Supervisory Criminal Investigator Job in Springfield, VA

Vacancy No. IMP-12783453-25-FPS Department DHS Headquarters
Salary $167,603.00 to $195,200.00 Grade 15 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 8/26/2025 Close Date 9/2/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Springfield, VA


Summary

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Protective Service.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the overall administrator for operational leadership and direction to the Federal Protective Service.

Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Current DHS Headquarters (HQ) employees serving under a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service. You must submit an SF-50 that shows you currently work for DHS HQ.

Duties

As a Supervisory Criminal Investigator, GS-1811-15, your typical work assignments may include:
Oversees the management of the criminal investigations programs to mitigate threats to federal facilities.
Coordinates with Regional Directors to enhance the effectiveness and administration of the criminal investigations and intelligence programs.
Oversees criminal investigations activities involving the convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the United States.
Ensures that subordinate supervisors establish program activities designed to eliminate the risk of criminal minimize activities.
Reviews staffing, financial and service delivery strategies aimed at assessing and enhancing the criminal investigations and law enforcement activities.

All DHS-HQ announcements have a 5 business day open period due to the number of applications received. This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 100 applications have been received, whichever happens first.

View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation.
  • You must submit to a pre-employment drug test and subsequent random drug testing as testing designated position.
  • You must meet time-in-grade requirements.
  • You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period. New supervisors serve a one year probationary period as defined in 5 CFR Part 315, subpart I.
  • Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
  • Training Requirement: Incumbent must successfully complete the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's Criminal Investigator Training Program, or its equivalent.
  • Firearms Requirement: You will be required to carry a firearm and maintain firearm proficiency in their care and use in accordance with FPS policy and standards.
  • Mobility Agreement: This position may require the candidate to be reassigned to a different geographic location. Accordingly, the candidate will be required to sign a mobility agreement, which will remain in effect while assigned to this position
  • The candidate must possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's license. Motor vehicles must be driven and managed in accordance with Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and Federal Protective Services (FPS) policies and guidelines.
  • Lautenberg Amendment: This position is covered by the 1996 Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968. A person convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence is not eligible for the position.
  • Primary/Rigorous Requirement: Experience in primary/rigorous law enforcement position(s), or equivalent experience outside the Federal government, is a mandatory prerequisite (5 CPR 831.902 and 5 CFR 842.802).

Qualifications

Specialized Experience:

To be qualified for Supervisory Criminal Investigator GS-1811-15: applicants must have at least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-14 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience must include activities such as 1) directing and coordinating the review and performance evaluation of regional criminal investigative and intelligence programs, physical security and law enforcement programs and functional activities; 2) providing technical advice and guidance to senior management and other senior staff regarding critical operations related to law enforcement programs; 3) directing the work of subordinate staff (i.e. assigning work, developing performance standards, making authoritative decisions regarding personnel actions, etc.); and 4) collaborating with senior management and officials to initiate new or modified changes to agency policies and procedures regarding criminal investigative and intelligence programs, physical security and law enforcement programs and functional activities.

Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.

All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Time-in-grade: Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees, and those that have served in GS positions within the last 52 weeks, must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade, or a combination of the next lower grade level and an equivalent band in the federal service by the closing of this announcement.

Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1"), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE.

National Service 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.

Essential Personnel Position - This position may be designated as essential personnel. Essential personnel must be able to serve during continuity of operation events without regard to declarations of liberal leave or government closures due to weather, protests, and acts of terrorism or lack of funding. Failure to report for or remain in this position may result in disciplinary or adverse action in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. (5 U.S.C. 7501-7533 and 5 CFR, Part 752, as applicable).

Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): Incumbent is subject to work unscheduled duty hours and must be available for unscheduled duty based upon the needs of the agency. Therefore, the incumbent is eligible for Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) of an additional 25% and is subject to the provisions of the LEAP Act of 1994.

Age Requirement: There is a maximum entry age of the day before your 37th birthday ( except for veterans preference eligibles) for entry into law enforcement officer positions. Applicants who have previously been employed in a Federal law enforcement officer position covered by 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) are not restricted from applying.

Medical Requirement: Prior to appointment, the person selected for this position must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties. The incumbent must successfully pass a pre-employment medical examination (which includes, but not limited to vision, hearing, cardiovascular and mobility of extremities) given by an authorized government physician. This position may be subject to periodic incumbent examinations in the future.

Education

Not Applicable

Additional information

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.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.

You may be required to serve a one-year supervisory probationary period.

You will be required to complete an OGE 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Form.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of 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 its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for Top Secret/SCI as a condition of placement in this Special Sensitive position. This review may include 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.

Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) Eligibility: As a selectee to a FPS Criminal Investigator (GS-1811 series) position, you are entitled to LEAP. LEAP is a premium pay system for Criminal Investigators, as defined by Congress and the Office of Personnel Management. You will become eligible for LEAP upon successful completion of the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) conducted at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), except for 1811 Criminal Investigators who have requested and been granted a waiver from FLETC pursuant to FPS Directive 15.11.3.2, Initial Training and Waiver Requirements. For those Criminal Investigators who have been granted a waiver from CITP, such employees will be eligible to receive LEAP upon entry on duty into this position.

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.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training will be rated using a job questionnaire that is based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform this job: Ability to Lead or Supervise, Customer Service, Information Management, and Technical Competence.

If you are the best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. To preview the job questionnaire and application, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12783453

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be removed from consideration or your score may be lowered.

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).

Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the Department of Homeland Security, you are not CTAP eligible. View information about CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

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

Required Documents

  1. Your resume (click the link for information on what to include). If you are a current or former Federal employee, your resume must indicate the GS or pay band level for each position held. 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.
  2. Your responses to the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12783453
  3. Your completed and signed Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment.
  4. Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution. Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited U.S. college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information
  5. Are you current DHS Headquarters employee? Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 showing your current grade and tenure; An SF-50 showing highest (permanent) grade ever held, if different from your current grade. Please note: Performance award, Details, and Realignments are not acceptable SF-50s. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide an SF-50 or SF-50s which show the length of time in the current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated one year apart within the same grade/job) to support meeting time-in-grade requirements.
  6. Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the DHS Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)? Submit the following:
    • A copy of your agency notice,
    • A copy of your most recent performance rating, and
    • A copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.
  7. 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,
    • Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

How to Apply

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 for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English.

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 on the date the announcement closes.

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.

To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Applicants must submit all required documentation to properly qualify for this position.

Agency contact information

LAM NGUYEN
Address
Department of Homeland Security Headquarters
OCHCO/HRMS/MS #0170
6595 Springfield Center Drive
Springfield, VA 20598-0170
US

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 with 60 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.

Note: If you receive a final job offer to onboard, please complete the onboarding forms and submit them electronically in an expeditious manner. Your start date may be delayed if the action above is not completed.

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.

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 Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.


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