Criminal Investigator- Special Agent Job in DEA - US Locations

Vacancy No. BA2026-1MP Department Drug Enforcement Administration
Salary $75,706.00 to $117,034.00 Grade 12 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/6/2025 Close Date 10/15/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
DEA - US Locations


Summary

TOUGH WORK. VITAL MISSION. Challenge yourself! You have the power to help combat drug trafficking. Be a part of DEA! It's tough work, but a vital mission. Your work at DEA will be tremendously rewarding because it will save lives, help protect national security and make communities safer. Are you ready for the challenge?

PLEASE READ THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED SECTIONS BEFORE APPLYING.

Duties

At the DEA, our people are agents for change. A unique mission requires special talent. As a DEA Special Agent, you will work as part of an elite criminal investigative team that transforms the power of your talent into action. That action makes a difference for the security and well-being of our nation and the world every day.

  • Conducts complex criminal investigations targeting narcotics and drug related activities;
  • Prepares comprehensive and succinct criminal investigative reports and prepares and delivers briefings for senior personnel and other Federal, state, and local agencies;
  • Identifies and apprehends drug traffickers and arresting individuals engaged in criminal drug activities;
  • Gathers and analyzes evidence through investigative leads, seizures, arrests, execution of search warrants, and a variety of other means;
  • Testifies on behalf of the Federal government in court or before grand juries.
Additional duties may be assigned based upon an individual's unique knowledge, skills, and/or experience.

Polygraph: All applicants must successfully complete a full-scope pre-employment polygraph assessment. Applicants who have previously completed and passed a polygraph examination with their current agency, may seek reciprocity with the DEA during the hiring process. As part of the application process, DEA will review the applicant agency polygraph policy as well as its polygraph examination standards and process. Upon completion of this review, DEA will decide on the type, if any, examination will be required.

Suitability: This position will require a top-secret clearance; each applicant will be reviewed individually to agency suitability policy. Upon completion of this review, the DEA will decide, if any additional clearance will be required.

Medical Requirements: The duties of this position require moderate to arduous physical exertion including but not limited to walking, standing, running, use of firearms, exposure to inclement weather, and exposure to potentially hazardous substances and/or environments. If selected, you will be required to pass a pre-employment medical examination. Any physical or mental condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to himself/herself, or others is disqualifying.

Basic Agent Training Requirement: 1811 applicants who have successfully completed a Federal Criminal Investigation training program through another federal law enforcement agency, may qualify for a 3-week residential training program (FCIT Transcripts must be attached).

Applicants who have not completed previous federal law enforcement training through another federal law enforcement agency must attend and complete a 16-week residential training program.

Law Enforcement Availability: Special Agents may be required to work substantial overtime and occasional irregular work schedules, to include weekends and holidays. Special Agents must be readily accessible to perform unscheduled work. Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) is provided to Special Agents to ensure their availability and are compensated based upon 25 percent of the respective grade's base salary.

Firearms Requirement: This position requires individuals to be authorized to carry a firearm and maintain firearm proficiency. Special Agent positions are subject to the Lautenberg Amendment, 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(9). Individuals are required to verify that they have not been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

Employment Drug Policy: All DEA applicants are required to disclose their current and past drug usage and activity. The DEA recognizes some otherwise qualified applicants may have used illegal drugs or abused legal drugs or substances in their past. These circumstances will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Mobility Agreement: This position is subject to reassignment to any domestic DEA facility, depending on the needs of the DEA. Individuals selected for this position are required to sign a mobility agreement as a condition of employment.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U. S. Citizenship Required.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance. Each applicant will be reviewed individually to agency suitability policy. Upon completion of this review, the DEA will decide, if any additional clearance will be required.
  • Must sign a mobility agreement that confirms your understanding and agreement to accept relocation to any location depending on the needs of the DEA.
  • This position requires the completion of a pre-employment medical clearance and periodic medical examinations to confirm continued fitness for duty. You may be asked to submit your most recent Occupational Health Evaluation Record.
  • A full-scope pre-employment polygraph is required. 1811 Applicants who have previously completed and passed a polygraph examination with their current or former agency, may seek reciprocity with the DEA during the hiring process.
  • Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/)
  • Applicant must be at least 21 years of age and not older than 36 at the time of appointment, unless you are a preference eligible veteran or a current, or previously served in a Federal civilian law enforcement retirement covered position.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: http://www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.
  • Selectee may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period (OR 1-year OR 2-year trial period, as appropriate) during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
  • This position requires that the incumbent must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
  • Incumbent is subject to random drug screening.
  • Individuals are required to successfully complete a 16- week basic agent training (BAT) course held at the DEA Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all of the required qualification requirements described below by the closing of this announcement.

GS-12
Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level or pay band in the Federal service that includes performing the following duties:
  • Assisting in conducting complex criminal investigations, performing all phases required for successful completion;
  • With assistance, helps to determine overall strategy, potential sources of information and investigative methods to use;
  • Assisting with planning operations concerned with major purchases of evidence, search, seizures, raids and arrests;
  • Assisting to facilitate information exchange and maintaining relationships with representatives of local, state and Federal agencies; and
  • Testifying in court proceedings and consulting with prosecuting officials.
GS-13
Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level or pay band in the Federal service that includes performing the following duties:
  • Conducting complex criminal investigations, performing all phases required for successful completion;
  • Determining overall strategy, potential sources of information and investigative methods to use;
  • Planning operations concerned with major purchases of evidence, search, seizures, raids and arrests;
  • Promoting information exchange and maintaining relationships with representatives of local, state and Federal agencies;
  • Testifying in court proceeding and consulting with prosecuting officials; and
  • Serving as a team leader answering questions and reviewing written reports prepared by team members at a lower grade level.
Specialized 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.

Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

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.

Career Transition Assistance Programs (CTAP/ICTAP): To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position (score 85 or better on established ranking criteria); and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.

If you are applying as a preference eligible with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more, you must submit the documentation required by the SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) to support your claim (e.g., DD-214, official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs). For applicants claiming 10-point derived veterans' preference (i.e., spouses, widows/widowers or mothers of veterans), a completed SF-15 must be submitted with the application with all required supporting documents listed on the form.

For more veterans' preference information, visit the USAJOBS Help Center.

Probationary/Trial Period: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may 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.
    • 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.
Single Certification: Candidates will only be referred at the highest grade in which they qualify. Applicant should be referred at the highest grade they qualify to the lowest grade they are willing to accept.

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.

A Relocation Incentive may be authorized.

Additional information on Special Agent employment eligibilities, medical and physical requirements, and the hiring process are available on the DEA Special Agent careers site.

Salary listed is the 2025 GS Base Pay only. The locality pay will be adjusted once the duty location assignment is determined.

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.

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.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and your responses on the application questionnaire. You will not be considered for the position if you fail to complete the assessment.

Applicants will only be considered for the Eligibilities for which they claim in the job questionnaire AND must provide the supporting documentation. Applicants will not be considered for Eligibilities for which they did not claim, regardless of the documentation submitted with the application.

There are two evaluation phases used to determine the applicants who are Best Qualified for the position:

Phase 1: Basic Qualifications and Conditions of Employment

Candidates will have their resume and supporting documents reviewed to determine whether they meet the specialized experience and eligibility requirements of this position. Errors or omissions may impact eligibility.

Phase 2: Structured Interview

Candidates who meet the specialized experience and eligibility requirements will be contacted to schedule an appointment to complete an in-person or virtual Structured Interview. A panel of interviewers will evaluate candidates on each of the following competencies:

  • Collaboration
  • Decision Making/Judgement
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Planning/Organizing
  • Problem Solving
  • Resilience
  • Oral Communication
  • Leadership

Candidates who have successfully completed the pre-employment review and structured interview will be referred for further processing.

