Criminal Investigator

Full Job Description

The EPA Office of Inspector General is an independent office within the EPA that helps the agency protect the environment in a more efficient & cost effective manner.

We perform audits, evaluations, & investigations of the EPA to promote economy, efficiency, and to prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse.

We strive to provide solutions to problems that ultimately result in making America a cleaner and healthier place. All applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience.

Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

Experience may have been obtained in either the federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or nongovernmental organizations.

GS-13: You must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level or equivalent band of responsibility in the Federal service to include: 1) ability to plan, conduct, and coordinate complex criminal, civil, and administrative fraud investigations; 2) ability to prepare effective investigative reports and present information to stakeholders in an accurate, concise, and logical manner; 3) knowledge of applicable federal fraud statutes, and rules of criminal and civil procedure; 4) experience in identifying fraud in government programs and operations; and 5) ability to analyze financial information, review datasets, determine the accuracy of data, and summarize findings.

Evidence of the above specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held.

Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position.

Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience or based on job titles alone.

If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

NOTE: All applicants who do not currently, or have in the past, worked as a GS-1811 Criminal Investigator in a federal OIG office must clearly demonstrate representative knowledge and experience in their resume.

Applicants who fail to clearly address this factor in their resume will not receive further consideration.

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.

Applicants must meet the qualifications for this position within thirty (30) days of the closing date of this announcement. Major Duties:

Please note: This position has a Selective Placement Factor that must be met and supported by your applicant package.

This position is in the EPA Office of Inspector General (OIG) Office of Investigations (OI).

If selected, you will be responsible for planning, directing, and conducting complex investigations of suspected fraud, waste, and abuse, and mismanagement in EPA programs and operations.

You will determine the scope of the investigations, analyze facts and evidence, interview witnesses and subjects, and prepare investigative reports.

You will conduct fraud investigations, which typically involve violations of law, or Agency regulations such as financial fraud, employee misconduct, intrusion into EPA systems and computers, scientific misconduct, impersonation of EPA officials, and theft of EPA property and funds.

Investigative findings may form the basis for criminal or civil prosecution by the Department of Justice; civil action by EPA; withholding funds from a grantee or contractor; administrative personnel action by EPA; or changes in policy by EPA.

This position is designated as a “Primary Position” pursuant to 5 CFR 842.802.

Primary duties mean those duties of a position that: (a) Are paramount in influence or weight; that is, constitute the basic reasons for the existence of the position; (b) Occupy a substantial portion of the individual's working time over a typical work cycle; and (c) Are assigned on a regular and recurring basis.

Law Enforcement Officer (LEO): This position is covered by the special retirement provisions for Law Enforcement Officer (LEO). Candidates without previous LEO service must be under age 37.

Employees subject to special retirement coverage for law enforcement officers must retire at age 57 upon completing 20 years of law enforcement service under the special retirement provisions for law enforcement officers.

If these 20 years of service are not attained at age 57, mandatory retirement is required upon completion of 20 years of service.

This age restriction does not apply to those who have previously served in a Federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by Title 5 U.S.C.

Section 8336 (c) provisions and preference eligible veterans. This position is covered by Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP).

An additional compensation rate of 25% (subject to statutory limitations) will be added to the locality salary.

The ideal candidate will perform the following duties: Plans, organizes, and conducts complex fraud investigations involving criminal and civil, and administrative violations of laws or regulations in EPA and CSB programs and operations.

Assesses allegations and identifies investigative steps and resources. Analyzes and evaluates facts for evidentiary value. Presents findings to supervisors, prosecutors, and other high-level officials.

Prepare investigative reports that are accurate, clear, and concise. Uses specialized investigative techniques to obtain evidence. Testifies in court and administrative hearings.

Interviews witnesses and subjects, administer oaths, obtain statements, carry firearms in the performance of official duties, make arrests, and execute search and seizure warrants.

Works closely with other personnel within the OIG, EPA, law enforcement organizations, and professional business community in investigating and resolving allegations of criminal, civil, and administrative misconduct.