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Criminal Investigator (Special Agent)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Affairs, Inspector General
This job announcement has closed

Summary

OIG is organized into seven operational units: the Immediate Office of the Inspector General, Office of the Counselor, Office of Audits and Evaluations, Office of Healthcare Inspections, Office of Investigations, Office of Management and Administration, and Office of Special Reviews. In addition to the Washington, DC, headquarters, OIG has offices located in more than 60 locations throughout the country.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
12/14/2020 to 12/15/2020
This job will close when we have received 200 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$50,935 to - $73,303 per year
Pay scale & grade
GL 07 - 09
Location
Fayetteville, NC
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - Travel nationwide under tight deadlines. The incumbent should anticipate frequent walking and standing as a component of this travel.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - Full-time
Work schedule
Full-time - Career/Career Conditional
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
21-VAOIG-35
Control number
587097700

This job is open to

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Federal employees - Competitive service

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Land and base management

Current or former employees of a base management agency.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Military spouses

Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.

Individuals with disabilities

Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.

Family of overseas employees

Family members of a federal employee or uniformed service member who is or was, working overseas.

Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista

Individuals who have served at least 2 years with the Peace Corps or 1 year with AmeriCorps VISTA.

Special authorities

Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.

Clarification from the agency

All candidates who are: Current or former federal employees qualifying as Status Candidates, Federal employees currently serving on a VRA, VEOA eligibles, CTAP/ICTAP eligibles, eligible for special hiring authorities (e.g., the Schedule A appointment for persons with disabilities, or covered by an Interchange Agreement), or VRA eligibles or Land Management employees eligible under Public Law 114-47.

Duties

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OIG’s Office of Investigations (OI) investigates potential crimes and civil violations of law involving VA programs and operations committed by VA employees, contractors, beneficiaries, and other individuals. These investigations focus on a wide range of matters including health care, procurement, benefits, construction, and other fraud; cybercrime and identity theft; bribery, embezzlement, and conflicts of interest; drug offenses; and violent crimes. OI is staffed by special agents, forensic auditors, and other specialized staff in headquarters divisions and regional field offices that use data analytics, cyber-tools, covert operations, and other strategies to detect and address conduct that poses a threat to or has harmed VA personnel, operations, and the veterans or other beneficiaries they serve.  Through criminal prosecutions and civil monetary recoveries, OI's investigations promote integrity, patient safety, efficiency, and accountability within VA.

The incumbent serves as a Criminal Investigator (Special Agent) in an OI investigative office located in Fayetteville, NC in the Mid-Atlantic Region. As such, the incumbent is responsible for planning, managing, conducting, and concluding, independently or as a team leader, the most complex, sensitive, and difficult OIG criminal, civil, and/or administrative investigations of allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse directed at VA programs and/or operations.

The following are the duties of this position at the GS-13 full performance-level; however, you will be selected at a lower grade level (GS-07 or GS-09). You will be provided the opportunity to learn to perform these duties and will receive training to help you grow in this position.

  • Function as a law enforcement officer with full law enforcement authority, i.e., carrying authorized firearms and other enforcement equipment; applying for and executing arrest and search warrants; apprehending, searching, and transporting criminals and arranging for their detention.
  • Collect and analyze operational and strategic intelligence from wide-ranging sources including Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies.
  • Initiate contacts with Federal, state, and local law enforcement officials, civic and business leaders, officials from financial institutions, medical facilities, and other organizations and individuals for the purpose of obtaining facts, signed statements, and developing investigative leads and cooperation.
  • Conduct investigations in compliance with OIG policies and procedures, investigative standards promulgated by the Council of the Inspectors General (CIGIE), and the provisions of the Attorney General Guidelines for Offices of Inspector General with Statutory Law Enforcement Authority.
  • Obtain and examine records, books, payrolls, reports, correspondence, and other data of consequence potentially related to the transactions or allegations under investigation. Verify, corroborate, and establish relationships with the evidence obtained and establishes accuracy and authenticity.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Please refer to "Conditions of Employment."
  • Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
  • Must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals.

The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or volunteer service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week on your résumé.

- Full-time telework may be temporarily required if space is not currently available at the location chosen by the selectee.  Selectees will be notified prior to their start date if this is necessary.  Telework on a more permanent basis will be determined by management upon completion of all telework requirements and availability needs.

Qualifications

You must meet the following requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Age Restriction: The date immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday is the maximum entry age for original appointment to a law enforcement officer position. This requirement does not apply to a) Preference-eligible veterans; OR b) Individuals who are 37 years of age or older and have previously served in law enforcement officer positions that were covered by a special law enforcement retirement plan.

