Summary
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Professional Responsibility, Investigative Operations Directorate, location is negotiable.
This is a Direct Hire Public Notice. Category Rating, Veterans' Preference and traditional rating and ranking do not apply to this Public Notice..
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
Open to all U.S. Citizens. This announcement will be utilized to fill positions through the Direct Hire Authority.
Duties
Limiting Number of Applicants: It is recommended that you apply as soon as possible in order to receive consideration as this announcement will close on July 5, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET or on the day we receive 400 applicants (whichever comes first.)
Locations are available in the following:
Bangor, ME, Bellingham, WA , Buffalo, NY Champlain, NY, Del Rio , TX, El Centro, CA, El Paso , TX, Grand Forks, ND, Laredo, TX, Los Angeles, CA, McAllen, TX, Miami, FL, San Diego, CA, San Francisco, CA, San Juan, PR, Seattle, WA, Sierra Vista, AZ, Tucson, AZ, Washington, DC, Yuma, AZ
This position starts at a salary of $61,965.00 (GL-9, Step 1) to $94,317.00 (GS-11, Step 10) with promotion potential to $134,435 (GS-13 Step 10). Typical duties include:
- Coordinating and completion of complex and sensitive criminal, civil, and administrative investigations involving alleged misconduct, criminal activity, and/or corruption by CBP employees and related entities.
- Employing all of CBP's authorities and capabilities to lead and/or support investigations of crime, counterterrorism, and counter-intelligence activities in proactive and/or reactive manner.
- Conducting proactive and/or reactive criminal investigations involving CBP employees and related entities suspected of crimes affecting the business of CBP including but not limited to extortion, collusion, conspiracy, forgery, bribery, embezzlement, theft, and fraud.
- Conducting proactive and/or reactive criminal investigations involving CBP employees or related entities suspected of crimes affecting the administration of Customs and Immigration laws including but not limited to perjury, giving false, fictitious, or fraudulent information, human and/or narcotics trafficking/smuggling, and other federal, state, or local violations.
- Investigating individuals, businesses, employees, and criminal organizations that represent a significant threat to U.S. national security through the corruption or attempted corruption of CBP personnel and programs, to include foreign intelligence organizations and terrorist groups.
- Gathering and analyzing vital information, facts, evidence, and intelligence from a variety of sources including open sources, law enforcement and CBP specific databases, and through interviewing subject and witness employees.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
- Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)
- You may be required to pass a background investigation and/or polygraph
- CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures
- As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link.
- DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.
- Financial Disclosure is required.
- Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Treasury Employees Unions - NTEU. For local chapter contact information see Chapter Websites - National Treasury Employees Union - NTEU.
- Mobility Agreement: Selectees will be required to sign a mobility agreement upon acceptance of this position. The selectee may be required to relocate to another duty location in accordance with applicable law, regulation and Agency policy, to a different geographic location, at any time during your employment with CBP.
- Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess the Ability to operate a Government Owned Vehicle. A valid, non-restricted driver's license is required.
Qualifications
Experience: You qualify for the GL-9 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
- Investigating and arresting individuals suspected of crimes;
- Gathering and analyzing facts, evidence and intelligence;
- Serving search, arrest warrants; and
- Preparing reports of investigations
Education Substitution: Successful completion of two or more years of full-time graduate education or a Master's (or higher) degree or an LL.B. or J.D from an accredited college or university, in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g. criminal justice, homeland security, criminology, justice studies, law enforcement and judicial systems, forensic technology or forensic psychology).
Combining Experience and Education: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels specified in the table, and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.
Experience: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
- Serving as a witness to testify or present cases to grand juries;
- Investigating individuals and organizations engaged in extortion, theft and fraud;
- Conducting undercover surveillance operations; and
- Preparing and executing subpoenas, search and arrest warrants
Education Substitution: A Ph.D. or an equivalent doctoral degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or an LL.M. degree may substitute for experience required at this level in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g. criminal justice, homeland security, criminology, justice studies, law enforcement and judicial systems, forensic technology or forensic psychology). This education must demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise three years of graduate study. If that information is not available, use 54 semester or 81 quarter hours.
Combining Experience and Education: To combine your education and experience, convert each to a percentage and then add the percentages. If your education is currently described in quarter hours, multiply by the fraction 2/3 to convert into semester hours then divide the semester hours by 18. To determine your percentage of qualifying experience, divide your total months of experience by the required number of months of experience. Add your percentages together. The total must equal at least 100% in order to qualify.
NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.
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.
You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 7/5/2024.
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.
Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information, review the following links: Background investigation and the e-QIP process.
Polygraph Examination: The Criminal Investigator position is a polygraph-required position. If you are not a current CBP employee in a law enforcement position, you may be required to take a polygraph exam and have favorable results in order to continue in the pre-employment process. Please see Polygraph Examination.
Polygraph Reciprocity: CBP may accept the results of a prior federal polygraph exam in lieu of a CBP polygraph exam. You will receive information to request reciprocity in your Background Investigation Package.
Polygraph Waiver: Certain veterans may be eligible to obtain a polygraph waiver. You will receive information to request a waiver in your Background Investigation Package.
Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:
- Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
- A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
- Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
- Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government
Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.
Education
Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.
