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Special Agent

Department of Justice
Drug Enforcement Administration
Drug Enforcement Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located within the Department of Justice (DOJ), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

DEA Special Agents are charged with protecting our nations communities from the diversion of controlled substances into illicit markets from traffickers and narco-terrorist organizations, and they engage with communities to support public health and safety. They also partner with the nations law enforcement agencies to target violent drug offenders in local communities.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open date: 10/30/2023
Closed date: 10/31/2023
This job will close when we have received 750 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$45,426 - $77,112 per year

Salary listed is base pay rates only, please see pay clarification in the duties section.

Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 11
Promotion potential
13
Learn more about pay scale and grade
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel 25% or more.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Top Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Announcement number
BA2024-1B
Control number
757018300

This job is open to

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The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

Videos

Duties

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At the DEA, our people are agents for change. A unique mission requires special talent. As a DEA Special Agent, you will work as part of an elite criminal investigative team that transforms the power of your talent into action. That action makes a difference for the security and well-being of our nation and the world every day.

  • Conducts complex criminal investigations targeting narcotics and drug related activities;
  • Prepares comprehensive and succinct criminal investigative reports and prepares and delivers briefings for senior personnel and other Federal, state, and local agencies;
  • Identifies and apprehends drug traffickers and arresting individuals engaged in criminal drug activities;
  • Gathers and analyzes evidence through investigative leads, seizures, arrests, execution of search warrants, and a variety of other means;
  • Testifies on behalf of the Federal government in court or before grand juries.
Additional duties may be assigned based upon an individual's unique knowledge, skills, and/or experience.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U. S. Citizenship Required.
  • Incumbent is subject to random drug testing.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance.
  • Must have and maintain a valid state driver's license.
  • This position requires the completion of a pre-employment medical clearance and annual medical examination.
  • Mobility agreement is required upon selection.
  • Polygraph is required.
  • Trial period is required.
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service (www.sss.gov).
  • Applicant must be at least 21 years of age and not older than 36 at the time of appointment, unless you are a preference eligible veteran or a current, or previously served in a Federal civilian law enforcement retirement covered position.
  • DEA uses E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.
  • Training Requirement: If selected, individuals are required to successfully complete a 16-week basic agent training (BAT) course held at the DEA Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet one of the required Office of Personnel Management (OPM) qualification requirements described below by the closing of this announcement.

For the GL-07 Level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GL/GS-05 level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrate your ability in the following:

  • Assisting in investigations of alleged or suspected violations of law;
  • Writing reports of findings, results, or accomplishments for information or action relating to law enforcement activities and/or court cases;
  • Researching, collecting and analyzing data from a variety of sources relating to investigations;OR;
Education: 1 full year of graduate level education; OR;

Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA). In order to be creditable under this provision, SAA must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position and is based on:
  • Class Standing: Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class, based on completed courses;
  • Grade Point Average: Applicants must have a grade point average of:
    • 3.0 or higher: Based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; OR;
    • 3.5 or higher: Based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; OR;
  • Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society: Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies OR;
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.

For the GL-09 Level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GL/GS-07level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrate your ability in the following:
  • Assisting in investigations of alleged or suspected violations of law;
  • Collecting and analyzing data from a variety of sources relating to investigations;
  • Writing reports and conducting briefings of findings, results, or accomplishments for information or action relating to law enforcement activities and/or court cases;
  • Meeting or corresponding with court officials and law enforcement personnel to discuss case-related materials;
  • Assisting prosecuting attorneys in preparation of technical aspects of cases; and/or testifying or presenting evidence for court, legislative, or administrative proceedings; OR;
Education: Have a masters degree or equivalent or 2 full years of progressively high-level graduate education leading to a master degree or have completed all requirements for an LL. B, if related or J.D. degree; OR;

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.

For the GS-11 Level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GL/GS-09 level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrate your ability in the following:
  • Experience working on Federal investigations;
  • Developing operational plans and determining investigative priorities of cases;
  • Developing and eliciting information from confidential sources;
  • Interviewing, and interrogating persons suspected of violations of law;
  • Organizing evidence for presentation to prosecution officials and testifying in court; OR;
Education: Have a Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leader to a Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or LL.M, if related; OR;

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.

