Criminal Investigator Job

Vacancy No. Reg 5-2025-0001 Department Office of Inspector General
Salary $101,401.00 to $156,755.00 Grade 12 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/23/2025 Close Date 8/6/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Phoenix, AZOakland, CA


Summary

This office works within DOT to detect and prevent waste, fraud and abuse in departmental programs. The OIG reports to the Secretary and Congress and carries out its mission by issuing audit reports, evaluations, and management advisories with findings and recommendations to improve program delivery and performance. It conducts investigations into whether Federal laws and regulations were followed and reports suspected civil and criminal violations to the Attorney General.

Duties

If selected for this position, you will be responsible for planning, directing and conducting complex investigations of suspected fraud, waste, and abuse, and mismanagement in programs of DOT, as well as a variety of proactive investigations, including fraud prevention and detection surveys. You will determine the scope and depth of the investigation, analyze and evaluate evidence; and on the basis of findings, prepare investigative reports. Investigations require frequent travel and may occasionally require undercover and surveillance work. Investigations will typically involve violations of the Department's programs and regulations with respect to contract and grant fraud, illegal transportation of hazardous materials, aviation safety, and motor carrier safety. Results of investigations may form the basis for criminal or civil prosecution by the Department of Justice; withholding funds from a state or grantee; administrative personnel actions by DOT; or changes in practices and/or procedures by DOT.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizen.
  • Pre-employment drug testing and physical examination are required.
  • You must meet the specialized experience to qualify.
  • Successful completion of a background security investigation.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid state DL to operate a motor vehicle.
  • Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Selectee must relocate and fully reside within 60 miles from the regional office by the official start date.

(continued under 'Other Information')

Qualifications

To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, you must have one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience includes:

  • Securing facts and developing evidence in support of ongoing investigations
  • Conducting interviews,
  • gathering, reviewing and discerning evidence for use in charging defendants criminally
  • preparing fact-based written summaries in fraud and/or safety cases, with defendants having been charged or civil fines or penalties having been levied.

To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, you must have one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience includes:

  • Conducting interviews,
  • gathering, reviewing and discerning evidence for use in charging defendants criminally
  • preparing fact-based written summaries in fraud and/or safety cases, with defendants having been charged or civil fines or penalties having been levied.
  • Securing facts and developing evidence – independent of supervisor or prosecutor direction
  • Consistent record of defendants charged criminally or civil adjudications based upon lone or individual fraud cases or primarily as the lead in multiple fraud investigations.

NOTE: All applicants who do not currently, or have in the past worked as a GS-1811 Criminal Investigator in a federal OIG office must clearly demonstrate in their on-line application, possession of the experience. Applicants who fail to clearly and specifically address this factor in their on-line application will not receive further consideration for the announcement.

Applicants must meet qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Definition of Competencies

Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one’s job; works with,
understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

Problem Solving: Identifies and analyzes problems, weighs relevance and accuracy of information, generates and evaluates alternative
solutions; makes recommendations.

Decision Making: Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even
in uncertain situations; to accomplish organizational goals; causes changes.

Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling, communicates information (for example facts, ideas or messages) in
a succinct and organized manner, produces written information, which may include technical material that is appropriate for the intended audience.

Additional information

Conditions of Employment Continued:

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS- The duties of this position 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

Applicants must not turn 37 years of age before 30 days after the closing date of this announcement. If you are age 37 through 56 you must be eligible to retire at age 57 with 20 years of covered law enforcement service. All qualified veterans preference eligibles may apply and be considered for this vacancy regardless of whether they meet the maximum age requirements identified at 5 U.S.C 3307.

You will be required to satisfactorily complete the criminal investigator training course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center if selected and not yet completed.

Applicants who have already successfully completed the basic Criminal Investigator Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center or its equivalent will be given higher consideration for this position.

You will be required to qualify and maintain qualification to carry and use government-owned firearms. You are ineligible for this position if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, unless the conviction was expunged, set aside, or you received a pardon. In most jurisdictions, you must be at least 21 years of age to carry a firearm.

This position is eligible for Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP).

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL LIKE VACANCIES IN THE ANNOUNCED DUTY LOCATION.

This is a primary position that meets the early law enforcement retirement provisions of both the Civil Service and the Federal Employees Retirement Systems.

Best qualified candidates will be responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel expenses in conjunction with any required interviews, unless they are already employed by the Office of Inspector General at the U. S. Department of Transportation.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

Applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position. Applicants who meet the qualification requirements will be further evaluated on their responses to the on-line announcement questions.

