Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

Diversion Investigators enforce the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and the Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act (CDTA) regarding the manufacture, distribution and dispensing of legally produced controlled substances and listed chemicals in order to prevent diversion of controlled substances and listed chemicals into the illicit market, while ensuring an adequate uninterrupted supply of pharmaceutical controlled substances and listed chemicals to meet the legitimate medical, commercial and scientific needs of the public.

The incumber will perform the following duties:

• Conducting investigations to ensure compliance with the CSA and its implementing regulations involving the procurement, manufacture, distribution, security, and record-keeping activities of the pharmaceutical and listed chemical regulated industry.
• Collecting and analyzing information and evidence; conduct interviews and prepare reports, and present findings and recommendations for regulatory, civil, and/or criminal actions.
• Researching and preparing a variety of written materials and reports which support possible administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings; answer both routine and technical correspondence and telephone inquiries; provide expertise and consultation to divisional personnel and provide guidance to other State, Local, and Federal Investigators.
• Developing and maintaining working relationships with Federal, State and Local agencies in order to promote information and intelligence collection exchanges.
• Planning, implementing, and participating in multi-jurisdictional special programs impacting the diversion of pharmaceutical controlled substances and listed chemicals from legitimate distribution; evaluate the results of investigations and the registrant's input and prepare corresponding statements setting forth the alleged violations.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/).
• Selectee will 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.
• Successful completion of written assessments and a structured interview is required.
• Successful completion of a mandatory 12 week in residence Basic Diversion Investigator Course located in Quantico, Virginia.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation. Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Medical examination required.
• POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION: You must successfully pass a pre-employment polygraph examination.
• All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Must sign a mobility agreement that confirms your understanding and agreement to accept relocation to any location depending on the needs of the DEA and the Diversion Control Program.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: http://www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.

Qualifications

For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the required qualification requirements described below by the closing of this announcement. If you are qualifying based on education or if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript with your application.

GS-07: Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level or pay band in the Federal service that includes performing the following duties: 1) Gathering data to prepare reports; 2) Evaluating priorities to develop a strategy for accomplishing daily tasks; 3) Orally presenting information in a logical manner; 4) Collaborating with management or colleagues to exchange information; and 5) Accomplishing assignments independently.-OR-

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: The experience requirement for the GS-7 level may be met by at least one year of graduate level education. (Degrees in fields of study such as accounting, pharmacy, chemistry, pharmacology, nursing, or criminal justice are desired, but not required.) Candidates not holding desired degrees will be considered. -OR-

SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: Completion of all requirements for a bachelor's degree in a field or expect to complete all requirements within the next nine months; and education meets at least one of the following requirements for superior academic achievement: 1) class standing in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision based on completed courses; 2) grade point average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on the official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; 3) grade point average of 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; OR 4) election to membership in a national scholastic honor society listed by the Association of College Honor Societies. -OR-

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet the experience requirements if you have the specialized experience, but less than one year; and have some education, but less than one year. The computed percentages of requirements were met, and the total is at least 100%. (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.)

GS-09: Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level or pay band in the Federal service that includes performing the following duties: 1) Preparing a variety of written materials or reports and making recommendations; 2) Collecting and/or analyzing conflicting information; 3) Orally presenting information in a logical manner; 4) Collaborating with management or colleagues to exchange information; and 5) Following successive steps to complete tasks in accordance with instructions, policies, previous training, or practices. -OR-

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: The experience requirement for the GS-9 level may be met by master's or equivalent graduate degree, or two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. (Degrees in fields of study such as accounting, pharmacy, chemistry, pharmacology, nursing, or criminal justice are desired, but not required.) Candidates not holding desired degrees will be considered. -OR-

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet the experience requirements if you have the specialized experience, but less than one year; and have some education, but less than two years. The computed percentages of requirements were met, and the total is at least 100%. (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond one year by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.)

Competencies: Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competencies in the following areas:

• Accountability
• Achievement Motivation
• Arithmetic
• Attention to Detail
• Collaboration
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Memory
• Oral Communication
• Problem Solving
• Reading
• Reasoning
• Self-Confidence
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork
• Writing
• Motor Vehicle Operation

Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements, as described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement, will be assigned to one of three quality categories:

• Qualified Category: In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate a basic level of the required competencies (knowledge, skills and abilities) for the position.
• Highly Qualified Category: In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all, of the requirements of the position.
• Best Qualified Category: In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must possess the type and quality of experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position.

