Criminal Investigator (SSA)

About the role

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office whose mission is to promote excellence, integrity, and accountability throughout the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

In our dynamic environment, the OIG conducts investigations, audits, evaluations, and inspections to enhance program effectiveness and efficiency and to detect and prevent waste, fraud, and mismanagement in DHS programs and operations.

What you will do

• The Office of Investigations is responsible for investigating the appropriate criminal and civil justice system those individuals and organizations involved in financial, professional, civil, or criminal misconduct relating to Department of Homeland Security programs and operations.
• The incumbent serves as the Senior Special Agent (SSA) in the Office of Investigations with the responsibility of planning and coordinating a comprehensive oversight program to ensure the efficiency and economy in the Department's law enforcement bureaus.
• Allegations may include criminal activities perpetuated by providers of services, contractors, grantees, employees, private individuals and others involving funding by the Department.
• The incumbent represents the INV in assigned jurisdictional areas.
• Typical assignments include: Directs and coordinates in-depth reviews and evaluations of criminal investigations program operations.
• Identifies areas requiring additional or decreased OIG investigative and/or oversight attention.
• Reviews final investigative reports and memoranda to ensure compliance with established quality assurance standards.
• Serves as the technical and programmatic OIG liaison with the Department's law enforcement bureaus for complex and sensitive oversight reviews.
• Coordinates with Special Agents in Charge regarding the initiation, planning, conducting and reporting of a full range of criminal investigations, including those of an extremely sensitive and complex nature.
• Presents new and novel issues requiring an extraordinarily high degree of ingenuity and initiative.
• Provides direction in conducting criminal investigative functions and oversight of the law enforcement bureaus.
• Manages INV's reporting of investigative cases and other technical activities and operations to maximize the effective use of reported information in the development of new techniques.
• Other duties as assigned.

How you will be evaluated

This recruitment will utilize one or more of the following technical assessment tools: USA Hire, Structured Resume Review, Accomplishment Record, Job Knowledge Test, Structured Interview, Work Sample or Situation Judgement Test. 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), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, a subject matter expert review of your resume, and the result of the online assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Criminal Investigation Oral Communication Technical Competency Written Communication Following the review of your resume by our panel of subject matter experts, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is committed to ensuring that all of our employees act in a manner that embodies the Department's Mission Statement: With honor and integrity, we will safeguard the American people, our homeland and our values.

As an employee of the Department, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees and to the criminal conflict of interest statutes.

These rules will assist you in maintaining your impartiality and acting in the public's interest as you carry out the responsibilities of your DHS position.

If you have a concern at any time that a DHS assignment may involve one of your personal financial interests, promptly notify your supervisor and obtain ethics guidance from the appropriate Ethics Official before working on the assignment. You can obtain ethics information by emailing DHS, Office of Inspector General, Ethics Office at ***.

Documents you must provide

• Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length.
• Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
• Your responses to the job questionnaire Are you a current or former federal employee?
• Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current grade; your highest grade held; your current promotion potential and proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases and accessions.
• You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility.
• The member 4 copy of your DD214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable.
• If claiming 10 point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference." If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification.
• This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions.
• View more veterans' information.
• Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)?
• Submit the following: 1) A copy of your agency notice; 2) A copy of your most recent performance rating; and 3) A copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level and duty location.
• Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee?
• Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: 1) Position title; 2) Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee); 3) Agency; 4) Beginning and ending dates of appointment If you are a current or former federal employee, you must submit your most recent Fiscal Year Performance Appraisals.
• Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must be 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.
• In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.
• (Note: Veteran's preference does not apply under Merit Promotion procedures.) View VEOA information on Feds Hire Vets.
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible.
• View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.
• To be considered well qualified under ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position.
• In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

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. We will notify you by email after each step has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process.

To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.

This position has been identified as a drug testing designated position (TDP) for purposes of the OIG Drug Free Workplace program. All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to a drug test to screen for illegal drug use prior to receiving a final offer of employment. A final offer of employment is contingent upon a negative drug test result.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act.

Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to ***. Additional identical positions may be filled from this announcement at a later date.

Additional information

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.

Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities.

For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with the application or selection process, please email us at ***.

Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. 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.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for 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.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707.

Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs.

To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.