Applicant Availability: Applicants must be available to complete all phases of the Special Agent applicant process. Failure to successfully complete/pass any of the screening processes will result in the applicant being disqualified and removed from consideration.

Required Documents

All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted to our automated system by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

Resume: must be no more than two pages in length; resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Resume should include applicants' name, email address, phone number, relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year), work schedule (e.g. part or full-time), the number of hours per week worked/volunteered, job title and description of duties performed. Education/Certification/Licensure when relevant or required for position. See Guidance for Applicants on 2-Page Resume and visit the USAJOBS Help Center for more information.

SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), if applicable: SF-50(s) must show the effective date, position title, series, grade, salary, tenure, competitive status, position occupied, full promotion potential, and name of agency. Multiple SF-50s may be needed to show all required information. Award SF-50s often do not show the required information. To verify the time in grade requirement, applicants must submit a SF-50 verifying the highest grade held for at least 52 weeks.

Performance appraisal, if applicable: Most recent final official annual performance appraisal, dated within 18 months, must be submitted by reinstatement eligible applicants applying to a position with a higher grade or more promotion potential than previously held. All other current and former Federal employees are strongly encouraged to submit their performance appraisal for the hiring manager's consideration. If an appraisal is not available, you may provide a statement from you and/or your supervisor with an explanation along with your servicing HR Office contact information. Note: You may be requested to provide an appraisal to the hiring official if one was not provided with your application. To receive a promotion, your most recent performance rating must be "fully successful" or an equivalent level or higher.

Federal Criminal Investigation Training (FCIT), if available: Transcripts for any FCIT and follow-on academy or in-service training should be submitted in order to be considered for the condensed 3-week DEA basic agent training course. Applicants who are unable to provide transcripts or proof of training will be required to complete a 16-week basic agent training course.

ICTAP/CTAP: Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable. This includes copies of your agency notice (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal), most recent performance rating and more recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) noting current position, grade level and duty location.

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): Veterans who are preference eligible OR who have been separated from the Armed Forces under honorable conditions after 3 or more years of continuous active service may apply under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA). You must submit a DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty showing the dates you served as well as your type of discharge and qualifying service campaign medals OR if you are still on active duty, you MUST submit a certification on letterhead from your military branch which contains your military service dates, expected date of discharge or release, and the character of service to show that your military service was performed under honorable conditions. The expected date of discharge or release must be no later than 120 days after the certification is submitted for consideration for this job announcement. Current Federal employees applying under the VEOA must submit a qualifying SF-50 to show time-in-grade requirements.

Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA): Notification of Personnel Actions (SF-50s) showing you have served in appropriate appointments for a period that total more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years. You must include all SF-50s for each period of work. If you were or are an intermittent employee, you can submit F-1150s if the SF-50s do not show intermittent time worked.

Other Qualification documents (e.g. certificates, certifications, etc.), if applicable. See the Qualification section of this announcement for more information.

How to Apply

Prepare your application in USAJOBS

During the application process you can review, edit, delete, and update your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won't lose any changes. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process.

STEP 1: Select the "Apply" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS.
STEP 2: Submit your resume. Resume must not exceed two pages. Please see the Required Documents section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume. Resume should be no longer than two pages.
STEP 3: Complete the online assessment questions: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12785401
STEP 4: Submit all required documentation applicable to you, as listed in the Required Documents section.

Alternate Application Procedures: If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET at least 2 working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted.

Agency contact information

Special Agent Recruitment
Address
Drug Enforcement Administration
Do Not Send Postal Mail
Springfield, VA 21310
US

Next steps


Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated. You will receive another notification about the status of your application. We will notify you by email the outcome after each of these steps has been completed. Your application status will be updated up to four times during the following hiring phases:

  1. After applications are received.
  2. After applications are assessed to determine qualifications.
  3. After candidates are referred to the hiring manager.
  4. If selected, candidates may receive additional notifications regarding the next steps in the hiring process.
Your status will also be updated on your USAJOBS account throughout the process.


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


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