Criminal Investigator

Legislative Branch

Government Publishing Office

Office of the Inspector General

Summary

GPO employees possess a diverse array of talent in many administrative fields and trades. We provide other agencies with innovative services for the printing, publishing, storage, and distribution of digital content. If you are an energetic, inventive individual looking for a challenging, yet rewarding career opportunity, GPO may be the place for you.

This position is part of the Office of the Inspector General, Government Publishing Office in Washington, DC.

This job is open to

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

Land and base management

Current or former employees of a base management agency.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Military spouses

Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.

Individuals with disabilities

Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.

Family of overseas employees

Family members of a federal employee or uniformed service member who is or was, working overseas.

Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista

Individuals who have served at least 2 years with the Peace Corps or 1 year with AmeriCorps VISTA.

Special authorities

Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.

Clarification from the agency

Applicants who meet the employment authority for Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998 may apply. See "How to apply" section for more information.

Duties

Evaluates complex complaints, information, or allegations received through the OIG's Hotline or referred to the Senior Criminal Investigator through other means to determine if they are under the OIG's jurisdiction under the Inspector General Act.
Determines whether complaints, information, or allegations merit further investigation and the potential for criminal prosecution or other civil or administrative resolution.
Plans and coordinates complex and comprehensive criminal and civil investigations which include setting deadlines, and monitors progress to ensure timely investigations and cost effective and efficient use of investigative resources.
Assists with developing investigative procedures, report formats and interview techniques, in addition to maintaining a substantive case load.
Conducts investigations into crimes dealing with but not limited to false statements, misappropriation of Government funds, theft of Government property, embezzlement, bribery, contract and procurement fraud, and other mismanagement schemes.
Provides testimony in Federal, State, or local courts. Conducts records checks and maintains liaison with Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

U.S. Citizenship is required.
Males born after 12/03/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
Must pass preemployment requirements prior to appointment.
May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
Physical examination and strength test are required.
Must qualify with and carry a firearm.
Must have completed the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Basic Criminal Investigator Training Program or equivalent. See "Qualifications" section for more details.
Weekend and/or holiday work may be required to conduct investigations.
Must possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's license.
Medical Requirements - See "Additional Information" section for more details.
Lautenberg Amendment - See "Additional Information" section for more details.
TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must meet time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. Applicants must have served 1 year at the next lower grade level (GI-12) or equivalent grade level of federal service to qualify.
A one-time recruitment incentive of up to 4.6% of the employee's salary may be offered in accordance with regulatory requirements and acceptance of a signed service agreement.

Qualifications

To qualify for the Criminal Investigator, GI-1811-13, you must meet the following requirements:

This position has a Selective Placement Factor (SPF) in which applicants must meet to qualify.
SPF - Completion of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Basic Criminal Investigator Training Program or equivalent (e.g., FBI Academy, DEA Academy, U.S. Army CID, Apprentice Special Agent Course, or U.S. Air Force; OSI Academy or other equivalent program.)
NOTE: Proof of completion is required. Failure to provide this documentation may result in receiving no further consideration for this vacancy.

In addition to the SPF, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience that is equivalent to at least the GI/GS-12 grade level. Specialized experience includes:

(1) Conducting a variety of complex investigations in accordance with federal laws, rules, and regulations including those involving theft of government funds and/or property, employee misconduct, embezzlement, bribery, conspiracy, and other possible fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement.

(2) Testifying in court proceedings and collaborating with Federal, state, and local law enforcement organizations to support criminal, civil, and administrative investigations.

(3) Preparing investigative reports.

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.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement (07/31/2026) to be considered.

Education

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

Additional information

Employment of Relatives:
Section 3110 of Title 5, U.S. Code, prohibits a Federal official from appointing, promoting, or advocating the appointment or promotion of a relative in the agency where the official is serving or exercises jurisdiction. In addition, Section 2302(b)(7) of Title 5, U.S. Code, makes it a "prohibited personnel practice" for a person in authority to "appoint, employ, promote, advance, or advocate for the appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement of a relative." For further information visit: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/3110 and https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/2302

Separated Employees:
If you have separated from Federal Government employment, you may obtain a copy of your SF-50 via: National Personnel Records Center, Annex, 1411 Boulder Boulevard, Valmeyer, IL, 62295; or visit the National Archives Website.

Work Life Balance:
The GPO offers Transit subsidy for commuters using public transportation (Metro Bus/Rail, MARC, VRE, etc.).

Background Investigation for a Secret Clearance:
To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the GPO requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy; this position requires a Secret clearance. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully completed a background investigation for a Secret clearance. This review could include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs; this security process may take between 6 weeks to 12 months.

GPO will conduct an interim security clearance, pending the completion of the full investigative requirements for the final Secret clearance. The interim security clearance will be granted based on the favorable completion of preliminary checks that are accomplished as part of the security clearance process. The Agency may rescind the tentative offer if the candidate is unable to obtain an interim clearance.

Medical Requirements:
Requires moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, 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. Sufficiently good vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required. Hearing loss, as measured by an audiometer, must not exceed 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz levels. 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.

Lautenberg Amendment:
This position authorizes the incumbent to carry a firearm. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to him/herself, or others is disqualifying. Candidates who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are not qualified for this position. Candidates under consideration will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of such an offense. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment (Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1001).

Schedule A (Disability Appointment): See "How to Apply" section for more information.

Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.

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.

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.

