Clarification from the agency

This position is being advertised through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Direct-Hire Authority and is open to all U.S. citizens. Under this authority, competitive rating, ranking and veterans' preference procedures do not apply. All applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration.

Per OPM availability pay is a type of premium pay that is paid to Federal law enforcement officers(LEO's) who are criminal investigators. Due to the nature of their work, criminal investigators are required to work, or be available to work, substantial amounts of "unscheduled duty." This position has been authorized by the hiring office to receive availability pay at a rate of 25% of the employee's rate of basic pay.

The salary range includes the multiple pay location tables (Salary will be confirmed upon selection):
Location Negotiable after Selection: location will be determined after selection is made.

As a Criminal Investigator (Direct Hire), you will perform the following duties at the full performance level:

• Develops an investigative plan designed to obtain essential facts and proof and performs accurate and impartial fact- finding to execute that plan.
• Conducts interviews and examination/procurement of pertinent records both in the U.S. and abroad.
• Consults with Office of Chief Counsel (OCC) or an Assistant United States Attorney throughout the case process to (a) ensure legality of investigative methods used to collect evidence; and (b) verify adequacy of existing evidence for initiation of criminal and/or administrative proceedings.
• Summarizes and reports all investigative activities efficiently in a clear, logical and impartial manner, and organizes all findings and evidentiary support from investigative activities and attaches all significant case records electronically in an investigative information database
• Coordinates findings with other law enforcement agencies, other regulatory agencies, the BIS, OCC, other DOC program areas, and the United States Attorney's Office, as appropriate.

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 of possession of drugs.
• A probationary period may be required.
• Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/).
• 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.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• You must be a FERS or CSRS retiree eligible for reemployment as a federal annuitant and federal law enforcement officer.
• IF YOU ARE A FEDERAL ANNUITANT AND FORMER FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFCER WHO HAS NOT REACHED THE AGE OF 60, A DUAL COMPENSATION OFFSET WAIVER WILL BE GRANTED ALLOWING REEMPLOYED ANNUITANTS TO EARN THEIR FULL SALARY AND THIER FULL ANNUITY WITHOUT PENALTY.
• Firearms Qualification: The incumbent must qualify with firearms authorized by OEE and participate in a recurring qualification course.
• The incumbent is expected to abide by current OEE policies. The incumbent will also arm at specific times as required by the supervisor.
• Lautenberg Amendment: This position authorizes the incumbent to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18 U.S.C. 922(g).
• A mobility agreement is required.
• Drug Test: Yes
• License required: Yes, Valid State Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
• Pre-employment physical required: Yes
• Bargaining Unit Position: No
• Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): Yes
• Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: Will Not be paid

Qualifications

To receive consideration, applicants must submit complete applications prior to the established cut-off date(s). The first cut-off will take place on August 7, 2023, to begin initial applicant consideration. Applications received after the first cut-off date will be considered upon request by the organization, as well as on the following cut-off dates specified below, as needed:

September 7, 2023

Applicants found eligible and referred on a cut-off date, or the date requested by the organization, will continue to be referred on subsequent cut-off dates, as needed.

Cutoff dates and the closing date of this announcement may be adjusted as needed, and any updates will be reflected on this announcement.

MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE: This position is covered by the special retirement provisions for Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO). Candidates without previous LEO service must be under age 37. Those with current or prior federal LEO coverage will be considered only if they can demonstrate that they will have completed 20 years of covered service by mandatory retirement age of 57. This requirement may be waived for Veterans.

Basic Training: Selectee must complete or have completed the basic criminal investigator course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, GA (or equivalent training as determined by the agency).

Medical/Physical Requirements: The duties of positions in this series 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 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.
Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/

Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.

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.

To qualify at the GL-09 level:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-07 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:

• gathering intelligence information;
• analyzing and evaluating raw investigative data; and,
• preparing comprehensive written investigative reports.

-OR-

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree OR Successfully completed two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D., if related.

-OR-

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE.

To qualify at the GS-11 level:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Determining the depth and scope of the investigation (subject/targets)
• Preparing cases for presentation to prosecutors or management officials
• Developing investigative leads and analyzing evidence collected to build criminal or administrative cases

-OR-

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M. if related.

-OR-

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE.

To qualify at the GS-12 level:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Securing facts and developing evidence
• Maintaining liaison with other law enforcement bodies
• Conducting investigative interviews, record searches and obtaining sworn statements
• Preparing written reports of investigative summaries

To qualify at the GS-13 level:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Securing facts and developing evidence
• Maintaining liaison with other law enforcement bodies
• Conducting investigative interviews, record searches or obtaining sworn statements
• Training junior level employees in investigative matters.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualification requirements for the position. Under the provisions of the Direct-Hire Authority (DHA), rating, ranking and veterans' preference does not apply; therefore, your responses to the questionnaire will not be used to determine a scored rating. All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements, as defined in the job opportunity announcement, will be referred for selection consideration. While veterans' preference does not apply in DHA, preference eligibles are encouraged to submit their supporting documentation (DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service, VA letter, SF-15, etc.).

Applicants applying as CTAP or ICTAP candidates, and are determined CTAP or ICTAP eligible, must exceed the minimum qualification requirements to be referred under this selection priority placement program by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. For those deemed eligible and who meet the minimum qualifications, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions). Your resume and/or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles who are not determined well-qualified by scoring at least 85 will not be referred under the CTAP/ICTAP selection priority placement program; however, will be referred for selection consideration with other minimally qualified applicants.

• Criminal Investigation
• Criminal Law
• Writing
• Oral Communication

• Classified or government sensitive information
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Photos of yourself
• Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.