Clarification from the agency

Status candidates (current or former Federal employees with career or career-conditional tenure in the competitive service), Former Overseas Employees, CTAP/ICTAP/RPL, VEOA, 30%+ Disabled Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities, Military Spouses, Peace Corps, Vista, Land Management, and Interchange Agreement eligibles.

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.
• Provide authoritative advice, guidance, and counsel to agency management officials on criminal investigations, federal law
  enforcement 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.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute protective operations for senior officials. Collaborate with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to ensure seamless protective operations. Conducting vulnerability and security assessments of various DHS facilities and programs and produces written reports concerning those assessments.

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.

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

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 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
• 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) or equivalency. Note: For consideration, proof of certification is required with your application package.
• You must be able to obtain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information 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

Individual Occupational Requirements for the Criminal Investigator 1811 series is as follows:

Medical Requirements: The duties of positions in this series require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, and knee joints is required. Arms, hands, legs, and feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. Sufficiently good vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Near vision, corrective lenses permitted, must be sufficient to read printed material the size of type written characters. Hearing loss, as measured by an audiometer, must not exceed 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, and3000 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.

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; possessing comprehensive knowledge of and ability to apply laws, policies, regulations, directives, procedures, executive orders, advanced principles, and concepts; and providing protection services on high-ranking government officials.

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

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

This position has a Selective Placement Factor (SPF). If your resume doesn't demonstrate possession of the SPF, you will be rated ineligible. The SPF for this position is: Basic training and in-service training requirements established for the enforcement of police powers, basic Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) or equivalent certification.

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.

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).

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Investigative methods
• Protective methods
• Law enforcement techniques
• Exercising initiative
• Attention to detail
• Judgment and Problem Solving
• Ability to analyze and evaluate data or evidence
• Ability to partner with or lead others

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/12804020

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

Interviews are required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.

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 eligible under ICTAP, you must be placed in the well-qualified category for this position, as described above. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3).

1. Your resume NOTE: Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. For what to include in the resume, click on the link: USAJOBS Help Center
2. Your responses to the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12804020
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 or accessions.
4. Are you a veteran? You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable. 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.
9. You may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.

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