This position is located in the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), Office of Security (SEC). The incumbent reports to the Threat Management Division (TMD) Chief. The mission of the Threat Management Division is to deter, detect, and mitigate insider threat and counterintelligence concerns.
Summary
This position is located in the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), Office of Security (SEC). The incumbent reports to the Threat Management Division (TMD) Chief. The mission of the Threat Management Division is to deter, detect, and mitigate insider threat and counterintelligence concerns.
This announcement is open to all current Federal Competitive Service, Career and Career-Conditional employees. Applicants who have non-competitive eligibility, such as, Schedule A disability, Peace Corps or VISTA, reinstatement eligibles, etc. AND those eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) or Interchange Agreements with other Merit Systems may also apply.
As an Investigator, you will be responsible for duties to include, but are not limited to: Planning and conducting complex and discrete insider threat inquiries related to USAGM personnel working for or on behalf of the agency. Duties include:
Responding to initial reports of potential insider threats through various reporting means by discreetly and expeditiously conducting a preliminary inquiry.
Conducting investigative activities, including interviews of sources, others knowledgeable, witnesses, and subjects, as appropriate, and performing record checks, name checks, and other authorized investigative research; evaluating, corroborating, and resolving significant derogatory information developed during investigative activities, through additional inquiries and/or interviews, as appropriate.
Coordinate, as directed, with appropriate internal entities, to include the Personnel Security Division and the Office of Human Resources, and external federal agencies when appropriate.
Organize and manage assigned caseload to ensure established priorities and investigative requirements are addressed and completed in a timely fashion. Report findings of preliminary inquiries along with a recommendation to either close or open a formal inquiry.
Report results of investigations in written and/or verbal form. Written reports must be concise, factual, logical, and grammatically correct. Verbal reports should be brief, factual, and highlight all pertinent issues.
Assess reported information and available intelligence to identify potential counterintelligence and insider threat indicators; evaluate source reliability and relevant contextual information; and recommend appropriate investigative or administrative courses of action.
Conduct research and analysis of counterintelligence, insider threat, and other relevant threat information and prepare analytical products, threat assessments, memorandums, and other written products to support TMD operations and agency decision-making.
2. Assist in establishing, revising, and/or reviewing policies and procedures involving the Threat Management Division and its mission. Assist in ensuring the agency is compliant with federal policies and procedures as it pertains to its insider threat and defensive counterintelligence mission.Participate in working groups, federal task forces, and symposiums that directly pertain to the Threat Management Division mission.
Support TMD Chief in the execution of the insider threat and counterintelligence mission by delivering awareness campaigns and training and developing and maintaining liaisons and contacts with various government, law enforcement, and intelligence community partners.
Conduct extensive research in preparation for inquiries and interviews based on questions of ideological nature and counterintelligence concerns.
Conduct counterintelligence pre-travel briefings and post-travel debriefings for USAGM, as appropriate, to ensure travelers are informed of relevant foreign intelligence, counterintelligence, security, elicitation, targeting, and other destination-specific threats and reporting requirements.
Assist in the development and delivery of tailored counterintelligence and insider threat awareness briefings based on emerging threats, significant events, overseas assignments, journalistic activities, operational requirements, and other circumstances relevant to USAGM personnel and mission activities.
Conduct research and analysis of counterintelligence, insider threat, and other relevant threat information and prepare threat assessments, analytical memorandums, incident summaries, and other written products.
Review and assess domestic and overseas incident reporting to identify potential counterintelligence and insider threat concerns, patterns, trends, andmatters requiring additional assessment, coordination, referral, or inquiry.
This is a sensitive and/or national security position. If selected, this position requires the completion of the SF-86.
Suitability Determination: If selected, you may be subject to a background investigation to establish your suitability for federal employment. The background investigation may include, among other aspects, a review of your credit and legal history.
This position is not covered by a Union Agreement.
This position may require serving a one-year probationary period.
The full performance grade level for this position is GS-12.
If you are a male applicant who is born after 12/31/59, you are required to be registered for the Selective Service.
Qualifications
For the GS-11: Applicant must have at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in Federal service performing the following types of duties:
Experience developing intelligence; performing quantitative, qualitative, or other analyses of relevant facts; reporting the results of investigations to attorney, auditors, and management;
Experience resolving complex investigative problems affecting compliance with laws or regulations; developing investigative work plans and;
Experience conducting interviews of witnesses, briefings with management before and after an interview, and preparing written interview reports; gathering and analyzing data; preparing investigation reports; and conducting complex investigations and valuations of assets, including public records.