Eligible applicants will receive a numerical rating based on their responses to the application questions for this position submitted on-line via WWW.USAJOBS.GOV. These responses must be substantiated by your on-line resume. Applicants who do not respond to the application questions may be rated ineligible.

TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG): Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. TIG requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Applicants who have successfully completed the basic Criminal Investigator Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center or its equivalent will be given higher consideration for this position.

The Human Resources Office is ultimately responsible for determining your final rating. Please ensure that your resume and application provide enough detail to support your answers to the Vacancy Specific Questions.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

Resume:

    • Your resume must support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
    • 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 may not be considered for this vacancy.
    • For qualifications determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., HRS per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete and you may not receive consideration for this position.
    • For additional information see:

FEDERAL APPLICANTS: For consideration as a federal employee, you must submit a SF-50 that verifies your highest competitive grade, full performance level, and eligibility as a federal applicant. DO NOT submit an award SF-50 as these often do not verify grade or eligibility. For consideration for a promotion, Box 4 of the SF-50 must show a date that is at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing. We recommend submitting your last promotion SF-50, current SF-50 or within-grade increase SF-50. Pay adjustment raise SF-50s for the current year will not support the 52 weeks’ time-in-grade requirements. https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/service/SF-50/

Merit Promotion - All current Federal employees must submit a recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) documenting proof of competitive status, tenure, current grade level and full performance level of the position held.  All reinstatement eligibles/former Federal employees must submit a SF-50 documenting proof of competitive status, tenure, grade level and full performance level of the position.  

PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL: Provide a copy of your most recent rating of record (i.e., final annual performance appraisal issued and signed by appropriate management official). If the rating of record you submit is not dated within the last 18 months, you must provide an explanation in your application as to why one has not been issued within the past 18 months.

Non-competitive eligibles - must submit proof of eligibility (i.e., SF-50 documenting the full performance level of a position held on a permanent basis).

SCHEDULE A - To receive consideration for Schedule A appointment, you must submit your certification from a licensed medical professional; or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. 

The letter must be printed on the licensed medical professional's letterhead and must include a signature or it is invalid.

DD-214/ VA Benefits Letter  - To receive consideration, all veterans must submit a copy of their DD-214 (copy Member #4). If you are claiming preference due to a service-connected disability, you must submit your Vet Letter from the Department of Veteran Affairs documenting your status. If you are a current service member, in lieu of a DD-214, you may submit a statement from your military personnel center certifying the nature and dates of your service and expected date of separation.

CTAP/ICTAP - If you are eligible under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), a copy of your certificate of surplus status, certificate of expected separation, or a specific Reduction-in-Force notice establishing your eligibility under CTAP/ICTAP.  CTAP/ICTAP candidates must meet all qualification requirements for the vacant position to include any selective factors; meet the definition of best qualified (GOLD Category); and be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry.

Supporting documents may either be uploaded or faxed to 571-258-4052. The requested information MUST be received by fax within 48 hours prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement (not including Saturdays, Sundays or government holidays). The requested information MUST be received by fax within 48 hours prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement (not including Saturdays, Sundays or government holidays).

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

Applications submitted via WWW.USAJOBS.GOV must be received before midnight eastern time on the closing date of the announcement. No extensions will be granted. If you fail to submit a COMPLETE on-line resume, you WILL NOT be considered for this position. Please make sure that the responses provided in the questionnaire are fully supported by your resume, that your resume is detailed and you have highlighted your most relevant experience for this position (to include starting and ending dates of employment for each position held), and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. If you fail to provide this information, it may result in you being rated "ineligible" or "not qualified" for this position.

If you exaggerate or falsify your experience, education and/or your responses to questions, your ratings are subject to change or you may be removed from employment consideration.  Applicants who do not respond to the application questions will be rated ineligible.

If applying on-line poses a hardship to any applicant, the Servicing Personnel Office listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted on-line by the closing date. Applicants must contact the Servicing Human Resources Office PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE to speak to someone who can provide assistance for on-line submission.  Requests for extensions will not be granted.

Agency contact information

Karen Muller
Phone
202-366-1490
TDD
202-366-2136
Fax
571-258-4052
Email
Karen.Muller@oig.dot.gov
Address
DOT, OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
1200 New Jersey Ave SE
West Building, Room W71-123
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States

Next steps

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your application status by the servicing human resources specialist via e-mail. It is essential that you have a current e-mail address on file and remove any restrictions from your e-mail account that may prohibit our contacting you via e-mail. You may also check the status of your application at WWW.USAJOBS.GOV.


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


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