Criminal Investigator (Operations Officer)

About the role

This position is in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General serving as a Criminal Investigator (Operations Officer) for Alpha Branch, Investigations Liaison and Special Operations Division, Office of Investigations. This is a secondary law enforcement position.

This application will close upon receiving 50 applicants or at 11:59 PM on 24 September 2026, whichever occurs first. Review "How You Will Be Evaluated" regarding the required accomplishment record.

What you will do

• Senior criminal investigator (operations officer) involved with agency-wide investigative and enforcement programs.
• Acts as senior intelligence officer, developing and instituting national intelligence law enforcement programs and coordinating and consolidating intelligence from interagency groups, task forces, and fusion centers for further agency dissemination.
• Develops training programs on investigative matters, intelligence collection, trend analysis, methods of detecting fraudulent documents, and similar subjects for presentation to broad audiences of US and foreign law enforcement personnel.
• Serves as advisor and subject matter expert to the senior OIG staff at USDA OIG headquarters and field levels.
• Provides intelligence and investigative input to USDA OIG special agents involved in major antiterror and criminal investigations.
• Participates in USDA or interagency investigations that involve fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement of USDA programs, violations of the Animal Welfare Act, and projects to disrupt transnational money laundering and other criminal activities.
• Coordinates agency law enforcement, investigative, and intelligence input from key global regions with special emphasis on complex fraud schemes that directly impact USDA programs and provides consultations with foreign government offices.
• Analyzes, evaluates, and interprets intelligence, data analytics, investigative and enforcement information developed, received, and collected at OIG Headquarters, and provides recommendations regarding a course of action or needed changes.
• Develops policy and procedures used in bringing investigations and other projects to successful conclusions while mitigating potential organizational risks.
• Conducts assessments of ambiguous circumstances for which there are not always directly applicable precedents for comparison.
• Establishes official contacts to coordinate with field personnel, management representatives, and representatives of other agencies for the purpose of negotiating acceptance of, justifying, or defending investigative priorities and policies.
• Represent the agency at meetings, conferences, and in negotiations involving matters of considerable consequence or importance to USDA OIG.

Education

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THESE GRADES.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies listed below: Criminal Investigation Leadership Partnering Planning and Evaluating Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions.

Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities need only meet minimum qualifications to be referred.

All applicants must submit an accomplishment record which provides written descriptions of at least four prior achievements or special work activities.

Each achievement or work activity must include detailed information about the specific actions taken, and the results or outcomes achieved by those actions. The accomplishment record must be two pages or less. There is no specific format; however, it must include the applicant's name and the duty title and vacancy number for the vacancy.

The accomplishment record must also include the name and contact information of an individual who can verify the achievements or work activities detailed in the record. Submit the document to the appropriate link with any other supporting documents while completing the application.

Tentatively eligible applicants will be reviewed by human resources specialists for basic eligibility, and applicants verified as eligible will be referred to the hiring manager. Competitive candidates may be invited to participate in further consideration through a structured interview.

Note: If after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.

Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process.

To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right. To view the application form, visit: *** Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Documents you must provide

• The following documents are required based on eligibility.
• Encrypted or illegible documents will not be accepted.
• Failure to submit required, legible documents means loss of consideration.
• Required for all applicants - Resume including: name, address, contact information; education; relevant work experience including duties, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment (month/year); title, series, grade (if applicable); other qualifications.
• Failure to follow format requirements may halt further consideration.
• Resume must not exceed 2 pages.
• For resume writing guidance, visit USAJOBS Help Center - How do I write a federal resume?
• Current and Former Federal Employees: Most recent NON-AWARD Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing Competitive Service status, highest permanent grade/promotion potential, position title, series and grade (submit SF-50s needed to show at least one year time-in-grade) AND Most recent performance appraisal dated within 18 months (NOT PERFORMANCE PLAN) with rating of record, signed by supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable.
• Reinstatement Comp & Non-Comp: Submit separation (removal, resignation, retirement, etc.) SF-50 or equivalent personnel action form showing: tenure (block 24 is 1 or 2); Competitive Service appointment (block 34 is 1), and highest permanent grade/promotion potential held.
• Submit more than one SF-50 if necessary.
• 30% or More Disabled Veterans: Submit latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214) Member 4 or Member 2 copy with character of service, disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or armed service, and latest version of the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
• VEOA: Submit copy of last DD-214, Member 4 or Member 2 copy, indicating character of service and discharge type under honorable conditions.
• If currently on active duty, submit certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
• Certain Military Spouses: Verification of marriage to active duty service member (marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage) AND Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders OR verification member was retired or discharged from active duty concurrently with 100% disability (armed forces or VA Letter) OR verification of the member's death while on active duty (DD-1300 and Death Certificate).
• Persons with Disabilities/Schedule A: Submit letter of Schedule A employment eligibility from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified to practice medicine by a state, the District of Columbia, or a US territory); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any federal, state, or US territorial agency, or District of Columbia agency, that provides disability benefits.
• The letter must be on official letterhead of the issuer, must include the signature of the issuer, and the letter must specify applicant eligibility for Schedule A.
• Visit OPM's website for sample letters.
• Learn more about Schedule A eligibility.
• Current Permanent FSA County Employees: Submit most recent non-award SF-50 showing highest permanent grade/promotion potential, position title, series, and grade AND most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months).
• Submit more than one SF-50 if necessary.
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act: Submit SF-50(s) showing eligible appointment(s) for period(s) of more than 24 months with no breaks between appointments of more than 24 months.
• Include SF-50s for initial hire actions, extensions, conversions and separations for each period.
• Submit supervisor-signed performance rating(s) showing acceptable performance for each period counted towards eligibility.
• If documentation does not exist for a period, submit a supervisory statement indicating acceptable performance.
• If performance documentation for any period is unavailable, provide a reason why the documentation is unavailable and a statement that performance for all periods was acceptable.
• Peace Corp/AmeriCorps: USAJOBS Help Center | Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA Include copy of Certification of Volunteer Service and latest SF-50s.
• Surplus or Displaced Employees Eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP: Must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (if available), current performance appraisal with rating of successful or equivalent, and your most recent non-award SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
• Other non-competitive or special appointing authorities: Provide documentation which supports your eligibility.

What to expect next

Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status.

You must choose to turn on email notifications in your USAJOBS profile if you want to receive important email notifications that may impact your applicant experience (e.g. If you start an application and do not submit it prior to the closing date, USAJOBS will send an email reminder that the closing date is approaching and your application is in an incomplete status).

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.

Under the Fair Chance Act, agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; acceptance or retention in the armed forces; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer.

An applicant may submit a complaint or any other information related to an organization's alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance.

To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information to ***, subject line: Fair Chance Act.

Additional information

Law Enforcement Retirement Coverage: This is a secondary law enforcement position under the provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). You may be required to participate in a multi-phase selection process. This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment are conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be qualified based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. CONFIDENTIAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT: If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter.

Selectee is subject to Financial Disclosure Requirements in 5 CFR 2635 (e) regarding business or personal transactions with applicants, borrowers, or business contacts who have, or who are seeking, business with USDA. This position is eligible for telework and other flexible work arrangements. Employee participation is at the discretion of the supervisor.

This is not a bargaining unit position. Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans.

For more information on applying under special hiring authorities such as the 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses, Schedule A Disabled, etc., explore the different Hiring Paths on the USAJOBS Hiring Paths.

Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period.

Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years.

Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Refer to PUBLIC LAW 114-47-AUG. 7, 2015 for more information.

Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for your application to be shared for other, similar vacancies in USDA OIG.