Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. The 'Rule of Three', Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

The position serves as a Criminal Investigator in the Digital Forensics and Analysis Unit (DFAU) within the Office of Investigations (INV) and is responsible for cybercrime investigations and digital forensics activities. The incumbent serves as a specialist in digital forensics, conducting complex analyses related to criminal casework and mentoring forensic specialists located in field offices.

Serves as a criminal investigator, the incumbent must apply knowledge of the investigation process and skills in fact-finding, analysis, and reporting to perform difficult and complex assignments, equipment; the adequacy of such activities as field investigations, testing operations or research conclusions, or the social, physical and economic wellbeing of individuals.

Typical assignments include:

• Conduct digital forensics examinations using best practices consistent with Scientific Working Group for Digital Evidence (SWGDE) and in compliance with CIGIE standards.
• Lead cyberinvestigations involving DHS equities. Analyze initial allegations and take appropriate investigative actions using the full range of authorities to conduct the investigation.
• Provide on-scene digital forensics support for complex search warrants. Review affidavits for technical sufficiency. Testifies as an expert in digital forensics areas in court.
• Write and review final investigative reports and memoranda to ensure compliance with established quality assurance standards.

Other duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• You must be able to obtain TOP SECRET/SCI security clearance.
• This position is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment, 18 U.S.C. Section(g)(9)/Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968. You will be required to carry a firearm.
• Must complete a pre-employment medical examination that will include testing of your vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and mobility of extremities by an authorized Government physician.
• Selective Service registration required.
• Completion of one-year Probationary Period may be required.
• Submission of Performance Appraisal is mandatory
• This position is a Drug Testing Designated Position and will be subject to random drug testing.
• Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): LEAP in the amount of 25% has been approved for this position.

Qualifications

You will qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level. Specialized experience at this level includes:
1. Presenting digital evidence that reconstructs events, sequences, and time elements to establish relationships, responsibilities, and legal liabilities.
2. Utilizing physical and digital investigative techniques, methods, and equipment in conducting criminal investigations to include drafting and preparing concise, logical reports of investigations, digital forensics reports, and summaries.
3. Conducting digital forensics examinations, investigating cyber offenses independently, and handling and documenting digital evidence.


Selective Placement Factor
In addition to the minimum qualifications described above, you must meet the following requirement(s) to be considered qualified for the position: You must have at least three years' experience leading investigations into cybercrimes AND performing digital forensics examinations in criminal cases.

AdditionalRequirements:

• Training Requirement: This position requires that you have completed the basic criminal investigator course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA or its equivalent (FBI Basic Special Agent Academy; DEA Basic Special Agent Academy; U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Basic Inspector Training Program; U.S. Army Military Police School; CID Special Agent Course; and U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Special Investigators Course). (Copy of certificate or transcript verifying completion required upon selection. Please ensure it is listed on your resume.)
• FirearmRequirement: This position requires you to be authorized to carry a firearm and maintain firearm proficiency. Therefore, it is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment, 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) (9) and you will be required to verify that you have not been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
• Age Requirement: This position is covered by the law enforcement officer retirement provisions, 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) or 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d),and as such is covered by a mandatory age requirement. There is a maximum entry age of the day before your 37th birthday for original appointment into law enforcement officer positions as defined in 5 U.S.C. 8331(21) or 5 U.S.C. 8401(17). This age restriction does not apply to those who have prior Federal service in a covered primary law enforcement position, or to qualified Veterans' preference eligible regardless of whether they meet the maximum age requirements identified at 5 U.S.C. 3307.
• MedicalRequirement:This position requires you to maintain physical fitness standards set by the agency. The duties of Criminal Investigators 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. 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. Additionally, the duties of this position involve activities under trying conditions, as such, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. This position may require the completion of a Medical Examination that will include testing of your vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and mobility of extremities by an authorized Government physician. If a medical examination is required, you must be cleared by the authorized Government physician in order to be determined physically fit to perform the arduous physical exertion required of this position.

This position has been identified as a Testing Designated Position (TDP); therefore, you are subject to drug testing under OIG's Drug-Free Workplace policy. Refusal to be randomly tested may result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date 10/23/2026of this announcement. Current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade level or equivalent grade band in the federal service. The time-in-grade requirement must be met by the closing date 10/23/2026 of this announcement.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Your experience, education, and training will be rated using a job questionnaire that is based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job:

• Analysis and Evaluation
• Attention to Detail
• Criminal Investigation
• Investigations, Surveillance And Apprehension
• Liaison
• Reporting And Recommendations

If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:

1. Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF) and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis.
2. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
3. Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.

If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Preview the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13084517.


Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under ICTAP, you must be placed in the well-qualified category for this position, as described above. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.