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Criminal Investigator

Department of Labor
Office of Inspector General
Office of Investigations-Labor Racketeering and Fraud

Summary

This position is located in the U.S. Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General-Office of Investigations-Labor Racketeering and Fraud.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/23/2026 to 03/02/2026
This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$102,415 to - $163,062 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Locations
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Washington, DC
New York, NY
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
MS-26-OIG-OI-12884061
Control number
858616100

Duties

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The incumbent will conduct difficult and complex investigations, as a team member or lead agent, apprehending or detaining individuals suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the United States. The incumbent will protect the personal safety of United States officials.

Major Duties For GS-13:

1.Investigates the most significant and complex cases or is lead agent assigned. These investigations involve a wide range of criminal activity that falls under OI's mission. Initiates contacts with Federal, State and local officials, civic and business leaders, officials of lending institutions, medical facilities, societies, and other organizations and individuals related to matters under investigation for the purpose of obtaining facts, signed statements, explanation of actions, or other evidence, etc., to learn sequence of events and background or related information that incumbent determines is required, to determine the sequence of interviews and the extent/scope of investigations. Examines records, books, payrolls, reports, transactions, actions or allegations under investigation. Verifies, corroborates, and establishes relationships of all facts and evidence obtained, presented or alleged in order to establish its accuracy and authenticity.

2.Assists in coordinated investigative efforts with other Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers and prosecutors. Establishes and maintains contacts at whatever level required to achieve desired objectives and to promote information exchanges.

3. Elicits information from individuals of diverse backgrounds and develops productive sources of information and informants under adverse and sensitive conditions.

4. Serves as the senior agent on major investigations in conducting interviews, surveillances, and examinations of records and documents. Independently performs sensitive interviews and surveillances as well as complex records examination.

5.Confers with the assigned OIG high ranking official, his/her staff, law enforcement agencies, intelligence activities, and the US State Department on expected travel. Maintains liaison with senior-level officials of federal, state, and municipal governments, military officials, foreign governments, representatives of the news media and private sector individuals. Deals diplomatically and effectively with such persons.

6. Leads assigned protective security surveys and ensures that all activities related to advance security planning and implementation are accomplished for the executive official's local, domestic, and international travel. Provides security at assigned public events, hearings, administrative proceedings, and conferences that are scheduled, conducted or sponsored by the Department/OIG, particularly when they involve controversial or sensitive issues. Coordinates security for these assigned major events with other law enforcement agencies. Completes investigative reports and provides information to law enforcement personnel for affidavits, search warrants, and arrest warrants for protection in the Federal Court system. Arrests or directs the arrest of suspected felons who have threatened the safety of United States officials. The performance of these duties requires rigorous physical and mental exertion.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Minimum AGE Requirements: An applicant must enter a Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) law enforcement covered position or a Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) law enforcement covered position not one day later than his/her 37th birthday.

Please note: Applicants appointed to Criminal Investigator positions in the Federal service must not have reached their 37th birthday upon appointment to the position unless they previously served in a Federal civilian law enforcement position covered by special civil service retirement provisions, including early or mandatory retirement. This requirement may be waived only for veterans. However, the primary duties of these positions are classified as rigorous, and a waiver may be authorized by the head of the agency only in unusual situations .Please note: An age requirement waiver is not automatic. An individual who has passed the maximum entry age limit but previously served in a covered position, may be eligible for consideration and reinstatement of coverage if he/she will be able to complete a total of 20 yrs of covered law enforcement service by the time he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 57. See OPM Retirement Handbook for further details. The Max Entry Age requirement (See Max Entry may be waived for applicants eligible for veterans' preference.)

Incumbents are required to be able to perform the following duties:

A. Firearm Use. All OIG criminal investigators are required to qualify with the U.S. DOL-issued firearms and to accept assignments where firearms are required. In the exercise of OIG's statutory law enforcement authority, there is the potential that the use of the firearm may be justified and necessary.B. Arrests. OIG criminal investigators make arrests, with or without a warrant, according to the circumstances. C. Search &Seizure OIG criminal investigators execute warrants for search of premises or seizure of evidence.D. Surveillances In conducting investigations, criminal investigators may establish and maintain surveillances of suspected criminal acts.E. Undercover Assignments From time to time, criminal investigators assume undercover roles.F. Review of Records & Other Evidence Many cases under investigation involve the review of a tremendous amount of records which the agent takes control of and transports for copying.

CONTINUTATION IN QUALIFICATION TAB

Qualifications

You must meet the Basic Requirements listed in the Education Requirements section and the Specialized Experience to qualify for the Criminal Investigator, as described below.

For Criminal Investigator, GS-12: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower GS-11 grade level, in the Federal service.

