Criminal Investigator

The position of Criminal Investigator falls under the 1811 occupational series. To qualify for this position at grade GL-7/9, you must meet https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/pay/time-in-grade requirements by 11:59 pm EST on 06/25/2026. Individual Occupational Requirements: Medical Requirements: The duties of positions in this series 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 in each eye, with or without correction, is required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Near vision, corrective lenses permitted, must be sufficient to read printed material the size of typewritten characters. Hearing loss, as measured by an audiometer, must not exceed 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz levels. Since the duties of these positions are exacting and responsible, and involve activities under trying conditions, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to himself/herself, or others is disqualifying. AND Minimum Qualifications: Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. The specialized experience must demonstrate one year of full-time work experience , or the equivalent if part-time. Experience may have been obtained in either the federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or nongovernmental organizations. For the GL-7: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service which includes participating in investigations involving alleged or suspected violations of law; reviewing materials to identify inconsistencies; collecting and analyzing data from a variety of public record/database sources; and preparing or contributing to written reports documenting findings, conclusions, and reccomendations for action. OR Have one full year (18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours) of graduate level education that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. OR Have a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.) criteria. Must meet one of the following: (1) Class standing- in the upper third of the graduating class in the college or university. (2) Grade-point average (G.P.A.) - have a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. 3. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society - Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies listed below. These honor societies are listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (You must submit a transcript at time of application submission. OR Have a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above, that would equal 100% of the required experience/education combination for this position. GL-09: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level, in the Federal service, which includes: Participating in investigations involving alleged or suspected violations of law; applying law enforcement, protective, or investigative techniques in the performance of job duties; collecting and analyzing data from a variety of public record/database sources; preparing and contributing to written investigative reports. OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related, if related to the position being filled;-OR-Combination of the required experience and education as described above that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement. Only graduate education in excess of 1 years (18 semester/27 quarter hours) may be used for this option. OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related, if related to the position being filled. OR Combination of the required experience and education as described above that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement. Only graduate education in excess of 1 years (18 semester/27 quarter hours) may be used for this option. Additional Requirements 1. Basic Criminal Investigation Training: Selectee must successfully complete 13 weeks of intensive training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, GA and 4 weeks of specialized training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Charleston, SC. Failure to pass the training program may result in separation from the FDA/OCI. 2. Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): The incumbent is subject to work unscheduled duty hours and must be available for unscheduled duty based upon the needs of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Therefore, the incumbent is eligible for Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) of an additional 25%, and is subject to the provisions of the LEAP Act of 1994. 3. Federal Law Enforcement Officer (FLEO): This position meets the eligibility criteria for law enforcement retirement under both the Civil Service Retirement Systems (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Employees covered by either retirement system that reach age 50 or over with at least twenty years of service as a law enforcement officer are qualified for law enforcement retirement. In addition, employees covered by FERS (all new hires in the federal government) at any age with at least twenty-five years of service as a law enforcement officer are qualified for law enforcement retirement. Finally, employees who reach age 57 with at least twenty years of service as a law enforcement officer are subject to mandatory retirement. This position is approved for Primary Law Enforcement coverage under 5 (USC) 8336 (c) or 5 USC 8412 (d). 4. Minimum Age Requirement: The minimum entry age for this position is 21 years of age and the maximum entry age for this position is 36 years of age (the date of appointment must be no later than the date immediately preceding the 37th birthday) unless you have sufficient prior Federal service in a covered law enforcement position or are a preference eligible veteran. 5. Lautenberg Amendment: This position authorized the incumbent to carry a firearm and must meet the Lautenberg Amendment requirements as described in Title 18, USC Section 992 (g). Any person who has been convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor, or crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm. The term convicted as defined by the statute, excludes any person whose conviction has been expunged, set-aside, pardoned, or any person whose civil rights have been restored, so long as the restoration does not restrict the shipping, transport, possession or receipt of firearms or ammunition. Candidates who have been convicted of felony or misdemeanor or crimes of domestic violence within the meaning of the referenced statute are not eligible for this position.

Serves as a junior criminal investigator (Special Agent) under the direction of senior Criminal Investigators and/or Supervisory Criminal Investigators.
Prepares a variety of criminal investigative reports detailing the activity and results of the criminal investigation being conducted.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with both internal and external representatives.