For the GS-12: Applicant must have at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in Federal service performing the following types of duties:
Experience reviewing relevant facts and reporting the results of investigations ensuring compliance with laws or regulations;
Experience assisting others with conducting interviews of witnesses, briefings with management before and after an interview, and;
Experience drafting written interview reports; gathering and analyzing data; and drafting investigation reports as a result of interviews.
Education
Substitution of Education for experience:GS-11 Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree
or
3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree
or
LL.M., if related None1 year equivalent to at least GS-9Transcripts are required at the time of application.
Transcripts are required at the time of application.
Additional information
Applicants who are interested in applying under Delegated Examining (DE) procedures must apply to vacancy announcement DE-13100338-27-AG.
1. Candidates MUST meet all qualification requirements by closing date.
2. If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency. For Military Selective Service Act requirement information, please visit https://www.sss.gov.
3. Your application to this vacancy announcement will only allow consideration for this announcement. We cannot electronically or manually move your application to corresponding announcements if applicable.
4. Additional vacancies not reflected in the announcement that occur after the opening date of the vacancy announcement for position(s) identical (same grade, series and title) to the original vacancy may be filled from the selection certificate during the validity of the certificate.
5. Budgetary conditions may delay or otherwise affect filling this vacancy. However, all interested candidates should apply now.
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once your resume or application is submitted, a review of your qualifications will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements and competencies required for this position.
Competencies:
Attention to Detail
Decision Making
Problem Solving
Technical Competence
Written Communication
Possession of competencies may be addressed in a cover letter and/or resume. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your qualifications. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.
Fair Chance Act: Under the Fair Chance Act, agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer. An applicant may submit a complaint or any other information related to an organization's alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance. To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information to HROperations@usagm.gov, subject line: Fair Chance Act.
You are required to provide documentation that supports the eligibility and qualification claims made in your resume and assessment questionnaire. Failure to submit legible required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement may result in loss of consideration. Encrypted documents will not be accepted.
Resume (2 pages only): Include contact information, education, and detailed work experience (including work schedules, employment dates, and position titles).
Transcripts: This position has an individual occupational requirement and/or allows for substitution of education for experience. If you meet this requirement based on education, you MUST submit a copy of your transcript with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application. If selected for the position, you will also be required to submit official transcripts before your start date. *For foreign education, you must submit an equivalency evaluation from a member organization of Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE) or National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). The evaluation must include all criteria found on the OPM website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4.
SF-50's: Current and reinstatement eligible applicants must submit a Personnel Action (SF-50) indicating grade, competitive service, and career or career-conditional tenure. Merit promotion and VEOA applicants must meet time-in-grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, subpart F. Your latest SF-50 must be submitted for proof of time-in-grade.
Performance Appraisal: Current status candidates are required to submit their latest performance appraisal.
ICTAP: If you are an eligible Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) applicant, you may apply for selection priority. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 80 or above on the rating criteria for this position. ICTAP eligibles must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority: a separation notice; a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) documenting separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.
Schedule A: Applicants applying under Schedule A Disability must submit an appropriate letter from a physician.
Peace Corps/VISTA: Applicants applying under Peace Corps or VISTA eligibility must submit a letter supporting eligibility.
Veteran Hiring Authorities: Applicants applying for veteran hiring authorities must submit a DD-214 stating character of service, such as member 4 or service 2 copy. If applying based on disability status, must also submit proof of disability percentage such as VA letter. If you are still on active duty, you may submit a statement of service from your Personnel Command which states the date you entered active duty, the date you are separating, and the campaign medals you have received.
Interchange: Applicants applying for consideration under an Interchange Agreement with Other Merit Systems must submit a recent SF-50 or other personnel action (e.g., Post Office, Non-appropriated fund), reflecting status as a current employee under an approved system.
Military Spouse: Applicants applying under the military spouse authority must submit proof of eligibility including a marriage certificate. This must also include permanent change of station orders, proof of veteran's 100% disability, DD-1300 Report of Casualty, and/or SF-15, as applicable.
LMWFA: Applicants under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act must submit SF-50 forms to demonstrate service in eligible appointments for more than 24 months without a break. Proof of satisfactory performance (i.e. appraisals) during this period is also required.
Special Authority: If you are applying under a special hiring authority not listed above, please refer to the requirements for that authority and submit the necessary supporting documentation, such as an SF-50 (or equivalent) or a certificate of eligibility. For more information, visit the USAJOBS Special Authorities page.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you cannot complete the Application Package online, please contact the Human Resource Specialist listed in this vacancy announcement.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents and any appropriate Accepted Documents.
To begin, click Apply in the announcement; then, choose to create a new USAJOBS account or Sign-in into your existing account.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package.
