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, at the full performance level you will perform the following duties:

• Conduct and coordinate high-level comprehensive investigations involving individuals, groups, or large organizations operating at a local, national, or international level.
• Use electronic surveillance, interviews, polygraph examination, and physical surveillance to obtain evidence in investigative cases.
• Make arrests, confront multiple suspects, secure scenes sometimes under potentially dangerous and hazardous environments.
• Take part in securing signed statements, affidavits, and documentary evidence for inclusion in reports or case records.
• Prepare sworn testimony on behalf of the government in criminal and federal grand jury cases.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This job announcement has an applicant limit and will close early when the limit has been reached. While we appreciate your interest in this critical role at ICE, please note that applications will move forward in the order in which they were received; not all applicants will advance to the assessment phases.

Organizational Location: These positions are located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations at 242 duty locations throughout the country.

Applicants from the July 2025 Entry Level Criminal Investigator Job Opportunity Announcement (VIN #12741844) will have their assessment results reused; those who passed will move forward, and those who failed will NOT be able to retest for one year from the date of the testing. Due to changes to the assessments, results from 2024 and prior years will NOT be reused.

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. Special Salary Rate locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.

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

Pursuant to Executive Order 12564, and the 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.

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.
• Requirements by Closing Date: Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• Probationary Period: This is a full-time permanent position (Career/Career-Conditional appointment). Upon appointment to this position, you may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• 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 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.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation which may include a polygraph examination.

Qualifications

Please 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.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

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 occupational 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 GS-07 grade level if you possess one of the following:

Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-05 grade level or equivalent, related to the work of the position, such as:

• Formal or on-the-job activities that support learning the principles, practices, procedures, objectives, and techniques of investigating
• Completing assignments, under supervision, that progressively develop skills to initiate, plan, and conduct investigations
• Observing and assisting in law enforcement and prosecutorial activities; AND,
• Assisting in preparation of documents related to various stages of the investigatory process. OR

Education: One (1) full year of graduate level education from an accredited college or university in a field of study which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of a GS-07 Criminal Investigator; OR a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university AND meet one of the Superior Academic Achievement Provisions:

1. Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision.
2. Grade Point Average (GPA):

• 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or
• 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.

3. Election to membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.

A college transcript(s) is required if claiming education in lieu of experience and must show your grade point average for all four years of undergraduate study, including all transferred courses. GPAs are rounded to one decimal place. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9. If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail or similar basis, your claim must be based on class standing or membership in an honor society.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of successfully completed education and experience as described above that totals at least one year. Education must be from an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

***Prior to the final job offer, an official transcript will be required.***

*****OTHER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

HSI Special Agent Basic Training: A mandatory component of continued employment is the successful completion of Basic Training, which consists of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) and the HSI Special Agent Training Program (HSISAT). The training is approximately 22 weeks in total. You may be temporarily reassigned to a non-law enforcement position if you fail to complete basic training.

Physical Fitness Testing (PFT): A Physical Fitness Test (PFT) will be administered. A passing score is required. Two PFT failures will result in your removal from the hiring process, and you will no longer be eligible for consideration under this announcement. Additionally, a PFT will also be administered at FLETC during Basic Training. Every trainee must pass the PFT during training

Current Federal Employees: Current federal employees who apply to this announcement may be required to accept a change to lower grade which will reduce their current salary based on Federal pay regulations. Pay retention will not apply. Current ICE employees in the 1811 job series will not be eligible for consideration under this vacancy announcement. For current 1811s you may be re-promoted; eligibility will be based on the completion of mandatory training, including the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP, or equivalent) and HSI Special Agent Training (HSISAT).

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.

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.

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.

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 job announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

The following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities were identified in a job analysis as necessary to perform this job:

• Conscientiousness, Decision Making and Judgment, Managing and Organizing Information, Oral Communication, Teamwork, Written Communication, Flexibility, Reasoning, Problem Solving, Interpersonal Skills, Emotional Maturity, and Continual Learning

Phase I Assessments:

• Assessments in Phase I must be taken during the timeframe specified in the invitation email and may be completed from any computer with internet access.
• Anticipated assessment window: February 6 - 11, 2026

Phase II Assessments:

• Applicants passing Phase I assessments will receive an invitation to complete Phase II assessments; detailed information about the scheduling process will be emailed.
• Phase II assessments are taken under the supervision of a proctor, by appointment only at ICE-designated testing centers.
• Anticipated assessment window: February 26 - March 19, 2026

More detailed information regarding the assessments and assessment process, including a Preparation Guide, may be found on the ICE.gov website here.

While every attempt will be made to adhere to the dates listed above, all dates are subject to change.

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.

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.

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. Resume showing work schedule, job title, salary, hours worked per week for paid and non-paid experience, dates of employment that includes beginning and ending dates with the month and year, and duties performed showing a detailed description of your job- related qualifications. You will be evaluated based on your resume and supporting documentation to ensure the minimum experience and/or education requirements are met. Please limit your resume to two (2) pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
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,
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 willbe separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans' information.
5. Are you a current or former federal employee? Submit a copy of 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.
6. 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.
7. 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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