Clarification from the agency

These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority for the occupation and is open to all U.S. citizens.

As a Criminal Investigator (Special Agent), you will perform the following duties:

• Serve as a Special Agent for interagency, multi-jurisdictional, international, and/or inter-organizational inquiries and investigations.
• Conduct investigations of marked difficulty and responsibility associated with trade, travel, finance, and immigration for combatting illicit activities associated with individuals, businesses, employers, criminal organizations or criminal conspiracies, and cyber systems and networks.
• Utilize a combined methodology of intelligence, investigative techniques, and legal authorities to conduct investigations and associated activities.
• Apply knowledge of the trends, laws, and investigative case development, independently or in coordination with other law enforcement officers (LEOs) or agencies to accomplish work.
• Prepare written documentation utilizing expert knowledge in support of investigations.

At the 9 grade level salary will reflect GL pay scale.

At the 11-12 grade level salary will reflect GS pay scale.

Salary: The salary range indicated in this announcement reflects the lowest and highest potential salaries for this position. The actual salary range will be based on the applicable locality pay for the selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.

You have the opportunity to identify two location preferences Special Agent in Charge (SAC) office area of responsibility. Note that multiple duty locations fall within the area of responsibility (AOR) of each SAC office. Please view the duty locations within each SAC AOR here. Your location preferences are NOT guaranteed. The duty locations offered will be based on the needs of the agency. If you decline the duty locations offered during the official job offer, you will be removed from further consideration.

Organizational Location: These positions are located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, in multiple locations.

These are non-bargaining unit positions.

First cut-off for referral consideration is December 12, 2025. Additional cut off dates for referral to the hiring managers for selection consideration will be established as needed by the agency.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• You must successfully pass a drug screen.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation which may include a polygraph examination.
• If referred for a polygraph, you will be required to travel at your expense to complete the polygraph exam and obtain a favorable result in order to continue in the hiring process.
• You must complete a pre-employment medical examination which may include a psychological evaluation and be found to meet the medical standards for the position.
• You must successfully complete a pre-employment drug test.
• Upon appointment to this position, you will be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• You will be required to sign a Mobility Agreement.
• The law enforcement profession carries inherent risks and you may be required to work alone in remote areas throughout the night or at times when you may have limited communication.
• This position requires the selectee to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, U.S.C. Section 022 (g)(9)).
• You will be required to testify at court. Law enforcement officers and agents must be able to testify without concern of impeachment.
• The date immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday is the last day for application submission (certain exclusions apply).
• You must have a valid driver's license prior to your final job offer.
• ICE Criminal Investigators may use deadly force when necessary, in accordance with the law and agency policy.
• You will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment Physical Fitness Test (PFT).
• A mandatory component of continued employment is the successful completion of Basic Training, which consists of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Criminal Investigator Training Program and the HSI Special Agent Training Program.
• You will be required to maintain the ability to perform the rigorous physical requirements of the job.
• You will be required to live within 50 miles of your duty station.

Qualifications

Limit your resume to 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position

You qualify for the GL-9 grade level if you possess one of the following:

Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience at the GL-07 grade level or equivalent performing these duties:

• Investigating or assisting with investigations in one or more programmatic areas such as narcotics, money laundering, financial crimes, human trafficking, fraud, international trade, network intrusion response, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, counterproliferation or general criminal or administrative investigations;
• Performing federal, state, and local law enforcement-related database queries;
• Collecting or analyzing information in support of general criminal or administrative actions;
• Conducting or assisting with interviews with generally cooperative individuals (e.g., suspects, witnesses, sources, and/or victims) to gather information.; AND
• Assisting in the preparation of reports in support of general criminal or administrative actions.

OR

Education: A master's (or equivalent graduate degree such as a L.L.B/J.D.) or 2 academic years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. Graduate level education must have been from an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of successfully completed graduate level education beyond the first full year and experience as described above that when combined meets 100% of the requirement. Graduate level education must have been from an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

In addition to above you will also be evaluated to determine demonstration of following competencies:

Problem Solving - Identifies and analyzes problems; distinguishes between relevant and irrelevant information; provides options for resolving problems.
Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
Interpersonal Skills - Considers and responds appropriately to the needs, feelings, and capabilities of different people in different situations; is diplomatic, tactful, and sensitive, and treats others with respect. AND
Flexibility -Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles.

