Criminal Investigator

Clarification from the agency

This is a Merit Promotion announcement for Career Transition (CTAP & ICTAP) eligibles ONLY. Refer to Required Documents section for more information.

The major duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Leads and coordinates Department-wide law enforcement, security, and drug enforcement operations, including emergency response and critical incident management. Provides oversight of internal affairs programs and deadly force reviews, ensures operational readiness, and may serve in enterprise roles such as Southwest Border Coordinator, Emergency Management Coordinator, or other operational leadership assignments.
• Develops and implements Department-level law enforcement, security, intelligence, and training policies to ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, and executive requirements. Conducts program reviews, audits, and compliance assessments to evaluate effectiveness, reduce enterprise risk, and strengthen governance across bureaus.
• Maintains senior-level relationships with bureau leadership, the Office of the Solicitor, Office of Inspector General, FEMA, DOJ, DHS, Tribal governments, and other federal, state, and local partners. Represents the Department on interagency committees and task forces and serves as a principal planner for Emergency Support Function #13 under the National Response Framework.
• Serves as a recognized technical authority on Department-wide law enforcement and security matters. May perform in enterprise functional roles including Southwest Border Coordinator, National Training Coordinator (FLETC/FLETA liaison), Internal Affairs Coordinator, Emergency Management Coordinator, or Policy Compliance Lead. Exercises independent judgment in complex, high-visibility, and sensitive matters affecting Department-wide operations.

This is Federal Law Enforcement position covered by the special retirement provisions for Federal Law Enforcement Officer (FLEO). Candidates without previous FLEO service must be under age 37. Employees subject to special retirement coverage for law enforcement officers must retire at 57 upon completing 20 years of law enforcement service under the special retirement provisions for law enforcement officers. If these 20 years of service are not attained at age 57, mandatory retirement is required upon completion of 20 years of covered service.

Secondary Law Enforcement Coverage: This position is approved for Secondary Law Enforcement coverage under 5 U.S.C. 8331(20) and 5 U.S.C. 8401(17). Previous experience in a primary (rigorous) law enforcement position, or equivalent outside the Federal Government is a prerequisite. Special retirement coverage is extended only if this position immediately follows service in a law enforcement position. The conditions for coverage of a secondary position in the CSRS are contained in 5 C.F.R. 831.904. FERS applicants must have completed three (3) years of service in a primary (rigorous) law enforcement position in order to continue coverage upon selection (5 C.F.R. 842.803).

Incumbent is a commissioned law enforcement officer and will be required to carry and use firearms in the performance of their law enforcement duties. Incumbent will be required to participate in firearms training and qualifications, as well as physical standards and training consistent with Departmental law enforcement requirements.

This position is Special-Sensitive. The incumbent must be eligible for a Top-Secret security clearance and approval for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).

The incumbent is designated as an Emergency Employee and is subject to recall around the clock for emergency management operations or may be required to remain at work during dismissal or closure situations. Emergency employees are expected to remain in contact with their agencies at all times during emergency situations.

Salary Range Information (Per Annum): This position is covered under the GS Special Rate. First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level. Salary is subject to additional 25% Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) and subject to statutory limitation (maximum GS pay limitation rate of the Level IV rate of the Executive Schedule, or $197,200 in 2026).

Conditions of employment

• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Pre-employment and random drug testing is required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
• A physical examination will be required, or a statement regarding physical ability will need to be completed. You must maintain physical fitness standards throughout employment.
• Firearm qualification and certification are required for the role, and ongoing proficiency must be maintained. You must at least 21 years old. You must be free of any domestic violence convictions.
• A valid driver's license is required.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.

This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 08/10/2026 - unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.

Selective Placement Factor: This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. If you do not provide evidence that you possess the following selective factor(s), you will be rated not qualified.

The Selective Placement Factor is: A Law Enforcement Commission is required, and the incumbent must meet physical standards to maintain commission. Prior law enforcement experience, as gained by substantial service in a primary law enforcement officer or equivalent experience outside the Federal government is a MANDATORY PREREQUISITE for the incumbent of this position.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet (1) Medical Requirements and (2) Specialized Experience for the series/grade to which you are applying.

