Duties
The Inspector General of the Department of Education (Department) heads an independent and objective organization responsible for audit, investigation, and other services related to programs and operations of the Department. The Inspector General provides leadership and coordination and recommends policies for activities designed to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration of programs and operations, as well as to prevent and detect fraud and abuse in such programs and operations. The Inspector General is the principal advisor to the Secretary of the Department on the above matters and is responsible for keeping the Secretary and Congress fully and currently informed about problems and deficiencies relating to the administration of the Department’s programs and operations and the necessity for and progress of corrective action.
The Office of the Inspector General consists of the following seven components:
- Immediate Office of the Inspector General
- Audit Services
- Enterprise and External Affairs
- Investigation Services
- Legal Services/Counsel to the Inspector General
- Management Services
- Technology Services
Investigation Services (IS) is responsible for all investigative activities relating to the Department's programs and operations and the prevention and detection of fraud and abuse in these programs and operations. IS also conducts, supervises, and coordinates investigations of suspected fraudulent activity by Departmental employees. IS is responsible for establishing the necessary procedures for coordination with the Department of Justice on all criminal matters dealing with the Department’s programs and operations.
The incumbent supervises a team of special agents that independently conducts investigations of theft, fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, public corruption, or whistleblower reprisals involving Department programs, operations, or funds. Provides advice, guidance and regulatory interpretation of laws, orders, rules, and regulations pertaining to the investigations conducted by the OIG.
Develops policies, criteria, and procedures for investigations; conducts special projects and analyses in support of IS and develops and implements training strategies to promote the professional development of Criminal Investigators.
Responsible for mastery of technical investigative and legal matters, high tech tools, and programs and operations of the Department.
Organize, analyze and evaluate documents and evidence and prepare and submit reports.
Selects or recommends selection of candidates for vacancies, promotions, details, and reassignments in consideration of skills and qualifications, mission requirements, and objectives; develops, modifies, and/or interprets performance standards; explains performance expectations to employees and provides regular feedback on strengths and weaknesses; holds employees responsible for satisfactory completion of work assignments; appraises performance of subordinates ensuring consistency and equity in rating techniques; hears and resolves employee complaints and refers serious unresolved complaints to higher lever management; identifies employee development needs and provides or arranges for training to maintain and improve job performance; demonstrates sensitivity to ideas of subordinates and promotes an environment where employees are empowered to participate in and contribute to effective mission accomplishment; and recognizes and takes action to correct situations posing a threat to the safety, security, and health of the work group.
Advises senior staff of proposals, policies, and issues that involve exceptional controversy, involve intensive outside interest, require extensive analysis of technical literature or have long-range effects on the performance of investigative functions or the operations of OIG.
Communicates with OIG leadership. Conducts outreach and liaison with internal and external stakeholders (i.e. prosecutors, other law enforcement agencies (LEAs), Department employees) and clients, such as State and Local oversight entities i.e. School Districts, participating Title IV institutions, State Educational Agencies, LEAs, and professional associations, to advance the Office of Inspector General’s mission.
Manages the budget for their respective Region and possesses knowledge of Federal financial management practices, including strategic planning, budget formulation, and budget execution.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- May be required to complete a background and fingerprint check.
- Must successfully complete one (1) year supervisory probationary period.
- You must be a U.S. citizen.
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Services.
- Subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.
- Statement of Employment & Financial Interest is required.
You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
If you are a current federal employee, you must meet all time-in-grade and time-after competitive appointment qualifications within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. To verify that you meet these requirements, we will review your responses to the core eligibility questions on the occupational questionnaire, as well as your submitted resume and required documents. To make an accurate determination, you will need to include on your resume your federal position title, pay plan, occupational series, grade level, agency, dates for which you held the grade level (stated as MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY, OR MM/YYYY to PRESENT), and total hours worked per week. 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).
More specific requirements are listed under the Other Information section.
Qualifications
You may meet the minimum requirements for the GS-15 if you possess:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-14) in federal service that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position (see description below).
Specialized Experience for the GS-15:
One year of experience equivalent to the GS-14 performing all of the following duties or work assignments:
- Experience leading investigative teams in the effective application of investigative methodologies and techniques for critical and sensitive criminal investigations including reviewing and evaluating allegations, information, and evidence to substantiate or disprove violations of federal criminal or civil statutes.
- Experience supervising, directing, planning and or coordinating investigative activities of employees engaged in inquires related to fraud, waste and abuse, mismanagement, public corruption, employee, and whistleblower reprisal.
- Experience documenting, summarizing, documenting investigative details related to federal criminal investigations to both internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience selecting, leading, developing and inspiring teams using performance plans, monitoring performance, and resolving conflicts to maximize employee potential and achieve organizational goals.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).
- Mastery knowledge of investigative concepts, principles, and theories and a mastery of the programs, activities, and functions of the Department of Education for which the position is responsible. The employee has the comprehensive knowledge to recommend new approaches, techniques, policies, and procedures and the leadership skills to appropriately implement them. The position also requires mastery knowledge of a wide range of techniques to provide leadership in the evaluation, assessment, and improvement of the investigation function and management systems.
- Ability to select, lead, and inspire a team to include maximizing employee potential, developing performance plans, and monitoring performance, resolving conflicts and achieving organizational goals.
- Skill in written and oral communications.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships.
- Knowledge of and skills in analyzing and organizing data.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SUPERVISORY POSITIONS: Candidates must have demonstrated in their work experience or training that they possess, or have the potential to develop, the qualities of successful supervision as follows:
- Assign and review work of subordinates, train and work effectively with subordinates from a variety of backgrounds and with different levels/areas of training.
