Criminal Investigator - Special Agent

Department of Justice

Drug Enforcement Administration

Summary
This job is open to
Duties
Requirements
How you will be evaluated
Required documents
How to apply

Summary

Special skills may be required for some positions and locations, specific skills requirements for each location, if applicable, are listed in the Job Questionnaire.

North and Central America Division

Summary

Overview

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Accepting applications

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

Mexico City, Mexico

Work site options

Telework eligible: No

Remote job: No

Relocation expenses reimbursed: Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.

Salary: $76,463 - $118,204 per year

Pay scale & grade

GS 12 - 13

Promotion potential: 13

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule: Full-time

Travel Required: 50% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Appointment type: Permanent

Occupations and job series

1811 Criminal Investigation

Supervisory status: No

Federal service type: This job is in the Competitive Service

Represented by a union: No

Drug test: Yes

Security clearance: Top Secret

Financial disclosure required: No; Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number: IMP-13091343-27-SLW

Control number: 888882900

This job is open to

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Custom announcement

Duties

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Provides expertise and assistance to foreign agencies on narcotics and dangerous drug enforcement and control programs.
Participates in the investigation of international illicit drug trafficking.
Develops and reports on tactical and strategic intelligence.

CMB 27-060v - North and Central America Division - Mexico City, Mexico Country Office (HTF) - Vice: Jose J. Gomez (Position Available: November 15, 2026)

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

You must be a current Criminal Investigator to apply for this announcement.

Qualifications

Criminal Investigators at the GS-1811-12/13 level may apply for lateral reassignment.
Applications for reassignment will not be accepted after the closing date of this vacancy.
This is a non-supervisory position.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

MEXICO CITY COUNTRY OFFICE
Position Title: Special Agent (SA)
Series/Grade: GS-1811-12/13
Vice: Gomez, Jose J.
Location Division: North and Central America Division
Location Office: Mexico City, Mexico Country Office
Position ID: 27926
Length of Tour (Years): 3 initial
Position Available: 11/15/2026
Open Until Filled: No
LANGUAGE AND BENEFITS
Language Requirement: Spanish 600 Hours (20 Weeks) - Must achieve a limited working proficiency (Reading 2 / Speaking 2)
Post (Hardship) Differential: 15%
Danger Pay Allowance: 20%
Post (COLA): 42%
Rest & Recuperation: 2
Housing Allowances: Government Leased Quarters (GLQ)
Consumable Post: No
Furnished Post: Yes
Education Allowance: Yes
Special Allowance: No
Relocation Incentive: 20% one-time payment(Minimum of 3 years' service agreement)
Hard to Fill: Yes, Tier 3 Foreign HTF
Education Availability: K-12
Tour Limit (years):

Special Note: Education of dependents through high school provided by U.S. Government in accordance with appropriate regulations. The DOS Regional Education Officer from the Office of Overseas Schools determines a school's adequacy level based upon numerous factors. All questions and concerns regarding adequacy clarification should be directed to the Office of Overseas Schools at 202-261-8200.

Website: State.Gov - Search: Office of Allowances for DSSR 270 Education Allowance Policy

Post Differential and/or Danger Pay rates are subject to change.

Relocation Incentive: This position is eligible for a relocation incentive. To qualify for a relocation incentive for foreign HTF offices, an employee must sign a service agreement committing to a specified period of employment at the new duty station, measured in years, not to exceed four years. The incentive consists of annual payments of a specified percentage of the employee's rate of basic pay (as defined by 5 CFR § 575.202). The specified percentage and the number of annual payments are determined on an office-by-office basis at the time the foreign office is designated as a HTF office. DEA pays the relocation incentive in an annual lump sum payment to the designated employee at the commencement of the "approved" DEA-174 period and once the employee has established a residence in the geographic region of the HTF office. Refer to DEA's Hard-to-Fill Office Policy July 1, 2026, Payment of Relocation Incentive (2.c). Employees should contact the Foreign Administrative Support Section prior to completing the Relocation Incentive Service Agreement as additional instructions may apply for service beyond the initial three-year tour.

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.

Required Documents

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There are no required documents to apply for this position, however you will be required to provide a resume later in the hiring process.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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.

How to Apply

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A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

Agency contact information

Special Agent Assignments

Phone: 571-776-3065
Email: SpecAgentAssignments@dea.gov

Address: Drug Enforcement Administration
Do Not Send Postal Mail
Springfield, VA 21310
US

Next steps

All applicants who are eligible for reassignment will be requested by the Office Head posting this vacancy to submit written correspondence to include comments from their current chain of command.