Criminal Investigator (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

Summary

This position is in the Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation (OFI). The federal odometer law and its implementing regulations carry administrative, civil, and criminal penalties. The incumbent serves as a criminal investigator reporting directly to a supervisory criminal investigator.

Duties

As a Criminal Investigator, you will: ⁠Conduct independent investigations which are relatively large in number, widespread geographically, and which involve frequent or extensive contact with subjects and principals. These investigations are complex in nature and involve interstate movement of large numbers of vehicles and title documents through dealerships and subsidiaries which are engaged in systematic odometer fraud. The sensitivity of these investigations is such that premature disclosure could seriously hamper the progress of the investigation and endanger lives of both victims and suspects. Receive and analyze information from other NHTSA Enforcement Regional Offices, other Federal agencies, and State and local investigative agencies to determine suspects patterns of operations and to identify odometer fraud interwoven with legitimate activities. Assumes substantial personal responsibility for overcoming unresponsiveness, hostility or violence and for conducting hearings in order to satisfactorily handle difficult or unusual circumstances. Provide investigative assistance to other Federal and State law enforcement agencies when odometer fraud investigations develop evidence of violations of other criminal statutes, i.e., mail fraud, wire fraud, interstate transportation of stolen property and fraudulent securities, bribery of State officials and tax evasion. Organize and manage joint task force operations consisting of other Federal and State agencies to investigate large-scale odometer fraud schemes, providing leadership, guidance and direction, and to other enforcement officers. Develop and conduct training programs in odometer fraud for enforcement officials from other Federal and State agencies. Meet with high-level, elected and appointed, Federal and State officials to gain their support for the odometer enforcement program. Provide testimony before State legislative bodies in their attempts to strengthen odometer enforcement. Interview and take statements from persons having information relating to odometer fraud. Cultivate and use informants to develop investigative leads. Conduct and/or participate in surveillance and undercover investigative activity, sometimes posing as individuals involved in criminal activity, when necessary to the investigation, which is often very extensive and hazardous. Reviews and analyzes information from State motor vehicle records to obtain additional information about persons suspected of fraud, to detect alterations and forgeries, and to determine suspects' patterns of operations, i.e., document and/or money "laundering" operations. Examine the premises of businesses and persons suspected of fraud, using search warrants when necessary, inspect vehicles on the premises, examine and analyze records relating to motor vehicle transactions, and make copies of relevant records. Seizes and/or impounds documents, equipment and vehicles as necessary to assemble evidence needed for criminal convictions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation (OFI) is seeking a highly skilled, self-directed, and resilient Law Enforcement Officer to serve as a GS-1811-14 Criminal Investigator. The ideal candidate must be prepared to independently manage large-scale, complex, and geographically widespread criminal investigations within an assigned Enforcement Region covering approximately one-fourth of the nation. This position involves extensive field operations and is classified as "Rigorous" under enhanced 6(c) federal law enforcement retirement coverage. Additional Information: Criminal Investigators must be prepared to work overtime based on the needs of the agency. Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): LEAP is approved for this position to compensate employees for unscheduled duty in excess of the 40-hour workweek. For persons currently covered under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) this position meets the provisions of Title 5 U.S. Code, Section 8336 (Law Enforcement Retirement). For persons covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), this position meets the provisions of Title 5 U.S. code, Section 8412(d) (Law Enforcement Retirement).

Requirements

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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 the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You may be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding. DRUG TESTING: This position has been determined to be a critical safety/security position as defined in the Department of Transportation (DOT) Order, DOT 3910.1D entitled "Drug and Alcohol-Free Departmental Workplace." Therefore, if selected for the position you will be required to submit to a pre-employment/pre-appointment drug test, you will also be subject to Random Drug Testing. Pre-employment: This position is subject to a pre-employment medical examination, and medical examinations will be required every 3 years for criminal investigators under the age of 40, and every 2 years for criminal investigators age 40 and over. Failure to meet physical requirements may result in reassignment from the position of special agent or other appropriate personnel action, including but not limited to removal or retirement.

Qualifications and evaluation

DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/ application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level. All applicants: Your application will be reviewed in two phases determine how you move forward in the hiring process. Phase I: Your resume will be reviewed to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. ONLY two (2) pages of your resume will be reviewed. Additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) will not be reviewed. Applicants passing “Phase I” will move on to the “Phase II” of the assessment process where your application will be reviewed and rated based on the KSAs/Competencies listed in the vacancy announcement by a Subject Matter Expert (SME). You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Education

This position does not have an Education Requirement; however it does have the following Individual Occupational Requirement: Medical Requirements 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.

