These positions are located in the Boston Field Office and Houston Field Office, both reporting to the Office of Field Office Management (FLD), Domestic Operations Directorate (DO), Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) at the U.S. Department of State.
You will serve as a Criminal Investigator responsible for the investigations of criminal investigations involving passport and visa fraud.
These positions are located in the Boston Field Office and Houston Field Office, both reporting to the Office of Field Office Management (FLD), Domestic Operations Directorate (DO), Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) at the U.S. Department of State.
You will serve as a Criminal Investigator responsible for the investigations of criminal investigations involving passport and visa fraud.
Status Candidates, Noncompetitive, Former Federal Employees with Reinstatement Eligibility, Land & base management, VEOA, Individuals with Disabilities, Military Spouses, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Vista, Eligible Family Member, Special authorities, ICTAP, and CTAP.
Plans, conducts, and supports investigations related to alleged or suspected violations of criminal laws and of people or organizations seeking, claiming, or receiving Federal benefits, permits, or employment.
Advises on forensically sound digital evidence search warrants and seizures for all field office search warrants, consent searches, and covert data acquisitions.
Supports field office investigations and other DS operations with technical service equipment that may involve surveillance mechanisms.
Conducts training for field office agents and management in the legal, operational, and administrative elements.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
Obtain/maintain eligibility to access Sensitive Compartmented Information
Must be no more than 37 years of age upon entry into this position, unless an exception is met.
Must possess a valid U.S. driver`s license.
This position requires carrying a firearm, maintaining proficiency, and passing periodic qualifications. Individuals convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition (18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9)).
Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) is authorized at 25% of base pay (incl. locality) and is mandatory. Requires averaging 2+ extra hours per workday, including evenings, nights, and weekends; hours vary by assignment. Paid during BSAC training.
Must pass periodic physical examinations, meet physical standards set by the Agency for the position, and otherwise fulfill the requirements for law enforcement positions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c).
Requires various shifts (e.g., 8:15am-5pm), 12am-8am, 4pm-12am, in addition to 2 or more LEAP hours, on a daily basis. The hours worked will vary depending on the nature of your assignment.
Selectee must sign a mobility agreement to accept relocation to other geographic locations if required by the agency.
Medical clearance is required.
Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.
NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement.
Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F.
Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.
Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
Experience conducting and/or planning criminal fraud and cyber investigations.
Experience collecting, analyzing, and evaluating intelligence data in support of investigations.
Experience performing on or overseeing protective security operations.
There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position.
AGE REQUIREMENT: All applicants must be no more than 37 years of age upon entry into this position, unless one of the following exceptions are met:
You are a preference eligible veteran (You must submit a copy of your DD-214 verifying your preference eligibility.); OR
You have prior Federal civilian law enforcement experience covered by Title 5 U.S.C. section 8336 such that, when the years of service is subtracted from your current age, you will be under 37 years of age. (You will need to provide proof of service prior to selection.)
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 himself/herself, or others is disqualifying.
This position requires all incumbents to meet physical fitness standards to ensure they are prepared to carry out all of their official responsibilities. All applicants tentatively selected for this position must complete and submit aPhysical Readiness Test (PRT) Self-Evaluation. Prior to receiving a final offer, applicants must pass a Diplomatic Security Service administered PRT. For information on the PRT standards, please visit https://careers.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/DS-PRT-Guide-Revised-161019.pdf and https://careers.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/DS-PRT-Standards-Revised-161019.pdf. Incumbents of this position will be required to maintain the physical fitness standards set by the agency and participate in triannual fitness testing.
TRAINING: Must successfully complete OR have successfully completed the Criminal Investigations Training Program (CITP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glenco, GA, AND the Basic Special Agent Course (BSAC) at the Diplomatic Security Training Center. Candidates will be required to sign a Training Agreement attesting to their understanding that failure to successfully complete the training will result in removal. Additionally, within one year of BSAC graduation, newly hired Criminal Investigators will be required to enroll in the “Advanced Tactics, Leadership, and Skills" (ATLaS) course offered through the Diplomatic Security Training Center. The ATLaS course is 11 weeks long and focuses on enhanced tactics, training and leadership skills. All Criminal Investigators are required to take this course and complete a refresher course every five years.
