Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Professional Responsibility, Investigative Operations Division.

There are 25 vacancies to be filled in the following locations: Houston, TX; El Paso, TX; Del Rio, TX; McAllen, TX; Laredo, TX; Brownsville, TX; San Diego, CA; El Centro, CA; Tucson, AZ; Sierra Vista, AZ; and Yuma, AZ.

Law enforcement positions are expected to report to their duty station on a daily basis. However, due to COVID-19, some positions in CBP are currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, and you are given on an entrance on duty date you will be provided additional information on the reporting requirements of your position.

This position starts at a salary of $77,488.00 (GS-12, Step 1) to $119,787.00 (GS-13, Step 10) with promotion potential to $119,787.00 (GS-13 Step 10).

• Coordinating and completing highly complex, difficult and sensitive criminal, civil, and administrative investigations involving alleged misconduct, criminal activity, and/or corruption by CBP employees and related entities;
• Employing all of the agency's authorities and capabilities in support of criminal, corruption, misconduct, counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence investigations/programs directly affecting national security and agency integrity;
• Conducting investigations of major inter-regional dimensions, having national or international implications; and
• Investigating individuals, businesses, employees, and criminal organizations that represent a significant threat to the United States national security through the corruption, or attempted corruption, of CBP personnel and programs, to include foreign intelligence organizations and terrorist groups seeking to compromise CBP personnel.

Financial Disclosure is required.

Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.

Age: Applicants must be at least 21 years of age. The day immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday will be the last day to be referred for selection consideration. However, the age restriction may not apply if you are a preference-eligible veteran or if you are currently serving or have previously served in a federal civilian law enforcement position covered by 5 U.S.C. § 8336(c) or 5 U.S.C. § 8412(d).

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

Firearms: Criminal investigators are required to carry a firearm while performing duties of this position. Maintaining firearm proficiency is mandatory.

Medical Examination: Individuals must meet the established medical standards and/or physical requirement for the position, proving they are medically and physically capable of performing the essential job functions and duties of the position safely and efficiently. A medical examination will be conducted. Any disease or condition that may potentially interfere with the safe and efficient performance of the job's duties or training may constitute grounds for medical disqualification. Medical qualification determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis. If additional medical information is recommended beyond that provided at the pre-employment examination, it is provided at the expense of the tentative selectee.

Drug Testing: This job has been identified as "testing designated" under our Drug-Free Workplace Program. Therefore, you must satisfactorily complete a drug test prior to being hired. The agency will schedule, provide and pay for the drug test. Once on board, you will be subject to random drug testing.

Mobility Agreement: Selectees will be required to sign a mobility agreement upon acceptance of this position. The selectee may be required to relocate to another duty location in accordance with applicable law, regulation and Agency policy, to a different geographic location, at any time during your employment with CBP.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)
• You may be required to pass a background investigation and/or polygraph
• CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures
• As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link.
• As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If you are selected and receive a final job offer, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before appointment or onboarding with CBP. CBP will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of CBP a legally required exception from this requirement.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Independently serves as the case agent for investigations to include conducting interviews and interrogations, executing search and arrest warrants, issuing subpoenas, utilizing special investigative techniques such as electronic surveillance order, and authoring requests for judicial processes as the affiant;
• Investigating federal crimes which includes developing facts and evidence; gathering information and intelligence; conducting interviews and interrogations; making arrests and conducting searches and seizures; and preparing documentation for prosecution;
• Experience with the legal requirements of investigations including describing evidence, presenting case facts and recommendations. This includes the ability to communicate specific details about the case and defend the documentation that has been prepared;
• Preparing detailed Reports of Investigation and briefings regarding ongoing investigations for agency management and the prosecution; and
• Assisted in the preparation of preparing and executing search and arrest warrants, document subpoenas, electronic surveillance orders or other judicial processes as the affiant.

Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Working independently or leading a team of criminal investigators to include, identifying criminal case issues and evidence needed, based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations. Provides expertise and guidance for lower-level agents;
• Supporting criminal, corruption, misconduct, counterterrorism and counterintelligence investigations that have a broad scope and directly affect national security and agency integrity; Cases are often highly controversial, sensitive and have important economic, financial, enforcement and investigative implications;
• Expertise with federal laws and procedures for law enforcement in carrying out an investigation. Conducts investigations of major interregional dimensions, having national or international implications. Experience working collaboratively with other law enforcement components for the purpose of providing evidence to the prosecution;
• A high degree of communication skills both orally and in writing to provide the facts of the investigation. Works with attorneys for the prosecution at the local, state and federal level. Has testified to support the investigative process and the evidence collected. This includes the preparation of detailed Reports of Investigation and briefings regarding ongoing investigations for agency management and the prosecution; and
• Preparing and executing search and arrest warrants, document subpoenas, electronic surveillance orders or has authored or been the affiant of affidavits for judicial processes.

Criminal Investigator Training Program: Criminal Investigators must complete an initial course of basic training, specifically the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, Georgia, or an Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) approved equivalent course of instruction and the OPR Special Agent Training Program at the Customs and Border Protection Advanced Training Center, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, as well as additional training throughout their careers. Both basic and advanced training programs are designed to prepare law enforcement personnel with the skills, aptitudes, and competencies required to serve as a Criminal Investigator.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

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 meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 12/30/2021.

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.

Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For more information visit this link.

Polygraph Examination: The Criminal Investigator position is a polygraph-required position. If you are not a current CBP employee in a law enforcement position, you may be required to take a polygraph exam and have favorable results in order to continue in the pre-employment process. Please see Polygraph Examination.

Polygraph Reciprocity: CBP may accept the results of a prior federal polygraph exam in lieu of a CBP polygraph exam. You will receive information to request reciprocity in your Background Investigation Package.

Polygraph Waiver: Certain veterans may be eligible to obtain a polygraph waiver. You will receive information to request a waiver in your Background Investigation Package.

Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

• Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
• A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
• Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
• Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, we will use an assessment questionnaire to place you in one of three categories based on your experience, education, and training.

If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:

1. Best Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF), and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis.
2. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPF's and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
3. Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.

The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:

• Skill in preparing clear, concise, and accurate written reports of investigation and staff papers
• Ability to orally present, clear, convincing court testimony in complex cases while subject to vigorous cross-examination under adversarial conditions
• Skill in conducting criminal investigations, and preparing accurate and concise and objective report

Writing Sample: A writing sample may be requested.

If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Preview the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11332234

Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. This position is not considered scientific/professional. Other 10 point preference eligibles and veterans with 5 point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be placed in the Well-Qualified category for this position, as described above. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this job announcement.