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Criminal Investigator (Special Agent)

Department of the Treasury
Office of the Inspector General for Tax Administration

Summary

The mission of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration's (TIGTA) Office of Investigations is to protect the Internal Revenue Service from internal and external threats and corruption that could negatively impact the IRS' ability to administer the nation's tax laws. We detect and deter waste, fraud and abuse in IRS programs and operations and protect the IRS against internal misconduct and corruption as well as external attempts to corrupt or threaten its employees.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/08/2026 to 04/21/2026
This job will close when we have received 150 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$64,277 - $109,122 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Seattle, WA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel 1-5 nights per month 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
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
26-TIGTA-12928124-P
Control number
864233800

Duties

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This position is located at Office of the Inspector General for Tax Admin, Office of Investigation. As a Criminal Investigator (Special Agent), you will conduct investigations and proactively investigative initiatives to ensure the integrity of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees, contractors, and other tax professionals; ensure IRS employee infrastructure security; and protect the IRS against attempts to corrupt tax administration.

As a criminal investigator, you will be called upon to spearhead the largest, most complex, and most sensitive criminal and occasionally non-criminal investigations which come under the jurisdiction of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).

The following are the duties of this position at the GS-13. If you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform all these duties, and will receive training to help you grow in this position.
  • Plan and coordinate all investigative matters in accordance with Federal laws and regulations as well as agency policies.
  • Plan and conduct investigations to determine violations of the IRS and Federal laws and regulations.
  • Prepare reports of complex investigations.
  • Apprehend and arrest persons violating U.S. laws and conducts searches and seizures incident to the arrest when appropriate, by warrant.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Key Requirements:

  1. Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
  2. Must be U.S. Citizen or U.S. National
  3. All newly appointed employees to the competitive (or excepted) service are subject to a probationary (or trial) period. During this time, your performance, conduct, and suitability for continued employment will be evaluated. You will not automatically convert to permanent status at the end of the probationary (or trial) period. Your supervisor must affirmatively determine that continued employment is in the best interest of the Federal service. If no certification is made before the probationary (or trial) period ends, your appointment will be terminated. You are encouraged to actively engage with your supervisor, seek feedback, and understand role expectations. Additional guidance and support will be provided during onboarding.
Additional Information:
  • We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.
  • This is a non-bargaining unit position.
  • We offer opportunities for telework.
  • This position requires that the successful candidate undergo personnel vetting, which includes a background investigation and enrollment upon onboarding into "Continuous Vetting." Enrollment in Continuous Vetting will result in automated record checks being conducted throughout one's employment with Treasury. The successful candidate will also be enrolled into FBI's Rap Back service, which will allow Treasury to receive notification from the FBI of criminal matters (e.g., arrests, charges, convictions) involving enrolled individuals in near real-time. For more information about individual rights, Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights - FBI, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI, and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov).
  • You may be expected to travel 1-5 nights per month for this position.

Qualifications

You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or volunteer service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week on your résumé.


Age Requirements: Incumbents selected for Criminal Investigator positions are covered under special law enforcement provisions. This requires that applicants not exceed the maximum age for entry. The date immediately preceding an applicant's 37th birthday is the final date for selection. The age restriction does not apply if you served in a Federal civilian (not military) law enforcement officer (FLEO) position covered by special civil service retirement provisions, including early or mandatory retirement.

Medical Requirements: The duties of positions in this series require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, and knee joints is required. Arms, hands, legs, and feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. Sufficiently good vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Near vision, corrective lenses permitted, must be sufficient to read printed material the size of typewritten characters. Hearing loss, as measured by an audiometer, must not exceed 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz levels. Since the duties of these positions are exacting and responsible, and involve activities under trying conditions, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to him/her, or others is disqualifying.

AND

Specialized experience: For the GS-11, You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:
-Performing criminal and administrative investigations; AND
-Utilizing various investigative techniques to establish interrelationships of facts or evidence.


OR
You may possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LLM. Only graduate level education in excess of the first two years 36 semester hours (54 quarter hours) may be combined to be considered for qualifying education.

OR
You may qualify on a combination of education and experience. To combine education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the requirement must equal at least 100 percent.

For the GS-09: Specialized experience is one year at the GS-07 level, or equivalent, that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience includes working in a trainee capacity performing segments of investigations such as:
- Researching legal documents and/or interviewing witnesses to verify facts and obtain specific pieces of information; AND
- Securing signed statements, affidavits and documentary evidence; AND
- Completing reports for case records.