Education
Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.
Additional information
To request a reasonable accommodation for additional time on the timed sections of the assessment, please submit your request using the “Request a Reasonable Accommodation” button within the Assessment Application.
For all other reasonable accommodations at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations (OAA) at OAA@state.gov.
OAA is responsible for reviewing and adjudicating reasonable accommodation (RA) requests for the Assessment Battery being used for this announcement. The following applies to all RA requests:
RA requests cover additional time on timed sections only.
Applicants submitting a RA request MUST attach supporting medical documentation signed by a licensed, treating medical provider. The documentation should describe the nature, severity, and expected duration of the condition, identify the relevant medical condition or diagnosis, and explain the basis for the requested extension. RA requests that do not contain supporting medical documentation attachments at the time of initial request may be subject to further review.
Note: the following documents do not, on their own, qualify for automatic approval of the RA request: Schedule A letters, VA benefits letters, or SSA letters.
Applicants MUST submit their application before the vacancy closes, even if pending an accommodation decision.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully follow instructions related to medical documentation provided in the vacancy announcement prior to beginning the RA process.
Applicants will have 48 hours after their RA request is adjudicated to complete the assessment battery. Scores generated after the allotted timeframe will not be admissible and the applicant will not be considered further for the vacancy.
If a different type of RA is needed, please contact OAA directly at OAA@state.gov.
If eligible, situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.
Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days and may require a higher or lower security clearance. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.
Agency & Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP & ICTAP): View OPM’s CTAP & ICTAP eligibility website for more information. You must be rated in the Well-Qualified category and submit supporting documents under the required documents section of this announcement to receive selection priority consideration. To be considered Well-Qualified applicants must: score an 85 or above, meet Minimum Qualifications, and demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all major aspects of the 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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The evaluation process consists of the Monster Competency Based Assessments for which applicants will be assigned a score between 70 and 100. A resume review by subject matter experts will be conducted for the top qualified candidates based on total score. Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.
You will be assessed on the following job-related competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
Non-Supervisory: Oral Communication, Writing, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Technology Orientation, Customer Service, Attention to Detail and Self-Management.
Your score from the Non-supervisory assessment will remain on file for 180 days, allowing you to apply for multiple DOS-announced positions without needing to retake the assessments.
Top applicants may be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration. The assessment is used to measure the degree in which your background matches the competencies and KSAs required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:
Knowledge of current security concepts encompassing a wide range of issues, federal laws, and regulations.
Knowledge of traditional and technical investigative techniques to build criminal cases for federal prosecution.
Skill in conducting forensic examinations of digital media to identify and recover evidence while maintaining a rigorous chain of custody.
Ability to plan and execute technical surveillance, on-scene digital evidence recovery, and forensic analysis of electronic media used in the identification, preservation, and collection of digital evidence.
Skill in communicating information in a clear and concise manner, including translating technical findings into clear, actionable information for juries, judges, and agency leadership.
Resume review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. Your resume should demonstrate how you meet all aspects of the specialized experience statement. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., links embedded in your resume will not be opened.). If meeting basic qualifications through education only or a combination of education and experience, applicants will not be referred to the SME panel but will be reviewed by the HR Specialist for referral.
Applicants found to be among the top qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview. Qualified non-competitive candidates must be deemed best qualified based on the applicant assessment in order to be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.
In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We do not make assumptions regarding your experience. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application may result in your removal from consideration.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted to our automated system by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement.
1. Resume limited to 2 pages showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours per week worked/volunteered. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must support your answers to the completed online assessment questions. Resumes longer than 2 pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.
2. Other Qualification Documentation (e.g., transcripts, certificates, certifications, etc.), if applicable.
3. Performance appraisal, if applicable. Most recent (i.e., usually within the last 18 months) final (not a mid-year review) official (i.e., signed by the rating official and in original format) annual performance appraisal mustbe submitted by reinstatement eligible applicants applying to a position with a higher grade or more promotion potential than previously held and current or former Land Management employees.
