Summary

Serves as a Special Agent in the SSA Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Cooperative Disability Investigations Division with responsibility for planning, conducting, and coordinating investigations related to fraud, waste, and abuse in SSA's disability programs and operations. Investigative oversight includes wrongdoing by applicants, grantees, contractors, or by SSA employees in the performance of their official duties, and investigations of violations of the U.S. Code.

Duties

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• Independently conducts criminal investigations of disability fraud cases in accordance with applicable legislation, regulations, general policies and procedures developed specifically for the Cooperative Disability Investigations Unit.
• Conducts comprehensive research and analysis of cases to determine the applicable laws and the implementing regulations which were violated, and the proof required to support such cases and methods of obtaining them.
• Plans and initiates contacts with Federal, State, and local officials; and other key officials related to matters under investigation
• Plans and conducts surveillance of a suspect or various groups of suspects.
• Serves search warrants and subpoenas; searches crime scenes for evidence; and participates with other law enforcement agencies as required.
• Briefs field division management officials and the CDI Unit Team Leader on investigative activities and the direction and progress of investigations; significant findings and developments; problems or questions of evidence; testimony or law.
• Reports the results of investigations to the team leader, field division management, and the state DDS to facilitate timely and accurate disability eligibility determinations.
• Testifies before grand juries, courts, or administrative hearings on facts of investigative cases.
• Selectee will be required to pass firearms qualification and may be required to carry a firearm.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Selective Service Registration: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov
• Job offers are contingent on fingerprinting and background/security investigation results.
• Federal employees must have a successful performance rating.
• Selectees may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period.
• This position is designated as mobile work. Mobile work means work that is characterized by routine and regular travel to conduct work in customer or other worksites as opposed to a single authorized alternative worksite such as a home or office.
• Selectees may be required to sign a mobility agreement.
• Official Personnel Folders will not be reviewed.
• Requests for copies of application documents will not be accepted.
• All application forms submitted become the property of SSA Human Resources.
• All application materials must be received by the closing date.
• Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion or national origin

Qualifications

Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered, please visit the new resume guidance for more information.

HOW TO QUALIFY: Eligible applicants must meet the following qualification requirements

Specialized Experience: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-11 level, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience must include at least one of the following:

(1) Preparing accurate and concise written reports and recommendations related to investigative findings.

(2) Interviewing suspects, witnesses, and/or informants.

(3) Performing work that involves planning, managing, or conducting investigations related to alleged criminal violations of Federal law.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Additionally, the Law Enforcement (1811) series has the following qualification requirements:

• Tentative selectee(s) must pass a pre-appointment physical examination. The duties of positions in this series 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. Arms, legs, and feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. 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. Since the duties of these positions are exacting and responsible, and involve activities under trying conditions, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to themselves or others is disqualifying.
• Tentative selectee(s) will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment unless currently an SSA employee occupying a position already in a random drug testing program. Appointment to the position is contingent upon a negative test result. After appointment the employee will be included in the agency's random drug test program.
• This position is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment/Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968.
• The selected employee will not be made a final offer of employment until after we receive notice of the completion of a successful background investigation.
• Selectee will be required to pass firearms qualification and may be required to carry a firearm.
• The selectee will be required to attend a course of instruction on the proper use of Oleoresin Capsicum spray (OCS), which is the oily resin of pepper. This instruction includes being exposed to OCS so that knowledge of its effects can be gained.
• This position is covered by the special retirement provision for Federal Law Enforcement Officers (FLEO). Selectee without previous FLEO service must be at least 21 years of age and not yet 37 years of age or older on the date of appointment.
• Selectee newly assigned to the Criminal Investigator position MUST successfully complete the 9-week Criminal Investigator Program training course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Glynco, Georgia.
• This position is designated as a mobile work position. Mobile work means work that is characterized by routine and regular travel to conduct work in customer or other worksites as opposed to a single authorized alternative worksite such as a home or office. It is different from telework and/or remote work. Examples of mobile work include site audits, site inspections, investigations, property management, and work performed while commuting, traveling between worksites, or on Temporary Duty (TDY).
• Selectee must sign a mobility agreement to accept relocation to other geographic locations if required by the agency.

Education

There is no Educational Requirement for this position.

Additional information

Retirees - Dual Compensation Off-Set Waiver for Criminal Investigators:

• This announcement is being used to recruit CSRS and FERS annuitants on a limited basis. A dual compensation waiver has been approved in accordance with applicable regulations under certain specified circumstances, not to exceed 1 year (may be extended up to 5 years) OR your 65th birthday for FERS annuitants OR your 60th birthday for CSRS annuitants, whichever comes first.
• Retirees under Early Out Authority are not eligible.
• Reemployed annuitants serve at the will of the appointing official, per 5 U.S.C. 3323. Agencies may hire annuitants using any appropriate existing appointing authority. Agencies may adjust the work schedule of annuitants without advanced notice or procedures. Annuitants with a salary off-set waiver may not make retirement contributions or participate in the Thrift Savings Plan.

Salary range listed is under 'Rest of U.S. (RUS)' locality pay table. Actual salary will vary depending on location being filled. To find out the salary range for your selected location, you can view the salary for each locality pay table here: General Schedule

Selectee will also receive 25% Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) in addition.

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.

OTHER NOTES:

Additional selections may be made for this vacancy six months from the closing date of this announcement.

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

This position is not eligible for telework. Relocation expenses will not be paid.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

- your performance and conduct;

- the needs and interests of the agency;

- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and

- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.