Lead Criminal Investigator (CDI Unit Team Leader)

Summary

Serves as a Special Agent in the SSA Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Cooperative Disability Investigations Division with responsibility for planning, conducting, and coordinating investigations related to fraud, waste, and abuse in SSA's disability programs and operations. Investigative oversight includes wrongdoing by applicants, grantees, contractors, or by SSA employees in the performance of their official duties, and investigations of violations of the U.S. Code.

Duties

Independently conducts investigations into criminal and non-criminal cases pursuant to Agency legislation and regulations, and general policies and procedures. Conducts comprehensive research and analysis of cases to determine the applicable laws and the implementing regulations which were violated, and the proof required to support such cases and methods of obtaining them. Plans, coordinates, and initiates contacts with Federal, State, and local officials; and other key officials related to matters under investigation. Plans and conducts interviews with suspects, witnesses, and informants in case development. Serves search warrants and subpoenas; searches crime scenes for evidence; and participates with other law enforcement agencies as required. Prepares interim and comprehensive final investigative reports for prosecutive and management officials.

Qualifications and evaluation

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Applicants will be rated based on the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: Knowledge of the laws, principles, and procedures used in apprehending a criminal suspect, including policies for pursuit and reasonable use of force. Knowledge of the guidelines, regulations, and procedures associated with managing an investigation; knowledge of how to develop, coordinate, execute, monitor, and evaluate an investigative process to ensure a successful outcome. Knowledge of Federal, State, local, and tribal criminal laws, including procedures, regulations, and guidelines governing investigations and prosecution. Knowledge of laws, policies, and techniques related to interviewing individuals, including advice of rights (e.g., Miranda, Kalkines, Garrity). Knowledge of methods for gathering information to make determinations, developing new sources of information, analyzing information, and drawing factual inferences; knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures for conducting criminal, civil, or administrative investigations. Applicants will be assessed using the rating criteria listed in the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13052569 The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Please make sure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation. Cheating on the online assessment may result in your removal from consideration

Education

There is no Educational Requirement for this position.

How to apply

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience is subject to verification by the selecting official. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task. Notice Concerning Materially False, Fictitious, or Fraudulent Statements Anything you claim in the occupational questionnaire or in your SSA-45 may be subject to verification. By completing the electronic application process, you are certifying that any statements you make are true, complete, and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations are subject to disciplinary action. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: A Resume (SSA employees may submit an SSA-45) The Occupational Questionnaire: Click on the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account and follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Additional Required Documents, if applicable (See Required Documents section). The complete Application Package must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. (EST) on 09/21/2026. Failure to upload any required documents will disqualify your application from consideration. If you use assistive software or an adaptive device, or you are experiencing some other type of technical difficulty and/or otherwise require assistance with the application process, please contact Zunaira Awan at zunaira.j.awan@ssa.gov or 4103876405. Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities may use the listed email or 7-1-1 for TTY-based Telecommunications Relay Services to call the listed phone number. Additional Telecommunications Relay Services options are available in each state: https://www.fcc.gov/general/trs-state-and-territories Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email, standard mail, or facsimile sent directly to the Servicing Personnel Office. Applicants are required to file through the online application process. The email address is listed only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process. To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account.

Required documents

Resumes exceeding two pages will not be considered. To be considered, your resume must: Clearly demonstrate your qualifications for the position Include your contact information We recommend using a clear, easy-to-read format and focusing on information most relevant to the job announcement. RESUME: Include the following information: 1) personal information (full name, mailing address, work and home phone numbers); 2) education; 3) work experience (paid and unpaid, including clerkships/internships). Show job title, including series and grade if Federal employment, detailed duties and accomplishments, employer's name and address, supervisor's name and phone number, starting and ending dates (mm/dd/yy), hours per week, and salary; 4) other qualifications (skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses). Please note that providing the mm/dd/yy for all work experience is critical for evaluating your application. If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes. SF-50 If you are a current or former Federal employee, you must submit a Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) that that reflects your grade/step, possession of time-in-grade (e.g., a Within-Grade Increase or Promotion/Reassignment dated more than one year ago), and career or career-conditional tenure in the competitive service. You may need to submit more than one SF-50 to prove possession of time-in-grade. Current SSA employees are not required to submit an SF-50. If you are a former Federal employee with reinstatement eligibility, you must also submit your separation SF-50 showing your separation was not for performance or conduct reasons. PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL If you are a current Federal employee, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal. You must also include an explanation if you have changed agencies and have not yet received a performance appraisal from your new agency. If you are a new Federal employee who has not yet received a performance rating, you must upload an explanation. Current SSA employees, former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility, and VEOA applicants are not required to submit performance appraisals. NOTE: If you are a current Federal employee (non-SSA) applying under VEOA, you must submit a performance appraisal or explanation(s) as required above. VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACT (VEOA) The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) includes those eligible for veterans' preference OR have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after 3 or more years of continuous service, including veterans who were separated shortly before completing the required 3-year period. For more information visit the Vet Guide. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your military discharge certificate (DD-214 member 4 copy preferred) or an official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty. To be acceptable, the document must contain dates and show Character of Service. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference based on a service-connected disability, you must also submit an Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference (SF 15) and the required documentation specified on the reverse of the SF-15. Preference will be granted based on the documents received. If you are a current active duty military member who does not have a DD-214 and are claiming preference under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces indicating that you will be discharged or released under honorable conditions from active duty within 120 days of the date on the certification. Certifications must be on letterhead from the appropriate military branch and include the following information: military dates of service and expected discharge or release date, the character of service, military rank, type of discharge, and date when terminal leave will begin. Certifications must be signed by or under the direction of military members' military personnel offices, unit commanders, or higher headquarters. MILITARY SPOUSE - See USAJOBS Help Center | Military Spouses -- submit marriage certificate and proof that your spouse is still an active-duty member of the military. INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP) If you are applying for selection priority under ICTAP, you must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility: a separation notice; a Notice of Personnel Action (SF-50) documenting your separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; or a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.

Additional information

This is a non-bargaining unit position to be filled under the provisions of the Management Officials Promotion Plan. The best-qualified list for this vacancy may be used to fill the same or similar positions in a component(s) under the same Deputy Commissioner. Additional selections may be made within 6 months of the date the best qualified list is issued. LOCALITY PAY: Salary range listed is under 'Rest of U.S. (RUS)' locality pay table. Salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions. Candidates currently receiving a higher locality pay than the office applied for are advised that should they be selected, they will lose entitlement to the higher locality pay. Pay will be set based on locality for location selected. Please visit pay tables by location for Law Enforcement Officers to view locality pay tables. OTHER NOTES: The selectee will be required to file an OGE form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, in accordance with 5 CFR section 2634, subpart i. This position is not eligible for telework. Relocation expenses will not be paid. This position is designated as a mobile work position. Mobile work means work that is characterized by routine and regular travel to conduct work in customer or other worksites as opposed to a single authorized alternative worksite such as a home or office. It is different from telework and/or remote work. Examples of mobile work include site audits, site inspections, investigations, property management, and work performed while commuting, traveling between worksites, or on Temporary Duty (TDY). This is a critical sensitive position. The selected employee will be required to complete a Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions, in order to have the appropriate investigation conducted, unless the employee has been previously certified eligible to occupy a position at this level.