Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals who are Recent Graduates and have completed a degree or certificate from a qualifying education institution within the previous 2 yrs. Veterans unable to apply within 2 yrs of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, have a full 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. The eligibility period for veterans must be within 6 years of degree completion.

The Recent Graduates Program provides individuals, who have recently graduated from a qualifying educational institution or program, with developmental opportunities in the Federal Government. Participants must have obtained a degree, or completed a qualifying career or technical education program within the preceding 2 years. If you served in the military after receiving your degree please see the "Qualifications" section below for more information regarding your eligibility. Upon successful completion of the program, if you are a United States citizen, you may be non competitively converted to a permanent position, or in some circumstances a term appointment in the competitive service.

Following the completion of program requirements, selectees may be considered for non-competitive conversion to a career-conditional or term appointment. All conversion requirements will be identified in the Participant Agreement. Program requirements include but are not limited to:

• Successful completion of at least 1-year of continuous service;
• Completion of at least 40 hours of interactive training;
• Demonstration of successful job performance; and
• Meet the qualification standards for the position to which the Recent Graduate may be converted.

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PATHWAYS PROGRAM? For additional information regarding the Pathways Program, please refer to the following website: www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads

As a Criminal Investigator (Special Agent), you will:

• Analyze and use leads generated nationwide by other law enforcement agencies or other Federal/State investigative agencies.
• Conduct and direct investigation. Determine what information is required to review, and when and how to obtain information.
• Develop the investigative strategy/plan.
• Plan, direct, and execute investigations of diverse housing programs and activities--both within and outside the Department.
• Work closely with U.S. Attorneys in investigating complex cases involving intricate conspiracies, kickbacks, and embezzlements of Federal funds.

Conditions of employment

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 resume.

Key Requirements:

1. Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
2. Must be U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.

To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a Federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to E.O. 14043, that requirement does not currently apply. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has as its primary mission the detection and deterrence of fraud, waste, and abuse in the administration of over $40 billion in Federal funds each year by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). Through its programs, largely carried out by thousands of approved lenders and public housing authorities throughout the United States, HUD expands housing opportunities for American families by extending such benefits as mortgage insurance and rental subsidies for qualified persons.

Qualifications

You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date. You must answer all job-related questions in the job questionnaire.

Recent graduates who have completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying Associates, Bachelors, Masters, Professional, Doctorate, Vocational or Technical Degree or Certificate from a qualifying educational institution.

- A Veteran who, due to a military service obligation, was precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period shall have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon his/her release or discharge from active duty. In no event, however, may the individual's eligibility period extend beyond 6 years from the date on which the individual completed the requirements of an academic course of study. You MUST submit a copy of your D214 showing duration and dates of service.

For more information regarding the Recent Graduate Program CLICK HERE.

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 positions in this series require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walkingand 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 the 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 to himself/herself, or others is disqualifying.
AND

Specialized Experience For the GS-9, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-7grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: Working with Investigators performing segments of investigations which includes the following types of tasks:
-Searching public records/databases; AND
-Securing signed statements, affidavits and documentary evidence to be included in reports or case records; AND
-Writing reports for case records.
OR

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:
Education: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree (or will attain within 9 months of application). Attach a copy of transcripts 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.

Specialized Experience For the GS-7, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-5grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: Performing the following in a training capacity and under close supervision, the following types of tasks:
-Using available investigative techniques; AND
-Preparing investigative reports; AND
-Applying investigative procedures; AND
-Experience with the laws and regulations enforced; AND
OR

Education: You may qualify based solely on education as follows: 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement based on a bachelor's degree that is demonstrated through class standing (upper 1/3 of class); grade point average (3.0/4.0 overall or 3.5/4.0 in major), or election to membership in a qualifying national scholastic honor society (or will attain within 9 months of application).
OR

You may qualify on a combination of education and experience. To combine education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the requirement must equal at least 100 percent.

Options for qualifying based on a combination will be identified in the online questions.

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 resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a "not qualified" determination.

Rating: Your application will be evaluated in the following areas: Technical, Analytical, Communication.

Category rating will be used to rank and select eligible candidates. If qualified, you will be assigned to one of three quality level categories, Best Qualified (BQ), Well Qualified (WQ) and Qualified (Q), depending on your responses to the online questions, regarding your experience, education, and training related to 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.

Veterans' preference is applied after applicants are assessed. Preference-eligibles will be listed at the top of their assigned category and considered before non-preference-eligibles in that category. Qualified preference-eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest category.

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.