Clarification from the agency

ICE Employees Only

This announcement will be used to fill GS-1811-14 supervisory and non-supervisory criminal investigator positions, as listed below, in various locations within the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Office of Professional Responsibility, and Office of Firearms and Tactical Programs.

If you are a current and permanent GS-1811-14 Criminal Investigator, you are NOT required to apply to this USAJOBS announcement for consideration for a lateral position.
Please note, a temporary promotion to a GS-14 position is not considered a permanent GS-14 position.

Positions: Supervisory Criminal Investigator roles, including Group Supervisor, Resident Agent in Charge (RAC), OPR Resident Agent in Charge (RAC), Section Chief, OFTP Section Chief, Assistant Attache; Non-supervisory Criminal Investigator roles, including Program Manager, OPR Program Manager/Lead Instructor, OFTP Program Manager/Team Leader/Course Developer, OPR Special Agent.

As a GS-1811-14 Criminal Investigator, at the full performance level, your responsibilities will vary based on the particular position listed above into which you are promoted. You will perform various duties such as:

• Serving as a first-line supervisor and/or overseeing the administration, management, and conducting of investigative activities or special operations within assigned foreign or domestic area of responsibility.
• Establishing guidelines and performance expectations for staff, actively observing and evaluating staff performance, providing feedback, and ensuring staff's adherence to departmental standards and goals.
• Planning and developing national and special investigative programs, making recommendations for the introduction of new programs, conducting pilot programs and accelerating existing programs, collaborating and liaising with related internal and external units, and serving as an authoritative expert in the program area.
• Developing and managing training and programs on topics such as investigative matters, intelligence collection, trend analysis, methods of detecting fraudulent documents, firearms/weapons, investigative or tactical techniques, and similar subjects for presentation to top agency officials and other key stakeholders.
• Conducting, leading, and reporting on investigations regarding criminal misconduct of ICE personnel, their associates, contractors, and any other entity under the investigative jurisdiction of the OPR.

By applying to this announcement, you will be considered for both supervisory and non-supervisory positions; you will also be considered for permanent promotions, temporary promotions, and detail positions. Some temporary promotions may be made permanent without further competition.

Secondary Law Enforcement: For approved secondary covered positions under 5 USC 8331 (20) and 5 USC 8401 (17), previous experience in a primary (rigorous) law enforcement position (or equivalent outside the Federal Government) is a prerequisite. Law Enforcement retirement coverage (special law enforcement provisions) is extended only if the secondary covered position immediately follows service in a law enforcement position. FERS applicants must have completed three (3) years of service in a rigorous position (AKA primary) position and transfer directly from a covered position in order to continue Law Enforcement retirement coverage upon selection.

Primary position means a position whose primary duties are:

• Investigation, apprehension, or detention of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the United States.

Secondary position means a position that:

• (1) Is clearly in the law enforcement field; and
• (2) Is in an organization having a law enforcement mission; and
• (3) Is either -
  • (i) Supervisory; i.e., a position whose primary duties are as a first-level supervisor of law enforcement officers in primary positions; or
  • (ii) Administrative; i.e., an executive, managerial, technical, semiprofessional, or professional position for which experience in a primary law enforcement position, or equivalent experience outside the Federal government, is a prerequisite.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• You must successfully pass a drug screen.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
• Requirements by Closing Date: Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• Time in Grade: Current Federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the Federal service. Time in grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
• Supervisory Probationary Period: If selected for a Supervisory position under provisions of the Civil Service Reform Act, first time supervisors and/or managers will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period.
• This position requires the selectee 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. Section 022 (g)(9)).
• Convictions of misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are disqualifying.
• Motor Vehicle Operation: A valid motor vehicle license (acceptable to Department of State and the host country as needed for International posts) and the ability to drive an automobile during the performance of duty is required.
• This position may require the incumbent to be reassigned to a different geographic location. Accordingly, the incumbent will be required to sign a mobility agreement, which will remain in effect through the duration of the assignment.
• Previous experience in a primary (rigorous) law enforcement position (or equivalent outside the Federal Government) is a prerequisite.
• Work Conditions: Job requires physical strength and stamina due to long periods of surveillance, restraining suspects, and carrying heavy equipment. Environment includes work indoors/outdoors in a potentially dangerous and stressful situations.
• Medical Requirements: You must be physically, emotionally, and mentally able to perform the duties of the position. You will be required to complete a physical to the satisfaction of the U.S. State Department.
• Foreign Language: Proficiency of host country language may be required. If language is a requirement, proficiency must be attained through successful completion of language training prior to assignment overseas or providing certification.

Qualifications

This Job Opportunity Announcement is for current and permanent GS-13 (including temporary GS-14) and former GS-14 ICE employees seeking a promotion to a GS-14 Criminal Investigator position.

Certain positions under this announcement are subject to additional screening requirements (i.e., national security polygraph); additional regulations apply to some positions based on location (i.e., international posts).

You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level or equivalent performing the following duties:

• Conducting a broad range of investigations and directly associated activities (e.g., enforcement actions, presenting investigative findings, preparing written legal documents) which required making evaluations of situations and complex decisions to combat illicit activities related to trade, travel, finance, and immigration.

• Contributing to investigations with increasing levels of independence, responsibility, and/or authority over the course of tenure as a special agent.