All other current and former Federal employees are strongly encouraged to submit their performance appraisal for the hiring manager’s consideration. If not available, you may provide a statement from you and/or your supervisor with an explanation along with your servicing HR Office contact information.
You may be requested to provide an appraisal to the hiring official if one was not provided with your application. To receive a promotion, the current Federal employee’s most recent performance rating must be “fully successful” or an equivalent level or higher. Employees who are tentatively selected to receive a promotion will be required to provide performance documentation within 2 business days of request. Servicing HR Offices may be contacted to verify performance ratings.
4. Most recentSF-50s (Notification of Personnel Actions), if you are a current or former Federal employee (including those applying under a non-competitive, special hiring authority, or ICTAP/CTAP eligibles). The SF-50s must show: effective date, position title, series, grade, salary, tenure, position occupied, full promotion potential, and name of agency. Multiple SF-50s may be needed to show all required information (e.g., promotion, within-grade increase, and separation SF-50s). Award SF-50s often do not show the required information.
5. Veteran Documentation, if applicable.
Veterans who are preference eligible OR who have been separated from the Armed Forces under honorable conditions (honorable or general discharge) after 3 or more years of continuous active service may apply under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA). You must submit a DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member Copy 4 preferred) showing the dates you served as well as your type of discharge and qualifying service campaign medals OR if you are still on active duty, you MUST submit a certification on letterhead from your military branch which contains your military service dates, expected date of discharge or release, and the character of service to show that your military service was performed under honorable conditions. The expected date of discharge or release must be no later than 120 days after the certification is submitted for consideration for this job announcement. Current Federal employees applying under the VEOA must submit a qualifying SF-50 to show time-in-grade requirements.
If you are applying as a preference eligible with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more, you must submit the documentation required by the SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) to support your claim (e.g., DD-214, official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs). For applicants claiming 10-point derived veterans’ preference (i.e., spouses, widows/widowers or mothers of veterans), a completed SF-15mustbe submitted with the application with all required supporting documents listed on the form.
7. ICTAP/CTAP documentation, if applicable (e.g., reduction-in-force (RIF) separation notice, RIF separation SF-50 personnel action (ICTAP only, if available), most recent SF-50 (CTAP/ICTAP), certification of expected separation, etc.) In addition, submit a copy of your current or last performance rating of record which must be at least fully successful or equivalent and submit all required documents listed above that apply to you.
8. Current or Former Land Management Employee documentation, if applicable. Visit the Forest Service’s site for required documentation.
To start your application, click Apply and we’ll walk you through the process to attach a resume and any required documents.
During the application process you can review, edit, delete, and update your information. We’ll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won’t lose any changes. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process.
STEP 1: Select the "Apply" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS.
STEP 2: Submit your resume. Please see the Required Documents section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume.
STEP 3: Complete the online assessment questions.
STEP 4: Submit all required documentation applicable to you, as listed in the Required Documents section.
Technical assistance with your on-line application is available through the Help Desk at fedhirehelp@applygovernment.com or by calling (866) 656-6830 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET
Alternate Application Procedures
If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET at least 2 working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted.
U.S. Department of State
Not accepting applications by Mail
Charleston, South Carolina 29405
United States
Next steps
After all application packages are received, we will review applications and evaluate applicants’ qualifications. Then, in approximately two weeks after this announcement closes, we will refer candidates, as described in the “How You Will Be Evaluated” section, to the hiring manager for selection consideration. Your application status will be updated up to four times during the following hiring phases:
After applications are received.
After applications are assessed to determine qualifications.
After candidates are referred to the hiring manager.
After a selection is made.
For the selected candidates who receive a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability review and/or security background investigation that generally takes an average of at least two to six months.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted to our automated system by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement.
1. Resume limited to 2 pages showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours per week worked/volunteered. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must support your answers to the completed online assessment questions. Resumes longer than 2 pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.