Education

If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Law Enforcement Availability: Special Agents may be required to work substantial overtime and occasional irregular work schedules, to include weekends and holidays. Special Agents must be readily accessible to perform unscheduled work. Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) is provided to ensure they are compensated based upon 25% of the respective grade's base salary.

Applicant Availability: Applicants must be available to complete all assessment phases of the Special Agent applicant process. The DEA will discontinue candidacy for applicants who are unable to participate in the employment assessments.

Physical Task Assessment (PTA): Qualified candidates are required to complete a PTA to evaluate an individual's present ability to successfully participate in the strenuous physical activities required during basic agent training. You are highly encouraged to view the following PTA video to ensure you fully understand the protocols that are required to pass the PTA.

Medical Requirements: The duties of this position require arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. If selected, individuals are required to successfully complete a pre-employment and annual medical examination. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to themselves or others is disqualifying.

Firearms Requirement: This position requires individuals to be authorized to carry a firearm and maintain firearm proficiency. Special Agent positions are subject to the Lautenberg Amendment, 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(9). Individuals are required to verify that they have not been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

Employment Drug Policy: All DEA applicants are required to disclose their current and past drug usage and activity. The DEA recognizes some otherwise qualified applicants may have used illegal drugs or abused legal drugs or substances in their past. These circumstances will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Appointments: If selected, appointments will be made in accordance with 5 CFR 213.3210 (Schedule B), Excepted Service Appointments. Individuals appointed via the Schedule B authority may be converted to permanent Career appointments at the third or fourth year from the initial appointment.

Mobility Agreement: This position is subject to reassignment to any domestic DEA facility, depending on the needs of the DEA. Individuals selected for this position are required to sign a mobility agreement as a condition of employment. Applicants must ensure that family members are prepared for and support any assignment location.

Relocation Expenses: Full relocation expenses will be paid for individuals transferring from another Federal position. New Federal government employees are subject to limited relocation expenses and are responsible for moving expenses not covered by DEA policies.

Pay: Positions filled at the 07 and 09 levels, pay will be set using the Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) locality pay tables. This link reflects the base rates and final salary will be based on duty station. For positions filled at the 11 level, pay will be set using the GS pay rates and the final salary will be based on the duty station assigned.

Additional information on Special Agent employment eligibilities, medical and physical requirements, and the hiring process are available on the DEA Special Agent careers site.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. A review of your resume will be conducted and compared against your responses to the assessment questions to determine if you are qualified for this job. Applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be invited to take a Physical Task Assessment (PTA). Applicants are provided two opportunities within a 60-day period to take and pass the PTA.

Upon successful completion of the PTA, applicants will be invited to complete in-person written assessments. Applicants that successfully pass the written assessments will be contacted for a structured interview. The written assessments and structured interview measure the degree to which your background matches the competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Memory
  • Flexibility
  • Teamwork
  • Problem Solving
  • Decision Making
  • Judgement
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Self-Management
  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
Candidates who have successfully completed the pre-employment assessments and structured interview will be referred for employment consideration.

Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed ahead of all candidates. Other 10-point preference eligible and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligible applicants. View information on veterans' preference on OPM's Fed Hire Vets website.

Candidates will only be referred at the highest grade in which they qualify.

Drug Enforcement Administration

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), is our country's leading organization in charge of enforcing the controlled substance laws of the United States. The DEA provides employees with an exciting career whether supporting missions at home or abroad. Our employees make a difference by working together as a team to keep Americans safe from dangerous drugs and those who traffic them.

As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.

Agency contact information

Special Agent Staffing
Phone
000-000-0000
Email
DEASAJobAnnouncement@dea.gov
Address
Drug Enforcement Administration
Do Not Send Postal Mail
Springfield, VA 21310
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Drug Enforcement Administration, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

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