- Accomplish the quality and quantity of work expected within set limits of cost and time.
- Plan own work and carry out assignments effectively.
- Communicate with others effectively both orally and in writing in working out solutions to problems or questions relating to the work.
- Understand and further management goals as these affect day-to-day work operations.
- Develop improvements in or design new work methods and procedures.
Selectee must meet the initial agency suitability determination before a final offer can be made.
This position is approved for Secondary Law Enforcement coverage under 5 (USC) 8331 (20) or 5 USC 8401 (17). Previous experience in a primary (rigorous) law enforcement position or equivalent outside of the Federal government, is a prerequisite. Coverage only extended if this position immediately follows service in a law enforcement position. FERS applicants for this must have completed three (3) years of service in a rigorous position (aka primary) position in order to continue coverage upon selection.
Law Enforcement Availability: Applicants must agree to work an average of two hours extra per day to meet the requirements of law enforcement availability pay (LEAP) as described in Title 5 U.S.C. § 5545A(d)(1).
Applicants may be required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination by an Agency designated physician to determine if they are physically and medically qualified to perform the full duties of the position. Any physical condition which could hinder an individual's full, efficient and safe performance of his/her duties as a criminal investigator, or failure to meet any of the required physical or medical qualifications, will usually be considered disqualifying for employment, except when sufficient evidence is presented that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job efficiently and without hazard to themselves and others.
Medical Requirement: The duties of positions in this series require moderate 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, feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. Applicant must be able to pass an Audiometer test. Hearing loss exceeding a 30-decibel average in either ear in the conversational and speech range (500, 1000, 2000 cycles) is disqualifying. Applicant should possess uncorrected visual acuity of no less than 20/100 in each eye, correctable to 20/20 in one eye and 20/30 in the other eye. Ability to read, without strain, printed material the size of typewritten characters is required. Glasses are permitted. Normal depth perception: depth perception to the correctable standard of 80 seconds of ARC is permitted.
Education
Education cannot be substituted for experience for this position and grade level.
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.
As an ED employee, you will also benefit from our family-friendly work environment. As part of our commitment to maintain a work life balance, we offer excused leave for Parent/Teacher Conferences (3 hours); excused leave for annual health screenings (4 hours); and matching leave for community volunteer service. Other flexibilities that may be available to you include alternative work schedules.
You may be eligible to receive a recruitment incentive for this position. To receive this incentive payment, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon.
You may be eligible to participate in the Student Loan Repayment Program as a recruitment incentive for this position. To receive student loan repayments, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon.
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 use a multi-step process to review and evaluate applicants:
1. Eligibility and Minimum Qualifications
Once the vacancy announcement closes, we will review your submitted resume and documents to determine if you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, including any required education, experience, and/or selective placement factors. You will be rated as ineligible if you are outside of the area of consideration (i.e., who may apply) or your application is missing any required documents. You will be rated as not qualified if you do not possess the minimum qualification requirements.
2. Rating and Ranking
If you are found to meet both the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, we will assess the quality of your experience and the extent to which you possess the required KSAs by comparing your submitted resume and documents against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. (The occupational questionnaire is the list of questions in the automated system that you will have an opportunity to answer once you apply for the position). Based on the outcome of this evaluation, you will be assigned a numerical score (out of 100 possible). If your responses to the occupational questionnaire are not substantiated by your submitted resume, you may be eliminated from receiving further consideration.
3. Referral and Selection
If you are found to be amongst the most highly qualified applicants, you will be referred to the selecting official. As part of the assessment and selection process, the selecting official may invite you to participate in a structured interview, check your references, and/or request that you submit a writing sample or complete a written assessment or exercise to further evaluate your qualifications for this position.
Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
How to Apply
Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not already have one) at www.usajobs.gov.
Step 2: Create a resume using the USAJOBS resume builder. Ensure that your resume demonstrates your education, experience, training, and accomplishments as it relates to the qualifications for this position and substantiates your responses to the occupational questionnaire. We strongly recommend that applicants limit their resumes to a maximum of two pages.
Step 3: Upload any required documents into your USAJOBS account (must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX)).
Step 4: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire and attach any required documents. Verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBS transfer into the agency's hiring system. You will have the opportunity to upload any additional required documents in the agency's hiring system. Click “Finish” to submit your application.
NOTE: You may update your application or required documents at any time while the announcement is open by logging into your USAJOBS account, clicking on "Application Status," clicking on the position title, clicking "Update Application,” and following the prompts.
In order to receive consideration for this position, you must submit your complete application, including all required documents, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the closing date of the vacancy announcement. If the vacancy announcement has an application limit, we recommend that you submit your complete application at the time of initial application. We will not accept any required documentation after the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
If you have any questions regarding submitting your application, please contact the HR Specialist listed under the Agency Contact Information.
Next steps
As an applicant, you may check your application status through your USAJOBS account at any time. We will also notify you via email of your application status at three key stages in the recruitment process.
1. Once the vacancy announcement closes, we will inform you that your application has been received.
2. After we review your submitted resume and supporting documentation, we will inform you if you are eligible and qualified, if your application was referred to a subject matter expert or panel of subject matter experts for further evaluation, and if you were amongst the most highly qualified candidates referred to the selecting official.
3. Finally, we will inform you of your final disposition for this announcement (e.g., if/when a selection is made, if/when the announcement is cancelled).