Criminal Investigator Job

Vacancy No. ST-12732576-25-DH Department Pentagon Force Protection Agency
Salary $72,254.00 to $156,755.00 Grade 9 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 6/18/2025 Close Date 6/30/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Falls Church, VAPentagon, Arlington, VA


Summary

The employee serves as a Criminal Investigator and Special Agent in the performance of criminal investigative and protective duties in support of the PFPA mission. The employee is responsible for conducting a full range of criminal, employee misconduct, protective intelligence investigations, Protective Security Missions, and designated inspections. This position is a GL-09, GS-11, with a FPL of GS-13, positions are in various directorates, divisions, and offices of PFPA.

Duties

Incumbent typical work assignments may include the following:

  • Conducts criminal investigations of violations against persons and property under DoD jurisdiction, adhering to federal laws and directives, and makes arrests, as necessary.
  • Investigates complex cases of including threats, theft, computer crimes, and narcotics violations impacting DoD personnel, facilities, and contracts.
  • Prepares detailed investigative reports and briefs officials on findings and progress.
  • Conducts interviews and gathers evidence through records, surveillance, and undercover operations, security warrants and subpoenas as needed.
  • Processes crime scenes and collects evidence, adhering to applicable regulations and security protocols.
  • Conduct protective services missions and supports major events.
Additional Condition of Employment:
  • The following medical requirements apply to all employees: good near and distant vision, ability to distinguish basic colors, emotional and mental stability, and the ability to hear the conversational voice. In addition, the position requires common physical characteristics and abilities in agility, dexterity, and strength to endure regular and recurring physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking, driving, bending, stooping, carrying, or moving heavy or unwieldy objects over 50 pounds, running, climbing, crouching, crawling and kneeling during pursuit possibly in restricted, dark and hot or cold spaces, or defending oneself or others against possible exposure to explosives, chemicals, or other weapons of mass destruction (WMD)

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration)
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period
  • Must be determined suitable for federal employment
  • Required to participate in the direct deposit program
  • This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing
  • This position is subject to the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • This position requires you to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance
  • Employees in this position are designated as MISSION ESSENTIAL. Mission essential employees are expected to report for, or remain at, work in dismissal/closure situations due to adverse weather. natural disasters, or other emergency situations.
  • The incumbent may be required to travel extensively outside the continental United States (OCONUS) in combat zones, as well as outside of the assigned office commuting area.
  • The incumbent must be in a constant state of physical readiness, and must be capable of demonstrating maximum physical exertion without warning.
  • This position requires the incumbent to take and pass annual medical examination.
  • The incumbent must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license from the jurisdiction where he or she resides.
  • As an employee representing PFPA, it is essential that the employee always present a professional appearance (unless the incumbent is performing in authorized under cover operations)
  • The incumbent must meet requirements of "Lautenberg Agreement" which outline rules regarding possessing and carrying of firearms.
  • This position falls under the Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) Act. Incumbent is required to work an additional 2 hours per day (10-hour workday) in order to receive the 25% Availability Pay allowance as this Act specifies
  • This position is identified as a "covered position" under the PFPA Civilian Mobility Program, Regulation 1400.24. Candidates selected for this position on or after April 18,2018 must sign a mobility agreement as a condition of employment.
  • Retention in this position is contingent upon the successful completion of all federal, DoD and Agency directed training requirements.
  • This position is covered under the Federal Law Enforcement Retirement Coverage.
  • The maximum entry age for positions covered under the special Law Enforcement Officer retirement is 37 years old. Individuals who are past the maximum, entry age limit, but previously served in a primary position, may be reinstated.

Qualifications

For qualifications determinations, it is recommended that applicants include their months and hours worked per week for each employment listed on their resume. If a determination is not able to be made about the length of your creditable experience for qualification requirements, you will be removed from consideration. Read more about what should I include in my federal resume? at https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/

BASIC REQUIREMENT: The Criminal Investigation occupation has specific medical requirements which apply to all positions. 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. Sufficiently good vision in each eye, with or without correction; 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 level. Possess emotional and mental stability.

You may qualify at the GS-09 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:

Have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-7 level such as experience 1) applying law enforcement, protective, or investigative techniques in the performance of job duties; identifying problem areas and proposing and implementing solutions; 2) taking responsibility for own actions and those of team members to ensure the goals and deadlines for the team are met; and 3) leading meeting or seminars on behalf of a professional or academic group; setting work priorities and allocating resources; partnering with other individuals from within and outside the organization.

OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. The education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of this position. OR Combination of Education and Experience (see Education section for more detail).

You may qualify at the GS-11 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:

Have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-9 level such as experience in, or related to 1) planning and conducting complex criminal investigations to determine violations of Federal laws and regulations; 2) collecting and assembling facts to identify logical conclusion; gathering, analyzing, and evaluating evidence or data; conducting interviews and 3) interrogations; making arrests; conducting searches and seizures; taking responsibility for own actions and those of team members to ensure the goals and deadlines for the team are met; 4) partnering with or leveraging networks or relationships from outside the organization, experience managing complex projects including setting priorities and determining resource requirements

OR Education: Have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B, if related.

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.

All qualifications, education, and time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume.

Education

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 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.

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 are strongly encouraged to provide a copy of transcripts or degrees in your application package. It is also acceptable to document your applicable course listing in your resume (course number, credits earned, etc.). 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. If selected, an official/sealed transcript will be required prior to appointment.

