Criminal Investgator Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. USTR-12727287-25-TW-DE Department Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Salary $84,601.00 to $109,975.00 Grade 11 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 4/21/2025 Close Date 4/25/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

This position is in the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), Office of Security (OSY). OSY provides agency-wide initiatives pertaining to physical security, emergency response programs, protective service operations, personnel and information security.

**Notice: More than one selection may be made within 90 days of the issuance of the certificate, if additional vacancies occur.

Promotion to the next highest grade level is neither guaranteed nor implied.

Duties

As a Criminal Investigator, GS-1811, GS11/12, your typical work assignments may include the following under supervision:

  • Serve as a Protective Service Detail member, providing personal and executive protection for the United States Trade Representative (USTR), or others designated by USTR, often on short notice, that involves high-level liaison with domestic and foreign law enforcement officials, and coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Secret Service, and U.S. State Department.
  • Coordinate activities with external organizations (e.g., FBI, Secret Service, State Department, Foreign Embassies, etc.) in preparation for USTR trips.
  • Maintain close proximity to the client at place of work, during travel, and in places he/she may occupy or visit; when required, interview abusive, threatening, or mentally ill persons seeking admittance to protected areas, determining in each case if they constitute a protection threat; and independently takes authoritative and immediate action in emergency situations, drawing on extensive training and experience and uses whatever force is necessary to quell a disturbance and shroud from assault; and provides written reports concerning unusual incidents or occurrences while on duty.
  • Evaluate proposed sites and facilities to identify environmental factors and physical conditions posing direct or indirect potential hazards to the USTR; select appropriate protective methods; and monitor the installation of mechanical and electronic detection devices, controls, guard stations, check points, and other facilities necessary to ensure the safety of USTR.
This is a developmental position. The duties above are at the full performance level of GS-12. Level of supervision varies at the GS-11 level.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • You must be at least 21 years old.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation.
  • Selective Service registration required.
  • You must be able to obtain and hold a Top-Secret security clearance.
  • New employees must serve a one-year probationary period.
  • You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative test result prior to appointment to this position. After appointment, you may be subject to periodic random drug testing.
  • Relocation expenses are not authorized. Other recruitment incentives may be authorized.
  • This position has been designated excluded from bargaining unit representation under the national security provision of 5 U.S.C. § 7112(B)(6).
  • All employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/ Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments.
  • This position may be designated as essential personnel.
  • Employee must be able to obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license. The work requires operating a motor vehicle.
  • Must be able to qualify with a firearm.
  • This position is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment/Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968.
  • Incumbent must submit a confidential statement of affiliation and financial interest.
  • Incumbent will be subject to a Single-Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) or Tier 5 equivalent investigation which must be favorably adjudicated.
  • Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
  • Must successfully completed a basic protective services training program (or other Federal Law Enforcement Training comparable course) and successfully completed an accredited basic law endorsement training program (civilian or military).

Qualifications

Individual Occupational Requirements

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.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Successfully completed a basic protective services training program (or other FLETC comparable course); Successfully completed an accredited basic law enforcement training program (civilian or military); AND Possess one year of previous law enforcement experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: All applicants must meet the qualification requirements outlined below to be considered minimally qualified for this position. The qualification requirements are in accordance with the OPM Qualification Standards. ALL QUALIFICATIONS MUST BE MET BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

Please submit proof of completion for both courses to receive further consideration for the position. Failure to submit proof of training will result in an ineligible rating.

AND

GS-11 Level: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector that demonstrates:1) Providing personal and/or executive protection for a client;
2) Investigating cases that involve matters of sensitivity and scope;
3) Maintaining liaison with law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and/or national level;
4) Maintaining close proximity to a client at place of work, during travel, and in places he/she may occupy or visit; and
5) Utilizing a concealed firearm against threats at events/meetings.

OR

B. A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or possession of a LL.M. degree, if related. Graduate level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position, examples of qualifying fields include law enforcement;

OR

C. A combination of education and experience as listed above.

GS-12 LEVEL: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector that demonstrates:
1) Providing personal and executive protection that involves liaison with domestic and foreign law enforcement officials, and coordination with law enforcement agencies at the local, state, or national level;
2) Evaluating proposed sites and facilities to identify environmental factors and physical conditions posing direct or indirect potential hazards to a client during personal protection events;
3) Providing analysis for complex criminal/protective intelligence investigations, including joint task force investigations involving numerous investigators and jurisdictions of other federal, state and local law enforcement departments or agencies; AND
4) Coordinating interviews of witnesses and victims to determine the reliability and credibility of information and statements provided during investigations of threats against clients.

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.

