CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR

Summary

THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT where applicants will be referred throughout the announcement period based on the schedule below:

• 1st Cut-off on 9/4/2026
• 2nd Cut-off on 10/15/2026
• 3rd Cut-off on 11/15/2026
• Final Cut-off on 12/31/2026

Duties

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OIG's Office of Investigations (OI) investigates potential crimes and civil violations of law involving VA programs and operations committed by VA employees, contractors, beneficiaries, and other individuals. These investigations focus on a wide range of matters including health care, procurement, benefits, education, construction, and other fraud; cybercrime and identity theft; bribery, embezzlement, and conflicts of interest; drug offenses; and violent crimes.

OI is staffed by special agents, forensic accountants, analysts, and other professional staff in headquarters divisions and regional field offices that use data analytics, cyber-tools, covert operations, and other strategies to detect and address conduct that poses a threat to or has harmed VA personnel, operations, and the veterans or other beneficiaries they service. Through criminal prosecutions and civil monetary recoveries, OI's investigations promote integrity, patient safety, efficiency, and accountability within VA.

The Criminal Investigator (Special Agent), is responsible for planning, managing, conducting, and concluding (independently, jointly, or as a team leader) complex and sensitive criminal, civil, and administrative investigations and other matters involving VA's programs and operations.

The duties of the Criminal Investigator (Special Agent), include:

• Functioning as a law enforcement officer, including carrying authorized firearms and other enforcement equipment; applying for and executing arrest and search warrants; interviewing witnesses, victims, suspects and defendants; apprehending, searching, and transporting suspects and defendants.
• Initiating contacts with Federal, state, and local law enforcement officials, civic and business leaders, officials from financial institutions, medical facilities, and other organizations and individuals for the purpose of obtaining facts, signed statements, and developing investigative leads and cooperation.
• Collecting and analyzing operational and strategic intelligence from wide-ranging sources including Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies.
• Conducting investigations in compliance with OIG policies and procedures, investigative standards promulgated by the Council of the Inspectors General (CIGIE), and the provisions of the Attorney General Guidelines for Offices of Inspector General with Statutory Law Enforcement Authority.
• Identifying material, systemic weaknesses or failures in VA operations and/or processes during investigations and prepares reports outlining possible solutions to the issues uncovered.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Key Requirements:

1. Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
2. Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
3. A one year probationary period may be required. Continued employment is contingent upon supervisory certification that continued employment will benefit the Federal Service; the certification will occur no less than 30 days before the end of the probationary/trial period.
4. Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
5. Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
6. Obtain and use a Government-issued purchase card for business-related travel.
7. Carry and use a firearm. Maintaining firearm proficiency is also mandatory. You will be ineligible to occupy this position if at any time you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, unless you received a pardon or your conviction was expunged or set aside.
8. Complete a pre-employment medical examination (including vision, hearing, cardiovascular and mobility of extremities) by an authorized Government physician and be determined physically fit to perform strenuous physically demanding duties.
9. You may be required to provide medical or related documentation to Federal Occupation of Health at the time of the pre-employment physical.
10. You will be required to undergo regular physical examinations and to maintain a level of physical fitness in accordance with the standards and policies of this agency.
11. Complete or have previously completed the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, GA OR its equivalent.
12. Agree to work an average of two extra hours per day. Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) has been approved to compensate for unscheduled duty in excess of the 40-hour workweek.
13. Possess and maintain a valid driver's license from one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
14. Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.

Qualifications

You must meet the following requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or volunteer service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week on your résumé.

Age Restriction: The date immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday is the maximum entry age for original appointment to a law enforcement officer position. This requirement does not apply to a) Preference-eligible veterans; OR b) Individuals who are 37 years of age or older and have previously served in law enforcement officer positions that were covered by a special law enforcement retirement plan.

AND

Medical Requirements: The selectee must pass a pre-appointment physical examination and meet the physical requirements for this position as required by this agency. The duties of this position 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, hands, legs, and feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. Sufficiently good vision and hearing are required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Because the duties of this position are exacting, responsible, and sometimes performed under trying conditions, the selectee must possess emotional and mental stability. Any physical condition that would cause the selectee to be a hazard to himself/herself, or others is disqualifying.

AND

Specialized Experience: To qualify for this GS-1811-11, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Researching laws, regulations, guidelines, or approved procedures to provide findings; AND
• Writing reports or products that presented facts, findings, logical conclusions, and persuasive arguments; AND
• Applying investigative techniques to conduct or assist in investigations.

OR

Qualified by successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.M., if related. NOTE: (You must provide a copy of your transcripts to support this claim)

OR

Qualified by using a combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience. NOTE: Only graduate level education in excess of the first two graduate years 36 semester hours (54 quarter hours) may be combined to be considered for qualifying education. (You must provide a copy of your transcripts to support this claim)

Specialized Experience: To qualify for this GS-1811-09, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience or General experience for this position includes:

• Applying investigative techniques to conduct investigations; AND
• Assisting with interviews, briefings or presentations; AND
• Drafting written reports or use of products that present facts, findings, logical conclusions, and persuasive arguments.

OR

Qualified by successfully completed a Masters or equivalent graduate degree, or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LLB or JD if related. NOTE: (You must provide a copy of your transcripts to support this claim)

OR

Qualified by using a combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience. To combine education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the requirement must equal at least 100 percent. NOTE: Only graduate level education in excess of the first graduate year 18 semester hours (27 quarter hours) may be combined to be considered for qualifying education. (You must provide a copy of your transcripts to support this claim)

Time After Competitive Appointment: Candidates who are current Federal employees serving on a non-temporary competitive appointment must have served at least three months in that appointment.

Education

If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

EDUCATION DOCUMENTATION: For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Refer to the OPM instructions.

Additional information

Salary: The salary range indicated in this announcement will be adjusted to include locality payment for selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.

• This position is covered under the law enforcement officer (LEO) pay and retirement provisions. As a GS-1811 Criminal Investigator, you will receive Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) equal to 25% of your basic pay.
• Applicants may be eligible for up to $40,000 recruitment incentive in accordance with regulatory requirements. A three-year continued service agreement (CSA) is required in order to receive recruitment incentive.
• Reimbursement of relocation expenses is subject to the availability of funds at the time of onboarding and will require a CSA if authorized.
• Travel nationwide under tight deadlines: The incumbent should anticipate frequent walking and standing as a component of this travel.
• Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
• Office assignment may be at one of the locations listed on the announcement subject to availability and OIG management discretion.
• This is a non-bargaining unit position.