Criminal Investigator

Summary

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office whose mission is to promote excellence, integrity, and accountability throughout the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In our dynamic environment, the OIG conducts investigations, audits, evaluations, and inspections to enhance program effectiveness and efficiency and to detect and prevent waste, fraud, and mismanagement in DHS programs and operations.

Duties

The Office of Investigations is responsible for investigating the appropriate criminal and civil justice system those individuals and organizations involved in financial, professional, civil, or criminal misconduct relating to Department of Homeland Security programs and operations. The GS-9 position serves as a trainee Criminal Investigator performing developmental assignments in support of senior investigators. Assists in conducting investigations involving alleged violations of criminal and administrative laws under close supervision. Gathers factual information through record reviews, interviews, and basic investigative techniques. Participates in portions of investigations involving less-complex cases or segments of larger investigations. Typical assignments include: Performs limited assignments involving clearly defined issues and precedents. Assists higher-graded investigators in gathering and organizing information for ongoing cases. Prepares basic investigative summaries and draft reports for review by senior investigators. As needs demand, support these findings with evidence by documents such as: statements, affidavits, financial and employment records, insurance information, criminal records, other transactions, and similar case-related documents. Maintains contacts with internal staff and occasionally external agencies under guidance. Performs routine administrative and support duties associated with investigations, including responding to inquiries and maintaining case files. May observe court proceedings and assist in preparation of case materials. As needed, will serve as a witness at civil hearings or criminal court trials, and testify before grand juries concerning evidence developed during criminal investigation. Other duties as assigned. The GS-11 position serves as a Criminal Investigator performing progressively responsible assignments involving a variety of investigative matters of moderate complexity. Conducts Investigations with regard to a wide variety of allegations received by the Office of Inspector General. Independently conducts portions of investigations and less complex cases, referring highly sensitive or complex matters to senior investigators. Typical assignments include: Performs assignments involving multiple issues or subjects where applicable precedents exist. Assists in larger investigations involving multiple jurisdictions or program areas. Performs portions of large extremely complex and sensitive investigations requiring inquiry into activities in various geographical locations. Prepares complete investigative reports for cases of moderate complexity. As needs demand, support these findings with evidence by documents such as: statements, affidavits, financial and employment records, insurance information, criminal records, other transactions, and similar case-related documents. Maintains working relationships with local, state, and federal agencies to obtain information, typically on routine or recurring matters. Identifies violations of Federal statutes, investigates wrongdoing, preserve evidence, ensure Constitutional rights of suspects and witnesses during an investigation, and presents findings, to OIG officials, prosecuting attorneys and staff judge advocates for action and/or prosecution. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and evaluation

Location clarification: 1 Vacancy will be filled in the Tucson Office. 1 Vacancy will be filled in either the Del Rio or Laredo Office. This recruitment will utilize one or more of the following technical assessment tools: USA Hire, Structured Resume Review, Accomplishment Record, Job Knowledge Test, Structured Interview, Work Sample or Situation Judgement Test. You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, a subject matter expert review of your resume, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Analysis and Evaluation Arrest Attention to Detail Criminal Investigation Investigations, Surveillance and Apprehension Liaison Public Safety and Security Reporting And Recommendations Surveillance Following the review of your resume by our panel of subject matter experts, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is committed to ensuring that all of our employees act in a manner that embodies the Department's Mission Statement: With honor and integrity, we will safeguard the American people, our homeland and our values. As an employee of the Department, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees and to the criminal conflict of interest statutes. These rules will assist you in maintaining your impartiality and acting in the public's interest as you carry out the responsibilities of your DHS position. If you have a concern at any time that a DHS assignment may involve one of your personal financial interests, promptly notify your supervisor and obtain ethics guidance from the appropriate Ethics Official before working on the assignment. You can obtain ethics information by emailing DHS, Office of Inspector General, Ethics Office at OIG.Ethics@oig.dhs.gov.

Education

You may qualify for the GS-9 position if you have: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. You may qualify for the GS-11 position if you have: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: 1. To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button. 2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. 3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. The following applicants can be considered under Merit Promotion eligibles (also known as "status candidates"): Current career or career-conditional employees: http://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Career_vs._Career_Conditional 30% Disabled Veterans: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/index.aspx Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/index.aspx Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA): http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/index.aspx Certain Military Spouses: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shams/index.aspx Reinstatement: http://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/What_is_reinstatement%3F_Am_I_eligible%3F Family Member Preference (Derived Preference): http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/familypref/index.aspx A severely physically handicapped Schedule A appointment: Please submit a certification from a State or District of Columbia rehabilitation counselor indicating that you can perform the duties of this position and are eligible for an excepted appointment based on a physical or mental disability. A former Peace Corps or VISTA Volunteers appointment: Please submit documentation indicating your volunteer service in order to be considered. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. Note: 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.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes: Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed. Your responses to the job questionnaire Are you a current or former federal employee? Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current grade; your highest grade held; your current promotion potential and proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases and accessions. Are you a veteran? You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable. If claiming 10 point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), "Application for 10-point Veterans' 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. View more veterans' information. Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Submit the following: 1) A copy of your agency notice; 2) A copy of your most recent performance rating; and 3) A copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level and duty location. 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: 1) Position title; 2) Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee); 3) Agency; 4) Beginning and ending dates of appointment If you are a current or former federal employee, you must submit your most recent Fiscal Year FY2023 Performance Appraisals. Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must be 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. (Note: Veteran's preference does not apply under Merit Promotion procedures.) View VEOA information on Feds Hire Vets. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under ICTAP, 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.

Additional information

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more. 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). 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. Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with the application or selection process, please email us at Applicant.Inquiries@oig.dhs.gov. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. 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. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, 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, 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. 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. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.