Criminal Investigator

Clarification from the agency

U.S. citizens or U.S. Nationals; Military Spouses; no prior Federal experience is required.

The Department of Energy's mission is to ensure America's security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.

The Office of Environment, Health, Safety, and Security office is responsible for policy development and technical assistance; safety analysis; and corporate safety and security programs..

We are truly honored that DOE has been named America's #1 Best Employer for Veterans in 2023 by Forbes-not only among Government agencies, but among employers across the U.S. We are so proud of this ranking which reflects our commitment to the employment of veterans. As so many veterans at DOE renew their service to our Nation, we are deeply committed to their success and advancement. Veterans shape the future of energy


As a Criminal Investigator, you will:

• Provide executive protection services for senior DOE officials, often involving high-level liaison with various law enforcement agencies.
• Conduct and coordinate complex criminal investigations related to alleged violations of federal laws, including the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.
• Lead and/or assis in investigations of threats against Cabinet-level officials, ensuring proper evidence collection and legal proceedings.
• Plan and conduct site advance preparedness for the Secretary of Energy and other protectees, including evaluating sites and developing security plans.
• Employ appropriate use of force, including deadly force, to neutralize threats from aggressors.
• Develop and lead special projects to enhance protective plans, policies, and standard procedures.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
• If selected, your appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
• This position is not remote, the selectee will be expected to report to the duty station(s) listed. If selected, military spouses, veteran caregivers, and spouses of foreign service employees may be eligible for applicable workplace flexibilities.
• Incumbent may work other than normal duty hours, which can include evenings, weekends, emergencies, and/or holidays.
• Position is designated as a security high risk position and therefore is subject to polygraph examination.
• Must carry and maintain proficiency in the judicious use of firearms and other weapons in the performance of duties and continue to meet the requirement of the Lautenberg Amendment.
• Must be available to work an average of twenty (20) additional hours per pay period to meet requirements of the Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP), as prescribed in Title 5 United States Code, Section 5545.
• The travel requirements normally result in the incumbent being away from home 50% of their time with trips averaging at times two to three weeks over a monthly period.
• Position is designated as an emergency essential employee. Functions of this position are critical to agency operations in dismissal or closure situations.
• Criminal Investigator (GS-1811) positions generally carry a mandatory maximum entry age of 40 in accordance with applicable regulations and DOE policy.

Qualifications

Waiver of Mandatory Entry Age: Criminal Investigator (GS-1811) positions generally carry a mandatory maximum entry age of 40 in accordance with applicable regulations and DOE policy. DOE may waive the maximum entry age requirement for this recruitment. This waiver:

• Applies to all qualified and eligible candidates; and
• Is not limited to candidates with prior military service or any specific applicant group.

Candidates selected under this announcement may be granted a one-time, individual age waiver as part of the appointment process. All applicants must meet all other qualification, suitability and appointment requirements for the position.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: The duties require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking, prolonged periods of standing, use of firearms, impact weapons, 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 distance vision in each eye, correction permitted, to 20/20 is mandatory. 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, applicant must possess emotional and mental stability. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to him/herself, or others is disqualifying. Any pre-existing condition that is intentionally hidden during the hiring process, including falsification of medical records, is grounds for termination of employment.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level.Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting at least 2 of the following:
1) Providing protection services for executives, higher level officials and management, and others designated by Agency or situation to including site advance preparedness coordinating with local law enforcement agencies;
2) Conducting or assisting in investigations involving developing facts and evidence, conducting interviews, and interrogations;
3) Making arrests or conducting searches and seizures; and providing Continuity of Operations.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications. Your full resume will be made available to the hiring manager if you are referred.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must (1) meet all of the requirements as described in this section; and 2) be rated "well-qualified", which is defined as scoring in the in Well Qualified category (or higher).

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application will be assessed based on your responses to an online assessment that measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. Your score will place you into one of three pre-defined quality categories under Category Rating procedures. These categories are "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified", and "Qualified". You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.

Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the following competencies. Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your resume how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the competencies identified below. Use specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position.

• Attention to Detail
• Criminal Investigation
• Criminal Law
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Forensics
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Physical Security
• Planning and Evaluating
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

• Application of Veterans' Preference: If you are a preference eligible candidate, you will be listed at the top of whichever quality category your rating places you in. CP/CPS veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except professional and scientific positions at GS-9 and higher.
• Non-Competitive Hiring Authority for Military Spouses: If you are a military spouse eligible under this authority, and you meet the minimum qualification requirements for the position, you will be referred to the selecting official for consideration on a separate list specific to only military spouses.
• Career Transition Assistance Programs: To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet the eligibility criteria; and 2) be rated "well-qualified", which is defined as scoring in the in Well Qualified category (or higher).

To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes:

• Your two (2) pageRESUME showing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
• Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume.
• Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement. Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements.
• Veterans' Preference documentation,if applicable, DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter. For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information.
• CTAP/ICTAP Eligible Applicants: To receive selection priority, you must submit the following documentation with your application:
  • Proof of Eligibility: A copy of your agency-issued Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, a copy of your separation SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) noting transition/displaced status, or other official agency documentation confirming your eligible status.
  • Proof of Performance Rating: A copy of your most recent performance appraisal/rating of record, which must include:
    • Your final rating (must be at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent); and
    • The rating scale/guide (explaining what each level/numeric score means), unless the rating scale is clearly defined on the appraisal document itself.
    • Note: While a formal performance appraisal is highly recommended and requested to expedite your evaluation, if your agency-issued RIF separation notice or other official separation documentation explicitly states that your performance was at least "Fully Successful" (or equivalent) and notes your rating of record, it may be accepted in lieu of a formal performance appraisal. Failure to provide any documentation proving a rating of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent will result in the loss of your priority consideration. For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.
• Military Spouse, if applicable, Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders authorizing you to accompany the Military member to the new duty permanent station; OR verification of the member's 100% disability (VA Letter); and/or verification of the member's death while on active duty (DD-1300 and Death Certificate) AND verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage). For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center.

Incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Do not provide photos or list a Social Security Number or date of birth on any attachment.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement, as demonstrated in your application and your responses to all assessments required for this position. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application or cheating on the assessment may result in removal from consideration. Responses to assessments must be prepared solely by the applicant. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, CoPilot) to draft, edit, or generate responses is strictly prohibited and may result in removal from consideration.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (10/14/2026) of this announcement. To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, clickhttps://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13086252.

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