The assessment questionnaire includes four short, free-response essay questions which provides an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question in 200-words or less.? You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and have not used a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot.

To view a copy of the Assessment Questionnaire click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12923209

How you will be evaluated

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

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

Diversion Investigator (DI) Assessments

Phase 1: Diversion Investigator (DI) Assessments
Candidates who meet minimum qualifications based on the initial online questionnaire responses from Phase 1 will receive an email invitation to complete the DI Assessments. The DI Assessments will be completed online and include the Realistic Job Preview and DEA Talent Inventory (DTI). These assessments measure the following competencies: Accountability, Achievement Motivation, Attention to Detail, Collaboration, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Self-Confidence, and Stress Tolerance.

Phase 2: Proctored Testing
The best qualified candidates from Phase 1 will receive an email invitation to schedule an appointment to complete Phase 2 of the recruitment process. Phase 2 requires candidates to complete the Mathematics Assessment, and the Recall and Documentation Assessment at a proctored testing center. Applicants will select their proctored testing center location from over 600 available locations across the United States. These assessments measure the following competencies: Arithmetic, Problem Solving, Attention to Detail, Memory and Writing.

Phase 3: Minimum Qualifications and Conditions of Employment
The best qualified candidates from Phase 2, will have their resume and supporting documents reviewed to determine whether they meet the minimum qualification and eligibility requirements. You may excluded from consideration if your self-ratings are higher than supported by the application materials. Errors or omissions may impact eligibility.

Phase 4: Structured Interview
Candidates who pass Phase 3, will be contacted to schedule an appointment to complete Phase 4 of the recruitment process. Phase 4 requires candidates to complete a virtual Structured Interview. A panel of interviewers will evaluate candidates on each of the following competencies: Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Decision-Making, Self-Management; Stress Tolerance; and Teamwork. Candidates must complete and pass the oral assessment to receive consideration.

NOTE: Declining to be interviewed or failure to report for a scheduled interview will be considered as a withdrawal from further consideration for employment regarding this vacancy.

You must complete the DI Assessments within the allotted timeframe to be eligible for this position. If a DI assessment is passed, your results will be kept on record for use when applying for future jobs that require the same DI Assessments. If an assessment is failed, you are eligible to reapply and retest 90 days after failed assessment.

Please note that if there are any changes to the hiring assessments, any passing scores from previous assessments may not be carried over to the new evaluation and you may be required to take the new assessment.

If you accidentally deleted the invitation to the DI Assessments or otherwise need the information re-sent (e.g., you feel you have not received it due to a SPAM filter), you should contact support@PDRI.com to request the invitation to be re-sent. Requests to re-send invitations to the DI Assessments must be received by support@PDRI.com BEFORE the end of the 72 hour testing window. If you require an extension due to an extenuating circumstance, please contact HRRD.Recruit@dea.gov.

POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION: You must successfully pass a pre-employment polygraph examination.

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 OR at 11:59 PM (EST) on the day we reach 5,000 applications, whichever comes first to receive consideration.

1. 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.
2. Transcripts, if applicable and you are qualifying based on education: For positions requiring positive education requirements, or if you are using education to meet all or part of the qualification requirements, you must submit a copy of your official transcripts or an unofficial transcript of college courses which includes course title, semester/quarter hours, and grade/degree earned
3. Agency and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP and ICTAP) Eligibles, if applicable: View information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must be rated in the Highly-Qualified category for this position and submit the supporting documents listed below to receive consideration for selection priority).

• (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)

4.Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable: The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points but protects the
rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification
requirements and have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent or higher will be listed in the highest quality category
(except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

• To claim 5-point preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
• To claim 10-point preference, submit the SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) AND all required documentation outlined on the form to support your claim (e.g., DD-214, official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs, etc.). If we cannot verify your 10-point preference claim, your application will be reviewed for 5-point preference.
• To claim 10-point derived preference (i.e., spouses, widows, widowers or mothers of veterans), submit a completed SF-15 and all required documentation listed on the SF-15 to support your claim.
• To claim 0-point Sole Survivorship preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 or another form of official documentation showing that your discharge or release from active duty occurred on or after August 29, 2008 and was based on a sole survivorship discharge.
• For all preference claims:
  • DD-214 must show the dates of service, type of discharge, and any qualifying service campaign medals.
  • If you are currently on active duty and applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must provide 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 vacancy announcement.
• For more veterans' preference information, visit the USAJOBS Help Center.

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