Criminal Investigator

Full Job Description

This position is located at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, IL and is organizationally aligned under the Police and Security Service Line.

The Criminal Investigator is responsible for the complete investigation of all offenses against the criminal laws of the United States on all property owned or controlled by the FHCC VA Medical Center.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/06/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service.

An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.

If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement.

In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Individual Occupational Requirements 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 the Individual Occupational Requirements above, to qualify at the GS-9 grade level, you must have the following specialized experience or education.

Specialized Experience: You must have one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 level in Federal service.

Specialized experience is defined as experience that equips 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 position to be filled.

Examples of specialized experience include: practical knowledge of law enforcement procedures and techniques of criminal investigations, including the investigation of crimes, police conduct, courtroom etiquette, rules of evidence, and rules of testimony; execution of search and arrest warrants; recognizing, collecting, and preserving physical evidence; and maintaining a chain of custody and presenting pertinent facts both orally and in writing.-OR- Education: To qualify based on education at the GS-9 level you must have completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree, or successfully completed two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or successfully completed a LL.M, if related to the Criminal Investigator position.

This education must have been obtained in an accredited college, or university. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts (unofficial or official) with your application.

Education cannot be credited without documentation.-OR- Combination of Specialized Experience and Education: An equivalent combination of graduate education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours, which is the amount required at the next lower grade level, GS-7) and specialized experience may be used to meet the total experience requirement.

This education must have been obtained in an accredited college, or university. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts (unofficial or official) with your application.

Education cannot be credited without documentation.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Arrest Criminal Investigation Criminal Law Forensics 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week.

Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities.

Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The Criminal Investigator must be physically, emotionally and mentally fit. The investigator is routinely confronted with physical demands such as assisting staff in emergencies.

This includes the ability to run, climb stairs or ladders, and lifting individuals. Prolonged crawling and crouching can be expected during crime scene processing.

While affecting arrests, there may be periods of extended running and physical exertion to apprehend and secure the person being arrested.

On a recurring basis, the Investigator is required to use physical ability as necessary to subdue and restrain violent persons, assist officers in their efforts to subdue and restrain violent persons, etc.

The investigator must undergo an annual physical and psychological examination in accordance with VA Handbook 0730.

The Investigator is issued a cell phone and is subject to 24 hour recall (no standby pay involved).Work Environment: The Criminal Investigator is subject to all types of environmental factors, i.e., heat, cold, rain, ice and snow.

During emergency operations, the Investigator may be exposed to toxic fumes, gases and smoke. The investigator may come into contact with biological hazards and chemically contaminated materials.

The investigator will deal with people in possession of unauthorized weapons and will be required to confront these individuals to mitigate risk to self and others in the area.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Major Duties:

The Criminal Investigator reports to the Chief of Police.

Major duties and responsibilities include: Investigates crimes which cannot be resolved through the initial efforts of the reporting officer's preliminary investigation or are beyond the scope of a Detective's responsibility Researches, interviews, observes, conducts stakeout operations, and executes investigative techniques Coordinates and conducts joint investigations relating to alleged or suspected violations of criminal laws with other federal and state agencies such as the FBI, US Marshalls, etc.

Participates in surveillance activities that are coordinated by an OIG and/or other federal agencies Collects sufficient evidence to support a court case against a criminal, and explains to the jury the significance of evidence as it relates to proof that a crime was committed Confers with the U.S.

Attorney's office, VA Regional Counsel Office, or other outside law enforcement agencies as appropriate, to dispose of or to proceed with a case Leads or assists in the conduct of administrative investigations of alleged administrative misconduct, patient abuse, and other improprieties Coordinates and/or participate in a taskforce or other team to conduct highly complex, difficult and sensitive criminal, civil and administrative investigations Collects/compiles data that includes criminal trends, performance metrics, and quality assurance for all functions of Police Service Creates graphs, charts, and descriptions of the data collected to include analyzing the information and providing ways to reduce crime, improve performance, and meet customer needs while maintaining an acceptable performance service level Conducts and oversees Internal Affairs Investigations (IA), under the direction of the Chief of Police or as assigned by VHA Leadership.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.

Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Criminal Investigator/PD99782S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorize Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Driver's License Requirement: Applicants must possess a valid, unrestricted State driver's license, have a safe driving record, and demonstrate that he or she is medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely.

Applicants are required to pass agency Government Vehicle Drivers physical examination.

NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your driver's license with your application package.

If an interview is requested, you may be required to provide a copy of your valid state-issued driver's license.

Firearm Requirement: VA Police Officers are required to carry agency-approved firearms while on duty on VA property.

Officers must achieve and maintain qualification/certification with the agency-approved firearms as condition of gaining and continuing employment as a Police Officer.

Applicants must be able to possess firearms under the terms of the Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended (18 U.S.C. 922(g)

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; religions; 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.