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Criminal Investigator

Department of the Air Force
Air Force Civilian Career Training
Air Force Personnel Center, Talent Readiness
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Force Renewal Programs are designed to attract students & recent graduates with management/leadership potential to careers as Federal employees with the Air Force Civilian Service. This is accomplished by recruiting & selecting high-caliber candidates & training them to become competent, effective, & productive employees in a variety of career fields; providing training & developmental opportunities, & preparing them to successfully complete required training & developmental assignments.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
11/24/2025 to 11/25/2025
This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$56,623 to - $81,942 per year
Pay scale & grade
GL 7
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Location Negotiable After Selection
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
9-26-1811-PAQ-GVL
Control number
850810200

Duties

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Limiting Number of Applicants: It is recommended that you apply as soon as possible in order to receive consideration as this notice will close on November 27th, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CT or on the day we receive 100 applicants (whichever comes first).

APPLICANT SUPPLY FILE: This announcement will be utilized to fill Criminal Investigator positions within CONUS.

Potential Duty Locations:

Barksdale AFB, LA
Davis Monthan AFB, AZ
Dover AFB, DE
Edwards AFB, CA
Ellsworth AFB, SD
Goodfellow AFB, TX
Hanscom AFB, MA
Holloman AFB, NM
Keesler AFB, MS
Lackland AFB, TX
McConnel AFB, KS
Nellis AFB, NV
Offutt AFB, NE
Robins AFB, GA
Schriever SFB, CO
Scott AFB, IL
Tyndall AFB, FL
Vandenberg AFB, CA

The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as a criminal investigator in a developmental capacity, performing assignments designed to further develop applicable criminal investigative analytical and evaluative skills and techniques. Perform developmental criminal investigative assignments. Draft or prepare criminal investigative reports upon completion of each assignment for review by senior investigator. Assist in coordinating criminal investigative activity with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Periodically assist in briefing investigative personnel, attorneys, and other interested parties on criminal investigative matters.

*This is a formal AF intern position in the Recent Palace Acquire Program (PAQ) and; as such, it is centrally funded by HQ AFPC/DPCZA and administered by the Special Investigations Civilian Career Program (SICCP). The purpose of this position is to receive formal and on-the-job training in Criminal Investigations and to complete developmental assignments & training outlined in the SICCP PAQ Training.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Please read this Public Announcement in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.
  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • This position requires 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 (18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) ((9)).
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/.
  • Position is designated by the Air Force as a testing designated position under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program and is subject to random drug testing.
  • Employees must be able to work substantial amounts of unscheduled overtime or be available to work substantial amounts of unscheduled overtime on evenings, weekends, and/or holidays. May also be required to work regular scheduled overtimes as needed.
  • Requires occasional travel away from the normal duty station. Travel may include international locations, via various military or commercial means.
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments.
  • Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service.
  • This position requires a mobility agreement of which the employee may be assigned anywhere in the U.S. or overseas. In addition, employees may be required to work in areas of unrest or in war zones.
  • This position requires a Top-Secret security clearance. Favorable completion of a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) is required prior to an offer of employment.
  • This position requires the incumbent to drive a motor vehicle. Incumbent must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
  • Must successfully pass a pre-employment medical examination (including vision, hearing, cardiovascular and mobility of extremities) and be determined physically able to perform duties without being a hazard to themselves or others.
  • This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.
  • Applicants are subject to counterintelligence scope polygraph examinations as determined by the command. Failure to successfully complete a polygraph examination could result in disciplinary action as determined by the command.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the Superior Academic Achievement requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, - Administrative and Management Positions.

GL-07:To qualify at the GL-07 grade level, applicants must have superior academic achievement in order to qualify for this position.

EDUCATION: Superior academic achievement as demonstrated by:
1. Class standing (in upper 1/3 of graduating class) or
2. Grade point average (2.95/4.0 overall or 3.5/4.0 in major) or
3. Election to membership in a qualifying national honor society

NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

*The CSA PAQ program requires a degree with overall GPA standing of 2.95 /3.0 or higher. All qualifications must be met prior to June 2026. This must be from an accredited college or university:

