The position is located in the OIG, Office of Investigations (OI) and reports to the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) or the Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC). OI assesses and investigates allegations of civil, criminal and administrative misconduct. OI also conducts outreach with the agency and other federal agencies and with NSF awardees and scientific communities. The incumbent is given assignments across the spectrum of OI responsibilities, working under appropriate supervision.
Summary
The position is located in the OIG, Office of Investigations (OI) and reports to the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) or the Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC). OI assesses and investigates allegations of civil, criminal and administrative misconduct. OI also conducts outreach with the agency and other federal agencies and with NSF awardees and scientific communities. The incumbent is given assignments across the spectrum of OI responsibilities, working under appropriate supervision.
Applications will be accepted from All U.S. citizens, including individuals eligible under ICTAP or CTAP, or eligible for a non-competitive appointment under a special appointing authority.
Incumbent conducts investigations of civil, criminal, and administrative misconduct. Investigations may include false claims, false statements, fraud, and administrative violations. These investigations may require technical skills pertaining to an automated environment, requiring knowledge of privacy laws, data integrity, and database search tools. Incumbent also uses foreign language skills to assist in any investigative matter within OI.
Conducts initial assessment of information (review open sources and databases for information on individuals/institutions/awards).
Collects, assembles, and compiles data for recurring, special and one-time administrative and management reports. Identifies and documents sources of information.
Conducts comprehensive research and analysis to determine applicable laws and elements of offenses required to prove allegations.
Determines the most effective manner for planning and conducting investigations.
Plans, coordinates, and initiates contacts with Federal, state, and local officials and other officials related to matters under investigation for the purpose of obtaining facts and to learn background or related information as may be required.
Advises supervisor on investigative activities and reports, including direction and progress of investigation; significant findings and developments; problems or questions of evidence, testimony or law; and actions to be taken on other related matters.
Plans and conducts interviews with subjects, witnesses, and sources in furtherance of case development. Plans and administers the oath during the taking of affidavits; serves IG-issued subpoenas; and participates with others in the law enforcement community.
Testifies before grand juries, courts, and/or administrative hearings, as required.
Conducts special projects.
Prepares interim and comprehensive final investigative reports for prosecution and management officials.
Performs Mandarin Chinese to English and English to Mandarin interpretation and translations. This would include, but is not limited to, interpretations at meetings and interviews; translations of written communication such as letters, memoranda, email correspondence, and agreements.
Prepares written and oral presentations with clarity, accuracy, and conciseness.
Performs other duties as assigned by OI supervisory and management officials.
Selective Service registration required for male applicants, unless exempt.
Background investigation.
It is NSF policy that NSF personnel employed at or IPAs detailed to NSF are not permitted to participate in foreign government talent recruitment programs. Failure to comply with this NSF policy could result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment and referral to the Office of Inspector General. Foreign Talent Definitions
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.
You must answer all job-related questions in the NSF eRecruit questionnaire.
All online applicants must provide a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
This is a non-bargaining unit position.
Qualifications
To qualify at the GS-9, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal Government. Examples of specialized experience include: investigating individuals or organizations that sought or received financial benefits from the Govt. where assignments involved subjects on which information was readily available; cases that involved straightforward issues or persons that were not controversial; and cases that involved routine exchanges of factual info with other agencies;
OR possess a Master's or equivalent graduate degree;
OR possess 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master`s or equivalent graduate degree;
OR a LL.B or J.D., if related;
OR a combination of post high school education and experience that combined meet the qualification requirements for this position.
Selective Placement Factor: I have the ability to read Chinese, preferably in the Mandarin or Cantonese dialects at an advanced level.
Required Documentation: Language Proficiency Certification (i.e. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages): Applicants are required to submit a Language Proficiency Certification.
Education
Education may be substituted for experience as described in “Qualifications."
All Education must be accredited by an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants may verify accreditation at the following website: Accreditation.
PLEASE NOTE: Certificate program is defined as post-secondary education in a qualifying educational institution equal to at least one academic year of full-time study that's part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum.
Additional information
Relocation Expenses will not be paid.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): ICTAP and CTAP provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP or CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP or CTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified you must meet the following: OPM qualification requirements for the position, all selective factors, where applicable; special OPM approved qualifying conditions for the position; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate, to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and receives a rating of at least “Very Good” on the questionnaire. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP or CTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information regarding ICTAP or CTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources
Veteran's Preference: If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. For 5-point veterans' preference, please provide your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions. For 10-point veterans' preference, please submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, DD-214, and the required documentation as specified on the SF-15.
NSF has determined that all of its positions are eligible for telework. Work suitable for telework depends on job duties; therefore, employees must receive approval from their supervisor for telework and have a telework agreement in place. Entering into a telework agreement is voluntary.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
A GREAT LOCATION! The National Science Foundation Headquarters is conveniently located across the street from the Eisenhower Avenue Metro Station, right in Alexandria, VA, a few miles from downtown Washington, DC. There are shops and restaurants within walking distance, as well as historic Old Town Alexandria a short trip away. Employees receive the Federal benefits package and NSF offers:
Pre-tax parking Public transportation subsidy Child care subsidy Flexible working hours Telecommuting Physical Fitness Facility on site Health Services Unit on site Employee Assistance Program
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Category rating procedures will be used to rank and select eligibles. Based on your responses to the occupational questionnaire, you will be assigned a score. Your score will determine in which of three categories you will be placed: Excellent, Very Good, or Good. Under this process, veterans will be assigned to the appropriate category (without additional preference points) and then placed at the top of their category.