Criminal Investigator Training Program: Criminal Investigators must complete an initial course of basic training, specifically the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, Georgia, or an Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) approved equivalent course of instruction and the OPR Special Agent Training Program at the Customs and Border Protection Advanced Training Center, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, as well as additional training throughout their careers. Both basic and advanced training programs are designed to prepare law enforcement personnel with the skills, aptitudes, and competencies required to serve as a Criminal Investigator.
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.
This position is being filled under a Direct Hire Authority. We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. All applicants who meet minimum qualifications and any basic requirements applicable to this position, will be forwarded to the hiring manager for consideration and may be contacted for an interview. As a part of the interview process, additional selection criteria may be administered by the hiring manager.
The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:
- Skill in applying, theories, concepts, principles, practices, investigative methods, procedures, and techniques, including constitutional, statutory, and international laws.
- Knowledge of the rules of evidence, criminal procedures, and court decisions concerning admissibility of evidence, constitutional rights, search and seizure, apprehension and detention of suspects, and related investigative and law enforcement matters.
- Knowledge of department and agency rules, regulations, and policy.
- Knowledge of CBP organizational structure, field organization and position descriptions and related job functions.
- Knowledge of CBP firearms and use of force policies as well as federal and state laws regarding the use of deadly force.
Writing Sample: A writing sample may be requested.
Veterans: Veterans preference does not apply to selections made using the Direct Hire Authority. Veteran applicants will be considered along with all other applicants who apply.
Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must have knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as defined above which clearly exceed the minimum qualification and any applicable basic requirements for the vacancy. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this job announcement.
Required Documents
- Your resume: A resume describing your job-related qualifications is required and will be used for the purpose of reviewing your qualifications and determining what training, if any, would be required when placed. A resume in English is required. It must contain your full legal name, address, phone number, complete work history including a detailed description of your duties, the dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YY), your hours worked per week, job title, as well as series, grade, and salary (if applicable). For additional required items, see the link. *Note- It is recommended that you upload your resume as a PDF instead of a Word document to ensure document quality. Ensure that your uploaded resume is not a password protected document, to include Office 365 passwords.
- Your responses to the job questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12448501
- Age Requirement Documents: If you are over the age of 37 you will need to submit proof you are eligible for this position. If you do not meet the age requirement and you are unable to provide this required documentation, you will not receive consideration under this announcement.
- DD 214 (Member Copy 4); and
- If you are a veteran with a service-connected disability; A VA Disability Award letter dated 1991 or later
- Active Duty Applicants: Statement of Service (Certification letter): If on active duty you must submit certification with the military branch letterhead that contains (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; (2) campaign badges and expeditionary medals earned; and (3) the character of service. Your preference will be verified by a Member Copy 4 of your DD 214 upon separation from the military. For more information visit Veterans' Preference
- Prior Federal Law Enforcement Service: If you are claiming an age waiver based on Federal law enforcement service; you must submit copies of your SF-50s reflecting the beginning date and end date of creditable Federal civilian (not military) service under Title 5 U.S.C. 8331(20), and Title 5 U.S.C. 8401(17). Block 30 of your SF-50 should show Retirement Code M or O.Veterans Preference: Applicants who do not meet the age requirement but are entitled to veteran's preference eligibility under 5 U.S.C § 3312 must submit the following documents to verify their claim:
*Although Veterans' Preference does not apply to Direct Hire Authority, upon selection, veterans' documents may be required.
- Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable at this time; however, official copies will be required prior to entrance on duty) or a list of coursework with hours completed provided from the institution. Education must be from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education obtained from a foreign university or college is not creditable unless it has been evaluated by an organization that specializes in interpretation of education credentials. For a listing of some accrediting agencies see www.naces.org. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.
- Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? You must submit a separation notice; your most recent SF-50 (noting your current position, grade level and duty location); a copy of your most recent performance rating; 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 of National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.
- Are you a current or former federal employee? If yes, it is recommended that you submit a copy of your SF-50(s) (Notification of Personnel Action) to support your experience. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases and accessions.
- Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
- Position title
- Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee)
- Agency
- Beginning and ending dates of appointment
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 begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and/or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English.
Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, your online questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 07/05/2024.
It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your application and you must again upload it by the closing date
Please upload your resume under "Resume" and any other applicable supporting documents mentioned above under the appropriate Document Type. If your Document Type is not listed, upload as "Other."
DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.
Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete
Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to hc-recordsmgmt@cbp.dhs.gov.
View common definitions of terms in this announcement.
Next steps
GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table.
The open period for this job opportunity announcement may be extended to allow for a sufficient applicant pool.
Once the job opportunity announcement has closed, we will refer all minimally qualified applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. You will be notified by email when applications have been reviewed and referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Stay informed of changes to your application status by signing up for automatic email alerts with your USAJOBS account. We expect to make a tentative job offer within 60 days after the close of the announcement. If you are selected, we may conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement. Further selections may also be made for additional organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.
If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
Additional Locations
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Los Angeles, CA
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San Diego, CA
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San Francisco, CA
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Washington, DC
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Miami, FL
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Bangor, ME
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Grand Forks, ND
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Buffalo, NY
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Champlain, NY
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San Juan, PR
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Del Rio, TX
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El Paso, TX
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Laredo, TX
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McAllen, TX
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Bellingham, WA
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Seattle, WA
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