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Criminal Investigator

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Headquarters, NASA
Office of Inspector General (OIG), Office of Investigations (OI)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG) Office of Investigations (OI) investigates allegations of crime, cyber-crime, fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct impacting NASA programs, projects, operations, and resources. This position is responsible for planning and conducting investigations; coordinating and providing expertise and policy recommendations to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness; and preventing and detecting fraud and abuse.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
04/30/2024 to 05/02/2024
This job will close when we have received 250 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$69,154 - $108,769 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Houston, TX
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
NASA OIG-12379518-DE-24
Control number
789105700

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Duties

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Typical duties for a Criminal Investigator at NASA OIG include but are not limited to the following:

  • Planning and conducting complex investigations of suspected fraud, waste, and abuse, and mismanagement in NASA programs and investigating violations of NASA Standards of Conduct and government regulations involving NASA employees. Investigations will typically involve grant and procurement fraud, which may include, but is not limited to, cost/labor mischarging, defective pricing, defective parts, false certifications, price fixing, bid rigging, and product substitution.
  • Planning and conducting search warrant operations, undercover and/or surveillance work, and other law enforcement activities for the purpose of obtaining evidence, property, and documents relevant to the investigation.
  • Analyzing and evaluating evidence, to include business and financial records, payrolls, government reports, transactions and actions relevant to allegations under investigation. Verifying, corroborating, and establishing relationships of all facts and evidence, to establish accuracy and authenticity. Based on findings, drafting reports of investigations and summaries, including recommendations for prospective and corrective action and/or to aid in supporting possible prosecution and/or administrative or civil action.
  • Presenting cases and/or evidence, both orally and in writing, to Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the preparation of cases for presentation to Federal Grand Juries. Testifying as a witness before grand juries, trial courts, or administrative hearings on results of completed investigations.
  • Performs a variety of liaison activities in order to develop and maintain relationships internal and external to the agency.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
  • Position subject to pre-employment background investigation.
  • You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • If selected, you will be required to complete a financial disclosure statement.
  • Must pass a pre-employment drug screening and background investigation. This position will be subject to random drug testing after the applicant is hired.
  • May be required to successfully complete a trial/probationary period.
  • Incumbent must be proficient in the use of assigned firearms/weapons, pass an initial qualification, and must continually qualify in the use of firearms/weapons.
  • Must meet the Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968. Persons convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are not eligible for this position.
  • This position requires the incumbent to possess and maintain a valid State Driver's License.
  • Must pass a pre-employment medical examination and physical fitness test and continue to successfully pass both requirements annually.
  • This position requires you to satisfactorily complete (or have previously completed) the Criminal Investigation Training Program at Glynco, Georgia, or equivalent federal law enforcement training.
  • This is a primary law enforcement position; Incumbent must not have reached their 37th birthday upon appointment to this position unless there is sufficient prior Federal service in a covered primarily law enforcement or firefighter position.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the education and/or experience required for the grade level(s) to which you apply.

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

To qualify for GS-09 level, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level

  • Planning and conducting investigations related, but not limited to fraud and/or employee misconduct.
  • Obtaining, analyzing, verifying, and documenting evidence.
  • Researching and applying policy, regulations, and/or criminal/civil law.
  • Writing investigative reports.
OR

b) Completed all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field,

OR

c) Completed 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field,

OR

d) LL. B or J.D, if related,

OR

e) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b), c) and d) above.

To qualify for GS-11, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level
  • Managing and progressing investigations related to alleged misconduct by high-ranking government officials or alleged violations of civil/criminal law, to include but not limited to grant and contract fraud.
  • Using various commercial, government, and law enforcement systems to research, develop leads, and obtain information.
  • Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other federal state and local law enforcement officials.
  • Writing investigative reports and presenting evidence, both orally and in writing to key stakeholders, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys.
OR

b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field,

OR

c) Completed 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree in an appropriate field,

OR

d) LL.M., if related,

OR

e) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b), c) and d) above.

When citing your education and/or experience, be clear and specific. We cannot make assumptions about your education and/or experience. If your transcripts and/or resume do not support your application questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

Medical Requirements: The duties of this position requires 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 in each eye, with or without correction, is required to perform duties satisfactorily. Near vision, corrective lenses permitted, must be sufficient to read printed material the size of typewritten characters. Hearing loss, as measured by an audiometer, must not exceed 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz levels. Since the duties of these positions are exacting and responsible, 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 too himself/herself, or others is disqualifying.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS: Satisfactorily complete (or have previously completed) the Criminal Investigation Training Program at Glynco, Georgia, or equivalent federal law enforcement training.

LAW ENFORCEMENT AVAILABILITY PAY (LEAP): LEAP in the amount of 25% has been approved for this position. However, the biweekly maximum earnings limitation for LEO's in 5 U.S.C. 5547(c) applies.

LAW ENFORCEMENT RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a primary/rigorous law enforcement position under the provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) (CSRS) and 5 USC 8412(d) (FERS). Thirty-seven (37) years is the maximum entry age for covered primary law enforcement positions to meet the requirement of 20 years of service by the mandatory retirement age of 57. Persons not appointed by the last day of the month in which the individual reaches their 37th birthday shall not be originally appointed or assigned to these positions. Applicants who are age 37 or over may subtract any of their prior federal service that is in approved primary/rigorous positions and that is creditable for retirement from their current age to meet this age requirement. Applicants must provide proof of this creditable service prior to appointment. The maximum entry age may be waived for applicants eligible for veterans' preference.

Note: Multiple selections may be made from this announcement. Salaries listed above are an approximation and are subject to duty station locality adjustment.
Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

Education


If you are using education completed in the United States to meet the qualification requirements, your degree must have been awarded from a college or university that is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

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. These education credentials must be 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: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement.

If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must:
- Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. The questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility.
- Meet the minimum qualifications requirements for the position
- Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in 'Required Documents'

For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap.

How you will be evaluated

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

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans' preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans' Preference information on the FedsHireVets website.

You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.


NASA OIG considers 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.

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Agency contact information

NASA OIG HR Office
Email
hq-oighr@mail.nasa.gov
Address
NASA Office of Inspector General
300 E Street, SW
Washington, DC 20546
US

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