Criminal Investigator (ICE Representative) Job

Vacancy No. HSI-OIA-12707565-IMP-NSV Department Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Salary $90,025.00 to $117,034.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 4/17/2025 Close Date 4/30/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Buenos Aires, ArgentinaBridgetown, BarbadosBrasilia, BrazilBogota, Colombia


Summary

View Common Definitions of terms found in this announcement.

Organizational Location: These positions are located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of International Affairs (OIA).

These are non-bargaining unit positions.

Duties

As a Criminal Investigator (ICE Representative), you will perform the following duties:

  • Provide leadership in such investigative matters as developing facts and evidence; gathering information and intelligence; performing analysis; evaluating international programs that affect ICE overseas operations; and preparing detailed investigative reports and oral briefings for financial, fraud, strategic, smuggling, and general criminal investigations pertaining to immigration and customs violations;
  • Coordinate and gives overall direction to highly sensitive and complex criminal investigations that require an expert level of planning and coordination for very complex investigations in terms of structure and coordination requirements, and conducts specialized training;
  • Responsible for the production and dissemination of intelligence concerning other criminal activities targeted, including the trafficking or movement of merchandise, monetary instruments, weapons of mass destruction and other devices as they relate to terrorist activity;
  • Intelligence developed will identify sources of terrorists financing, money laundering, drug trafficking, and commercial fraud, as well as the unauthorized movement of critical technology, dual use goods, munitions list articles, and chemical, biological, nuclear and conventional weapons overseas; and
  • Conduct investigations having national or international dimensions and implications.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation.
  • You must successfully pass a drug screen.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
  • Requirements by Closing Date: Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
  • Time in Grade: Current Federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the Federal service. Time in grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Probationary Period: This is a full-time permanent position (Career/Career-Conditional appointment). Upon appointment to this position, you may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
  • Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess a valid automobile driver's license at the time of appointment.
  • This position requires the selectee to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, U.S.C. Section 022 (g)(9)).
  • Firearms Requirement: You will be required to carry a firearm while performing duties of this position. Maintaining firearm proficiency is also mandatory.
  • Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): As a law enforcement officer you will be required to work on an unscheduled basis more than 40-hour work week. To ensure your availability, you will receive extra compensation in the form of LEAP.
  • This position may require the incumbent to be reassigned to a different geographic location. Accordingly, the incumbent will be required to sign a mobility agreement, which will remain in effect through the duration of the assignment.
  • Travel: You will be required to travel frequently and on short notice.
  • Foreign Language: Proficiency of host country language may be required. If language is a requirement, proficiency must be attained through successful completion of language training prior to assignment overseas or providing certification.
  • Work Conditions: Job requires physical strength and stamina due to long periods of surveillance, restraining suspects, and carrying heavy equipment. Environment includes work indoors/outdoors in a potentially dangerous and stressful situations.
  • Medical Requirements: You must be physically, emotionally, and mentally able to perform the duties of the position. You will be required to complete a physical to the satisfaction of the U.S. State Department.
  • To be considered for this position, as a current or former Criminal Investigator, GS-1811-13 employee with ICE who holds or has held the position on a permanent basis.
  • Convictions of misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are disqualifying.

Qualifications

Please limit your resume to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

To be considered for this position, as a current or former Criminal Investigator, GS-1811-13 employee with ICE who holds or previously held the position on a permanent basis.

You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one of the following:

Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level or equivalent performing duties such as:
  • Preparing investigative reports which present aspects of investigations in sufficient detail and accuracy to aid in supporting possible prosecution and/or administrative action;
  • Coordinating and giving overall direction on highly sensitive and complex criminal investigations that require an expert level of planning and coordination;
  • Providing leadership in investigative matters which require gathering information and Intelligence, developing facts and evidence, performing analysis, and preparing detailed investigative reports; and
  • Conducting investigations having national or international dimensions and implications.
SPECIAL NOTES:
  • These are overseas limited term assignments. Initial tour of these positions is three (3) years, as designated by the Department of State, not to exceed five years.
  • The initial tour for Cartagena, Colombia is two (2) years.
  • The allowance for Brasilia, Brazil; San Salvador, El Salvador; Tegucigalpa, Honduras is Post Hardship Differential Pay.
  • The allowances for Buenos Aires, Argentina; Guatemala City, Guatemala; Lima, Peru; Panama City, Panama; Quito, Ecuador; Bridgetown, Barbados are Cost of Living Allowance and Post Hardship Differential Pay.
  • The allowances for Bogota, Colombia and Cartagena, Colombia are Post Hardship Differential Pay and Relocation Incentive Pay.
  • The salary range listed is the base salary rate.
  • This assignment may be terminated or extended at any time depending on the needs of the agency. Upon completion of the assignment, the selectee will return to the United States to a similar position and grade as that held prior to this assignment. You may also apply for vacant positions both in ICE and other Federal agencies, overseas or in the United States.
  • In accordance with ICE policy, ICE personnel, except Mission Support Specialists, can be assigned overseas for a maximum of five years at one time and a maximum to ten total years in foreign assignments.
  • The selectee must successfully complete all phases of the pre-deployment process which include: issuance of passport and/or visa (if applicable), medical clearance, mandatory pre-departure (if applicable), and security overseas training.
Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

National Service Experience (i.e., 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.

Current or Former Political Appointees: 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.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

This position is at the full performance level.

Firearms Requirement: You will be required to carry a firearm while performing duties of this position. Maintaining firearm proficiency is also mandatory. You must satisfactorily complete (or have previously completed) the firearms component of the Criminal Investigation Training Program at Glynco, Georgia. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition. 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.

Work Conditions: This job requires physical strength and stamina to perform such activities as conducting long periods of surveillance, pursuing and restraining suspects, and carrying heavy equipment to be uses in investigative efforts. These activities require considerable physical exertion, such as running, stooping, bending, climbing, lifting and carrying heavy objects. The environment involves work indoors and outdoors in a variety of potentially dangerous and stressful situations, as well as exposure to physical attack, including the use of lethal weapons.

E-Verify: DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

Suitability: If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet these standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully obtain and maintain a background investigation for a Top Secret Clearance as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a credit check, a review of 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.

Benefits: DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

Benefits

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.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education, and training will be rated using an Assessment Questionnaire that is based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job:

  • Decision Making & Problem Solving
  • External Awareness
  • Oral Communication
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Technical Competence

Based on your responses, you will receive a score from the Assessment Questionnaire between 70 and 100.

If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.

Interviews may be required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.

Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3).

Pursuant to Executive Order 12564, and the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan, ICE is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions (testing designated positions) are subject to random drug testing. Moreover, other drug testing of employees (e.g., reasonable suspicion drug test) may be conducted in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. All applicants tentatively selected for employment at ICE are subject to pre-employment drug testing and a final offer of employment is contingent upon a negative drug test result.

Required Documents

  1. Resume showing relevant experience, education and training. Work experience must include: job title, duties, employer's name, employer's telephone number, employer's address, starting and ending dates (MM/YY), hours worked per week, and indicate whether or not we may contact your current supervisor. Please limit your resume to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications (for more information, see the Frequently Asked Questions about the Five-Page Resume Limit).
  2. Are you a current or former federal/ICE employee? Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current grade; your highest grade held; your current promotion potential and proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases, and accessions.
  3. Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title, type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee), agency and beginning and ending dates of appointment.
  4. You may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the Occupational Questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12707565 and submit the required documentation outlined under the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section.

The complete initial Application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 04/30/2025.

PLEASE NOTE: If your materials are not received by the closing date, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible. Also, if you do not provide a valid email address, you may not be notified of the outcome of your application.

To begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. We encourage you to apply online.

Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, your online questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM eastern standard time on04/30/2025.

It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your application.

One or more positions may be filled using this vacancy announcement.

Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

Agency contact information

Nicole Vanner

Next steps

Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.

Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Additional Locations

  • Cartagena, Colombia FEW vacancies
  • Quito, Ecuador FEW vacancies
  • San Salvador, El Salvador FEW vacancies
  • Guatemala City, Guatemala FEW vacancies
  • Tegucigalpa, Honduras FEW vacancies
  • Panama City, Panama FEW vacancies
  • Lima, Peru FEW vacancies


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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