Criminal Investigator

Summary

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducts independent audits and investigations to promote efficiency and integrity within agency programs. Careers within the OIG and Office of Investigations offer professional development, flexible work schedules, domestic travel opportunities, and a strong commitment to work-life balance.

Duties

This position is located in the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Atlanta, Georgia; Houston, Texas; Jacksonville, Florida; Kansas City, Missouri; Los Angeles, California. The primary purpose of this position is serve as a Criminal Investigator responsible for independently planning, directing, and conducting the most complex and sensitive criminal, civil, and administrative investigations involving fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct affecting RRB programs, beneficiaries, trust funds, and operations. Duties performed: Plans and conducts complex, sensitive, and high-impact criminal investigations involving fraud across all RRB program areas, including retirement survivor annuities, disability, unemployment and sickness, representative payee matters, contract and procurement fraud, and Medicare benefits. Conducts and leads advanced investigative operations requiring expert use of undercover techniques, confidential informants, covert infiltration, mobile surveillance, and other sensitive methods. Represents OIG as a senior investigative authority on major multi-agency task forces addressing Medicare fraud, white collar crime, and other priority enforcement areas. Provides senior level investigative leadership supporting OI strategic efforts to focus on complex and high impact investigations.

Requirements

You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. One-year probationary period may be required. This is a Testing Designated Position which requires the incumbent to undergo and pass initial and random drug testing. If you receive a conditional offer of employment, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application. RRB uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing. The incumbent must be able to pass a medical examination and maintain physical fitness as a condition of employment. The incumbent must have completed the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP), at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), FBI/DEA Basic Agent Training, or equivalent Federal law enforcement training. The incumbent must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license and be able to operate a motor vehicle. The duties of this position require the incumbent to carry a firearm. As such, the incumbent must be qualified to carry a firearm and pass firearm qualifications according to OI policy. Positions carrying a firearm are covered by the 1996 Lautenberg Amendment of the Gun Control Act, Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 922 (g) (9) which bans access to firearms for life by people convicted of crimes of domestic violence. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition. 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. False or fraudulent information provided by a candidate is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment (Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1001). The incumbent must comply with OI policy regarding Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP), under which the criminal investigator must work an average of two hours greater than their daily, eight-hour schedule. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.

Qualifications and evaluation

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 the USA Hire Assessment Questionnaire. The questions are related to the following fundamental competencies (or Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) needed to perform the duties of this job: Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Based on your responses, you will receive a score from the Assessment Questionnaire. Those applicants who score the highest will be referred to the hiring manager and may be called for an interview. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and/or experience, you will be removed from consideration or your score will be lowered. Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards as an indicator of quality of prior experience; no points will be assigned. For Competitive Merit Promotion and Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) Applicants: The highest rated candidates will be referred to the hiring agency. For Noncompetitive Appointment Eligibles: All qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring agency. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the RRB 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. To preview the assessment questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13032487

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the Occupational Questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13032487 and submit the required documentation outlined under the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section. The complete application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/24/2026. PLEASE NOTE: If your materials are not received by the closing date, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible. Also, if you do not provide a valid email address, you may not be notified of the outcome of your application. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. Note: One or more positions may be filled using this vacancy announcement. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for RRB to share your application with others in RRB for similar positions.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your resume showing a detailed description of your job-related qualifications that includes beginning and ending dates with the month and year and hours worked per week (if less than 40) for each paid and non-paid work experience job title listed. Limit your resume to two pages. Only resumes 2 pages in length will be accepted to determine eligibility and qualifications. 2. Other supporting documents (only submit if applicable to you): Are you a current or former federal employee? Submit a copy of your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, with-in grade/range increases); your current promotion potential; proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement; etc. Are you a veteran? Submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 or other (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or notice form. Those applying for 10-Point preference must fill out the SF-15 and provide an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP)? If so, submit: A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement; A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action'', documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc.; A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential. Are you eligible for a special noncompetitive hiring authority (e.g., Schedule A Disability, Peace Corps, Former Overseas Employees, etc.)? Submit documentation of proof that supports your eligibility under a special hiring authority. 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; and Beginning and ending dates of appointment. Are you applying under special hiring authorities as a military spouse? Provide a copy of your: Marriage certificate, and A completed SF-15 with supporting documentation. You may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.

Additional information

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Railroad Retirement Board, Office of the Inspector General (RRB-IOG) requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for Top Secret clearance as a condition of placement in this critical sensitive high risk position. This review includes 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. Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of active service performed under honorable conditions (you must submit a DD214-member copy 4). 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. Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP): This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP or ICTAP; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For information on eligibility criteria and required documentation, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/). Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will not be paid. Bargaining Unit Position: No