For Criminal Investigator, GS-13: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower GS-12 grade level, in the Federal Service.

Specialized Experience is the experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform the duties of the position successfully, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.

Qualifying specialized experience for Criminal Investigator, GS-12 is defined as experience in performing protective surveys and protective operations; developing criminal investigative reports upon completion of assignments facilitating the determination of appropriate actions and final decisions; researching and providing evidence and data in the preparation for adjudication of criminal cases; and providing assistance to senior agents regarding research, policies, procedures, or readiness plans.

Qualifying specialized experience for Criminal Investigator, GS-13 is defined as experience in demonstrating, and skill in, applying laws, regulations, executive orders, advanced principles, concepts, as well as investigative techniques associated with operational law enforcement intelligence collection; obtaining and evaluating information from many diverse sources including alleged criminals and reluctant witnesses; surveillance planning, including those surveillance activities involving multiple parties, the latest technology, and methods that are subject to changing legal admissibility; and collecting data concerning the safety and security of personnel.

  • No Relocation Incentives will be offered.
  • No Permanent Change of Station Incentives will be offered.
  • This position is outside the Bargaining Unit.
  • This position will not be filled until the Department's Placement Assistance Programs have been fully utilized

Higher grade level 1811s may receive biweekly and annual premium pay caps (refer to OPM website).

CONTINUATION FROM REQUIREMENT TAB

Basic Law Enforcement Training. As a condition of employment, newly-hired OIG criminal investigators must have successfully completed the basic criminal investigator training course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC ), unless waived by OIG because of proof of comparable special agent or law enforcement officer training.

G. Travel. Many criminal investigators travel frequently -- up to 50% of the time. Much of the travel is performed by automobile driven by the agent from 8-10 hrs at a time to reach the destination.H. Maintain Top Secret Clearance.

Education

There is no substitution of education for the required specialized experience at the GS-12 and GS-13 level.

Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.

If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum coursework requirements for this position.

Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.


CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT
Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Requires a valid driver's license.
Subject to financial disclosure requirements.
Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
Subject to a drug test and medical test prior to appointment.
Must be 21 years old.

Additional information

The mission of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to protect the welfare of workers and job seekers, improve working conditions, expand high-quality employment opportunities, and assure work-related benefits and rights for all workers.

Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

As a condition of employment, all personnel must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities, systems, information and/or classified materials before they can enter on duty: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

Click here for Career Ladder Promotion Information

Non-Supervisory Financial Disclosure (if applicable): This position is subject to the confidential financial disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). Therefore, if selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest(s) and your prospective position with DOL. This information will be required annually.

Based on agency needs, additional positions may be filled using this vacancy.

The Fair Chance Act (FCA) prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOL employee has violated your rights under the FCA, you may file a complaint of the alleged violation following our agency's complaint process Guidelines for Reporting Violations of the Fair Chance Act.

Note: The FCA does not apply to some positions specified under the Act, such as law enforcement or national security positions.

All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to screening for illegal drug use prior to the appointment.

All Department of Labor employees are subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Program under Executive Order 12564 and Public Law 100-71.

CONTINUATION FROM REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TAB

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; -whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your 1 year probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies:

Knowledge and Conduct of Investigations: Knowledge and application of principles, practices, and techniques for conducting civil, criminal, and administrative investigations and documenting findings and conclusions in an efficient, accurate, and timely manner.

Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence: Knowledge of applicable Federal rules of criminal and civil procedures; agency and government laws, regulations, and policies; and executive orders.

Technology Application: Uses machines, tools, and technical investigative equipment effectively; uses computers and computer applications to obtain, analyze, and communicate information in the appropriate format.

Security: Knowledge of the laws, regulations, and guidelines related to securing personnel, facilities, and information, including the requirements for handling, transporting, and protecting classified information and proper reporting of security incidents.

Oral Communication: Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial).

Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

Self Management: Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.

Click here for Evaluation details.

You may preview questions for this vacancy here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12884061

The information you provide may be verified by a review of your paid, unpaid, and volunteer, as it demonstrates the competencies or skills required for the position to be filled. Your evaluation may include an interview, reference checks, or other assessment conducted by HR specialists, subject matter experts, or panel members and may include other assessment tools (ex. interview, structured interview, written test, work sample, etc.).

The examining Office of Human Resources (OHR) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your vacancy question responses. If not, the OHR may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency indicated by the content of your resume.

INFORMATION FOR ICTAP/CTAP ELIGIBLE(S) ONLY: If you are eligible for special priority selection under ICTAP/CTAP, you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration. ICTAP/CTAP eligible(s) will be considered well-qualified if they attain at least a rating score of 85 in a numerical rating scheme. Be sure to review the eligibility questions to reflect that you are applying as an ICTAP or CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation.

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