How to apply

You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than 11:59 (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting. Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire. You may review your saved application(s) at https://help.usajobs.gov/ If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office via email at: Transjobs@dot.gov

Required documents

RESUME: In accordance with the OPM memorandum titled Merit Hiring Plan, dated May 29, 2025, resumes with a maximum of two (2) pages in length will be accepted as part of your application. These should be legible and in a readable font size. A determination of your eligibility and/or qualifications will be based only on those two (2) pages. Your resume MUST contain specific information that can be used to make a qualification determination, including employment beginning and ending dates for each position, whether employment is Full-time or Part-time, or average number of hours worked per week, and position titles. If the position is/was in the Federal government, you will need to provide the position series and grade level. The resume should show relevant experience and education, as well as support the required specialized experience. PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS/INCENTIVE AWARDS: If applicable, performance appraisals and/or Incentive award documentation may be submitted and forwarded to the selecting official in consideration of your application. To receive credit, submit a recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable (do not submit a performance plan) and/or incentive award documentation dated within the last 18 months (i.e. performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increases, etc.). VETERANS: Your last DD214 (member 4 copy), Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, that shows the type of discharge and all dates of active duty is required to verify your eligibility. If applying to a vacancy opened to all US Citizens under category rating and wish to be considered as a preference eligible, you need to submit a copy of your DD214 (member-4 copy). If claiming preference eligibility as a disabled veteran, you must submit proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally a valid letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. An SF-15 is desired, but not required. If applying to a vacancy opened Status and you are requesting consideration under Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) (https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/#veoa), you need to provide a copy of your last DD214 (member-4 copy), which verifies your military service dates, reason for separation, OR certification of separation that shows a discharge date within 120 days of the closing of this announcement, and eligibility for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act. FEDERAL APPLICANTS: You must submit SF-50(s) that verify your highest competitive grade, full performance level, and eligibility as a federal applicant. DO NOT submit an award SF-50 as these often do not verify grade or eligibility. For consideration for a promotion, Box 4 of the SF-50 must show a date that is at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing. We recommend submitting your last promotion SF-50 or within-grade increase SF-50. Pay adjustment raise SF-50s for the current year will not support the 52 weeks' time-in-grade requirements. https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/service/sf-50 NON COMPETITIVE APPLICANTS: If requesting concurrent consideration for Non-competitive (NC) appointment eligibility, you must provide the appropriate SPECIAL APPOINTING AUTHORITY DOCUMENTS, such as PCS orders (military spouse) describing move & marriage certificate; letter from VA or DD214 describing 100% disability of spouse; letter from State Vocational Office certifying disability (schedule A), etc. For more information, visit military spouse NC appointments or Persons with Disabilities NC appointments. DISPLACED EMPLOYEES: If requesting consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency CTAP program (ICTAP), you must meet the well qualified standards for this vacancy (meeting minimum requirements for position and scoring at least an 80) and provide all of the following documents: your most recent performance appraisal, the proof of eligibility letter from the Agency, and your most current SF-50, displaying current series and grade. Displaced employees may be eligible for ICTAP or CTAP priority consideration. For more information, please review the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition. Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USAJobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system. You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.

Additional information

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. LAUTENBERG AMENDMENT: This position requires that the employee be qualified to carry a firearm. Under the Lautenberg Amendment [18 U.S.C. 922(g) (9)], A person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition. Therefore, candidates who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are not qualified for this position. Candidates under consideration will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of such an offense. Persons who provide false or fraudulent information may be subject to a fine or imprisonment under Title 18 U.S.C., Section 1001, and may be barred from Federal employment. MEDICAL AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT: The nature of criminal investigative work requires that you have unimpaired hearing, vision, and mental alertness, in order that you are able to recognize the presence of dangerous or risky situations and take precautions necessary to prevent physical harm to yourself and to others. Physical well-being is a prerequisite to effective performance because of the stress that results from continuous direct contact with criminal elements and extensive investigative "street work" (sometimes 14-16 hours a day). You must also be in sound physical condition to take evasive or defensive action when a situation arises. Physical contact is required in many instances, such as serving subpoenas to subjects under investigation. Applicants are subject to the maximum age for original entry into law enforcement positions with this agency - the date immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday. Also considered eligible will be: (a) those found to be eligible and referred to a selecting official who pass the age limit during the selection process before actual entry on duty or (b) those individuals age 37 through 56 who have previous service creditable under the CSRS or FERS law enforcement provisions sufficient to enable them to retire at age 57 with 20 years or creditable service. This requirement does not apply to preference eligible veterans. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement. Failure to provide this documentation with your application will result in loss of eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement.