Criminal Investigator (Special Agent)

View Common Definitions of terms found in this announcement. Organizational Location: These positions are located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations in multiple locations. These are non-bargaining unit positions.

As a Criminal Investigator (Special Agent), you will perform the following duties: Serve as a Special Agent for interagency, multi-jurisdictional, international, and/or inter-organizational inquiries and investigations. Conduct investigations of marked difficulty and responsibility associated with trade, travel, finance, and immigration for combatting illicit activities associated with individuals, businesses, employers, criminal organizations or criminal conspiracies, and cyber systems and networks.

Utilize a combined methodology of intelligence, investigative techniques, and legal authorities to conduct investigations and associated activities. Apply knowledge of the trends, laws, and investigative case development, independently or in coordination with other law enforcement officers (LEOs) or agencies to accomplish work.

Prepare written documentation utilizing expert knowledge in support of investigations. Organizational Location: These positions are located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations within various offices throughout the country. You have the opportunity to identify two location preferences within the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) office area of responsibility.

Note that multiple duty locations fall within the area of responsibility (AOR) of each SAC office. Please view the duty locations within each SAC AOR here . Your location preferences are NOT guaranteed. The duty locations offered will be based on the needs of the agency. If you decline the duty locations offered during the official job offer, you will be removed from further consideration.

Salary: The salary range indicated in this announcement reflects the lowest and highest potential salaries for this position. The actual salary range will be based on the applicable locality pay for the selected duty location. Special Salary pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages .

Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess one of the following: Experience : One (1) year of specialized experience at the GL-09 grade level or equivalent performing these duties: Conducting or assisting with a broad range of investigations, and developing specialized expertise, in programmatic areas such as narcotics, money laundering, financial crimes, human trafficking, fraud, international trade, network intrusion response, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, counterproliferation or general criminal investigations; Reviewing files and performing federal, state, and local law enforcement-related database queries, using law enforcement sensitive and classified databases; Assisting and participating in inter-agency partnerships, and in cooperation with other governmental and private sector entities; Assisting in planning strategies for the collection and analysis of information to support long-term criminal investigations; Conducting interviews and interrogations with cooperative and non-cooperative individuals (e.

g., suspects, witnesses, sources, and/or victims) to gather information; and Preparation of reports, using acquired practical knowledge, in support of general criminal actions. OR Education: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a LL.

M., if related. Graduate level education must have been from an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and activities necessary to do the work. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of successfully completed graduate education beyond the first full two years and experience as described above that when combined meets 100% of the requirement.

Graduate level education must have been from an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess the following: Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level or equivalent performing these duties: Conducting a broad range of complex investigations, and exercising specialized expertise, in programmatic areas such as narcotics, money laundering, financial crimes, human trafficking, fraud, international trade, network intrusion response, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, counterproliferation or general criminal investigations; Reviewing files and performing complex federal, state, and local law enforcement-related database queries, using law enforcement sensitive and classified databases; Maintaining, developing, and enhancing inter-agency partnerships, and connections with other governmental and private sector entities; Planning and implementing strategies for the collection and analysis of information to support long-term criminal investigations; Conducting interviews and interrogations using advanced techniques with a wide variety of individuals (e.

g., suspects, witnesses, sources, and/or victims) to gather information; and Preparation of reports, using expert knowledge, in support of general criminal actions. In addition to the above requirements, your resume will be reviewed to determine possession of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification. Promotion Potential: When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.

Re-Promotion: Re-promotion may be available to Criminal Investigators up to the GS-13 full performance level, who were selected through external competitive recruitment after July 4, 2025 and previously occupied an 1811 position at a higher, permanent grade level. Re-promotion is limited to federal Criminal Investigators with prior or current GS-1811 series appointments or those qualified under an OPM-approved Interchange Agreement.

The earliest eligibility for re-promotion will be 90 days after appointment. Re-promotions will be based on the completion of all administrative and regulatory requirements including satisfactory performance, specialized experience, mandatory training completion, and firearm proficienc y. National Service Experience (i.

e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri. Corps) 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. 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.

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.

A student loan repayment incentive may be available, in which case a service agreement will be required. View Common Definitions of terms found in this announcement.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: You must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, quarter and semester hours earned, the institution's full name, and your full name. Your transcript(s) must clearly demonstrate the course(s) listed in the qualification requirement section.

If the transcript(s) does not clearly demonstrate this you must submit a copy of the course description and/or other documentation demonstrating that the courses are equivalent. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/search.aspx .

Education

must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating of your application.

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 loss of consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications ***Prior to the final job offer, an official transcript will be required.

*** ****** OTHER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Current Federal Employees: Current federal employees who apply to this announcement may be required to accept a change to lower grade which will reduce their current salary based on Federal pay regulations. Pay retention will not apply. HSI Special Agent Basic Training: A mandatory component of continued employment is the successful completion of Basic Training, which consists of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) and the HSI Special Agent Training Program (HSISAT).

The training is approximately 22 weeks in total. You may be temporarily reassigned to a non-law enforcement position if you fail to complete basic training. Physical Fitness Testing (PFT): A Physical Fitness Test (PFT) will be administered. A passing score is required prior to entry on duty (EOD). Two PFT failures will result in your removal from the hiring process, and you will no longer be eligible for consideration under this announcement.

Additionally, a PFT will also be administered at FLETC during Basic Training. Every trainee must pass the PFT during training. Polygraph: ICE has designated this position for polygraph testing which you may be required to submit to and successfully complete as a pre-employment requirement. If referred for polygraph testing, you will be required to travel to a testing location at your own expense.

If you previously had an unsuccessful polygraph examination administered by ICE within the last two (2) years, ICE will use those results which will remove you from continuing in the hiring process. Medical Requirements: Click here for information about the medical process. You must complete a pre-employment medical examination and be found to meet the medical standards for this position.

Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 21 years of age by the closing date of this announcement. Provisions of Public Law 93-950 and 100-238 allow the imposition of a maximum age for initial appointment to a Criminal Investigator position with the Department of Homeland Security. The date immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday is the last day an applicant nay submit an application.

However, the age restriction may not apply to individuals who are qualified preference-eligible veterans or who are currently or have previously served in a federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) Suitability: 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. Applicants currently serving in the ICE Criminal Investigator position cannot use this announcement for reassignment, promotion, or transfer purposes.