(1) 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 typewritten characters. Hearing loss, as measured by an audiometer, must not exceed 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, and 3000 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.

-AND-

(2) Specialized Experience GS-14: To qualify for the GS-14, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:

• Applying the Incident Command System (ICS) and the National Response Framework to coordinate Federal responses to security incidents, natural disasters, or national emergencies, including managing internal and external response initiatives on behalf of an agency or organization;
• Managing, coordinating, auditing, overseeing, or conducting internal affairs investigations, administrative personnel proceedings, and/or criminal investigations involving sensitive, multijurisdictional, or high-visibility matters;
• Developing, revising, or implementing national-level policies, standards, guidelines, or procedures pertaining to law enforcement and security programs to ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, or executive requirements; AND
• Leading and overseeing law enforcement training programs, developing and reviewing Department training policy, and coordinating accreditation, curriculum evaluations, waiver determinations, and investigative training initiatives.

-Must Meet All-

Quality Ranking Factor: Management has requested a quality ranking factor to help determine which of the basically qualified applicants are likely to be better qualified for a position. Quality ranking factors are knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies that could be expected to significantly enhance performance in a position, but, unlike selective factors, are not essential for satisfactory performance. Therefore, applicants who possess the quality ranking factor can be ranked above those who do not, but no candidate can be rated ineligible solely for failure to possess a quality ranking factor. Certificate of completion or other proof of course completion MUST be submitted with your application.

The Quality Ranking Factor is: Possession of FLETC's CITP (Criminal Investigator Training Program) and/or DOI_ITP (Department of the Interior Investigator Training Program) certification.

Condition of Employment: CITP and DOI_ITP equip law enforcement practitioners with basic criminal investigative training. Incumbents who have not completed either training program will be required to complete either training program within the first 12 months in the position. The Director, Office of Law Enforcement and Security (DOI-OS-OLES), may grant training waivers on a case-by-case basis when appropriate and consistent with program integrity and Department standards. Failure to complete either CITP or DOI_ITP training program or obtain a training waiver within the first 12 months of employment may subject the incumbents to adverse action up to and including removal.

Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

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 additional assessment(s) required for this position. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process.

Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

You will be assessed in the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of the USA Hire Assessment, if required.

All qualified non-competitive applicants and the best-qualified Merit Promotion applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

DUE WEIGHT: Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, you must submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration or your score may be lowered. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level.

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) -08/10/2026-unless otherwise stated.

1. Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates in month-year format (include month/day/year format if needed for 52 weeks of experience), and indicate hours worked per week (or full-time). Your resume must clearly show how long you have held each grade/rank. Resumes must not exceed 2 single-sided pages and resumes longer than 2 pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed. Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements. Resume Builder: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include
2. Complete All Required Assessments.
3. Performance Appraisals and Awards: All applicants must submit their most recent performance appraisal showing the official rating of record and signed by a supervisor. If the performance appraisal is not dated within the last 18 months OR no performance appraisal is available, you must submit a statement as to why it is not available (including if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level).
4. Eligibility Documentation:
   • Current and former Federal employees must submit latest SF-50 (i.e. Promotion, Separation, Within Grade Increase (WGI)) showing tenure 1 or 2 in block 24, grade, and if applicable, an additional SF-50 showing the highest grade or promotion potential held. Time in grade will be determined by reviewing your resume and required SF-50s. If your SF-50 showing highest permanent grade held has an effective date within the past year, your resume must clearly show that you held that grade for one year. Do not submit award SF-50s.
   • Veterans Preference Documentation: Veterans eligible under VRA (GS-11 & below only), VEOA, 30% or more Disabled, or Disabled Veterans Enrolled in a VA Training Program must submit the most recent Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions (e.g. DD-214) as listed on the SF15. If you are a Parent or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all documentation as listed on the SF15. You may request a copy of the VA letter from https://www.va.gov/records. If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active-duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
   • Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan (I/CTAP): If you are applying under I/CTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility including a copy of the agency notice, most recent performance rating, and most recent SF-50 showing your position, grade level, and duty location. For more information visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Career Transition Programs (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).

Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

Do not submit photographs with your application package. Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents.

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