PUBLIC NOTICE- DEA Criminal Investigators

**THIS IS NOT A JOB ANNOUNCEMENT** This is a public notice for Drug Enforcement Administration Criminal Investigator GL-1811-7/9/11 positions open to U.S. Citizens. A job announcement will be posted on USAJobs on January 5, 2026. PLEASE READ THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED SECTIONS. For more information about Special Agent positions, please visit Talk to a Recruiter.

For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility Applicants must meet all of the required qualification requirements described below by the closing of this announcement. If you are qualifying based on education, you MUST submit a copy of your transcript with your application that clearly displays conferred degrees and/or relevant credit hours. An unofficial transcript will be accepted at the time of application. If selected, an official/sealed college transcript(s) will be required to verify education prior to employment. All applicants must meet one of the basic qualification requirements described below for this position. For the GL-07 Level: Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GL/GS-05 level or pay band in the Federal service that includes performing the following duties: Assisting in investigations of alleged or suspected violations of law; Writing reports of findings, results, or accomplishments for information or action relating to law enforcement activities and/or court cases; Researching, collecting and analyzing data from a variety of sources relating to investigations; -OR- SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: The experience requirement for the GS-7 level may be met by one full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to successfully perform the duties of the position, -OR- SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT (SAA): Applicants who have completed (or expect to complete within 9 months) all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) in a course of study that directly reflects the job-related competencies necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position. Courses should emphasize the development of skills in teamwork, problem-solving, decision-making, flexibility, oral communication, interpersonal relations, and/or self-management. Eligibility for Upcoming Graduates: Senior students who are currently enrolled in a degree program and expect to complete all graduation requirements within 9 months of the closing date of this announcement, may be considered for a GL-7 appointment based on their grades at the time of application. To be considered: At the time of application, senior students must provide documentation confirming an expected graduation date AND; Prior to entry on duty, provide evidence that they maintained the required grades during their senior year. Failure to provide proof of graduation within the required timeframe OR failure to maintain the required grades through their senior year, may result in removal from consideration. S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership: Class Standing: Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class, based on completed courses; Grade Point Average: Applicants must have a grade point average of: 3.0 or higher: Based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; OR; 3.5 or higher: Based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; OR; Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society: Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies OR; COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. For the GL-09 Level: Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GL/GS-07 level or pay band in the Federal service that includes performing the following duties: Assisting in investigations of alleged or suspected violations of law; Collecting and analyzing data from a variety of sources relating to investigations; Writing reports and conducting briefings of findings, results, or accomplishments for information or action relating to law enforcement activities and/or court cases; Meeting or corresponding with court officials and law enforcement personnel to discuss case-related materials; and Assisting prosecuting attorneys in preparation of technical aspects of cases; and/or testifying or presenting evidence for court, legislative, or administrative proceedings; -OR- SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: 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. -OR- COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. For the GS-11 Level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GL/GS-09 level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrate your ability in the following: Experience working on FEDERAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS; Developing operational plans and determining investigative priorities of cases; Operating undercover, conducting surveillance operations, participating in raids, seizures and arrests etc.; Developing and eliciting information from confidential sources; Interviewing, and interrogating persons suspected of violations of law; and Organizing evidence for presentation to prosecution officials and testifying in court; OR; SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Have a Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leader to a Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or LL.M, if related; OR; COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.