Criminal Investigator Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. ST-12736037-25-OCSO Department DHS Headquarters
Salary $120,579.00 to $156,755.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 5/30/2025 Close Date 6/6/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the Chief Security Officer, Investigations and Operations Division. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Criminal Investigator overseeing and conducting criminal investigations in an effort to protect the Department's personnel, property, facilities and information.

Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Duties

As a Criminal Investigator, GS-1811-13, your typical work assignments may include:

  • Carrying out assignments, which may include, undercover operations, surveillance; search and seizure operations; making apprehensions/arrests; interviewing witnesses; interrogating suspects; and providing protection services on high-ranking officials.
  • Providing authoritative advice, guidance, and counsel to agency management officials on criminal investigations, federal lawenforcement procedures, policies, information sharing, joint initiatives, and systems interrogation.
  • Preparing and delivering effective oral briefings to senior personnel of the Office of the Chief Security Officer, Investigations and Operations Division and other Federal, state, and local agencies at all levels.
As a "rigorous" position, this position is covered by the Law Enforcement Retirement System. In accordance with Department of Homeland Security, DHS Directives System; Directive # 251-03 Revision # 01, candidates for law enforcement positions can not have reached their 37th birthday prior to the date of referral on a Certificate of eligible for a federal civilian law enforcement position. An individual who has passed the maximum entry age limit, but previously served in a covered position, may be eligible for consideration and reinstatement of coverage if they will be able to complete a total of 20 years of covered law enforcement service by the time he reaches the mandatory retirement day of 57. See OPM Retirement Handbook for further details. The Maximum Entry Age requirement may be waived for applicants eligible for veterans' preference. (See Maximum Entry-Age Requirements for Veterans' Preference Eligibles.) The incumbent must carry firearms and maintain proficiency in their care and use. Therefore, the position is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment, 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(9) and selectee will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment (Title 18, USC., Section 1001). This position requires successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination which certifies that you are medically qualified to perform the full duties of the position. Please see the GS-1811 Medical Requirements. Results of a recent (up to one-year old) medical examination must be provided prior to appointment. Determination as to contingency of the medical record will be made at time of appointment.

The incumbent will be responsible for conducting complex and highly sensitive criminal investigations into matters involving felony violations, handling a significant volume of complex and sensitive internal affairs investigations possibly on high-ranking officials. Provide authoritative advice, guidance, and counsel to agency management officials on criminal investigations, federal law enforcement procedures, policies, information sharing, joint initiatives, and conducting investigations into matters referred by the Office of Chief Security Officer, DHS Headquarters.

All DHS-HQ announcements have a 5 business day open period due to the number of applications received.
Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

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 for Selective Service.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation.
  • You must submit to a pre-employment drug test.
  • Current federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements.
  • You will be required to pass a pre-employment medical examination.
  • You will be required to undergo periodic drug testing.
  • You must possess or have the ability to obtain, a valid driver's license.
  • You must meet the established experience, basic training and in-service training requirements established for the enforcement of police powers, basic Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) or equivalent.
  • This position requires the completion the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). Note: For consideration, valid proof of certification is required with your application package.
  • You must be able to obtain a TS/SCI Security Clearance.
  • You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
  • Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal government, performing duties such as:
  • Demonstrating, and skill in investigative techniques associated with operational law enforcement intelligence collection; obtaining and evaluating information from many diverse sources including alleged criminals and reluctant witnesses; surveillance planning, to included surveillance activities involving multiple parties; uses detection practices to identify crimes trafficking, terrorism, cybercrimes, subversive organizations, threats to national security, and insider threats; using advanced investigative techniques to provide functional and technical oversight to special agents; and overseeing subordinate agents; and comprehensive knowledge of and ability to apply laws, policies, regulations, directives, procedures, executive orders, advanced principles, and concepts.

Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience will not be used for this grade level.

