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Posted: February 18, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Criminal Investigator (Cyber-Tech)

Department of State - Agency Wide

Department of State

Fresh

Location

Salary

$120,548 - $172,980

per year

Closes

February 24, 2026More State jobs →

GS-12 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $74,441 - $96,770

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-11. Advanced degree + significant experience.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves investigating crimes related to passport and visa fraud, with a focus on cyber and technical aspects, while working for the U.S.

Department of State's Diplomatic Security Bureau in field offices like San Francisco. Investigators collect and analyze intelligence, conduct fraud probes, and may handle protective security tasks.

It's a good fit for experienced law enforcement professionals under 37 years old who are physically fit, skilled in cyber investigations, and comfortable carrying a firearm.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized experience at GS-12 level or equivalent, including conducting/planning criminal fraud and cyber investigations
  • Experience collecting, analyzing, and evaluating intelligence data for investigations
  • Experience performing or overseeing protective security operations
  • Age under 37 (with exceptions for prior federal law enforcement or preference-eligible veterans)
  • Valid U.S. driver's license and ability to carry and qualify with a firearm
  • Medical fitness for moderate to arduous physical duties, including good vision, hearing, and manual dexterity
  • Willingness to work irregular hours for Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP)

Full Job Description

These positions are located in the Boston Field Office, San Francisco Field Office, and Houston Field Office, all reporting to the Office of Field Office Management, Domestic Operations Directorate, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS/DO/FLD) at the U.S.

Department of State. You will serve as a Criminal Investigator responsible for the investigations of criminal investigations involving passport and visa fraud.

For more information about this Bureau, visit: DS Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.

NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement.

Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F.

Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience conducting and/or planning criminal fraud and cyber investigations.

Experience collecting, analyzing, and evaluating intelligence data in support of investigations. Experience performing on or overseeing protective security operations.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position.

AGE REQUIREMENT: All applicants, except preference-eligible veterans, MUST be no more than 37 years of age upon entry into this position.

If you are 37 or older, or will reach your 37th birthday, but have previously served in a federal civilian law enforcement position which may exempt you from this age restriction, you must submit a copy of the SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, that you received in that position.

If you are a preference-eligible veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 verifying your veterans preference eligibility. Candidate must possess a valid U.S. driver's license.

This position requires the incumbent to carry a firearm while performing duties and maintain firearm proficiency and successfully pass periodic firearm qualifications.

Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition. Title 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(9).

This position is authorized to receive Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) at the rate of 25% of the incumbent's salary (including locality pay) paid in addition to the salary.

The receipt of LEAP is not optional and requires the incumbent to work an average of two or more LEAP hours per scheduled work day, which may include evenings, nights and weekends.

The hours worked will vary depending on the nature of the assignment. Incumbents will receive LEAP during Basic Special Agent (BSAC) training.

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.

MOBILITY AGREEMENT: Selectee must sign a mobility agreement to accept relocation to other geographic locations if required by the agency. A valid driver's license is also required.

This position requires all incumbents to meet physical fitness standards to ensure they are prepared to carry out all of their official responsibilities.

All applicants tentatively selected for this position must complete and submit a Physical Readiness Test (PRT) Self-Evaluation.

Prior to receiving a final offer, applicants must pass a Diplomatic Security Service administered PRT.

For information on the PRT standards, please visit https://careers.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/DS-PRT-Guide-Revised-161019.pdf and https://careers.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/DS-PRT-Standards-Revised-161019.pdf.

Incumbents of this position will be required to maintain the physical fitness standards set by the agency and participate in triannual fitness testing.

The incumbent must pass periodic physical examinations, meet physical standards set by the Agency for the position, and otherwise fulfill the requirements for law enforcement positions of 5 U.S.C.

8336(c). This position requires the incumbent to work various shifts (e.g., 8:15am-5pm), 12am-8am, 4pm-12am, in addition to 2 or more LEAP hours, on a daily basis.

In short, the hours worked will vary depending on the nature of your assignment.

TRAINING: Must successfully complete OR have successfully completed the Criminal Investigations Training Program (CITP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glenco, GA, AND the New Agent Course at the Diplomatic Security Training Center.

Candidates will be required to sign a Training Agreement attesting to their understanding that failure to successfully complete the training will result in removal.

Additionally, within one year of graduating from the Basic Special Agent Course, newly hired Criminal Investigators will be required to enroll in the “Advanced Tactics, Leadership, and Skills" (ATLaS) course offered through the Diplomatic Security Training Center.

The ATLaS course is 11 weeks long and focuses on enhanced tactics, training and leadership skills.

All Criminal Investigators are required to take this course and complete a refresher course every five years. Major Duties:

  • Plans, conducts, and supports investigations related to alleged or suspected violations of criminal laws and of people or organizations seeking, claiming, or receiving Federal benefits, permits, or employment.
  • Advises on forensically sound digital evidence search warrants and seizures for all field office search warrants, consent searches, and covert data acquisitions.
  • Supports field office investigations and other DS operations with technical service equipment that may involve surveillance mechanisms.
  • Conducts training for field office agents and management in the legal, operational, and administrative elements.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 2/18/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/18/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: M/DS-MPI-2026-0002