Criminal Investigator (Direct Hire)
Small Business Administration
Posted: March 9, 2026 (4 days ago)
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Office of Inspector General
Department of Transportation
Location
Salary
$125,776 - $197,200
per year
Type
Closes
Base salary range: $104,604 - $135,987
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-13. Senior expert or supervisor.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This role involves overseeing and coordinating criminal investigations into violations like hazardous materials transport, aviation safety issues, and fraud in transportation contracts, mainly through desk-based tasks such as preparing reports, analyzing data, and ensuring compliance with policies.
A good fit would be someone with extensive experience in federal investigations who excels at planning, communicating findings, and working with teams to support legal actions or policy changes.
It's ideal for detail-oriented professionals who prefer analytical oversight rather than fieldwork.
Investigations will typically involve violations of the Department's programs and regulations with respect to illegal transportation of hazardous materials, aviation safety, contract and grant fraud and motor carrier safety.
Results of investigations may form the basis for withholding funds from a state, criminal or civil prosecution by the Department of Justice; administrative personnel actions by DOT; or changes in practices and/or procedures by DOT.
GS-14: To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, you must have one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service.
Examples of specialized experience includes: experience conducting investigations of criminal, civil, regulatory, or administrative violations (e.g.
embezzlement, bribery, fraud against the Government, false claims, kickbacks, bid rigging, conflicts of interest, non-compliance with administrative/legislative requirements, etc).
All documents must be received and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
Your resume must be well documented with the specialized experience, otherwise you may be deemed ineligible.
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE qualifications for the grade(s) at which you are requesting consideration.
Applicants must meet qualifications and time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Your resume will be evaluated based on the following competencies: 1.
Case Management - Develops comprehensive investigative plans that clearly identify allegations, targets, and law enforcement operations that further the case. 2.
Communication (written and verbal) - Conducts structured and effective interviews and produces grammatically correct, comprehensive and logically organized written products that clearly explain investigative findings and plans.
3. Ability to work on a team- Establishes productive working relationships with law enforcement partners and internal teams. 4.
Judgment, Decision-Making, and Adaptability - Demonstrates sound judgment in operational planning and execution, with the ability to adapt effectively to rapidly changing conditions. 5.
External Awareness/Attention to Detail - Identifies and understands trends that affect the organization and support the organization's goals and completes tasks without overlooking key steps or processes.
6.
Law Enforcement Operations and Compliance with Laws and Rules & Regulations - Demonstrates knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and investigative authorities and executes law enforcement actions in compliance with legal and procedural requirements.
Major Duties:
You will serve as a Criminal Investigator (Desk Officer), with responsibility for providing investigative services, technical advice, and overall coordination of all investigative operations.
The duties of this position will primarily consist of preparing reports, preparing statistical data, briefings, and speeches based on the investigative and operational activities of the OIG and will involve oversight of the field's investigative work to ensure that it is being conducted in conformance with OIG policies and procedures.
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