2. Other Qualification Documentation (e.g., transcripts, certificates, certifications, etc.), if applicable.
3. Performance appraisal, if applicable. Most recent (i.e., usually within the last 18 months) final (not a mid-year review) official (i.e., signed by the rating official and in original format) annual performance appraisal mustbe submitted by reinstatement eligible applicants applying to a position with a higher grade or more promotion potential than previously held and current or former Land Management employees.
All other current and former Federal employees are strongly encouraged to submit their performance appraisal for the hiring manager’s consideration. If not available, you may provide a statement from you and/or your supervisor with an explanation along with your servicing HR Office contact information.
You may be requested to provide an appraisal to the hiring official if one was not provided with your application. To receive a promotion, the current Federal employee’s most recent performance rating must be “fully successful” or an equivalent level or higher. Employees who are tentatively selected to receive a promotion will be required to provide performance documentation within 2 business days of request. Servicing HR Offices may be contacted to verify performance ratings.
4. Most recentSF-50s (Notification of Personnel Actions), if you are a current or former Federal employee (including those applying under a non-competitive, special hiring authority, or ICTAP/CTAP eligibles). The SF-50s must show: effective date, position title, series, grade, salary, tenure, position occupied, full promotion potential, and name of agency. Multiple SF-50s may be needed to show all required information (e.g., promotion, within-grade increase, and separation SF-50s). Award SF-50s often do not show the required information.
5. Veteran Documentation, if applicable.
Veterans who are preference eligible OR who have been separated from the Armed Forces under honorable conditions (honorable or general discharge) after 3 or more years of continuous active service may apply under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA). You must submit a DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member Copy 4 preferred) showing the dates you served as well as your type of discharge and qualifying service campaign medals OR if you are still on active duty, you MUST submit a certification on letterhead from your military branch which contains your military service dates, expected date of discharge or release, and the character of service to show that your military service was performed under honorable conditions. The expected date of discharge or release must be no later than 120 days after the certification is submitted for consideration for this job announcement. Current Federal employees applying under the VEOA must submit a qualifying SF-50 to show time-in-grade requirements.
If you are applying as a preference eligible with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more, you must submit the documentation required by the SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) to support your claim (e.g., DD-214, official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs). For applicants claiming 10-point derived veterans’ preference (i.e., spouses, widows/widowers or mothers of veterans), a completed SF-15mustbe submitted with the application with all required supporting documents listed on the form.
7. ICTAP/CTAP documentation, if applicable (e.g., reduction-in-force (RIF) separation notice, RIF separation SF-50 personnel action (ICTAP only, if available), most recent SF-50 (CTAP/ICTAP), certification of expected separation, etc.) In addition, submit a copy of your current or last performance rating of record which must be at least fully successful or equivalent and submit all required documents listed above that apply to you.
8. Current or Former Land Management Employee documentation, if applicable. Visit the Forest Service’s site for required documentation.
To start your application, click Apply and we’ll walk you through the process to attach a resume and any required documents.
During the application process you can review, edit, delete, and update your information. We’ll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won’t lose any changes. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process.
STEP 1: Select the "Apply" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS.
STEP 2: Submit your resume. Please see the Required Documents section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume.
STEP 3: Complete the online assessment questions.
STEP 4: Submit all required documentation applicable to you, as listed in the Required Documents section.
Technical assistance with your on-line application is available through the Help Desk at fedhirehelp@applygovernment.com or by calling (866) 656-6830 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET
Alternate Application Procedures
If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET at least 2 working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted.
U.S. Department of State
Not accepting applications by Mail
Charleston, South Carolina 29405
United States
Next steps
After all application packages are received, we will review applications and evaluate applicants’ qualifications. Then, in approximately two weeks after this announcement closes, we will refer candidates, as described in the “How You Will Be Evaluated” section, to the hiring manager for selection consideration. Your application status will be updated up to four times during the following hiring phases:
After applications are received.
After applications are assessed to determine qualifications.
After candidates are referred to the hiring manager.
After a selection is made.
For the selected candidates who receive a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability review and/or security background investigation that generally takes an average of at least two to six months.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