You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before submitting it. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After completing the questionnaire and uploading appropriate documents, click the Submit Application to submit your application package.
It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered in the profile is accurate and all required documents are uploaded and submitted before 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/13/2026 of the announcement to receive consideration.
Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. If a document is not in legible format, applicant will not be able to view it in Application Manager which means applicant must again upload the documentation to the system by the closing date of this announcement.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account. The page will display the positions for which you've applied as well as the status of each application.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click on the plus sign (+) next to the job title to expand information about the job. Next click on Update Application to complete the application process.
Note: Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. This position requires the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described previously. Please carefully review the complete job announcement, including the Required Documents, Other Information, and How to Apply sections of the announcement.
Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail or e-mail. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact HROperations@usagm.gov or 202-920-2400 to request this.
Once the online questionnaire and application package is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
You are required to provide documentation that supports the eligibility and qualification claims made in your resume and assessment questionnaire. Failure to submit legible required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement may result in loss of consideration. Encrypted documents will not be accepted.
Resume (2 pages only): Include contact information, education, and detailed work experience (including work schedules, employment dates, and position titles).
Transcripts: This position has an individual occupational requirement and/or allows for substitution of education for experience. If you meet this requirement based on education, you MUST submit a copy of your transcript with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application. If selected for the position, you will also be required to submit official transcripts before your start date. *For foreign education, you must submit an equivalency evaluation from a member organization of Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE) or National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). The evaluation must include all criteria found on the OPM website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4.
SF-50's: Current and reinstatement eligible applicants must submit a Personnel Action (SF-50) indicating grade, competitive service, and career or career-conditional tenure. Merit promotion and VEOA applicants must meet time-in-grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, subpart F. Your latest SF-50 must be submitted for proof of time-in-grade.
Performance Appraisal: Current status candidates are required to submit their latest performance appraisal.
ICTAP: If you are an eligible Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) applicant, you may apply for selection priority. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 80 or above on the rating criteria for this position. ICTAP eligibles must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority: a separation notice; a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) documenting separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.
Schedule A: Applicants applying under Schedule A Disability must submit an appropriate letter from a physician.
Peace Corps/VISTA: Applicants applying under Peace Corps or VISTA eligibility must submit a letter supporting eligibility.
Veteran Hiring Authorities: Applicants applying for veteran hiring authorities must submit a DD-214 stating character of service, such as member 4 or service 2 copy. If applying based on disability status, must also submit proof of disability percentage such as VA letter. If you are still on active duty, you may submit a statement of service from your Personnel Command which states the date you entered active duty, the date you are separating, and the campaign medals you have received.
Interchange: Applicants applying for consideration under an Interchange Agreement with Other Merit Systems must submit a recent SF-50 or other personnel action (e.g., Post Office, Non-appropriated fund), reflecting status as a current employee under an approved system.
Military Spouse: Applicants applying under the military spouse authority must submit proof of eligibility including a marriage certificate. This must also include permanent change of station orders, proof of veteran's 100% disability, DD-1300 Report of Casualty, and/or SF-15, as applicable.
LMWFA: Applicants under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act must submit SF-50 forms to demonstrate service in eligible appointments for more than 24 months without a break. Proof of satisfactory performance (i.e. appraisals) during this period is also required.
Special Authority: If you are applying under a special hiring authority not listed above, please refer to the requirements for that authority and submit the necessary supporting documentation, such as an SF-50 (or equivalent) or a certificate of eligibility. For more information, visit the USAJOBS Special Authorities page.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you cannot complete the Application Package online, please contact the Human Resource Specialist listed in this vacancy announcement.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents and any appropriate Accepted Documents.
To begin, click Apply in the announcement; then, choose to create a new USAJOBS account or Sign-in into your existing account.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package.
You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before submitting it. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After completing the questionnaire and uploading appropriate documents, click the Submit Application to submit your application package.
It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered in the profile is accurate and all required documents are uploaded and submitted before 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/13/2026 of the announcement to receive consideration.
Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. If a document is not in legible format, applicant will not be able to view it in Application Manager which means applicant must again upload the documentation to the system by the closing date of this announcement.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account. The page will display the positions for which you've applied as well as the status of each application.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click on the plus sign (+) next to the job title to expand information about the job. Next click on Update Application to complete the application process.
Note: Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. This position requires the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described previously. Please carefully review the complete job announcement, including the Required Documents, Other Information, and How to Apply sections of the announcement.
Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail or e-mail. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact HROperations@usagm.gov or 202-920-2400 to request this.
Once the online questionnaire and application package is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