All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Time-in-grade: Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees, and those that have served in GS positions within the last 52 weeks, must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade, or a combination of the next lower grade level and an equivalent band in the federal service by the closing of this announcement.

Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1"), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. Employees applying with an interchange agreement must provide proof of their permanent appointment. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE.

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.

Current or Former Political Appointees: 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.

Essential Personnel Position - This position may be designated as essential personnel. Essential personnel must be able to serve during continuity of operation events without regard to declarations of liberal leave or government closures due to weather, protests, and acts of terrorism or lack of funding. Failure to report for or remain in this position may result in disciplinary or adverse action in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. (5 U.S.C. 7501-7533 and 5 CFR, Part 752, as applicable).

Education

This position requires the completion the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) or equivalent.

Additional information

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.

  • Selectee may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
  • Selectee will be required to complete an OGE 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Form.
  • Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will NOT be paid.
  • This position may be designated as essential personnel. These personnel must be able to serve without regard to declarations of liberal leave, government closures due to weather, protests, and acts of terrorism, or lack of funding.
  • Selectee must complete in-service requirements and weapons qualification for the enforcement of arrest authority as conferred under 40 U.S.C 1315 authority.
  • Selectee may be required to work overtime and shift work.
  • This position is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968.
  • Incumbent must meet the established experience, basic training and in-service training requirements established for the enforcement of police powers; basic Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) or equivalent.
This position will be filled at the GS-13 grade level. This position is at the full performance level.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of 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.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for Top Secret clearance as a condition of placement in this Special-Sensitive position. This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.

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.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, 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: Criminal Investigation, Criminal Law, and Oral Communication

After completing the Job assessment questionnaire you will then be placed within one of three categories based on your responses: Qualified, Well Qualified, or Best Qualified. If you fall into one of the three categories, your resume will be forwarded to the Subject Matter Expert for further evaluation. The Subject Matter Expert will determine if you meet the specialized experience required for this position. If you possess the qualifications and specialized experience you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. To preview the job questionnaire and application, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12736037

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be removed from consideration or your score may be lowered.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must be 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. (Note: Veteran's preference does not apply under Merit Promotion procedures. View VEOA information on Feds Hire Vets.)

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 well qualified under ICTAP, 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

  1. A resume (click the link for information on what to include) which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year, and indicates hours worked per week. If military or a civilian Federal employee, you must include your rank and/or grade. IMPORTANT NOTE: Only five (5) pages of your resume, starting at your work experience will be reviewed to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the specialized experience. Additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letters, links to additional information) will not be reviewed. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We may not make assumptions regarding your experience. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials may result in your removal from consideration.
  2. Your responses to the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12736037
  3. Are you a current or former federal employee? Submit your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current grade; your highest grade held; your current promotion potential and proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases and accessions.
  4. Are you a veteran? You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. The member 4 or member 2 copy of your DD214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable. The Character of Service must be visible. If claiming 10 point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference." If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans' information.
  5. Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Submit the following:
    • A copy of your agency notice,
    • A copy of your most recent performance rating, and
    • A copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.
  6. 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.
  7. Are you applying under special hiring authorities as a military spouse? Provide a copy of your:
    • Marriage certificate, and
    • Your spouse's PCS orders or a completed SF-15 with supporting documentation.
  8. Are you applying under Schedule A hiring authority for persons with severe disabilities? Provide evidence of your intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefit. Information on documentation can be found here.
  9. If you are referred, you may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.

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 standard time on the day the announcement closes 06/06/2025.

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.

To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Applicants must submit all required documentation to properly qualify for this position.

Agency contact information

Alisha Potts
Address
Department of Homeland Security Headquarters
OCHCO/HRMS/MS #0170
6595 Springfield Center Drive
Springfield, VA 20598-0170
US

Next steps

Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer with 60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.

Note: If you receive a job offer to onboard, please complete the onboarding forms and submit them electronically in an expeditious manner. Your start date may be delayed if the action above is not completed.

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.

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 Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Multiple selections will be made from this announcement.


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


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