Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current, permanent employee of the Fort Harrison Montana VA Medical Center as well as those eligible CTAP.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Performs criminal and non-criminal investigative duties with emphasis on white-collar crime.
• Plans and conducts investigations of alleged violation of Title 18, United States Code, including fraud, bribery, larceny, embezzlement, collusion, and conflict of interest.
• Plans investigative objective, scope, methods, and techniques.
• Participates in surveillance and electronic monitoring.
• Employs a methodology consistent with established criminal investigation techniques, renders detailed accurate statements, and reduces the information gathered into a clear, concise, and accurate report.
• Investigates violations with other agencies resulting in jurisdictional problems because suspects activities are the concern of other Federal investigative agencies.
• Coordinate's intelligence gathering operations and developing specific cases or complaints.
• Collects enough evidence to support a court case against a criminal.
• Explains to the jury the significance of evidence as it relates to proof that a crime was committed.
• Uses forensic collection equipment and techniques to identify, preserve, document and collects physical evidence for presentation in legal proceedings.
• Prepares collected evidence for presentation in legal proceeding.
• Confers with the U.S. Attorney's office or other outside law enforcement agencies as appropriate to dispose of or to proceed with a case.
• Gather's, analyzes, and reports on complex financial, observational, and other information in order to establish its evidentiary value and sufficiency.
• Evaluates complaints and to determine investigative merit.
• Conducts interviews and interrogations of suspects and witnesses and acquires sworn statements and information under oath as necessary.
• Recognizes and notifies the appropriate federal, state, or local authorities regarding criminal incidents and coordinates further investigations with the appropriate agencies.
• Coordinates and conducts joint investigations relating to alleged or suspected violations of criminal laws with other federal and state agencies.
• Plans and conducts investigations relating to alleged or suspected violations of criminal laws by utilizing investigative techniques and by applying the laws of evidence, rules of criminal procedures, and precedent court decisions concerning criminal activities.
• Investigates complaints, tips, develops leads, and obtains physical evidence.
• Seeks out and questions witnesses and suspects and takes testimony.
• Make arrests
• Obtains evidence, explains constitutional rights, and performs search and seizures.
• Use current state of the art information technologies to facilitate the collection, analysis and reporting of results of investigation.
• Gathers information and determines facts/evidence relationships.
• Consolidates ostensibly disparate facts, events and other types of intelligence material and develops information and applies guidelines and techniques for the detection, apprehension and persecution of persons attempting to violate or circumvent laws.

Work Schedule: Varies
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Senior Criminal Investigator/PD99720S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Work Environment: The work environment involves frequent exposure to moderate risk situations, some discomforts, unpleasant working conditions, and adverse weather conditions e.g. hot, cold, dry and wet. Safety or security precautions sometimes are necessary, and the position may have to use appropriate clothing or gear. May be required to work long and irregular hours, on weekends, holidays, or at night, and change shifts and duty hours to conduct extensive criminal investigations.
Requirement:
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment.

Conditions of employment

• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documentsParticipation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Valid Drivers Licenses unrestricted State driver's license.
• Firearm Requirement: VA Police Officers are required to carry agency-approved firearms while on duty on VA property.
• Officers must achieve and maintain qualification/certification with agency-approved firearms as a condition of gaining and continuing employment as a Police Officer.
• You will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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 you probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/18/2026.

Individual Occupational Requirement

The duties of positions in this series require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, and knee joints is required. Arms, hands, legs, and feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. Sufficiently good vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Near vision, corrective lenses permitted must be sufficient to read printed material the size of typewritten characters. Hearing loss, as measured by an audiometer, must not exceed 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz levels. Since the duties of these positions are exacting and responsible and involve activities under trying conditions, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to himself/herself, or others is disqualifying

In addition to the Individual Occupational Requirements, the applicant must also meet one of the following for the GS-11 level position:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in federal service that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of a Criminal Investigator, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position.

Specialized experience includes:

• Investigating serious crimes and complex misdemeanors.
• Utilizing an extensive array of standardized, optional, and innovative investigation procedures, techniques and methods to detect, investigate, and resolve crimes and other activities that are beyond the scope or requirements for solutions associated with standard patrol assignments.
• Acting as liaison officer and facilitating the investigations of other Federal, State, and local law enforcement personnel involved in the investigation and disposition of major crimes.
• Collecting and using forensic evidence to solve crimes and support court cases against criminals.
• Analyzing, evaluating, and advising on law enforcement delivery systems and operations, as well as assessing the productivity, effectiveness, and efficiency of the activities and operations.
• Coordinating and/or participating in a taskforce or other team to conduct highly complex, difficult and sensitive criminal, civil and administrative investigations involving alleged misconduct, criminal activity and/or corruption.

Preferred Experience: Completion of VA Law Enforcement Training Academy
NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

OR

Education: Successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M. in field a directly related to this position being filled (such as criminal law, criminal justice, etc.). This education must include courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college, or university.

NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

OR

Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate-level education (beyond a master's degree) and specialized experience as described above to meet total experience requirements. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

1. Required to attend an 8 - 10-week course at the VA Law Enforcement Training Center in Little Rock, Arkansas (if not already completed). Satisfactory completion of this course is a condition of continued employment.
2. Must successfully attend and complete the FLETC Law Enforcement Criminal Investigator Training Program (FLETC CITP) Located in Glynco, GA. Satisfactory completion of these courses within the first year is a condition of continued employment.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS 11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and religion can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: This position is rigorous and physically demanding and meets the definition of a "Rigorous Position" contained in 5 CFR 842.802,
1) Having direct contact with, and frequently pursuing and detaining, persons who are suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the United States.
2) Carrying a firearm and exposure to hazards or danger.
3)Interviewing witnesses, interrogating suspects, and giving Miranda and other rights warnings when appropriate.
4)Working long periods without a break, which may require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving considerable walking, long periods of standing, frequent bending or lifting, and occasional climbing;
5) Being on-call 24 hours a day. The incumbent must meet certain physical qualifications and shall maintain a high standard of physical condition, enabling the incumbent to work long and/or irregular hours under adverse conditions.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

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), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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; religions; 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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
• An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

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