Summary

The USPS OIG is seeking a highly qualified applicant to fill our Criminal Investigator positions within the Office of Investigations, Central Area Field Office (CAFO) located in Chicago, IL.

The successful candidate must have experience in planning, conducting and/or leading complex federal criminal, civil and administrative investigations.

Duties

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The successful candidate must be highly motivated and exhibit a high degree of character and demonstrate experience planning, conducting and/or leading complex federal criminal, civil and administrative investigations.

Additional Duties & Responsibilities:

• Plans, conducts and/or coordinates criminal, civil and administrative investigations relating to alleged or suspected violations of Federal laws committed by or against Postal Service personnel or Postal Service contractors.
• Obtains and evaluates information to support all criminal and civil investigations.
• Applies for and serves warrants for arrests, searches and seizures as appropriate and provided by law.
• Prepares requests and/or reviews/approves requests for subpoenas, consensual monitoring, and other requests requiring higher authority.
• Assists Government attorneys in the preparation of grand jury presentations and court cases; serves as a witness in grand juries, criminal and civil courts and administrative forums.
• Maintains liaison with other offices, agencies, and appropriate organizations as needed.
• Conducts investigations using various techniques such as surveillance, interviewing and interrogating, examining files and records, obtaining physical and documentary evidence and undercover assignments.
• Collects, evaluates and preserves physical and documentary evidence. Utilizing cameras and other electronic surveillance equipment to gather evidence.

The duties and responsibilities associated with this position may vary based upon the agency's needs at the time of hire. The preceding description of major duties and responsibilities is only intended to give applicants a general overview of the expectations.

Compensation: The USPS OIG is an Excepted Service agency and uses a Pay Banding system, which is equivalent to the Federal GS scale.

This position is being advertised at the Journey Band level, equivalent to a GS-11 to GS-13. The salary range for this position is $83,482.00 - $154,682.00. The salary figures include locality pay. For locality table specifics, visit: OPM's General Schedule (GS).

The posted salary range does not include the authorized Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) under the 1811 Series.

The job also provides coverage as a primary position under law enforcement retirement.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret (Tier-5) clearance.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a government-issued credit card.
• Must be able to pass a drug screening. Note: A physical is required for 1811 Criminal Investigator positions.
• Required to successfully complete a twelve (12) month probationary period.
• Selectee subject to random drug screenings.
• Must be a Federal Law Enforcement Officer classified as an 1811 series Criminal Investigator.

Qualifications

You must currently be an 1811 criminal investigator or military equivalent and have at least one or more years of experience as a criminal investigator at a GS-11 or above equivalent grade level in the 1811 occupation series. NON-QUALIFYING experience includes security details, intelligence analysis, corrections or guard duty, physical security, and military/security police officer.

Position Minimum Qualification Requirements

You must meet all the minimum qualifications listed below.

Eligibility & Experience Requirements

• Current serve as a federal law enforcement officer classified as an 1811 series Criminal Investigator or Military equivalent.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Completed Basic Criminal Investigative Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) or its equivalent.
• At least one (1) or more years of experience equivalent at the GS-11 level or higher grade.
• Demonstrated experience assisting, planning, conducting and/or leading complex criminal investigations.
• Received at least a "met expectation" rating on your two most recent performance appraisals (FY 2024 and FY 2025).

In accordance with applicable laws, the applicant selected for this position must:

• Maintain eligibility to operate motor vehicles
• Must be at least 21 years of age and not have reached 37th birthday at the time of initial appointment to law enforcement position
• Qualify and maintain authorization to carry firearms, including no current or previous domestic violence convictions
• Maintain physical, mental and emotional standards and requirements necessary to perform law enforcement assignments
• Work unscheduled irregular hours with the possibility of personal risk
• Must be willing to relocate at the direction of management

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge of Postal Service structure, processes, operations, etc.

Evaluation Factors | How You Will Be Evaluated:

You must have the experience, knowledge, and skills as listed in each of the evaluation factors listed below. Include your major accomplishments relevant to the position requirements and factors in your resume. Failure to demonstrate that you meet all the evaluation factor requirements as listed below will result in a score of zero (0), an ineligible status, and you will not be referred for further consideration.

• Demonstrated experience assisting, planning, conducting and/or leading complex criminal investigations.
• Demonstrative ability to define problems, analyze alternatives and recommend solutions to difficult criminal investigative problems or issues.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing facts and circumstances of investigations to individuals and groups.

Education

Education must be accredited by an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Applicants can verify accreditation here: www.ed.gov.

Special Instructions for Candidates with Foreign Education:

Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in U.S. education programs. You must submit all necessary documents to a private U.S. credential evaluation service to interpret equivalency of your education against courses given in U.S. accredited colleges and universities.

For further information visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

About the OIG | What We Do

Executive Order 14074 directed the Attorney General to establish the National Law Enforcement Accountability Database (NLEAD) as a centralized repository of official records documenting certain instances of law enforcement officer misconduct. The United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General utilizes the information in the NLEAD, in accordance with applicable laws, for the hiring, job assignment, and promotion of federal law enforcement officers.

Reasonable Accommodations

• Reasonable accommodation available for applicants with disabilities

Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA) status: Exempt. Non-exempt employees are entitled to overtime pay; exempt employees are not

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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.

Position Level & Compensation

• USPS OIG is an Excepted Service agency and uses a Pay Banding system equivalent to the Federal GS scale.
• This position is at the Journey Band level, equivalent to a GS-11 to GS-13.
• Salary range for this position is $83,482.00 - $154,682.00, including locality pay for all announced locations. For locality table specifics, visit: OPM's General Schedule (GS).
• The posted range does not include the authorized Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) under the 1811 Series.
• The job provides coverage as a primary position under law enforcement retirement.

Comprehensive Benefits

• USPS and OIG employees transitioned from Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Program to the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program effective January 01, 2025.
• Learn more about the PSHB Program by visitinghttps://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/pshb/.
• Health, dental, vision, life, long-term care insurance, and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options are available.
• Three-tiered retirement benefits plan under the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS), including Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Basic Benefit Plan, and Social Security.
• Visit the USPS OIG benefits page to learn more: https://www.uspsoig.gov/work-for-us/compensation-benefits

Work Life & Flexibilities

• Flexible work schedules available
• Employee assistance programs offered
• 11 paid holidays, 13 days of paid sick leave, and 13-26 days annual leave based on service years.

Review our benefits

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.