Criminal Investigator

Clarification from the agency

This position is being filled through an in-person career fair in Jacksonville, Florida open to Status Candidates (Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL); Federal Employees-Competitive service; Individuals with disabilities; Military spouse; Peace Corps & American Corps Vista; Special authorities; and Veterans). Please see How to Apply section for additional information. Register for the EXPO at Expo | Homeland Security.

This announcement is for the DHS-Wide Career Expo in Jacksonville, FL. Applicant must register for the Career Expo to apply and be considered. https://www.dhs.gov/homeland-security-careers/expo

The Office of Investigations is responsible for investigating the appropriate criminal and civil justice system those individuals and organizations involved in financial, professional, civil, or criminal misconduct relating to Department of Homeland Security programs and operations.

The GS-9 position serves as a trainee Criminal Investigator performing developmental assignments in support of senior investigators. Assists in conducting investigations involving alleged violations of criminal and administrative laws under close supervision. Gathers factual information through record reviews, interviews, and basic investigative techniques. Participates in portions of investigations involving less-complex cases or segments of larger investigations. Typical assignments include:

• Performs limited assignments involving clearly defined issues and precedents. Assists higher-graded investigators in gathering and organizing information for ongoing cases.
• Prepares basic investigative summaries and draft reports for review by senior investigators. As needs demand, support these findings with evidence by documents such as: statements, affidavits, financial and employment records, insurance information, criminal records, other transactions, and similar case-related documents.
• Maintains contacts with internal staff and occasionally external agencies under guidance.
• Performs routine administrative and support duties associated with investigations, including responding to inquiries and maintaining case files.
• May observe court proceedings and assist in preparation of case materials. As needed, will serve as a witness at civil hearings or criminal court trials, and testify before grand juries concerning evidence developed during criminal investigation.

• Performs assignments involving multiple issues or subjects where applicable precedents exist. Assists in larger investigations involving multiple jurisdictions or program areas. Performs portions of large extremely complex and sensitive investigations requiring inquiry into activities in various geographical locations.
• Prepares complete investigative reports for cases of moderate complexity. As needs demand, support these findings with evidence by documents such as: statements, affidavits, financial and employment records, insurance information, criminal records, other transactions, and similar case-related documents.
• Maintains working relationships with local, state, and federal agencies to obtain information, typically on routine or recurring matters.
• Identifies violations of Federal statutes, investigates wrongdoing, preserve evidence, ensure Constitutional rights of suspects and witnesses during an investigation, and presents findings, to OIG officials, prosecuting attorneys and staff judge advocates for action and/or prosecution.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
• Must complete a pre-employment medical examination that will include testing of your vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and mobility of extremities by an authorized Government physician.
• Selective Service registration required.
• Completion of 1-year probationary period may be required.
• This position is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment, 18 U.S.C. Section(g)(9)/Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968. You will be required to carry a firearm.
• You will be required to sign a mobility agreement.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state issued driver's license.
• This position is a Drug Testing Designated Position and will be subject to random drug testing.
• Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): LEAP in the amount of 25% has been approved for this position.
• Submission of Performance Appraisal Report is required for current and/or former Federal employees.

Qualifications

You will qualify for the GS-9 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-7 grade level. Specialized experience at this level includes:
1. Under supervision, understanding and utilizing techniques, methods, and equipment in conducting a full life cycle criminal investigation to include drafting and preparing concise, logical reports of investigations and summaries.
2. Assisting in presenting evidence that reconstructs events, sequences, and time element to establish relationships, responsibilities, legal liabilities, and conflict.
3. Knowledge of principles, techniques, methods, equipment and procedures to perform the full range of investigative activities and demonstrated knowledge of investigation techniques.


You will qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-9 grade level. Specialized experience at this level includes:
1. Knowledge of the investigation process and skills in fact-finding, analysis, and reporting to perform difficult and complex assignments
2. Presenting evidence that reconstructs events, sequences, and time element to establish relationships, responsibilities, legal liabilities, and conflict.
3. Knowledge of principles, techniques, methods, equipment and procedures to perform the full range of investigative activities and demonstrated knowledge of investigation techniques.

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. The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date 06/12/2026of this announcement. Current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade level or equivalent grade band in the federal service. The time-in-grade requirement must be met by the closing date 06/12/2026 of this announcement. 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.

