Investigative Support Specialist Job in Alexandria, VA

Vacancy No. IG-26-12900349-AI-MP Department Office of Inspector General
Salary $85,447.00 to $133,142.00 Grade 11 to 12
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:
Alexandria, VA


Summary

This position is located in the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG), Deputy Inspector General for Administrative Investigations (DIG-AI), Hotline Division. The DoD Hotline receives, reviews, and processes complaints that involve alleged fraud, waste and abuse, mismanagement, misconduct, and potential violations of laws, orders, regulations, and policies that affect the DoD.

This job is open to

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Military spouses

Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.

Individuals with disabilities

Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.

Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista

Individuals who have served at least 2 years with the Peace Corps or 1 year with AmeriCorps VISTA.

Special authorities

Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.

Clarification from the agency

Open to current and former Federal employees, Priority Placement Program (PPP) eligible applicants, Veterans, and special appointing authorities listed above.

Duties

  • Incumbent provides investigative support to all phases of Hotline operations including the opening and closing of cases and inputting and retrieving information from the Hotline database.
  • Incumbent serves as a point of contact for Hotline matters assigned to DoD Components and is the focal point to send and manage Hotline referrals to DoD components.
  • Manages the Hotline’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program; maintains system to track and retrieve requests. Receives, searches, and reviews applicable files and provides appropriate releasable information to the appropriate agency.
  • Incumbent works in concert with the Hotline staff to ensure confidentiality of Hotline sources is protected to the maximum extent possible by adhering to internal controls and established policies and guidance.
  • Extracts information from the Hotline database for cases with lapse suspenses and assists in the review of closed case file in preparation for retirement of records.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Position has been designated as security designation level Critical Sensitive. Incumbent is required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov).
  • Incumbent is required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and is subject to random drug testing for the duration of service with DoD OIG.
  • Current DoD civilian employees are not required to submit to drug testing if moving from one Testing Designated Position (TDP) to another with no break in service, unless deemed appropriate on a case-by-case basis.
  • The incumbent must adhere to the DoD Standards of Conduct.

Qualifications

Time in Grade GS-11:

For entry at the GS-11 level, status applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-09 or equivalent or higher grade, in the Federal Service.

Time in Grade GS-12:

For entry at the GS-12 level, status applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-11 or equivalent or higher grade, in the Federal Service.

Specialized Experience at the GS-11 level: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-09 level in the Federal service or at an equivalent level. Specialized experience is defined as performing under supervision in an investigative support role for a high-level professional or government program. Experience includes compiling work that involves applying investigation and compliance principles, under supervision identifying significant sources of information to document issues; researching, analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating data information to make appropriate recommendations. Experience also includes preparing reports and technical information according to agency policy and procedures.

Specialized Experience at the GS-12 level: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-11 level in the Federal service or at an equivalent level. Specialized experience is defined as independently compiling work involving applying investigation and compliance principles, identifying significant sources of information to document issues; researching, analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating data information to make appropriate recommendations. Experience also includes preparing reports and technical information according to agency policy and procedures.

You must meet the minimum qualification requirements as stated in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group-stds/gs-prof.asp.

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) is qualifying. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience.

Qualification and time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants who have held a non-temporary General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must meet the time-in-grade restriction.

Additional Required Documents Information

  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Priority Consideration: If you are a federal employee who will be or has been separated by a Reduction in Force (RIF), you must submit a copy of your RIF separation notice and SF-50 if available. For more information on ICTAP, click here ICTAP Guidance. NOTE: If you have never worked for the Federal Government, you are NOT ICTAP eligible.
  • Individuals with disabilities: If you are an individual with a documented disability, you must submit a letter signed by a doctor, a licensed medical professional, a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist, or any federal, state, or local agency that issues or provides disability benefits. The letter should state that you have a documented disability and are eligible for employment under the Schedule A hiring authority, 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).
  • Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: If you are a Military Spouse Preference applicant, you must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist. If determined best qualified, you will be placed at that full performance level of the position.
  • Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
  • Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
  • Retained Grade PPP Eligible: Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Education

Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience:

GS-11 Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement.

There is no substitution of education for the qualifying experienceat the GS-12 grade level.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be used to substitute for the specialized experience requirement.


Only experience and/or education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

If you are using education to substitute for the qualifying experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply. Failure to do so may disqualify you from consideration.

Due to the education requirement of this position, an unofficial transcript must be submitted at the time of application. If transcripts are not received, you will be rated as ineligible.

Using Education to Qualify: You MUST provide unofficial transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list of courses. Transcripts and list of courses must include the following information: name of accredited institution, list of courses with grades and credit earned for each course, quarter or semester hours earned, degree conferred and date, and the name and address of the school. If selected for this position, you will be required to provide an official certified copy of your transcripts before a start date will be established. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

Pass/Fail Courses: If more that 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

Graduate Education: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

Accreditation: Only degrees from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education are acceptable to meet positive education requirements or to substitute for experience. For additional information, please go to the Office of Personnel Management website at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/ and U.S. Department of Education website at http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. If you fail to provide the required documentation, by the closing date of this announcement, you will not receive consideration.