OR
Masters or equivalent graduate degree, or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LLB or JD. From the choices below, select the item that best describes your education and experience. Only graduate level education in excess of the first 18 semester hours (27 quarter hours) may be combined to be considered for qualifying education.

OR
You may qualify on a combination of education and experience. To combine education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the requirement must equal at least 100 percent.

For the GS-07: Specialized experience is one year at the GS-05 level, or equivalent, that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Specialized experience is:
-Work in a trainee capacity or other position where experience with basic investigative or analytical techniques and methods was applied to determine case resolution;

OR
One full year of graduate level education in a related field;

OR
Superior Academic Achievement based on a bachelors degree that is demonstrated through class standing (upper 1/3 of class), grade point average (2.95/4.0 overall or 3.5/4.0 in major); OR, election to membership in a qualifying national scholastic honor society. From the choices below, select the item that best describes your education and experience. You may qualify on a combination of education and experience. To combine education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the requirement must equal at least 100 percent.

Additional information

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT (CONTINUED):

  • A one year probationary period may be required. Continued employment is contingent upon supervisory certification that continued employment will benefit the Federal Service; the certification will occur no less than 30 days before the end of the probationary/trial period.
  • Must successfully complete a top secret background investigation.
  • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
  • You will be required to regularly report to the Duty Station listed above. While teleworking is an option, approval is at management's discretion based on duties, business needs, performance, etc.
  • Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
  • If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
  • Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
  • Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
  • The employment of any candidate, including a current employee or a new hire, selected for this position is conditioned upon review/check of the candidate's tax compliance. Further, all TIGTA employees are subject to an employee tax compliance program to ensure that employees fulfill their personal tax responsibilities.
  • Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.
  • Complete a pre-employment physical examination (including vision, hearing, cardiovascular and mobility of extremities) by an authorized Government physician and be determined physically fit to perform strenuous physically demanding duties. You will be required to undergo regular physical examinations and to maintain a level of physical fitness in accordance with the standards and policies of this agency.
  • Carry and use a firearm. Maintaining firearm proficiency is also mandatory. You will be ineligible to occupy this position if at any time you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, unless you received a pardon or your conviction was expunged or set aside.
  • Complete or have previously completed the course(s) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, GA.
  • Sign a mobility agreement.
  • Agree to work an average of two extra hours per day. Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) has been approved to compensate for unscheduled duty in excess of the 40-hour workweek.
  • You may be expected to travel 1-5 nights per month for this position.

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.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., résumé, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. Please be sure that your résumé includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your résumé may result in a "not qualified" determination.

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Rating: Your application will be evaluated in the following areas: Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Decision Making, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Reading Comprehension, Reasoning, Self-Management, Stress Tolerance, and Teamwork

Category rating will be used to rank and select eligible candidates. If qualified, you will be assigned to one of three quality level categories, A (highest quality category) highly proficient with an overall comprehensive level of knowledge, skills, and abilities of the job, B (middle quality category) has a solid and comprehensive understanding. Can perform the required tasks efficiently and is proficient in applying the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position, or C (minimally qualified category) an overall basic level of knowledge, skills and abilities of the job. Depending on your responses to the online questions, regarding your experience, education, and training related to this position, your rating may be lowered if your responses to the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application.

Veterans' preference is applied after applicants are assessed. Preference-eligibles will be listed at the top of their assigned category and considered before non-preference-eligibles in that category.Qualified preference-eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest category.

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration.

If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)) you must be assigned the middle category or better to be rated as "well qualified" to receive special selection priority.

Office of the Inspector General for Tax Administration

The United States (U.S.) Department of the Treasury (Treasury) has a distinguished history dating back to the founding of our nation. As the steward of U.S. economic and financial systems, Treasury is a major and influential leader in today's global economy. TIGTA reports to the Secretary of the Treasury and is charged with providing independent oversight of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). TIGTA's work plays a major role in protecting the nation's revenue stream as we are committed to the prevention and detection of fraud, waste, and abuse within the IRS. We have over 700 employees located in offices across the country. Come Join the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and Invest in Tomorrow.

Agency contact information

Applicant Call Center
Phone
304-480-7300
Email
TIGTAINQUIRIES@fiscal.treasury.gov
Address
Office of Investigation
Treasury Common Services Center
Parkersburg, WV 26101
US

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