CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR

About the role

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General (OIG), is organized into six operational units with offices in more than 60 locations throughout the country.

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

What you will do

• 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

• Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• 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.
• 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. Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
• Obtain and use a Government-issued purchase card for business-related travel.
• 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.
• 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.
• You may be required to provide medical or related documentation to Federal Occupation of Health at the time of the pre-employment physical.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.

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: *** 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.

How you will be evaluated

Your application includes your résumé, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your résumé includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your résumé may result in a "not qualified" determination.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Decision Making, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Reading Comprehension, Reasoning, Self-Management, Stress Tolerance, and Teamwork The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies.

You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered.

You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: *** Category rating will be used to rank and select eligible candidates.

If qualified, you will be assigned to one of three quality level categories, A-Exceptionally Qualified, B-Highly Qualified, or C-Qualified, depending on your responses to the online questions, regarding your experience, education, and training related to this position.

Your rating may be lowered if your responses to the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application. Veterans' preference is applied after applicants are assessed. Preference-eligibles will be listed at the top of their assigned category and considered before non-preference-eligibles in that category.

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview and/or a writing assessment. Applicants who are selected for an interview may ask questions about the evaluation process at the time they are contacted for an interview.

If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)) you must be assigned the middle category or better to be rated as "well qualified" to receive special selection priority.

Documents you must provide

• A complete application includes 1.
• Vacancy question responses, and 3.
• Submission of any required documents.
• Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
• All applicants are required to submit a résumé either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their own choosing.
• (Cover letters are optional.)USA Jobs restricts resume uploads to a maximum of 2 pages.
• Resumes attached in other sections (such as "Documents" or "Other") will not be considered in the determination of specialized experience.
• To ensure readability, resumes must be formatted using an easy-to-read font (such as Lato, Calibri, or Arial) with a minimum font size of 10-points and margins no smaller than 0.5 inches.
• Failure to follow these formatting guidelines may result in disqualification from further consideration.
• To receive full credit for relevant experience, please list the month/date/year and number of hours worked for experience listed on your résumé.
• We suggest that you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your résumé to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions.
• For resume writing guidance, please visit USAJOBS Help Center - How do I write a resume for a federal job?
• VETERANS' PREFERENCE DOCUMENTATION: If you are claiming veterans preference, please see applicant guide for required documentation.
• In order to be considered for veterans preference, you must submit all required documentation as outlined in the applicant guide.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit *** For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit USA Jobs Help Veterans' Preference: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) or an official statement from your command if currently on active duty that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed.
• If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the DD-214, you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) and the required supporting documents listed on that form.
• For more information on veterans' preference see ***
• CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (CTAP) OR INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP) DOCUMENTATION: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee, click CTAP/ICTAP for eligibility and a detailed list of required documents.

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

What to expect next

Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You can check the status of your application by accessing USAJOBS. The status will be visible next to the corresponding position.

The four points of notification are: Application Received or Application Incomplete; Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Minimum Qualification Requirement Not Met; Referred or Not Referred; and Selected or Not Selected By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application.

If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or, you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment.

The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.).Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring.

These authorities are subject to change. For more information on applying for Federal employment, please click here. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. If you are unable to apply online please contact ***.

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.

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. (***) 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.