations.
As a Supervisory Criminal Investigator, Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) with the Investigation Services of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) in the US Department of Education; the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
- Supervises agents to plan and conduct investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse in programs and operations administered or financed by the U.S. Department of Education, involving contractors, grantees, educational or financial institutions, Department employees, and other individuals.
- Develops policies, criteria, and procedures for investigations; conducts special projects and analyses in support of IS; and develops and implements training strategies to promote the professional development of Criminal Investigators.
- As a recognized national expert in investigations, the incumbent receives only administrative direction in performing the work of the position. The position organizes, analyzes, and evaluates documents and evidence, and prepares and submits reports. Investigations cover the entire investigative spectrum from theft, fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, public corruption, or whistleblower reprisals involving Department programs, operations, or funds.
- This position supervises all staff actions providing advice, guidance and regulatory interpretation of laws, orders, rules, and regulations pertaining to the investigations conducted by the Investigation Services of the OIG. Personally conducts, supervises, and/or oversees all criminal investigations conducted by subordinate staff.
- Collaborates orally and in writing with other Department officials within OIG to successfully perform the mission of the office; and participates with intergovernmental task forces on program fraud and abuse. Submits written reports and makes oral presentations for management and/or prosecutors to substantiate or disprove allegations in accordance with standards and timeframes.
The duties of positions in this series require moderate arduous physical exertion involving walking, running, operating vehicles in dangerous situations; serving subpoenas and search warrants; and making arrests. The work involves high risks with exposure to a wide variety of potentially dangerous situations in which criminal investigators must be able to defend themselves and others against physical attack. The criminal investigator may also have to work long and irregular hours, on weekends, and at night, be exposed to inclement weather, and frequently works outside the office gathering information or performing undercover and surveillance activities. Since duties of these positions are exacting and involve activities under trying conditions, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to himself/herself or others is disqualifying.
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), and total hours worked per week.
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).
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 three (3) of the following duties or work assignments:
1. Applicants must have successfully completed the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's Criminal Investigator Training Program or equivalent Federal criminal investigations training course;
2. Experience in planning, organizing, and conducting complex fraud investigations;
3. 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.
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 and skill in applying investigative approaches and techniques to gather information and evidence;
2. Knowledge of and skill in analyzing and organizing data;
3. Ability to lead and inspire a diverse team to include maximizing employee potential, developing performance plans and monitoring performance, resolving conflicts, and achieving organizational goals;
4. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships;
5. Skill in oral and written communications.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SUPERVISORY POSITIONS: Candidates must have demonstrated in their work experience or training that they possess, or have the potential to develop, the qualities of successful supervision as follows:
-Assign and review work of subordinates, train and work effectively with subordinates from a variety of backgrounds and with different levels/areas of training.
-Accomplish the quality and quantity of work expected within set limits of cost and time.
-Plan own work and carry out assignments effectively.
-Communicate with others effectively both orally and in writing in working out solutions to problems or questions relating to the work.
-Understand and further management goals as these affect day-to-day work operations.
-Develop improvements in or design new work methods and procedures.
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. This Position is approved for Secondary Law Enforcement Coverage. (SEE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS)
Veterans’ Career Counseling: If you are a veteran interested in receiving tips on preparing a Federal resume and/or how to prepare for an interview, you may email Iwork@ed.gov to schedule a session with a career counselor (“Veterans Counseling Session” should be placed in the subject line of the email).
Student Loan Default: If selected for this position, we will verify that you have not defaulted on any loan funded or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are found to be in default, we will contact you to make arrangements for repayment prior to making an official offer of employment.
Suitability and Investigation: If selected for this position, you will be required to complete the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for federal employment and successfully complete a pre-appointment investigation/background check.
Essential/Non-Essential: This position is considered non-essential for purposes of reporting to work during federal government closures.
Financial Disclosure: This position requires financial disclosure.
Telework: During the current period of mandatory telework required by the Agency’s COVID-19 response, telework will be mandatory. When it is determined the Agency will be moving to the reopening phase, employees will be expected to physically return to the office of their official duty locations. Telework days and any required waiting period for eligibility will be determined at that time.
