Duties

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

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.
15. Must successfully complete a background investigation.
16. File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.

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: For the GS-13, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position includes:

1. Investigating cases that involve matters of extreme sensitivity and complexity (i.e., criminal, civil, and/or administrative investigations of allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse); AND
2. Evaluating allegations and analyzing physical and digital evidence; AND
3. Planning and conducting investigations involving criminal activities; AND
4. Preparing investigative findings and reports; AND
5. Maintaining liaison with law enforcement agencies at the local, state, or national level.

Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

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.

NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50 (you may need to submit more than one), "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

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.
• Obtain and use a Government-issued purchase card for business-related 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.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/[redacted]5-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Applicants who apply for this position may be considered for other positions within the Office of Inspector General that require the same knowledge, skills, and abilities.

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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

Our comprehensive benefits are very generous. Our benefits package includes:

• Challenging work, opportunities for advancement, competitive salaries, bonuses and incentive awards.
• Eleven paid holidays, 13 days of sick leave, and 13 to 26 days of vacation time each year.
• Access to insurance programs that may be continued after you retire.
• A wide choice of health insurance plans, coverage for pre-existing conditions, and no waiting periods. We pay a substantial amount (up to 75%) of the health insurance premiums.
• A retirement program which includes employer-matching contributions.

Learn more about Federal benefits programs at: USAJOBS Help Center - Benefits

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