The USPS OIG is seeking highly qualified applicants to fill our Entry Level Criminal Investigator vacancies within the Office of Investigations, Northeast Area Field Office (NEAFO), in Buffalo, NY location. The successful candidate must demonstrate the potential to conduct federal criminal, civil, and administrative investigations.
Summary
The USPS OIG is seeking highly qualified applicants to fill our Entry Level Criminal Investigator vacancies within the Office of Investigations, Northeast Area Field Office (NEAFO), in Buffalo, NY location. The successful candidate must demonstrate the potential to conduct federal criminal, civil, and administrative investigations.
Successful applicants must be highly motivated and demonstrate the potential to conduct federal criminal, civil and administrative investigations.
Additional Duties & Responsibilities:
This is the trainee level in the area of criminal investigation. Work assignments are selected to provide training in the analytical evaluative aspects of the work and in the appropriate use of investigative methods. The training emphasizes developing an understanding of the relationships of the concepts underlying the specialty area. It is directed toward the recognition of incipient needs or problems and the identification, analysis and solution of problems.
Assignments are pre-selected to combine performance of productive work with supervised on-the-job training in both the judgmental and methodological aspects of the work. Assignments involve learning and developing investigative abilities by observing more senior agents conducting investigations. Participates in approximately 14 weeks of basic formal classroom training. This is a primary criminal investigator position.
The duties and responsibilities associated with this position may vary based upon the agency's needs at the time of hire. The preceding description of major duties and responsibilities is only intended to give applicants a general overview of the expectations.
Compensation: The USPS OIG is an Excepted Service agency and uses a Pay Banding system, which is equivalent to the Federal GS scale. Grade and salary determination will be made based upon a candidate's education and professional experience.
This position is being advertised at the Journey Band level, equivalent to a GS-07 to GS-09. The salary range for this position is $52,766.00 - $83,911.00. The salary figures include locality pay. For locality table specifics, visit: OPM's General Schedule (GS).
The posted salary range does not include the authorized Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) under the 1811 Series. LEAP will not be part of compensation until successful, completion of the 12-week training course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), or equivalent federal law enforcement academy.
The job also provides coverage as a primary position under law enforcement retirement.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret (Tier-5) clearance.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a government-issued credit card.
Must be able to pass a drug screening. Note: a physical is required for 1811 criminal investigator positions.
Must be able to pass a background investigation.
Selectee subject to random drug screenings.
Required to successfully complete a twelve (12) month probationary period.
Qualifications
Position Minimum Qualification Requirements
You must meet all the minimum qualifications listed below.
Eligibility & Experience Requirements
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
At least two (2) or more years of experience with a law enforcement agency.
Demonstrated potential to conduct Federal criminal, civil, and administrative investigations
Received at least a "met expectation" rating on your most recent performance appraisals (FY 2025).
Student Cooperatives must submit a management recommendation letter from current supervisor.
In accordance with applicable laws, the applicant selected for this position must:
Must successfully complete the 12-week Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP).
Maintain eligibility to operate motor vehicles.
Must be at least 21 years of age and not have reached 37th birthday at the time of initial appointment to law enforcement position.
Qualify and maintain authorization to carry firearms, including no current or previous domestic violence convictions.
Maintain physical, mental and emotional standards and requirements necessary to perform law enforcement assignments.
Work unscheduled irregular hours with the possibility of personal risk.
As a law enforcement officer, you will be required to work on an unscheduled basis in excess of the 40-hour work week. These positions require substantial overtime to include holidays, weekends, and nights. You must be readily accessible to perform this unscheduled work. To ensure your availability, you will receive extra compensation in the form of Law Enforcement Availability Pay, which is calculated at a flat rate of 25 percent of base salary.
Must be willing to relocate at the direction of management.
Desirable Qualifications
Knowledge of Postal Service structure, processes, operations, etc.
Advanced academic degree
Prior or current law enforcement or military experience
Evaluation Factors | How You Will Be Evaluated:
You must have the experience, knowledge, and skills as listed in each of the evaluation factors listed below. Include your major accomplishments relevant to the position requirements and factors in your resume. Failure to demonstrate that you meet all the evaluation factor requirements as listed below will result in a score of zero (0), an ineligible status, and you will not be referred for further consideration.
Demonstrated knowledge of various law enforcement/investigative techniques and procedures
Ability to effectively present information, both orally and in writing, to convey ideas and concepts regarding complex and/or sensitive issues.
Demonstrated ability to work with a team and develop and maintain effective working relationships with others from within and outside an organization.
Education
Education must be accredited by an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Applicants can verify accreditation here: www.ed.gov.
Special Instructions for Candidates with Foreign Education:
Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in U.S. education programs. You must submit all necessary documents to a private U.S. credential evaluation service to interpret equivalency of your education against courses given in U.S. accredited colleges and universities.
For further information visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional information
About the OIG | What We Do
America's Postal Service is one of the government's most trusted entities. The US Postal Service Office of Inspector General, an independent agency within the Postal Service, employs over 800 auditors, criminal investigators, and professional support personnel stationed in over ninety locations. The OIG plays a key role in maintaining the integrity and accountability of America's Postal Service, its revenue and assets, and its employees.