AND

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: The selectee must pass a pre-appointment physical examination and meet the physical requirements for this position as required by this agency. The duties of this position require 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 and hearing are required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Because the duties of this position are exacting, responsible, and sometimes performed under trying conditions, the selectee must possess emotional and mental stability.  Any physical condition that would cause the selectee to be a hazard to himself/herself, or others is disqualifying.

AND

Specialized experience: For the GS-09, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:

  • Researching laws, regulations, guidelines, and approved procedures to provide findings; AND
  • Analysis of technical documents from different/multiple sources and summarizing review in a written product; AND
  • Verbal communications that include interviews, briefings and presentations; AND
  • Writing reports or use of products that present facts, findings, logical conclusions, and persuasive arguments; AND
  • Applying investigative techniques to conduct and assist in investigations.

OR

Education: Master's degree or equivalent or two years progressively higher education leading to such a degree, or an LL.B. or J.D. if related. (Attach copy of transcript or list of college courses designating semester or quarter hours earned to ensure proper credit.)

OR

You may qualify by a combination of experience and education. This is creditable providing the combination consists of 100% of the requirement. Only graduate level education in excess of the first 18 semester hours (27 quarter hours) may be combined to be considered for qualifying education.

For the GS-07, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:

  • Researching laws, regulations, guidelines, and approved procedures to provide findings; AND
  • Verbal communications that include interviews, briefings and presentations; AND
  • Applying investigative techniques to conduct and assist in investigations.

OR

Education: One full year of graduate level education in a related field; or Superior Academic Achievement based on a bachelor's degree that is demonstrated through class standing (upper 1/3 of class); or grade point average (2.95/4.0 overall or 3.5/4.0 in major), or election to membership in a qualifying national scholastic honor society. (Attach copy of transcript or list of college courses designating semester or quarter hours earned to ensure proper credit.)

OR

A combination of education and experience. Combining education and experience may be computed by first determining the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining your education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.

In addition to the above requirements, you must meet the following time-in-grade requirement, if applicable:

For the GS-09, you must have been at the GS-07 level for 52 weeks.

For the GS-07, you must have been at the GS-05 level for 52 weeks.

Time After Competitive Appointment: Candidates who are current Federal employees serving on a nontemporary competitive appointment must have served at least three months in that appointment.

Additional information

- We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Applicants who apply for this position may be considered for other positions within the Office of Inspector General that require the same knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- This is a non-bargaining unit position.
- A recruitment incentive may be offered.
- We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- A one year probationary period may be required.
- Public Trust – Background Investigation will be required. 
- Must successfully complete a background investigation.
- If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
- Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
- Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9.  Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
- Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
- Obtain and use a Government-issued purchase card for business-related travel.
- File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
- Carry and use a firearm.  Maintaining firearm proficiency is also mandatory.  You will be ineligible to occupy this position if at any time you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, unless you received a pardon or your conviction was expunged or set aside. 

- Complete a pre-employment medical examination, unless already working in a position covered under 5 USC 8336(c) with another Federal law enforcement agency and have passed a physical exam within the previous 6 months. Prior to appointment, the selectee must be determined to be physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties such as making arrests, conducting surveillances, using firearms, etc., and also pass a medical examination (which includes vision, hearing, cardiovascular, mobility of extremities, and other factors) given by an authorized government physician. Any physical condition that would cause the selectee to be a hazard to herself/himself or others is disqualifying. You may be required to provide medical or related documentation to Federal Occupation of Health at the time of the pre-employment physical. You will be required to undergo regular physical examinations and to maintain a level of physical fitness in accordance with the standards and policies of this agency. 
- Complete or have previously completed the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, GA OR its equivalent.  
- Agree to work an average of two extra hours per day.  Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) has been approved to compensate for unscheduled duty in excess of the 40-hour workweek.  
- Possess and maintain a valid driver's license from one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.  
- Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application includes your résumé, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your résumé includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your résumé may result in a “not qualified” determination.

Rating: Your application will be evaluated in the following areas:

  • Analytical Skills
  • Technical Skills
  • Communication Skills

Your application will be rated and ranked among others, based on your responses to the online questions, regarding your experience, education, training, performance appraisals and awards relevant to the duties of this position.  Your rating may be lowered if your responses to the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application.

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration.  You may be required to participate in a selection interview and/or a writing assessment. Applicants who are selected for an interview may ask questions about the evaluation process at the time they are contacted for an interview.

If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)) you must receive a score of 92 or better to be rated as “well qualified" to receive special selection priority.


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