CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR

Summary

This job announcement uses the USA Hire Assessment to evaluate applicants. For more information, visit USA Hire Assessment. The General Schedule (GS) basic pay schedule may vary by geographic locality. To view pay rates in a specific location visit the Office of Personnel Management pay tables at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ This position is not eligible for Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) or LE retirement.

Duties

• Independently plan, organize, and conduct complex criminal investigations into violations of U.S. statutes and DFAS policies such as fraud, egregious employee misconduct, and theft or misuse of government equipment.
• Collect, analyze, and evaluate evidence and statements, distinguishing facts from hearsay. This includes conducting interviews with suspects and witnesses, administering oaths, and utilizing tools such as administrative subpoenas.
• Prepare and present oral/written interim and final reports of investigation to DFAS officials, partner law enforcement agencies, and prosecutors for administrative, criminal, or civil action.
• Coordinate investigative activities with prosecutors and other federal law enforcement agencies (such as DCIS, NCIS, USACID, AFOSI) on complex, high-visibility, or multi-jurisdictional cases.
• Receive and investigate complaints. Maintain electronic case files and analyze data to identify trends, develop investigative leads, and initiate proactive investigations.

Qualifications

This announcement will be used to fill positions with an entry grade of GS-9, GS-11, or GS-12 with a target grade of GS-12. One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade (GS-7 if applying at the GS-9 level, GS-9 if applying at the GS-11 level, or GS-11 if applying at the GS-12 level) within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required. GS-9 Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: assisting higher-graded investigators in planning and conducting routine criminal investigations; gathering, organizing, and reviewing evidence or case-related documentation; participating in witness or subject interviews under close supervision; and assisting in drafting portions of investigative reports or case files. GS-11 Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: independently planning and conducting criminal investigations of moderate difficulty; performing the full range of investigative activities including gathering and analyzing complex evidence, distinguishing fact from hearsay, and interviewing witnesses and suspects; preparing comprehensive Reports of Investigation for legal or administrative action; and coordinating investigative activities with legal counsel and/or external law enforcement agencies. GS-12 Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: planning, organizing, and executing complex, sensitive, and multi-jurisdictional criminal investigations; employing advanced investigative techniques to uncover violations of federal law; conducting highly sensitive interviews and interrogations; drafting legally sufficient, comprehensive Reports of Investigation; and presenting completed cases to prosecutors or high-level agency officials for prosecution or administrative action. You may qualify for consideration if meeting specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.

Education

GS-07 (2-grade interval) Substitution of Education for Experience: One full year of graduate level education or Superior Academic Achievement (http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp) may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. GS-9 Substitution of Education for Experience: Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education, Master's or equivalent graduate degree, may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. GS-11 Substitution of Education for Experience: Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed higher-level graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. GS 12 and above: Education is not substitutable for specialized experience at this grade level.

Grade: GS 9 to 12. . Telework eligible. Apply by 2026-11-18 on USAJOBS.