Clarification from the agency

Your application will be considered if you are a current GSA OIG employee or a GSA OIG surplus or displaced employee in the local commuting area who qualifies for the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP). You must be a GSA OIG employee serving on a career or career-conditional appointment, or under a noncompetitive Special Appointing Authority which provides for conversion to a permanent position in the Competitive Service.

The incumbent of this position serves as a Special Agent in Charge (SAC) and principal representative of the Office of the Assistant Inspector General for Investigations for the Western Division of the Office of Investigations. The incumbent manages a regional investigative program which includes the administration and operation of all Inspector General investigations, prevention activities, and liaison responsibilities related to the programs and operations of GSA-OIG. The incumbent directs all field operations for his/her assigned regions, including resident offices located within the region. Investigations primarily involve outside contractors doing business with GSA and may involve false claims, defective pricing, product substitution, bribery, collusion, public corruption, credit card fraud and other white-collar crimes. Personally and/or through subordinate supervisors and senior level criminal investigators ensures the timely performance of a satisfactory quantity and quality of work by reviewing, amending, or rejecting work products and that all work products are professionally investigated and complete.

Primary scope and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Providing overall regional management and supervision of investigative programs directly affecting the national mission of the Office of the Inspector General;
• Directing and making determinations to ascertain the successful conduct of an investigation which frequently results in changes in agency-wide policy and procedure, cost avoidance of thousands and often millions of dollars not only for GSA but for other government agencies as well;
• Developing and/or directing the development of findings that may lead to debarment of contractors, fines and imprisonment of individual violators;
• Analyzing new or revised regulations, policies, Federal stat­utes, and procedures affecting agency programs or operations to identify program elements requiring possible investigative attention; determining if existing policies and procedures provide a productive region-wide investigative program;
• Determining additional actions that may be required or desirable and develops budget and program planning documents for the AlGI as required, participating with the AIGI and other high level officials in long range planning;
• Providing regular and periodic data to the AIGI as necessary to make adjustments in short range planning; and,
• Developing and carrying out agency-wide training programs on issues and topics of current concern for higher-level officials, peers and other employees, when requested by the AIGI.

Conditions of employment

• US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
• Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable
• Register with the Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

Qualifications

The GS-15 salary range for Tacoma, WA starts at $166,283 per year. This position is also authorized Law Enforcement Availability Pay of an additional 25 percent of a criminal investigator's rate of basic pay, subject to the biweekly maximum earnings limitation for law enforcement officers in 5 U.S.C. 5547.  

To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level or higher in the Federal service. Specialized experience is managing, coordinating and providing technical direction, directly or through subordinate supervisors, to Criminal Investigative and Law Enforcement programs; planning, performing and directing the most extremely complex and sensitive criminal investigations; and must reflect comprehensive knowledge of investigative and law enforcement programs.

If selected, you must also meet the following conditions of employment:

This position is covered by the law enforcement officer retirement provisions, and as such is covered by a mandatory age requirement. There is a maximum entry age of the day before your 37th birthday (except for veteran's preference eligibles) for entry into law enforcement office positions. This position is covered by the special retirement provisions for Federal Law Enforcement Officers [5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) or 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d)] and have a mandatory retirement age of 57. If you are over age 37, you must have been or currently be covered by the special retirement provisions and be able to complete at least 20 years of covered service by age 57.

All OIG criminal investigators are required to qualify to use OIG owned firearms and to accept assignments where firearms are required. Quarterly certification is required. Per the Lautenberg Amendment, any person who has been convicted of misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition.

Selectee will be required to undergo a pre-employment examination and meet the physical requirements for this position. The duties require moderate to arduous physical exertion. Manual dexterity of fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips and knees is required. Arms, hands, legs and feet must be sufficiently functioning in order to perform the duties satisfactorily. Good vision and hearing are required. Selectee must possess emotional and mental stability. Any physical condition that would cause the selectee to be a hazard to him/her, or others is disqualifying.

This position requires a pre-employment drug test to screen for illegal drug use (appointment to the position is contingent upon a negative drug test result), and random drug testing after appointment.

This position is a critical-sensitive national security position. The person selected for this vacancy will be required to undergo a Tier 5 background investigation and the GSA security office must grant you a Top Secret national security clearance.

Attend and graduate from the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP), unless previously completed.

Operate a Government-owned or leased motor vehicle. A valid State driver's license is required.

Due to the nature of the work, Criminal Investigators are required to work, or be available to work, substantial amounts of unscheduled duty.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your resume will be reviewed to determine if you meet the basic qualifications and eligibility requirements outlined in this vacancy announcement. If you meet the basic qualifications and eligibility requirements, you will be invited to participate in a structured interview. A panel of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will conduct the structured interview and assign a score for each of the four required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) listed below, based on your responses to the interview questions.

1. Expert knowledge of investigative methods, techniques, and approaches necessary to plan and conduct criminal, civil, and administrative investigations.
2. Ability to analyze the merits associated with matters being considered for investigation and analyze staff performance throughout the investigative process.
3. Skill and ability in communicating in writing, developing reports, and communicating factual data.
4. Skill and ability in interview techniques and the ability to communicate with others, including subordinate employees and senior management.

Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume so that information will be taken into consideration during the selection process.  If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

If you are eligible under GSA OIG’s Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), you must score 85.0 or higher to receive priority consideration.