Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens through Direct Hire procedures

• Conduct and coordinate high-level comprehensive investigations involving individuals, groups, or large organizations operating at a local, national, or international level.
• Use electronic surveillance, interrogation, polygraph examination and physical surveillance to obtain evidence in investigative cases.
• Make arrests, confront multiple suspects, secure scenes sometimes under potentially dangerous and hazardous environments.
• Take part in securing signed statements, affidavits and documentary evidence for inclusion in reports or case records.
• Prepare sworn testimony on behalf of the government in criminal and federal grand jury cases.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
• Selective Service registration required.
• One-year probationary period may be required.
• A pre-employment drug test may be required.
• If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
• DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• You must meet job-related medical, fitness and drug test standards.
• Referred for selection prior to your 37th birthday (waiver for Veterans).
• Convictions of misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are disqualifying.
• You will be required to carry a firearm.
• You must have a valid driver's license.
• You may be required to complete a polygraph exam.
• You may be required to complete fitness testing before you enter on duty.
• You will be required to complete fitness testing at FLETC.
• This is a non-bargaining unit position.
• Criminal Investigators are required to live within 50 miles of their duty station.

Qualifications

NOTE: Apply early! ICE will initially test 1,000 female applicants for selection consideration. Subsequently, applicants will be tested on an as needed basis to fill additional vacancies. We will consider applications in the order in which they are received to yield 1,000 applicants that are tentatively qualified and eligible to take the USA Hire online assessments and receive further consideration. If necessary, additional applicants may be considered in the order in which they have applied.

GL-07: Applicants must meet one of the following:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-05 level in the Federal government performing duties such as:

• training in criminal or civil investigative principles and techniques
• applying laws and rules associated with criminal or civil procedures, searches, arrests and rules of evidence
• preparing accurate, detailed investigative reports using clear and proper written language
• interviewing witnesses and other persons, both informally and at formally recorded situations

-OR-

A bachelor's degree AND meet one of the Superior Academic Achievement Provisions. 1. Maintained a grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 3.0 or higher) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. - OR - 2. Maintained a grade-point average "B+" (a GPA of 3.5 or higher) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. - OR - 3. Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision. - OR - 4. Be a member of a national honor (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. Please submit a college transcript(s) showing your grade point average for all four years of undergraduate study, including all transferred courses. NOTE: GPA's are to rounded to one decimal place. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9. If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail or similar basis, your claim must be based on class standing or membership in an honor society.

- OR -

One full year of full-time graduate level education in a field that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work (e.g. criminal justice, law enforcement, criminology, intelligence). One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours will satisfy the one year of full-time study requirement.

- OR -

A combination of specialized experience and graduate level education that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement.

GL-09: Applicants must meet one of the following:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-07 level in the Federal government performing duties such as:

• conducting search and seizures and apprehending and detaining suspects
• communicating effectively in writing in order to prepare investigative chronology, affidavits, criminal complaints, operational plans, and other law enforcement documents.
• participating in various phases of investigations and understanding of progressively more complex interrogation and debriefing techniques
• applying complex investigative methods in order to recognize, collect, and present evidence that reconstructs events, sequences, linkages and time elements, relationships, responsibilities, legal liabilities, and conflicts of interest, in a manner that meets requirements for criminal and/or civil prosecutions
• utilizing surveillance techniques and procedures regarding the enforcement of laws and related statutes used in identifying, locating, investigating and arresting individuals

-OR-

A master's (or equivalent graduate degree such as a L.L.B/J.D.) in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g. criminal justice, law enforcement, criminology, intelligence) or Two full academic years of progressively higher graduate level education leading to such a degree in a field of study related to law enforcement.

-OR-

A combination of specialized experience and graduate level education that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.

Current or Former Political Appointees: 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.

Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Firearms Requirement: You will be required to carry a firearm while performing duties of this position. Maintaining firearm proficiency is also mandatory.

Requirement to Testify: If you are selected for this position, you will be required to testify at court. Law enforcement officers and agents must be able to testify without concern of impeachment.

HSI Special Agent Basic Training: A mandatory component of continued employment is the successful completion of Basic Training, currently consisting of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) and the HSI Special Agent Training Program (HSISAT). The training is approximately 22 weeks.

Physical Fitness Testing (PFT) at FLETC: PFTs will be administered during the HSI Special Agent Basic Training. Every trainee must pass the PFT a minimum of three times throughout the duration of training.

Age Requirement: The date immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday is the last day to be referred for selection (PL 93-950 and 100-238). However, the age restriction may not apply to individuals who are qualified preference-eligible veterans or who are currently or have previously served in a federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or 5 U.S.C. § 8412(d).

Mobility: You will be required to sign a Mobility Agreement and you may be reassigned to new location during your career based on the needs of the service. Assignment at your first duty station will be a minimum of 3 years beginning after successful completion of FLETC training.

Current Federal Employees: Current federal employees who apply to this announcement may be required to accept a change to lower grade which will reduce their current salary based on Federal pay regulations.

Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess a valid state-issued automobile driver's license at the time of appointment.

Please see '"Additional Information" for additional requirements.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated based on your resume and supporting documentation to ensure the minimum qualification requirements based on experience and/or education are met. Applicants who meet these requirements may be contacted via email regarding the scheduling of the Special Agent Test Battery and Writing Sample.

Special Agent (SA) Test Battery: The SA Test Battery is a web-based administered test with convenient self-scheduling at more than 500 test centers. The test will measure your reasoning skills, your experience, and your writing skills. You must PASS the SA Test Battery in order to continue in the hiring process. You will not be allowed to retest within 12 months of your test date. (ALL applicants who are selected to move forward in the hiring process will be required to take the test battery this year even if they have previously passed the test.)

Writing Sample: A PASSING score is required for this assessment which evaluates an applicant's overall writing ability, organization, presentation of ideas, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary. You will not be allowed to retest within 12 months of your test date. (ALL applicants who are selected to move forward in the hiring process will be required to take the Writing Sample this year even if they have previously passed the test.)

Interview: You will be required to attend an interview face to face or telephonically.

Drug Test: This is a drug testing designated position. You must complete and PASS a drug test as a condition of employment. Employees are subject to drug testing in compliance with the Agency's Drug-Free Workplace Program.

Medical Requirements: Appointment will be contingent upon a candidate's PASSING a pre-employment medical examination to ascertain possession of the physical, emotional, and mental requirements for the position. A direct relationship exists between the physical and medical requirements and the strenuous and hazardous nature of the duties of this weapon carrying position. Any chronic disease or condition affecting the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, the gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, digestive, nervous, endocrine or genitourinary systems that would impair full performance of the job duties is evaluated on a case by case basis and may be disqualifying. Since the duties of this position are exacting and involve the responsibility for the safety of others under trying conditions, you must possess emotional and mental stability. Any condition that would hinder full, efficient performance of the duties of this position or that would cause you to be a hazard to yourself or to others is disqualifying.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet these standards, all selectees must undergo and successfully obtain and maintain a background investigation for TOP SECRET clearance as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. A polygraph may be administered.

Pre-Employment Physical Fitness Testing: A pre-employment physical fitness test (PFT) may be administered. If administered, a PASSING score will be required in order to continue in the hiring process.