You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess one of the following:

Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience at the GL-09 grade level or equivalent performing these duties:

• Conducting or assisting with a broad range of investigations, and developing specialized expertise, in programmatic areas such as narcotics, money laundering, financial crimes, human trafficking, fraud, international trade, network intrusion response, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, counterproliferation or general criminal investigations;
• Reviewing files and performing federal, state, and local law enforcement-related database queries, using law enforcement sensitive and classified databases;
• Assisting and participating in inter-agency partnerships, and in cooperation with other governmental and private sector entities;
• Assisting in planning strategies for the collection and analysis of information to support long-term criminal investigations;
• Conducting interviews and interrogations with cooperative and non-cooperative individuals (e.g., suspects, witnesses, sources, and/or victims) to gather information; and
• Preparation of reports, using acquired practical knowledge, in support of general criminal actions. OR

Education: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a LL.M., if related. Graduate level education must have been from an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and activities necessary to do the work.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of successfully completed graduate education beyond the first full two years and experience as described above that when combined meets 100% of the requirement. Graduate level education must have been from an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

In addition to above GL-9 competencies, you will also be evaluated to determine demonstration of following competencies:

Conscientiousness - Displays behavior that is dependable, organized, careful, and thoughtful, with attention to detail and follow-through.

AND

Managing and Organizing Information - Identifies need for information; gathers, organizes, and maintains information; and determines its importance and accuracy, and disseminates it by a variety of methods.


You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess the following:

Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level or equivalent performing these duties:

• Conducting a broad range of complex investigations, and exercising specialized expertise, in programmatic areas such as narcotics, money laundering, financial crimes, human trafficking, fraud, international trade, network intrusion response, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, counterproliferation or general criminal investigations;
• Reviewing files and performing complex federal, state, and local law enforcement-related database queries, using law enforcement sensitive and classified databases;
• Maintaining, developing, and enhancing inter-agency partnerships, and connections with other governmental and private sector entities;
• Planning and implementing strategies for the collection and analysis of information to support long-term criminal investigations;
• Conducting interviews and interrogations using advanced techniques with a wide variety of individuals (e.g., suspects, witnesses, sources, and/or victims) to gather information; and
• Preparation of reports, using expert knowledge, in support of general criminal actions.

In addition to above GS-11 competencies, you will also be evaluated to determine demonstration of following competencies:

Judgment -Makes sound evaluations of situations. Uses intelligence and common sense to avoid actions that could put oneself or others in danger or could jeopardize the effectiveness and mission of the organization.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.

A student loan repayment incentive may be available, in which case a service agreement will be required.

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 minimum qualification requirements as listed above.

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. The "Rule of Three", Category Rating and Veterans Preference will not apply to this vacancy. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Veterans: Although the Direct Hire Authority permits hiring without regard to Veterans Preference, applicants who are eligible for Veterans Preference are still encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). Staffing Policy View information on veterans' preference.

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.

DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan, ICE is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions (testing designated positions) are subject to random drug testing. Moreover, other drug testing of employees (e.g., reasonable suspicion drug test) may be conducted in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. All applicants tentatively selected for employment at ICE are subject to pre-employment drug testing and a final offer of employment is contingent upon a negative drug test result.

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. All documents must be in English.

1. Your Resume NOTE: For what to include in the resume, click on the link
2. Maximum Age Requirement Documents: If you occupy or previously occupied a federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position as specified in 5 USC 8336(c) or 5 USC 8412(d) and exceed the age of 37, you must submit a copy of all SF-50s reflecting the beginning and end dates of creditable law enforcement civilian (not military) service under 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or 5 U.S.C. 8412(d). The retirement code in block 30 must be annotated on all submitted SF-50s. If you are a preference eligible veteran and exceed the age of 37, please provide the documentation outlined in Veteran's Preference Documentation below.
3. Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript or a list of coursework with hours completed. A diploma is not an acceptable form of documentation. Your transcripts must show the list of courses completed, quarter and semester hours earned, cumulative GPA, and date degree conferred. The transcripts must identify the full name of the institution and include your full name. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information. ***Prior to the final job offer, an official transcript will be required.***
4. Are you a veteran? You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference status. 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 on official letterhead that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date of submission. 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 Plan (ICTAP)? If so, submit a copy of your agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.
6. If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request form found here.

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