Criminal Investigator (Special Agent)

Summary

These positions are in Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA), Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics and Training, Criminal Investigation Division, National Capital Area Branch that serves as the protection detail for the EPA Administrator. About: OECA

This is an office-centered positionyou must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis.

*A relocation or recruitment incentive may be offered. See Benefits Section below for more.

Duties

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At the full performance level of this position, you will:

• Lead, plan, and conduct protective security operations for the EPA Administrator by maintaining close physical protection, assessing and mitigating threats, performing surveillance and counter-surveillance, gathering intelligence, and coordinating effectively with federal, state, local, and private sector partners.
• Plan and execute security advance operations by conducting site surveys and risk assessments, developing operational and travel plans, coordinating motorcade logistics, supporting threat assessments, analyzing vulnerabilities, and applying protective operations, surveillance, use-of-force, medical response, and firearm safety skills in coordination with law enforcement and private-sector partners.
• Lead and conduct highly complex criminal investigations by developing investigative leads, coordinating interagency operations, preparing warrants and operational plans, executing searches and arrests, preserving evidence, providing technical expertise and training, and supporting grand jury, trial, and prosecution activities.

If you are hired at a grade level lower than the full performance level (i.e., highest promotion potential level), your duties will be less complex and you will have more supervisory oversight. You may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses. NOTE: Career ladder promotions are not automatic, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level.

One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

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You must be a U.S. citizen.

You must meet time-in-grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement.

NOTE: This requirement remains in effect through 01/18/27.

If you are selected, you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period if appointed as Competitive Service or a two-year trial period if appointed as Excepted Service.

This position is designated as High Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation. All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date.

REAL ID requirements became effective on 05/07/25. If you are selected for this position and plan to use your driver's license or identification card during the onboarding process (i.e., for employment eligibility verification or to obtain your EPA identification card), the document must be a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver's license or identification card that includes the REAL ID-compliant star marking, or must be an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL). You will receive information about alternative acceptable documents (e.g., passport) prior to onboarding. For more information about REAL ID, see Dept. of Homeland Security and REAL ID FAQs..

You will be required to obtain and maintain a top-secret security clearance.

If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter.

You will be required to obtain (before coming on board) and maintain a valid driver's license and must be able to operate a Government-owned or leased motor vehicle.

You may have limited exposure to hazardous materials.

You will be required to meet ongoing specialized safety training requirements in order to meet field safety standards.

Pre-employment drug testing is required and random testing thereafter.

Pre-employment physical is required, to include a psychological evaluation.

Participation in the medical monitoring program is required, which includes periodic physical exams and/or psychological evaluations.

See special provisions in the Qualifications section.

Qualifications

NOTE: You must meet qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must have 1 year of full-time* specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level defined as supporting protective operations including advances, motorcade operations, site and physical security planning, counterintelligence, and/or medical response with other law enforcement entities for a cabinet-level or equivalent high-ranking official; assisting in the preparation of operational plans related to the service of search warrants, arrest warrants, undercover operations, electronic monitoring, and/or surveillances; and providing support in conducting criminal investigations, including when evidence is concealed.

To qualify for the GS-13 level, you must have 1 year of full-time* specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level defined as planning and conducting protective operations to include advances, motorcade operations, site and physical security plans, counterintelligence, and/or medical response with other law enforcement entities for a cabinet level or equivalent high-ranking official; developing and preparing operational plans related to the service of search warrants, arrest warrants, undercover operations, electronic monitoring, and/or surveillances; and providing leadership in conducting criminal investigations, including when evidence is concealed.

You will need the following competencies in order to perform the duties of this position successfully:

• Attention to Detail
• Criminal Investigation*
• Written Communication
• Decision Making
• Personnel Security and Safety*
• Planning and Evaluating
• Partnering
• Physical Security
• Teamwork*

*You will be evaluated on these critical competencies.

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.

*If you have part-time work experience, read this: Part-Time Experience.

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATORS - SPECIAL PROVISIONS

• Medical: You must be found to be physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties.
• Minimum/Maximum Entry Age Limit: You must be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment, and your age at the time of appointment must not exceed age 36, unless you have sufficient prior Federal civilian law enforcement (or firefighter, if applicable) experience or you are a preference-eligible veteran. If you are a preference-eligible veteran, you must submit supporting documentation as described in the Required Documents section of this announcement; failure to provide this documentation with your application will result in the loss of eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement. If you already have an approved age waiver, please submit that with your application.
• Required Law Enforcement Training: You must successfully complete the 12-week Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) and the Environmental Investigations Basic (EIB) Training Programs at Glynco, GA. You must pass these training programs on the first attempt; or you will be removed from this position. Failure may also result in separation from the agency. You are exempt from these training requirements if you have previously completed these programs.
• Firearm: You must meet qualifications to carry a firearm. Lautenberg Notice: Title 18 USC, Section 911(g) automatically disqualifies anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from being appointed to this position. You must not have been convicted of a felony crime.
• Work Schedule: The hours are long and irregular. You must be available at all times, to include holidays. You may also be sent on extended temporary duty station assignments away from your assigned office. You may be reassigned to different duty locations throughout the U.S. based on the needs of the agency.
• Driver's License: You must have a valid driver's license and be able to operate a government-owned or leased motor vehicle.

Additional information

Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range.

This position is eligible for Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP), which is an additional 25% of the annual rate of basic pay. However, total earnings are subject to federal salary caps (i.e., maximum earnings limitations). For more information, see OPM Fact Sheet.

Are you a Displaced Federal Employee? If so, please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information on the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP

NOTE: To be entitled to selection priority, you must be rated well-qualified (i.e., you must have a score of 87 or highersee the How You Will Be Evaluated section).

This position is not in the bargaining unit.

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.

Join EPA in protecting human health and the environment and enjoy many work life quality options! Working for the EPA offers you a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. To learn more about us, visit Life and Careers at EPA.

A relocation or recruitment incentive may be offered to the selected candidate if applicable criteria are met. If you are selected and accept a relocation or recruitment incentive, you must sign/date a written service agreement in which you commit to complete a specified period of employment with the agency (for a relocation incentive, specified period of employment must be at the new duty station). NOTE: A relocation incentive is not full reimbursement of all relocation expenses.

If you are selected for this position, situational telework may be approved by your supervisor if you meet eligibility requirements, as allowable by agency policy and/or applicable collective bargaining agreement. EPA policy only allows telework to be approved situationally. Situational telework is for work or assignments of specific limited duration on an occasional, emergency, or ad hoc basis.

NOTE: If you are an EPA employee who currently