Investigator

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Personnel Security Division (PSD).

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the authority on investigations as they relate to suitability determinations and the adjudication of personnel security clearances, plans and conducts investigations covering character, practices, suitability, or qualifications of persons seeking or maintaining Federal employment.

Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Duties

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As a Investigator, GS-1810-13, your typical work assignments may include the following:

• Plans and conducts administrative investigations, adjudications, and determinations for applicants, contractors, and federal employees in accordance with federal guidelines.
• Conducts interviews with individuals involved in the personnel security process, both in-house and in the field, to elicit and accurately document necessary information.
• Follows up on investigative leads, researches records, queries databases, and analyzes all collected information to determine its validity and the suitability of an individual.
• Prepares comprehensive investigative reports, documenting all activities associated with the investigation of individuals or organizations.

This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 100 applications have been received, whichever happens first.

View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required.
• You must submit to a pre-employment drug test.
• Current federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements.
• You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
• You must be able to obtain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information Security Clearance.
• You must remain suitable during your tenure as a federal employee.

Qualifications

There are no individual occupational requirements for this position. To qualify you must meet the Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-13 grade level the applicant must possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal government, performing duties such as:

Planning and conducting complex administrative investigations, adjudications, or suitability determinations for applicants, contractors, or federal employees in accordance with federal security standards and regulations; conducting detailed interviews with subjects, witnesses, and other sources to elicit, clarify, and accurately document highly sensitive personnel security or investigative information; analyzing conflicting or incomplete information, following up on complex investigative leads, and querying database systems to verify the validity of background data and assess individual suitability or trustworthiness; and preparing comprehensive, legally defensible investigative reports and summaries that clearly document all findings, evidence, and investigative activities for decision-makers.

Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience will not be used for this grade level.

All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Time-in-grade: Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees, and those that have served in GS positions within the last 52 weeks, must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade, or a combination of the next lower grade level and an equivalent band in the federal service by the closing of this announcement.

Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1"), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job. DO NOT submit cash award SF50s they will not be used to verify time in grade). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. Employees applying with an interchange agreement must provide proof of their permanent appointment. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE.

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.

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.

Education

Not Applicable

Additional information

This position will be filled at the GS-13 level.

You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will NOT be paid.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for Top Secret/SCI clearance as a condition of placement in this Special-Sensitive position. This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

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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.