  • Meet the qualification standards of the position
  • Must be at least 16 years of age
  • A U.S. citizen or a national (resident of American Samoa or Swains Island)
  • Must sign a mobility agreement
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Knowledge of the fundamental principles, concepts, methodologies, laws, regulations, guidelines, precedents, requirements of various legal jurisdictions, and practices of criminal investigations.
2. Knowledge of the rules of criminal procedures, laws, and precedent court decisions concerning the admissibility of evidence, constitutional rights, search and seizure, and related issues.
3. Knowledge of sources of information and how to develop them and the latest technological advances used by criminals and investigators.
4. Skill in communicating orally and in writing.
5. Ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions.
6. Ability to plan and organize work, consult effectively with others, and work as a member of a team.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS:

Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP):
LEAP compensates Criminal Investigators for substantial amounts of unscheduled overtime or their availability to work substantial amounts of overtime. Applicants are eligible to receive LEAP upon appointment. To ensure your availability, you will receive extra compensation in the form of LEAP, which is calculated at a flat rate of 25 percent of basic pay (including applicable locality pay).

Education

This position has an education requirement. You MUST provide official transcripts to support your educational claims. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Specialized Training: Upon selection, employee must successfully complete the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's (FLETC), Criminal Investigators Training Program (CITP), and Basic Investigation Course.

Please annotate all relevant certifications and/or training in your resume.

Additional information

YOUR TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT COVERS:

  • Participant Agreement
  • Orientation program
  • Mentorship throughout the Program
  • Individual Training & Development Plan to assist with career planning, professional development, and training activities
  • At least 40 hours of formal, interactive training each year of the Program
  • Opportunity for career advancement
AFTER PROGRAM COMPLETION:
  • Graduates who are selected for conversion must have completed all requirements of the program successfully
  • Demonstrated successful job performance consistent with the applicable performance appraisal program
  • Met the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) qualification standard for the position to which the PAQ will be converted
NOTE: It is important to remember that eligibility for conversion does not guarantee that the Department of the Air Force will offer conversion.

LAW ENFORCEMENT RETIREMENT:
IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 336, "The maximum entry age (MEA) for covered primary law enforcement officer positions is 37. Persons not appointed by the last day of the month in which they become age 37 shall not be originally appointed or assigned to these positions." The Agency will waive MEA requirements for otherwise qualified applicants with veterans' preference and may choose to waive MEA requirements based on compelling hardship, e.g., a shortage of qualified candidates; or for those applicants with prior Federal civilian special LEO retirement-covered service.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants):
Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Tax Law Impact for PCS:
On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 Click here for additional information.

Direct Deposit:
All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Excepted Service: AFOSI's Criminal Investigators are excepted service positions. Applicants who currently hold a Competitive Service status and are offered a Criminal Investigator position with AFOSI, will be appointed under AFOSI's Schedule A authority under Excepted Service.
Competitive Service applicants who are Career and have completed the three year service requirement permanent tenure (Block 24 reflects "1") are eligible for lifetime reinstatement rights. Competitive Service applicants who are Career Conditional and have not completed the three year service requirement (Block 24 reflects "2") are eligible for three year reinstatement rights. Two year Trial period will be required for all non-prior Criminal Investigators.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Pay will vary by geographic location.

*** The term "Current post-secondary student" means a person who is currently enrolled and in good academic standing at a full-time program at an institution of higher education; and is progressing toward a baccalaureate or graduate degree; and has completed at least 1 year of the program.*** The term "recent graduate" means a person awarded a degree by an institution of higher education not more than 2 years before the date of the appointment of such person, except in the case of a person who has completed a period of obligated service in a uniform service of more than 4 years.

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 using a scored or basic eligibility rating. Your online application will be rated on the extent, quality, and relevance of the following: your experience, education and training, and competencies. All answers in the online process must be substantiated by your resume. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or on the application questionnaire may result in your removal for consideration.

Scored Rating: We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of three categories, Qualified, Well Qualified, and Best Qualified, based on your experience, education, training and competencies.

If you are determined Best Qualified and successfully complete Phase II, you will receive a conditional job offer. If the information in your resume does not support your responses to the assessment questions, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your qualifications.

See "DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE" below for more information.

Referral: If you are among the best or top qualified candidates, your application may be referred at the highest grade to the selecting official for consideration.

Veteran's Preference: Veterans Preference Eligibles will be listed/referred above Non-Preference Eligibles. If numerical scores are used, veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% will receive 10-point preference and will be listed in the order of his/her numerical ranking. All other preference eligibles will be listed ahead of non-preference eligibles having the same final rating. For information on veterans' preference please click here.

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