Incumbent must be able to successfully pass annual and periodic physical/medical examinations, drug screenings, and psychological screenings to maintain a level of fitness in accordance with standards and policies of the United States Marshall Service and United State Trade Representative.

Education

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

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. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly.

There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level.

Additional information

**Notice: More than one selection may be made within 90 days of the issuance of the certificate, if additional vacancies occur.**

A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements.

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.

Active Duty Military Members MAY apply under this announcement due to the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act. You must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions along with your application for Federal employment. A certification is a document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days from the date of application. If selected, appointment eligibility requirements must be met prior to the effective date of appointment.

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs & Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp. For more information about ICTAP eligibility please review the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/ictap/

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm

Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Main_Page

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternative Application.

Benefits

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.

Review our 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.

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Your resume must include detailed information as it relates to the responsibilities and specialized experience for this position. Evidence of copying and pasting directly from the vacancy announcement without clearly documenting supplemental information to describe your experience will result in an ineligible rating. This will prevent you from receiving further consideration. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Flexibility, Security, Technical Competence, and Technology Application

Category Rating Procedures: 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.

Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. This position is not considered scientific/professional. Other 10-point preference eligible and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligible within the category in which they qualify. View information on www.fedshirevets.gov.

If you are determined qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.

Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (I/CTAP) Eligible: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not I/CTAP eligible. View information about I/CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under I/CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your résumé showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed. Your resume must include detailed information as it relates to the responsibilities and specialized experience for this position. Evidence of copying and pasting directly from the vacancy announcement without clearly documenting supplemental information to describe your experience will result in an ineligible rating. This will prevent you from receiving further consideration. Note: If you upload more than one resume, the last resume received will be the one utilized for consideration. Please limit your resume to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

2. Other supporting documents:

  • Cover Letter, optional
  • Most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" showing you are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade or promotion potential held (if applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal Service). Please do not submit an Award SF-50 as it does not identify all the required information needed for eligibility verification.
  • DD-214, SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from Veterans for consideration under Veteran hiring authorities. DD-214 must be a Member 4 or Service 2 copy which reflects the type of discharge/character of service.
  • College transcript(s) only if the position has an education requirement or if you are utilizing education as part of your qualifications.
  • Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable.
  • Non-competitive appointment authority documentation, if applicable.
  • Career Transition Assistant Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program Documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)
A COMPLETE RESUME IS REQUIRED. Your resume must show relevant experience (cover letter optional) where you worked, job title, duties and accomplishments, employer's name and address, supervisor's name and phone number, starting and end dates (Mo/Yr), hours per week & salary. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, please ensure you provide the pay plan, series and grade level i.e. GS-0201-09.Note: If you upload more than one resume, the last resume received will be the one utilized for consideration.

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO DOCUMENT IN YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS YOUR ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATION CLAIMS. You are strongly encouraged to upload any applicable documents with your application package.

ARE YOU QUALIFYING BASED ON EDUCATION or A COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE? You must provide sufficient documentation of your education in your resume. You must provide a copy of transcripts or degrees in your application package if you are utilizing education as your part of your qualification or if the position has a positive education requirement. It is also acceptable to document your applicable course listing in your resume (course number, credits earned, etc.).ARE YOU CLAIMING SOLE SURVIVORSHIP PREFERENCE OR 5-POINT VETERANS' PREFERENCE? You are required to provide legible copy/copies of the following: DD-214 (member 4 copy), "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," showing all dates of service, as well as character of service (Honorable, General, etc.) or Statement of Service/Proof of Service (in lieu of a DD-214) from your command or local Personnel Support Detachment (PSD). The Statement of Service/Proof of Service must provide all dates of service, the expected date of discharge and anticipated character of service (Honorable, General, etc.).

Disabled veterans, veterans, widows, spouses or the parents of a veteran, who are eligible for 10-point veterans' preference must provide legible copies of the following: Applicable supporting documents as noted on Standard Form-15 (SF-15). To obtain a copy of SF-15, go to http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf.

Active Duty Service Members are required to submit a statement of service printed on command letterhead and signed by the command. The statement of service must provide the branch of service, rate/rank, all dates of service, the expected date of discharge and anticipated character of service (Honorable, General, etc.).

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

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 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.
  • Follow the prompts to select your résumé 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 it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
  • You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account(https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume, veteran's documentation, completed assessment, and SF-50's) is received and accurate. 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 or fax the documentation by the closing date of this 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 not be considered for this vacancy announcement.

Click the following link to view and print the occupational questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12727287.

Agency contact information

Client Services EOP - OA
Address
Office of the United States Trade Representative
725 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20503
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

After a tentative job offer, we will conduct a security background investigation and drug screening. If the drug screening is negative and security background is cleared, then a formal job offer will be extended to candidate.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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