For further information, visit: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

  • If you have not previously completed a probationary period with the federal government in a similar position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period.
  • This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies within 90 calendar days of the initial issue date of the referral list.
  • Telework availability will be based upon the mission requirements and supervisory determination.
  • PCS costs (moving expenses) WILL NOT be paid.
  • Recruitment, relocation, or retention incentives WILL NOT be authorized by the hiring official. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here.
  • For more information on veterans' preference click here.
  • Retired/Retiring Veterans: Please be aware that there is a 180-Day Restriction on Department of Defense (DoD) Employment of Military Retirees. A retired member of the Armed Forces may not be appointed to a civilian position in the DoD within 180 days after retirement unless the agency requests and is granted a waiver; the position is authorized special pay under 5 U.S.C. 3505; or a state of national emergency exists.
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Priority Consideration: Applicants must be well-qualified, which is defined as meeting all of the minimum qualification standards and eligibility requirements as well as possessing skills that clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For more ICTAP Guidance, click here. NOTE: If you have never worked for the Federal Government, you are NOT ICTAP eligible.
  • The Department of Defense (DoD) policy on employment of annuitants issued March 18, 2004 will be used in determining eligibility of annuitants.
  • Position(s) may be filled by displaced Department of Defense (DoD) employees through the DOD Priority Placement Program.
  • Priority Placement Program (PPP) Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible candidates will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only.
  • Priority Placement Program (PPP) Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible candidates who currently occupy a formal training program position will be entitled to exercise their priority preference.
  • You may submit a cover letter which will be forwarded to the selecting official with your resume. Your cover letter will not be used to verify your qualifications or eligibility.
  • PPP Application Based Preference Eligibles (Military Reserve and National Guard technicians, Military Reserve and National Guard technicians receiving disability retirement, and Retained Grade employees) will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only.
  • Resume: DO NOT include the following information: Classified or government sensitive information; social security number; photos of yourself; personal information, such as age, sex, religious affiliation, etc.; or encrypted and digitally signed documents. Read more about what you should leave out of your resume at USAJOBS.
  • All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-4434 for assistance.

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.

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job.

The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. The score is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the competencies required for this position. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.

All qualified candidates will be evaluated on the following competencies:

  • Customer Service
  • Information Assurance
  • Manages and Organizes Information
  • Quality Management
  • Research


You can preview the Assessment Questionnaire here:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12900349

Criminal History Inquiries- If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ dfas.indianapolis-in.zh.mbx.ssc-cc@mail.mil

Required Documents

For this job announcement, the following supporting documents are required and must be received by the closing date of this announcement. Not all documents may apply to everyone.

  • Resume: Your resume showing relevant experience should include your name and contact information in addition to the following for proper determination to be made: where you worked, job title, series and grade, if applicable, duties and accomplishments for each position, employer's name and address, supervisor's name and phone number, starting and end dates (Mo/Yr), hours per week and salary. PLEASE NOTE: A two-page maximum resume is required. Applicant guidance on the two page resume requirement may be found at: Learn more about the new resume requirements. (cover letter optional).
  • SF-50(s): Current or former federal employees must submit a SF-50. If your SF-50 does not show you meet time-in-grade requirements or competitive status eligibility, you must submit additional SF-50s for verification. If you fail to provide the required documentation, by the closing date of this announcement, you will not receive consideration.
  • Performance Appraisal: Current Federal employees must submit a copy of their most recent completed annual performance appraisal received within the past 18 months. The performance appraisal must include the final rating. If a completed performance appraisal does not exist, is incomplete or unavailable, you must submit an explanation as to why it is not available at the time of your application submission. Mid-year progress reviews will not be accepted. *A recent performance appraisal is required. If you have not been at the DoD OIG long enough to have a performance appraisal, you will need to submit a recent one or submit an explanation as to why it is not available at the time of your application submission as we will not have one on file to pull for you.
  • Transcripts: If this position has a positive education requirement or you are using your education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your unofficialtranscripts. The unofficial transcripts must include the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, quarter or semester hours earned, and date degree conferred. If selected for this position, you will be required to provide an official certified copy of your transcripts before a start date will be established. All applicants, to include current agency employees must provide transcripts with their application.
  • Veterans' Preference Documentation: If claiming preference, you must submit a copy of your DD Form-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty", showing the dates of active duty service, type of discharge and the character of service. Alternatively, If you are a current military member in active duty service and do not have a copy of your DD Form-214, you must submit a written documentation (certification) from your branch of service certifying that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application for this position. The certification should also include your rank, dates of active duty service, separation date and what the condition of discharge is thought to be. A Standard Form 15 (SF-15) "Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference" will be required if you are selected. If you do not have a copy of your VA letter, you can download it at VA.gov. https://www.va.gov/records/download-va-letters/
    • 10-point preference and/or 30% or more Disabled Veteran, you must submit both a DD Form-214 or expected discharge documentation as described above AND a copy of a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or your branch of service certifying the presence of service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of disability. A Standard Form 15 (SF-15) "Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference" will be required if you are selected.
    • 10-point derived veterans' preference (i.e. a spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a veteran claiming veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it), you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (SF-15) "Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference" and any required documents indicated on the SF-15 to substantiate the claimed preference.
  • See additional Required Documents information under Qualifications

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

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents above.

Click 'Apply Online' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.

1. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents.
2. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application.
3. Check application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, clicking Application Status, then More Information for this position. Return to an incomplete application by logging into your USAJOBS account and clicking Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact Jacquis Taylor at (703) 699-0293 or jacquis.b.taylor.civ@dodig.mil~ to obtain an alternative application.

Agency contact information

Jacquis Taylor
Phone
(703) 699-0293
Fax
(571) 372-7437
Email
jacquis.b.taylor.civ@dodig.mil
Address
DoD OIG - DIG FOR ADMINISTRATIVE INV
4800 Mark Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22350
US

Next steps

Once the online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application. The resume that you submit will be used to assess your qualifications for the job, and to identify the best qualified applicants to be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews. We will notify you of the outcome after each of these steps has been completed. You will still be able to check your status by logging in to your USA Jobs account. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

All information included in the resume and Occupational Questionnaire is subject to review and verification. HR will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Applicants meeting the minimum requirements will be further evaluated by information provided in the Occupational Questionnaire. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have misrepresented your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position and, if you're already an employee, you may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.