Your resume will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required; and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the competencies associated with this position. To determine if you are qualified for the job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation may be made and compared against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. You will receive a numeric rating based on your responses to the questionnaire. Your rating is based on both your responses to the questionnaire and information stated in your application. Please make sure that your self-ratings are supported by information in your application. The Human Capital Specialist may verify your qualifications and self-ratings during the application and selection process through quality review, interview questions, work samples, demonstrations, reference checks, and other means. Inflated qualifications may result in you being excluded from further consideration for this position.

You will be further evaluated on the following Competencies required for the position.

Criminal Investigation
Criminal Law
Oral Communication
Written Communication

We DO NOT require a separate narrative statement responding to the competencies; however, your resume must CLEARLY show possession of these competencies.

If you meet the qualifications stated above and you are among the top candidates your application may be referred to the Selecting Official for further review.

Required Documents

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 to 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 in sending in a complete resume, use the checklist at: Click Here
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action- If you are a current or former federal employee, you must submit a SF-50 showing the highest grade level held in the position for which you are using to qualify. Your SF-50(s) must also include the Position Title, Series, Step, Salary, Tenure, Position Occupied, and promotion potential (if applicable) to verify your status, eligibility, and one-year time-in-grade requirements. An award SF-50 is not acceptable. 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(s) 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 (FY2025) Performance Appraisal showing you have performed at an acceptable level. If you are unable to submit your current Fiscal Year (FY2025) 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 (FY2025) Performance Appraisal or a written statement explaining why it was not obtainable will disqualify you from further consideration. Failure to submit your current Fiscal Year (FY2025) 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.
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.opm.gov/fedshirevets/veteran-job-seekers/vets/
Criminal Investigator Training Certification - You must submit certification of completion or other applicable document showing completion.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete online Application Package, which includes: 1) your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire, 2) your resume, and 3) any other documents needed to verify your qualifications or eligibility (see the required documents section).

Please follow the instructions listed below for submitting your complete application package. Application procedures are specific to this vacancy announcement. Please read all instructions before you begin.

Resume Requirements:

Resumes are limited to two (2) pages.
Resumes should focus on the knowledge, skills, abilities; accomplishments and results; and training and education relevant to this position.
Resumes must be in the following format (for each position held relevant to this position):
- Short summary of position duties
- Accomplishments while in the position
- Results of those accomplishments

Copying and pasting position descriptions into a resume is not acceptable.

Illegible Information and/or Documents

If your supporting documents and resume are illegible or do not provide the necessary information for the Human Capital Specialist and/or Subject Matter Expert to make a qualification determination, you may lose consideration for this position.

Last Document Uploaded

If multiple copies of the same document are uploaded/faxed and submitted with your application, GPO will only consider the last copy of the document uploaded/faxed when determining your eligibility and qualifications. For example, if you upload/fax two or more resumes only the last resume uploaded/faxed and submitted will be considered.

Print a copy of the occupational questionnaire so that you may read and review the questions before submitting your online responses. Click here to view the Occupational Questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13007851

The completed online Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 07/31/2026.
The following applicants can be considered under Merit Promotion eligibles (also known as "status candidates"):

Current career or career-conditional employees: https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees
30% Disabled Veterans: https://www.opm.gov/fedshirevets/hiring-officials/strategic-recruitment-and-hiring/veterans/#url=30-Percent-Disabled
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): https://www.opm.gov/fedshirevets/hiring-officials/strategic-recruitment-and-hiring/veterans/#url=Veterans-Employment-Opportunities-Act
Reinstatement: https://www.opm.gov/job-seekers/reinstatement
Certain Military Spouses: https://www.opm.gov/fedshirevets/veteran-job-seekers/veteran-family-members/
Family Member Preference (Derived Preference): https://www.opm.gov/fedshirevets/veteran-job-seekers/veteran-family-members/
Individuals with Disabilities - Schedule A: Documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional that is certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine, a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist, or any Federal or state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. The letter must be on a professional letterhead and signed. View more information and sample letters here: https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/individuals-with-disabilities
Former Peace Corps or VISTA Volunteers - https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/peace-corps

To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.

You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://secure.login.gov/), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status

Agency contact information

DeAundra McKinnis

Phone: 202-512-1138
Email: dmckinnis@gpo.gov

Address: US Government Publishing Office
732 North Capitol Street
Washington, DC 20401
US

Next steps

After each step in the recruitment process, your status will be updated in the online application tracking system and if you have elected to receive email updates, you will be notified through your USAJOBS registered email address. If you have not elected to receive email updates, you can review your current application status in USAJOBS at any time. Please check that your USAJOBS profile contact information is current and correct each time you apply to a job. This will ensure we can contact you as quickly as possible.

In addition to changing your status online, we will send you email notifications at each major step in the process, to include: application received, eligible or ineligible, referred or not referred, selected or not selected.

Position Reconsideration Process
Applicants who have applied for employment with the Government Publishing Office who were found to be ineligible for a position, may submit a request for reconsideration upon reasonable demonstration that a reconsideration review is necessary. Request for Reconsideration will not be accepted for failure to submit appropriate required documentation and/or failure to complete required Assessments or respond accurately to Assessment Questions.

Applicants seeking a Request for Reconsideration should reach out to the servicing Human Resources Specialist indicated in the Vacancy Announcement to see you meet the eligibility requirements for reconsideration. If you meet the eligibility requirements for reconsideration, the Human Capital Talent Acquisitions and Transactions Division will review the application based on the reconsideration request to determine if the rating was appropriate and render a final decision to the applicant.

A request to reconsider a rating determination must be received in the servicing Talent Acquisitions Office within 5 business days from the date indicated on the Touch Point Notification, Notice of Results received from USA Staffing, or it will be rejected as an untimely request for reconsideration.

Criminal Investigator Job in Washington, DC