Our mission is to investigate internal crimes and frauds against the Postal Service. These efforts contribute to safeguarding the Postal Service's revenue and assets and help deter postal crimes, ultimately helping maintain a stable and sound Postal Service. Special agents conduct investigations in mail fraud, financial fraud, contract fraud, healthcare fraud, and official misconduct.
Executive Order 14074 directed the Attorney General to establish the National Law Enforcement Accountability Database (NLEAD) as a centralized repository of official records documenting certain instances of law enforcement officer misconduct. The United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General utilizes the information in the NLEAD, in accordance with applicable laws, for the hiring, job assignment, and promotion of federal law enforcement officers.
Reasonable Accommodations
Reasonable accommodation available for applicants with disabilities
Submit requests to jobs@uspsoig.gov; decisions made case-by-case
Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA) status: Exempt. Non-exempt employees are entitled to overtime pay; exempt employees are not
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.
Position Level & Compensation
USPS OIG uses a Pay Banding system equivalent to the Federal GS scale.
This position is at the Journey Band level, equivalent to a GS-07 to GS-09.
Salary range is $52,766.00 - $83,911.00, including locality pay for all announced locations. For locality table specifics, visit: OPM's General Schedule (GS).
LEAP will not be part of compensation until successful, completion of the 12-week training course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), or equivalent federal law enforcement academy.
The job provides coverage as a primary position under law enforcement retirement.
Comprehensive Benefits
USPS and OIG employees transitioned from Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Program to the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program effective January 01, 2025.
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be assessed on:
Minimum qualifications
Evaluation factors
Quality of resume and supporting documents
Interview performance (if recommended/selected)
Important Application Rules (Disqualification Triggers)
You will not be considered if you:
Fail to attach all required documents
Submit a resume exceeding two pages
Submit materials showing you do not meet minimum qualifications
Receive a zero rating on any evaluation factor
Use AI tools during the interview (except approved accessibility tools)
Fail to qualify during the interview
Top-rated applicants will be referred to an interview panel or selecting official for the required interview. Ratings may be further adjusted or determined as ineligible by the interview panel or the selecting official based on interview performance. Applicants may be interviewed one or more times as part of the hiring process. Once all applicant scores are finalized, the selecting official will make a final decision.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications or virtual assistants (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.) is prohibited during interviews. An exception for accessibility tools must be submitted through reasonable accommodation. Applicants who fail to follow these rules will be disqualified from the hiring process.
NOTE: This announcement may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates for future hiring needs. Applicants may be considered for positions in other directorates within the Office of Investigations.
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.
Position Level & Compensation
USPS OIG uses a Pay Banding system equivalent to the Federal GS scale.
This position is at the Journey Band level, equivalent to a GS-07 to GS-09.
Salary range is $52,766.00 - $83,911.00, including locality pay for all announced locations. For locality table specifics, visit: OPM's General Schedule (GS).
LEAP will not be part of compensation until successful, completion of the 12-week training course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), or equivalent federal law enforcement academy.
The job provides coverage as a primary position under law enforcement retirement.
Comprehensive Benefits
USPS and OIG employees transitioned from Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Program to the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program effective January 01, 2025.
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.
You must submit all required documents by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date of this announcement, Vacancy Announcement 13026940, by closing date 09/01/2026.
Important Note: Make sure you submit all required documents with your application. Failure to do so will result in your disqualification.
1. Resume (Mandatory)
Must not exceed two (2) pages
0.5" margins; recommended fonts: Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open Sans, Roboto, Noto Sans
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date, 09/01/2026, to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents.
You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account. You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account: https://secure.login.gov/, select the Application Status link, and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application.
Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
You are strongly urged to read and print the entire vacancy announcement.
OI - DAIGI 2 - Northeast Area Field Office
1735 N. Lynn Street
Arlington, VA 22209
US
Next steps
Once the Occupational Questionnaire has been received you will receive an acknowledgement e-mail that your submission was successful. After a review of your application package has been completed, you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the Selecting Official.
If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other locations or positions in other directorates in the USPS OIG.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
You must submit all required documents by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date of this announcement, Vacancy Announcement 13026940, by closing date 09/01/2026.
Important Note: Make sure you submit all required documents with your application. Failure to do so will result in your disqualification.
1. Resume (Mandatory)
Must not exceed two (2) pages
0.5" margins; recommended fonts: Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open Sans, Roboto, Noto Sans
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date, 09/01/2026, to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents.
You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account. You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account: https://secure.login.gov/, select the Application Status link, and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application.
Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
You are strongly urged to read and print the entire vacancy announcement.
OI - DAIGI 2 - Northeast Area Field Office
1735 N. Lynn Street
Arlington, VA 22209
US
Next steps
Once the Occupational Questionnaire has been received you will receive an acknowledgement e-mail that your submission was successful. After a review of your application package has been completed, you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the Selecting Official.
If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other locations or positions in other directorates in the USPS OIG.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
