Criminal Investigator, GS-1811-13 (DE) en Department of Education

Top Secret

Duties

The Inspector General of the Department of Education (Department) heads an independent and objective organization responsible for audit, investigation, and other services related to programs and operations of the Department. The Inspector General provides leadership and coordination and recommends policies for activities designed, to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration of programs and operations as well as to prevent and detect fraud and abuse in such programs and operations. The Office of the Inspector General consists of the following seven components: Immediate Office of the Inspector General Investigation Services Audit Services Management Services Technology Services Legal Services/Counsel to the Inspector General Enterprise and External Affairs Investigation Services (IS) is responsible for all investigative activities relating to the Department’s programs and operations and the prevention and detection of fraud and abuse in these programs and operations. IS also conducts, supervises, and coordinates investigations of suspected fraudulent activity by Departmental employees. IS is responsible for establishing the necessary procedures for coordination with the Department of Justice on all criminal matters dealing with the Department’s programs and operations. Independently plans and conducts all aspects of complex program and grant fraud investigations, gathering and obtaining evidence, participating in surveillance operations, interviews, and the drafting of third-party request letters and subpoenas. Examines, verifies, and analyzes records, books, reports, correspondence, and other data of consequence related to transactions, actions, or allegations under investigation. Drafts reports of investigative findings for review by senior criminal investigators.

Requirements

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. This vacancy announcement will close after the agency receives 250 applications. If the 'cut-off' number is reached during the day, the vacancy announcement will close the same day at 11:59 p.m. ET. 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. We will consider all qualifying experience, including any volunteer experience.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-12) in federal service that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position (see description below). Specialized Experience for the GS-13: One year of specialized experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-12 performing the three (3) following duties or work assignments: Experience demonstrating advanced skills in law enforcement techniques. Experience in analyzing records, complaints or allegations to identify issues in a case. Experience questioning or interviewing subjects, witnesses and victims to obtain and verify information. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement). Knowledge of independently applying investigative approaches and techniques to gather information and evidence. Knowledge of understanding of federal statutes and regulations. Ability to interact and work effectively with others. Skill in oral and written communications. Ability to meet essential deadlines. Knowledge of and skill in analyzing and organizing data and in presenting facts and analyses in writing. Skilled in the use of computers and computer software. Selectee must meet the initial agency suitability determination before a final offer can be made. Law Enforcement Availability: Applicants must agree to work an average of two hours extra per day to meet the requirements of law enforcement availability pay (LEAP) as described in Title 5 U.S.C. § 5545A(d)(1). Applicants may be required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination by an Agency designated physician to determine if they are physically and medically qualified to perform the full duties of the position. Any physical condition which could hinder an individual's full, efficient and safe performance of his/her duties as a criminal investigator, or failure to meet any of the required physical or medical qualifications, will usually be considered disqualifying for employment, except when sufficient evidence is presented that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job efficiently and without hazard to themselves and others. Medical Requirement: The duties of positions in this series require moderate 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. Arms, hands, legs, feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. Applicant must be able to pass an Audiometer test. Hearing loss exceeding a 30-decibel average in either ear in the conversational and speech range (500, 1000, 2000 cycles) is disqualifying. Applicant should possess uncorrected visual acuity of no less than 20/100 in each eye, correctable to 20/20 in one eye and 20/30 in the other eye. Ability to read, without strain, printed material the size of typewritten characters is required. Glasses are permitted. Normal depth perception: depth perception to the correctable standard of 80 seconds of ARC is permitted.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience for this position and grade level.

Other Information

Veterans’ Career Counseling: If you are a veteran interested in receiving tips on preparing a Federal resume and/or how to prepare for an interview, you may email [email protected] to schedule a session with a career counselor (“Veterans Counseling Session” should be placed in the subject line of the email). Student Loan Default: If selected for this position, we will verify that you have not defaulted on any loan funded or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are found to be in default, we will contact you to make arrangements for repayment prior to making an official offer of employment. Suitability and Investigation: If selected for this position, you will be required to complete the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for federal employment and successfully complete a pre-appointment investigation/background check. Non-Essential: This position is considered non-essential for purposes of reporting to work during federal government closures. Selections: Agencies have broad authority under law to hire from any appropriate source of eligibles and may fill a vacancy in the competitive service by any method authorized. We may make additional selections from this vacancy announcement within 90 days from the date the selection certificates are issued, should vacancies occur. We may also share selection certificates amongst program offices across the agency. Employment Drug Policy: Applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to a urinalysis prior to appointment to screen for illegal drug use and will be subject to periodic random testing thereafter. This position requires that the incumbent must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license. Applicants must be a minimum age of 21 and not have reached their 37th birthday prior to the opening date of this vacancy announcement. If an applicant reaches his/her 37th birthday during the open period of this vacancy announcement, the application will be considered. Applicants who reach their 37th birthday prior to the opening date of this vacancy announcement will not be considered. Applicants who are currently or previously have been employed under a law enforcement position covered by 5 U.S.C. § 8336(C) or 5 U.S.C. § 8412(D) and applicants with documented veteran's preference are not restricted from applying regardless of age. Firearms Requirement: Applicants for this position are required to qualify with and use firearms and other weapons as part of assigned duties and to maintain such qualifications. Because of an amendment to 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9), which became effective September 30, 1996, and is referred to as the Lautenberg Amendment, applicants are ineligible for this position if at ANY time they have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence, unless such conviction was expunged, set aside, or the applicant received a pardon. Agent Training: Applicant must have satisfactorily completed the Basic Criminal Investigative Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, or its equivalent. Applicants eligible for selection preference under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) must meet the agency definition of "well qualified." At ED-OIG, this means a score of 85.0 or higher.