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: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Superior Academic Achievement: Completion of a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in a field of study that demonstrates the competencies required by this position with either (1) a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale; (2) a 3.5 GPS based on a 4.0 scale for all required courses completed in a qualifying major field of study at either the time of application or during the last two years of your undergraduate curriculum; (3) class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or a major subdivision of the college; or, (4) membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College Honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies.

Additional information

A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.

If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application. Please view the following link for information on how to obtain an alternative application https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?%20title=Alternate_Application_Information

Appointment Authorities: For more information on appointment authority eligibility requirements:

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: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. http://www.esd.whs.mil/DD/DoD-Issuances/140025/

Nepotism: Under the provisions of 5 USC 3110, an individual may not be appointed into a position if the position is under the supervisory chain of command of a relative.

Additional vacancies may be filled by 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.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your responses to the assessment questionnaire. The assessment questionnaire link can be found under the 'How To Apply' section.

  • Communication
  • Constitutional Law
  • Criminal Investigation
  • Criminal Law
  • Organizing and Planning
  • Problem Solving
  • Public Safety and Security


ARE YOU A VETERAN CLAIMING SOLE SURVIVORSHIP PREFERENCE OR 5-POINT VETERANS' PREFERENCE?
You must provide legible copy/copies of the following: DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," showing all dates of service, type of discharge 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.). Veterans should upload their DD-214 once they receive it upon separation. You should also document your complete military service information in the Veterans Preference and Military Service Section of the assessment questionnaire (type of preference, dates of service, date of VA letter, character of service, disability claim and rank and date of retirement if retired).

ARE YOU A DISABLED VETERAN or CLAIMING 10-POINT VETERANS' PREFERENCE?
Disabled veterans, veterans, widows, spouses or the mother of a veteran, who are eligible for 10-point veterans' preference, you 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: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/

COVID-19 Vaccination: To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a Federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to E.O. 14043, that requirement does not currently apply. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.

Required Documents

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO DOCUMENT IN YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS YOUR ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATION CLAIMS. You MUST upload the applicable documents with your application package. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

1. Your resume may be submitted in any format that includes your name and contact information (telephone number and/or email).
If you submit more than one copy of your resume, only the most recent version will be reviewed. The latest timestamp will be used to determine which version of your resume is "most recent."

If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you will not be considered for this vacancy.

Effective 5/25/2022, we will use the resume's employment dates and grade information in conjunction with the provided SF-50 at the lower grade level to give credit for time in grade requirements. We will confirm time in grade at the job offer stage if needed. At a minimum, you are still required to provide an SF-50 at the lower grade level for promotion eligibility consideration when applying for a promotion for GS-positions.

It is still recommended you provide a Within-Grade Increase (WGI) SF-50 or multiple SF-50's at least one year apart at the lower grade level for time in grade confirmation with your application.

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 held. It is recommended you provide a SF-50 within the last 52 weeks before the closing date of this JOA for current federal employees.
  • Effective 5/25/2022, WHS HRD will use the resume in conjunction with the provided SF-50 to confirm Current Federal Employee eligibility. We will complete confirmation of Current Federal Employee eligibility at the job offer phase if needed. It is still required that you submit at least one SF-50 with your application and confirm you are a current federal employee via your employment dates on your resume for current federal employee eligibility determinations.
  • College Transcript(s), if qualifying based on education. Official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
  • 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
  • Noncompetitive appointment authority documentation, if applicable
  • Career Transition Assistance 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.)
DOES THIS POSITION REQUIRE A LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE?
You are strongly encouraged to provide a copy of your license or certificate in your application package. It is also acceptable to document your license number and the name of the licensing authority in your resume.

ARE YOU A VETERAN CLAIMING SOLE SURVIVORSHIP PREFERENCE OR 5-POINT VETERANS' PREFERENCE?1. You must provide legible copy/copies of the following: DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," showing all dates of service, type of discharge 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.). Veterans should upload their DD-214 once they receive it upon separation.2. You should also document your complete military service information in the Veterans Preference and Military Service Section of the assessment questionnaire (type of preference, dates of service, date of VA letter, character of service, disability claim and rank and date of retirement if retired).

ARE YOU A DISABLED VETERAN or CLAIMING 10-POINT VETERANS' PREFERENCE?1. Disabled veterans, veterans, widows, spouses or the mother of a veteran, who are eligible for 10-point veterans' preference, you 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: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/

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.

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement (06/30/2025) 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 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 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 view the assessment questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12732576
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/.

You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

Do not email or send hard copy resumes/applications to the Contact Information or Agency Information listed in this vacancy announcement. 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.

It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that all information in their resume and documents are legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers/documents submitted by an applicant.

Washington Headquarters Services provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please view the "Alternate Application" method listed in the "Other Information" section of this announcement. Your requests for reasonable accommodation will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Please visit the following link for more information http://http://www.esd.whs.mil/Directives/issuances/admin_inst/

Agency contact information

Washington HQ Services
Address
Pentagon Force Protection Agency
Human Resources Directorate
4800 Mark Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22350
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.

Stay informed of changes to your application status by signing up for automatic email alerts at: https://www.usajobs.gov/Applicant/Application/ListApplications?

Washington Headquarters Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Washington Headquarters Services uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: http://www.dhs.gov/E-Verify


NOTE: "Recruitment, relocation, and retention incentives may be considered".


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


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