Criminal Investigator
What you'd do
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.
Major 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.
What you need to qualify
You will qualify for the GS-9 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-7 grade level. Specialized experience at this level includes: 1. Under supervision, understanding and utilizing techniques, methods, and equipment in conducting a full life cycle criminal investigation to include drafting and preparing concise, logical reports of investigations and summaries. 2. Assisting in presenting evidence that reconstructs events, sequences, and time element to establish relationships, responsibilities, legal liabilities, and conflict. 3. Knowledge of principles, techniques, methods, equipment and procedures to perform the full range of investigative activities and demonstrated knowledge of investigation techniques. You will qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-9 grade level. Specialized experience at this level includes: 1. Knowledge of the investigation process and skills in fact-finding, analysis, and reporting to perform difficult and complex assignments. 2. Presenting evidence that reconstructs events, sequences, and time element to establish relationships, responsibilities, legal liabilities, and conflict. 3. Knowledge of principles, techniques, methods, equipment and procedures to perform the full range of investigative activities and demonstrated knowledge of investigation techniques. 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date 08/14/2026 of this announcement. Current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade level or equivalent grade band in the federal service. The time-in-grade requirement must be met by the closing date 08/14/2026 of this announcement. 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. Additional Requirements: Firearm Requirement: This position requires you to be authorized to carry a firearm and maintain firearm proficiency. Therefore, it is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment, 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) (9) and you will be required to verify that you have not been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. Age Requirement: This position is covered by the law enforcement officer retirement provisions, 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) or 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d), and as such is covered by a mandatory age requirement. There is a maximum entry age of the day before your 37th birthday for original appointment into law enforcement officer positions as defined in 5 U.S.C. 8331(21) or 5 U.S.C. 8401(17). This age restriction does not apply to those who have prior Federal service in a covered primary law enforcement position, or to qualified Veterans' preference eligible regardless of whether they meet the maximum age requirements identified at 5 U.S.C. 3307. Medical Requirement: This position requires you to maintain physical fitness standards set by the agency. The duties of Criminal Investigators 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. 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. Additionally, the duties of this position involve activities under trying conditions, as such, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. This position may require the completion of a Medical Examination that will include testing of your vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and mobility of extremities by an authorized Government physician. If a medical examination is required, you must be cleared by the authorized Government physician in order to be determined physically fit to perform the arduous physical exertion required of this position. This position has been identified as a Testing Designated Position (TDP); therefore, you are subject to drug testing under OIG's Drug-Free Workplace policy. Refusal to be randomly tested may result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.
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