Criminal Investigator (Desk Officer) Job

Vacancy No. HQ INV OPS-2026-0002 Department Office of Inspector General
Salary $125,776.00 to $197,200.00 Grade 14 to 14
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 3/9/2026 Close Date 3/16/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Phoenix, AZCerritos, CAOakland, CALakewood, CO
Washington, DCJacksonville, FLSunrise, FLAtlanta, GA
Lombard, ILNew Orleans, LAWoburn, MAKansas City, MO
Raleigh, NCWhite Plains, NYColumbus, OHOklahoma City, OK
King of Prussia, PAFort Worth, TXHouston, TXSalt Lake City, UT
Seattle, WA


Summary

Investigations will typically involve violations of the Department's programs and regulations with respect to illegal transportation of hazardous materials, aviation safety, contract and grant fraud and motor carrier safety.  Results of investigations may form the basis for withholding funds from a state, criminal or civil prosecution by the Department of Justice; administrative personnel actions by DOT; or changes in practices and/or procedures by DOT. 

This job is open to

Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to current employees of the Office of Inspector General at the Department of Transportation who have competitive status. The selectee will remain in their current duty location. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL LIKE VACANCIES IN THE ANNOUNCED DUTY LOCATION.

Duties

You will serve as a Criminal Investigator (Desk Officer), with responsibility for providing investigative services, technical advice, and overall coordination of all investigative operations. The duties of this position will primarily consist of preparing reports, preparing statistical data, briefings, and speeches based on the investigative and operational activities of the OIG and will involve oversight of the field's investigative work to ensure that it is being conducted in conformance with OIG policies and procedures.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Valid driver's license required.
  • Pre-employment drug testing and physical exam is required.
  • Submit application and resume online by 11:59 P.M. EST on the closing date.
  • This position is subject to a background investigation.

Selectee must reside within 65 miles from duty location by start date. 

Qualifications

GS-14: To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, you must have one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service.  Examples of specialized experience includes: experience conducting investigations of criminal, civil, regulatory, or administrative violations (e.g. embezzlement, bribery, fraud against the Government, false claims, kickbacks, bid rigging, conflicts of interest, non-compliance with administrative/legislative requirements, etc).

All documents must be received and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.  Your resume must be well documented with the specialized experience, otherwise you may be deemed ineligible.

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE qualifications for the grade(s) at which you are requesting consideration. Applicants must meet qualifications and time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

Your resume will be evaluated based on the following competencies:

1. Case Management - Develops comprehensive investigative plans that clearly identify allegations, targets, and law enforcement operations that further the case.

2. Communication (written and verbal) - Conducts structured and effective interviews and produces grammatically correct, comprehensive and logically organized written products that clearly explain investigative findings and plans.

3. Ability to work on a team- Establishes productive working relationships with law enforcement partners and internal teams.

4. Judgment, Decision-Making, and Adaptability - Demonstrates sound judgment in operational planning and execution, with the ability to adapt effectively to rapidly changing conditions.

5. External Awareness/Attention to Detail - Identifies and understands trends that affect the organization and support the organization’s goals and completes tasks without overlooking key steps or processes.

6. Law Enforcement Operations and Compliance with Laws and Rules & Regulations - Demonstrates knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and investigative authorities and executes law enforcement actions in compliance with legal and procedural requirements.

Additional information

Applicants must not turn 37 years of age before 30 days after the closing date of this announcement.  Or, if you are age 37 through 56 you must be eligible to retire at age 57 with 20 years of covered law enforcement service. All qualified veterans preference eligibles may apply and be considered for this vacancy regardless of whether they meet the maximum age requirements identified at 5 U.S.C 3307. 

In most jurisdictions, you must be at least 21 years of age to carry a firearm.  This is a secondary position and meets the early law enforcement retirement provisions of both the Civil Service and the Federal Employees Retirement Systems.

If selected for this position, you must successfully complete a pre-employment medical examination and drug test and will be  subject to favorable adjudication of an employment suitability determination, as well as satisfactorily complete the criminal investigator training course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, in Glynco, Georgia.

Because you will be required to qualify to carry and use government-owned firearms as part of your assigned duties (and maintain this qualification) you are ineligible for this position if, at any time, you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, unless the conviction was expunged, set aside, or you received a pardon.

Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): eligibility for an increase to salary of 25% for unscheduled duty in excess of the 40-hour workweek.

APPLICANTS MUST MEET QUALIFICATIONS BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT.  

Any male applicant who was born after December 31, 1959, and who is subsequently selected for this position must certify that he is registered for the military selective service by the date he is to enter on duty.  False certification may result in termination after appointment.

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL LIKE VACANCIES IN THE ANNOUNCED DUTY LOCATION.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, careers@oig.dot.gov

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.

All applicants: Your application will be reviewed in two phases to determine how you move forward in the hiring process.

Phase I: Your resume will be reviewed to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. ONLY two (2) pages of your resume will be reviewed. Additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) will not be reviewed.

Applicants passing “Phase I” will move on to the “Phase II” of the assessment process where your application will be reviewed and rated based on the KSAs/Competencies listed in the vacancy announcement by a Subject Matter Expert (SME). Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents). Applicants who do not respond to the application questions may be rated ineligible.

Federal employees must meet Time-In-Grade (TIG) requirements for merit promotion consideration.  TIG is the 52-week requirement Federal employees in competitive service, General Schedule (GS) positions at GS-5 and above must serve before they are eligible for promotion to the next grade level. TIG requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Supporting documents may either be uploaded or faxed to 571-258-4052. The requested information MUST be received by fax within 48 hours prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement (not including Saturdays, Sundays or government holidays).

NOTE: If you exaggerate or falsify your experience, education and/or your responses to questions, your ratings are subject to change or you may be removed from employment consideration.

Applicants who fail to submit all the required documentation listed below, in addition to their resumes, will be considered ineligible for further consideration for this announcement.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

  • Include any supporting documents that don't fit within another category or are listed in the job announcement.
  • Your DD-214 or Statement of Service shows if you qualify for Veterans' Preference, the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 or the Veterans Opportunity to Work to Hire Heros Act. We prefer the member 4 copy of your DD-214.
  • Include a performance appraisal as proof of federal employment.
  • Your resume should include relevant work experience, applicable education and your contact information. For current or previous federal employees, include the pay plan, series and grade.
  • Your SF-15 shows if you qualify for 10-point Veterans' Preference.
  • Your SF-50 shows a federal position you've held, grade level and duty location. Your SF-50 can support position changes, conversions or separation for employment eligibility.
  • Transcripts may support your qualifications for a federal job and can include high school, college or other schools.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Applications submitted via WWW.USAJOBS.GOV must be received before midnight eastern time on the closing date of the announcement. No extensions will be granted. If you fail to submit a COMPLETE on-line resume, you WILL NOT be considered for this position. Please make sure that the responses provided in the questionnaire are fully supported by your resume, that your resume is detailed and you have highlighted your most relevant experience for this position (to include starting and ending dates of employment for each position held), and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. If you fail to provide this information, it may result in you being rated "ineligible" or "not qualified" for this position.

If you exaggerate or falsify your experience, education and/or your responses to questions, your ratings are subject to change or you may be removed from employment consideration. Applicants who do not respond to the application questions will be rated ineligible.

If applying on-line poses a hardship to any applicant, the Servicing Personnel Office listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted on-line by the closing date. Applicants must contact the Servicing Human Resources Office PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE to speak to someone who can provide assistance for on-line submission. Requests for extensions will not be granted.

Agency contact information

Karen Muller
Phone
202-366-1490
TDD
202-366-2136
Fax
571-258-4052
Email
Karen.Muller@oig.dot.gov
Address
DOT, OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
1200 New Jersey Ave SE
West Building, Room W71-123
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States

Next steps

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your application status by the servicing human resources specialist via e-mail. It is essential that you have a current e-mail address on file and remove any restrictions from your e-mail account that may prohibit our contacting you via e-mail. You may also check the status of your application at WWW.USAJOBS.GOV.

Additional locations

Washington, DC
Jacksonville, FL
Sunrise, FL
Atlanta, GA
Lombard, IL
New Orleans, LA
Woburn, MA
Kansas City, MO
Raleigh, NC
White Plains, NY
Columbus, OH
Oklahoma City, OK
King of Prussia, PA
Fort Worth, TX
Houston, TX
Salt Lake City, UT
Seattle, WA