Veterans with service-connected disability of 10% or more will be placed at the top of the highest quality category.
The information contained in your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you meet the competencies required of this position. Please ensure you answer all questions accurately. Your responses are subject to verification. In support of your responses provided in the Occupational Questionnaire, your resume should include verbiage that describes your experience relative to the position for which you are applying and provide examples that show the depth of knowledge, level of skill, or degree of ability you possess. If your application does not support your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire or your application is not complete, it may affect your evaluation or result in your name being removed from further consideration. In some cases, additional assessment processes may be used.
Applicants eligible for selection preference under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) or CTAP must meet the agency definition of "well qualified." In NSF categories, this means at least “Very Good.”
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
A GREAT LOCATION! The National Science Foundation Headquarters is conveniently located across the street from the Eisenhower Avenue Metro Station, right in Alexandria, VA, a few miles from downtown Washington, DC. There are shops and restaurants within walking distance, as well as historic Old Town Alexandria a short trip away. Employees receive the Federal benefits package and NSF offers:
Pre-tax parking Public transportation subsidy Child care subsidy Flexible working hours Telecommuting Physical Fitness Facility on site Health Services Unit on site Employee Assistance Program
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
All applicants should submit a resume/CV of their choice, and may also submit a cover letter.
Additional Documents, if applicable, may include:
1. Veteran's Preference Documentation (DD-214 and SF-15): If you are eligible and claiming 5-point veteran's preference, you MUST submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veteran's preference, and/or want to be considered under the Disabled Veterans non-competitive hiring authority, you MUST submit a copy of your DD-214, SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" and the documentation required by the SF-15. (Please note: An SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing veterans' preference will not be accepted as proof of entitlement.)
2. CTAP/ICTAP Documentation: If you are applying under CTAP or ICTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility under 5 CFR 330.602(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.
3. Schedule A Certification: Applicants requesting consideration under Schedule A MUST submit a Schedule A Certification.
4. If you are applying based on eligibility for another special employment program/authority, you MUST submit supporting documentation in order to establish program eligibility.
5. Performance appraisals and awards may be considered during the evaluation process if voluntarily submitted. We also ask that you complete and submit the Applicant Survey. This will help NSF to ensure that our recruiting efforts are attracting a diverse candidate pool; it will be used for statistical purposes only.
If qualifying based on education, you must submit TRANSCRIPTS (unofficial copies are acceptable) or a DIPLOMA that verifies that the requirement is met.
Required Documentation: Language Proficiency Certification (i.e. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages): Applicants are required to submit a Language Proficiency Certification.
All uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Your application should be submitted online and must be completed and all required documents successfully uploaded before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the closing date. You must answer all of the job-related questions to ensure full consideration for this position. For more detailed information, please review our NSF eRecruit Applicant Guide.
If you are unable to apply electronically, please use the Contact Information below for special instructions on how to submit your application materials. Hearing impaired individuals may call TDD (703) 292-8044 for assistance.
WARNING! Applications submitted online must have a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
All applicants should submit a resume/CV of their choice, and may also submit a cover letter.
Additional Documents, if applicable, may include:
1. Veteran's Preference Documentation (DD-214 and SF-15): If you are eligible and claiming 5-point veteran's preference, you MUST submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veteran's preference, and/or want to be considered under the Disabled Veterans non-competitive hiring authority, you MUST submit a copy of your DD-214, SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" and the documentation required by the SF-15. (Please note: An SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing veterans' preference will not be accepted as proof of entitlement.)
2. CTAP/ICTAP Documentation: If you are applying under CTAP or ICTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility under 5 CFR 330.602(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.
3. Schedule A Certification: Applicants requesting consideration under Schedule A MUST submit a Schedule A Certification.
4. If you are applying based on eligibility for another special employment program/authority, you MUST submit supporting documentation in order to establish program eligibility.
5. Performance appraisals and awards may be considered during the evaluation process if voluntarily submitted. We also ask that you complete and submit the Applicant Survey. This will help NSF to ensure that our recruiting efforts are attracting a diverse candidate pool; it will be used for statistical purposes only.
If qualifying based on education, you must submit TRANSCRIPTS (unofficial copies are acceptable) or a DIPLOMA that verifies that the requirement is met.
Required Documentation: Language Proficiency Certification (i.e. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages): Applicants are required to submit a Language Proficiency Certification.
All uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Your application should be submitted online and must be completed and all required documents successfully uploaded before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the closing date. You must answer all of the job-related questions to ensure full consideration for this position. For more detailed information, please review our NSF eRecruit Applicant Guide.
If you are unable to apply electronically, please use the Contact Information below for special instructions on how to submit your application materials. Hearing impaired individuals may call TDD (703) 292-8044 for assistance.
WARNING! Applications submitted online must have a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