AdditionalRequirements:

• FirearmRequirement: This position requires you to be authorized to carry a firearm and maintain firearm proficiency. Therefore, it is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment, 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) (9) and you will be required to verify that you have not been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
• Age Requirement: This position is covered by the law enforcement officer retirement provisions, 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) or 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d),and as such is covered by a mandatory age requirement. There is a maximum entry age of the day before your 37th birthday for original appointment into law enforcement officer positions as defined in 5 U.S.C. 8331(21) or 5 U.S.C. 8401(17). This age restriction does not apply to those who have prior Federal service in a covered primary law enforcement position, or to qualified Veterans' preference eligible regardless of whether they meet the maximum age requirements identified at 5 U.S.C. 3307.
• MedicalRequirement:This position requires you to maintain physical fitness standards set by the agency. The duties of Criminal Investigators 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. 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. Additionally, the duties of this position involve activities under trying conditions, as such, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. This position may require the completion of a Medical Examination that will include testing of your vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and mobility of extremities by an authorized Government physician. If a medical examination is required, you must be cleared by the authorized Government physician in order to be determined physically fit to perform the arduous physical exertion required of this position.
• This position has been identified as a Testing Designated Position (TDP); therefore, you are subject to drug testing under OIG's Drug-Free Workplace policy. Refusal to be randomly tested may result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

How you will be evaluated

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

This recruitment will utilize one or more of the following technical assessment tools: USA Hire, Structured Resume Review, Accomplishment Record, Job Knowledge Test, Structured Interview, Work Sample or Situation Judgement Test.

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, a subject matter expert review of your resume, 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):

• Analysis and Evaluation
• Arrest
• Attention to Detail
• Criminal Investigation
• Investigations, Surveillance and Apprehension
• Liaison
• Public Safety and Security
• Reporting And Recommendations
• Surveillance

Following the review of your resume by our panel of subject matter experts, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is committed to ensuring that all of our employees act in a manner that embodies the Department's Mission Statement: With honor and integrity, we will safeguard the American people, our homeland and our values. As an employee of the Department, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees and to the criminal conflict of interest statutes. These rules will assist you in maintaining your impartiality and acting in the public's interest as you carry out the responsibilities of your DHS position. If you have a concern at any time that a DHS assignment may involve one of your personal financial interests, promptly notify your supervisor and obtain ethics guidance from the appropriate Ethics Official before working on the assignment. You can obtain ethics information by emailing DHS, Office of Inspector General, Ethics Office at OIG.Ethics@oig.dhs.gov.

The following information must be received by 11:59 EST on the 06/12/2026.
Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length.

• Content of Resume: Your resume, or other written form you choose to describe your job-related experiences are used to verify your qualifications. It is important that your resume reflects the duties and responsibilities under each position you have held with each employer. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. It is your responsibility to make sure your resume states complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending dates of employment stated as MM/YYYY; and total number of hours worked per week). If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified, and you will no longer be considered for this position. To assist you with sending a complete resume, use the "What-to-Include" checklist on the USAJOBS Help Center.
• SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action- If you are a current or former federal employee, you must submit a most recent SF-50 showing the highest grade level held in the position for which you are using to qualify. Your SF-50 must also include the Position Title and Series, Step, Salary, Tenure, Position Occupied, and promotion potential (if applicable) to verify your status and eligibility. If you are unable to provide your most recent SF-50, you should submit a written statement explaining why it was not obtainable. This explanation should include your Position Title and Series, Step, Salary, Tenure, Position Occupied, and promotion potential. Failure to submit the required SF50 document or statement of explanation will result in an ineligible rating under merit promotion procedures.
• Recent Performance Appraisal -If you are a current or former federal employee, you must submit your current Fiscal Year (ex. FY2025) Performance Appraisal showing you have performed at an acceptable level. If you are unable to submit your current Fiscal Year Performance Appraisal you must submit a written explanation as to why it was not obtainable. In this explanation you should include your final rating. Failure to submit your current Fiscal Year Performance Appraisal or a written statement explaining why it was not obtainable will disqualify you from further consideration.
• DD-214 - If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, provide a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other equivalent documentation to prove your entitlement and to verify your type of discharge. Failure to provide this information may result in your application not receiving preference.
• VA Letter and SF-15 - If you are claiming Veterans' Preference based on a Compensable Disability, Widow or Spouse Entitlement, or as a Purple Heart recipient, you must submit your DD-214 or other proof of entitlement as described above; and SF-15, and the required proof of disability, i.e., Department of Veterans Affairs letter dated 1991 or later. Failure to provide this documentation may result in your application not receiving preference. (Please see veteran eligibility documentation for more information on veterans' preference in federal hiring).
• Active-Duty Service Members - If you are veteran who has not yet been discharged, you may provide a statement of intent to discharge from your agency to receive Veterans Preference under the VOW (Veteran Opportunity to Work) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. Agencies are required to accept, process, and grant tentative veterans' preference to those active-duty service members who submit a certification (in lieu of a DD-214) along with their job application materials. Agencies must verify the individual meets the definition of 'preference eligible' under 5 U.S.C. 2108 prior to appointment. A '"certification" is any written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active-duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. NOTE: If you provide a certification at the time of application, your preference eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. More information may be found at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-employment-initiative/vet-guide/
• Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) documentation, if applicable. For more information, please go to https://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/vetguide/index.aspx.

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