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Posted: March 4, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Criminal Investigator (Direct Hire)

Headquarters, NASA

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Fresh

Location

Salary

$103,225 - $159,575

per year

Closes

March 11, 2026More NASA 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 working as a criminal investigator for NASA's Office of Inspector General, where you'll look into serious issues like fraud, waste, and misconduct in space programs that could affect national security or agency resources.

You'll gather evidence, write reports, work with lawyers, and sometimes testify in court to help protect NASA's operations.

It's a great fit for someone with law enforcement experience who is detail-oriented, physically fit, and passionate about upholding integrity in government science projects.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 (for GS-12) or GS-12 (for GS-13) in conducting fraud, administrative, or criminal investigations
  • Ability to prepare detailed investigative reports supporting prosecution or administrative actions
  • Experience collecting and analyzing evidence for investigations involving personnel, programs, and contracts
  • Knowledge of fraud investigation areas like grants, procurement, cost mischarging, defective pricing, and bid rigging (for GS-13)
  • Completion of Criminal Investigation Training Program at Glynco, Georgia, or equivalent federal law enforcement training
  • Moderate to arduous physical fitness, including good vision, hearing, manual dexterity, and emotional stability for fieldwork involving firearms and inclement weather

Full Job Description

As a Criminal Investigator with the NASA Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, you will independently conduct complex criminal investigations of fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct in NASA programs impacting national security, persons, and property.

You will analyze evidence, prepare investigative reports, collaborate with prosecutors, testify in legal proceedings, and apply specialized investigative techniques to provide independent oversight and protect Agency resources.

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

To qualify for GS-12, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level: Conducting one or more of the following types of investigations: fraud investigations, administrative investigations, and criminal investigations; Preparing detailed investigative reports to aid in supporting possible prosecution and/or administrative or civil action; Supporting investigative activities by recognizing and developing evidence to assist with investigations and prosecutions involving personnel, programs, and contracts.

To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level: Conducting fraud investigations in one or more of the following areas: grant, procurement, cost/labor mischarging, defective pricing, defective parts, false certifications, price fixing, bid rigging, and product substitution; Applying laws, regulations, theories, principles and/or practices of fraud investigations and investigative procedures and techniques; Collecting and assembling facts to assist with investigative findings in preparation for a trial and/or hearing.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience.

Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job.

NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses.

Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

Medical Requirements: The duties of this position requires 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 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 too himself/herself, or others is disqualifying.

Training Requirements: Satisfactorily complete (or have previously completed) the Criminal Investigation Training Program at Glynco, Georgia, or equivalent federal law enforcement training.

Major Duties:

  • Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
  • Lead investigations into fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct in NASA programs impacting national security, persons, property, and investigating violations of NASA Standards of Conduct and government regulations involving NASA employees.
  • Direct and conduct advanced law enforcement operations in support of investigative objectives and legally authorized techniques to obtain critical evidence, property, and documentation.
  • Perform in-depth analysis and evaluation of complex evidentiary material; corroborate and synthesize facts across multiple sources; develop comprehensive investigative reports and executive-level summaries.
  • Present investigative findings and evidentiary analyses to Assistant U.S. Attorneys to support federal grand jury proceedings; serve as an expert witness before grand juries, trial courts, or administrative hearings.
  • Serve as a senior liaison and subject-matter expert, cultivating and sustaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 3/4/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/4/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: NASA OIG-12901427-DE-26