Criminal Investigator Jobs

Summary This position is in region 1, with the U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations, Field Operations Staff, and is responsible for investigating persons suspected of violating criminal laws of the United States. For additional information regarding the positions, please contact [email protected]. Responsibilities Duties listed are at the full performance level GS-12. Conducts difficult, complex, and sensitive investigations that require development of new or substantially modified methods in order to resolve anticipated problems. Conducts undercover operations in which the cases are much riskier and more difficult and involve a more elaborate cover story. Plans and directs surveillance work that involves several investigators in separate places engaged in round-the-clock observation of various groups of suspects, all of whom are thought to be involved in related illegal activities. Investigates possible misconduct and criminal activities within the Agency including internal investigations of employee wrongdoing or fraud, with the potential for uncovering misuse of funds or employee malfeasance. Prepares investigative reports, with responsibility for presenting necessary aspects of investigation in sufficient detail and accuracy to aid in supporting possible prosecution and/or administrative action. Consults frequently with the US Attorney's Office and agency supervisor concerning logistical and strategic questions that arise during investigations; serving subpoenas or other official papers; and obtaining and using search and arrest warrants. Serves as a source of information and advice on investigative program issues that require assessment of unusual circumstances or variations in approach and development of new methods and criteria. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Basic Requirement: 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. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience GS-11 Level: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as the majority of the following: conducting law enforcement activities such as detection, investigation, apprehension, detention, and experience participating in or conducting investigations of misdemeanors, preparing reports and assisting in felony investigations in land management or natural resource protection. Serving as a law enforcement technical specialist for natural resource and protection activities to identify and resolve law enforcement problems. OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., in a field that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position such as Law Enforcement Land Management or Natural Resource Protection. OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. GS-12 Level: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as the majority of the following: developing, analyzing sensitive issues, and evaluating new or revised law enforcement policies, techniques, methods, plans, and/or directed surveillance, prepared investigation reports, and operational approaches to address specific law enforcement and public safety functions. Conducting difficult investigations involving the establishment of interrelationships between facts or evidence, unusual circumstances, variations in approach, and incomplete or conflicting data. Formulating, planning, and coordinating patrol and investigation activities involving multi-jurisdictional, multi-agency law enforcement and investigative operations. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Education There are no educational requirements, education can be used to qualify for the position. See the Qualifications section for more information. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): 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 well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. 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 Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA). 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. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status such as leave without pay is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24-month criteria are met. 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. PROMOTION POTENTIAL: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional information is available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-and-leave-flexibilities-for-recruitment-and-retention/ This is a bargaining unit position and is represented by NFFE.