• Collaborating with and/or influencing law enforcement partners while performing assigned investigative activities.

• Holding roles on interagency, multi-jurisdictional, international, and/or inter-organizational inquiries and investigations.

• Demonstrating flexibility by navigating various environments, investigative programs, and/or temporary duty assignments.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

In addition to meeting the eligibility and qualification requirements, completing and/or passing each assessment phase below in the specified timeframe is required for placement on a Certificate of Eligibles. Candidates who do not meet the below requirements will be removed from further consideration.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR NON-COMPETITIVE CANDIDATES: To be considered non-competitively,former GS-1811-14s must apply, but are not subject to assessments; former and current GS-14s in other job series must apply and complete all assessments.

Phase I. Occupational Questionnaire and SA-14 Resume

• At the time of applicationallcandidates (including non-competitive) will complete an Occupational Questionnaire (OQ) to indicate the Foundational and Advanced Investigative Experiences they possess, and submit their SA-14 Resume.

• The SA-14 Resume will contain two parts: PART A - SA-14 Investigative Experiencesand PART B - Conventional Resume Information. Each part is limited to five (5) pages each, for a maximum of ten (10) total pages.

• Candidates must conform to the specifications in the SA-14 Resume Preparation Guidance provided on the HSI Career Center when preparing their SA-14 Resume.

• Anticipated timeframe: August 12 - August 25, 2025

Phase II. Supervisory Situational Judgment Test (SSJT)

• This pass/fail online assessment measures critical leadership and interpersonal skills; candidates have two (2) hours to complete it.

• Candidates who passed the SSJT from a prior SA-14 promotional announcement will NOT be required to re-take it. Candidates exempted from re-taking the SSJT will be notified via email, and will advance to the Phase III Experience Review.

• Candidates required to complete the SSJT will receive email invitations with a link to take the assessment on or about September 4, 2025.

• Anticipated SSJT timeframe: September 4 - September 11, 2025

Phase III. Investigative Experience Review

• A centralized panel of supervisory special agents, trained in the SA-14 Experience review process, will review and evaluate the SA-14 Resumes of candidates who advance from Phase II. Using established criteria, panelists' evaluations will focus on the breadth and depth of investigative experiences presented in the SA-14 Resume.

• Candidates who passed the Experience Review in 2024 will have their passing results reapplied, provided that they submit an SA-14 resume for evaluation and demonstrate the required specialized experience in the resume.

• Results of the Experience Review will be used to identify Best Qualified (BQ) candidates, who will be placed on a Certificate of Eligibles.

• Anticipated Experience Review timeframe: October 6 - October 10, 2025.

If you have questions regarding the assessments or assessment process, please email SAPromotion@ice.dhs.gov for further assistance.

All dates listed in this section are subject to change. While every attempt will be made to adhere to the dates listed above, there may be instances in which a change is required. Issues encountered with assessment completion must be reported before the assessment window closes in order to be considered and/or addressed for this promotional cycle.

Overseas Assignments Offer Various Allowances - Special Notes: ICE Assistant Attache

• These are overseas limited term assignments.
• The initial tour for this position may be up to three (3) years as designated by the Department of State, not to exceed five (5) years or maximum total ten (10) years. Upon completion of the assignment, selectee will return to the U.S. to a similar position and grade as that held prior to this assignment and/or apply to another position.
• This assignment may be terminated or extended at any time depending on the needs of the agency.
• Allowance of Post Hardship Differential Pay, Relocation Incentive Pay, Cost of Living, Danger or Retention pay may be included depending on overseas locations.
• Selectee must successfully complete all phases of the pre-deployment process which include issuance of passport/and or visa (if applicable), medical clearance, mandatory pre-departure (if applicable), and security overseas training.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.

Current or Former Political Appointees: 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. The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

All candidates (including noncompetitive candidates and those with prior passing results) must clearly demonstrate in their SA-14 Resume how they meet the specialized experience and will be reviewed to ensure specialized experience requirements listed for this job are met. Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

Candidates who pass the SSJT and meet the specialized experience listed for this job will be assessed on their Foundational and Advanced Investigative Experiences as detailed in PART A of their SA-14 Resume. The Experience Review does not produce a numerical score used to rank candidates; rather, results of the Experience Review will be used to identify the best qualified candidates and establish the Best Qualified (BQ) list.

Candidates must meet the established criteria to be considered Best Qualified (BQ) and placed on a Certificate of Eligibles.

As part of the final selection decision, interviews will be conducted by Local Review Panels. Not all candidates will be interviewed.

Please note: Candidates may prioritize up to 10 unique position and location combinations for which they express interest during each Career Opportunities Portal (COP) cycle. Candidates who decline an official job offer (tentative or final) for a position approved by the Criminal Investigator Career Board (CICB) will be held from consideration for one (1) full COP cycle following a declination. Please contact CICB@ice.dhs.gov with any questions about COP cycles.

Candidates are solely responsible for the responses and documentation submitted in their online application. Responses cannot be altered once the announcement has closed.

Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3).Pursuant to Executive Order 12564, and the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan, ICE is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions (testing designated positions) are subject to random drug testing. Moreover, other drug testing of employees (e.g., reasonable suspicion drug test) may be conducted in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. All applicants tentatively selected for employment at ICE are subject to pre-employment drug testing and a final offer of employment is contingent upon a negative drug test result.