Bargaining Unit: This position is not included in the bargaining unit.
Selections: Agencies have broad authority under law to hire from any appropriate source of eligibles and may fill a vacancy in the competitive service by any method authorized. We may make additional selections from this vacancy announcement within 90 days from the date the selection certificates are issued, should vacancies occur. We may also share selection certificates amongst program offices across the agency.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants will 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 criminal investigators.
Selectee must have previously completed the Criminal Investigator Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, or an equivalent training program.
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).
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.
You must submit (REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS):
• A resume demonstrating your education, experience, training, and accomplishments as it relates to the qualifications for this position and substantiating your responses to the occupational questionnaire.
If you are qualifying based on education, you must also submit:
• Transcripts showing course titles, number of credits, and dates of completion. You may submit unofficial transcripts as part of your application; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to appointment.
If you are a current or former federal employee (including current U.S. Department of Education employees), you must also submit:
• A Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), which demonstrates your competitive status eligibility. To verify your eligibility, we will review your SF-50 to determine your tenure (block 24) and position occupied (block 34). Examples of sufficient SF-50s include appointments, promotions, within-grade increases, and pay adjustments.
If you currently hold or previously held a federal position at or above the highest grade of this position or you have/had promotion potential at or above the highest grade of this position, you must also submit an SF-50 documenting your highest grade level held or promotion potential. Examples of sufficient SF-50s include appointments and promotions.
• A copy of your Performance Appraisal and Awards, as applicable. Your performance appraisal and awards are requested to further assess the quality of your experience should your application be referred to the selecting official.
• A copy of your FLECTC or Equivalent Certificate have to be uploaded to receive credit for requirement.
If you are claiming eligibility under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA), you must submit:
• A copy of your DD-214 that shows active service and character of discharge, member copy 4 (Separated Members only); OR
• A certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions within 120 days from the date of application (Current Active Duty Members only); AND/OR
• The Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (SF-15) AND all documents indicated on the form as proof of type of preference.
If you are claiming selection priority under Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), please visit:
CTAP: http://www.ed.gov/about/jobs/open/edhires/ctap.html
ICTAP: http://www.ed.gov/about/jobs/open/edhires/ictap.html
If you are claiming eligibility under any Special Hiring Authority, you must submit:
• Adequate proof of your eligibility (e.g., Documentation of noncompetitive eligibility as a returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Documentation of noncompetitive eligibility for employment under Schedule A as a person with severe physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, and intellectual disabilities.)
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not already have one) at www.usajobs.gov.
Step 2: Create a resume using the USAJOBS resume builder. Ensure that your resume demonstrates your education, experience, training, and accomplishments as it relates to the qualifications for this position and substantiates your responses to the occupational questionnaire.
Step 3: Upload any required documents into your USAJOBS account (must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX)).
Step 4: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire and attach any required documents. Verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBS transfer into the agency's hiring system. You will have the opportunity to upload any additional required documents in the agency's hiring system. Click “Finish” to submit your application.
NOTE: You may update your application or required documents at any time while the announcement is open by logging into your USAJOBS account, clicking on "Application Status," clicking on the position title, clicking "Update Application,” and following the prompts.
In order to receive consideration for this position, you must submit your complete application, including all required documents, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the closing date of the vacancy announcement. If the vacancy announcement has an application limit, we recommend that you submit your complete application at the time of initial application. We will not accept any required documentation after the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
As an applicant, you may check your application status through your USAJOBS account at any time. We will also notify you via email of your application status at three key stages in the recruitment process.
1. Once the vacancy announcement closes, we will inform you that your application has been received.
2. After we review your submitted resume and supporting documentation, we will inform you if you are eligible and qualified, if your application was referred to a subject matter expert or panel of subject matter experts for further evaluation, and if you were amongst the most highly qualified candidates referred to the selecting official.
3. Finally, we will inform you of your final disposition for this announcement (e.g., if/when a selection is made, if/when the announcement is cancelled).
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/599208100. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) promotes the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of ED programs and operations by conducting independent audits, investigations, and other activities. The OIG focuses on protecting the integrity of ED and works to prevent and detect fraud and abuse. The OIG's work contributes to strengthening federal education programs.