Fresh Listing

Posted: March 27, 2026 (0 days ago)

This job was posted recently. Fresh listings typically have less competition.

Criminal Investigator - Direct Hire

Social Security Administration

Other Agencies and Independent Organizations

Fresh

Salary

$106,437 - $138,370

per year

Closes

April 3, 2026More SSA 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 is for a criminal investigator at the Social Security Administration in Jacksonville, Florida, where you'll lead investigations into potential fraud or crimes related to social security benefits, work closely with prosecutors, and testify in court.

It's a hands-on role that involves fieldwork, physical demands like carrying a firearm, and requires strong leadership in managing multiple cases.

A good fit would be someone with prior law enforcement experience, emotional stability under pressure, and a passion for protecting public programs from abuse.

Key Requirements

  • 52 weeks of specialized experience at GS-12 level or equivalent, including leading multiple criminal investigations, testifying in judicial proceedings, or coordinating with prosecutors
  • Pass a pre-appointment physical examination, including vision, hearing, and manual dexterity tests to handle moderate to arduous physical duties
  • Submit to urinalysis for illegal drug screening with negative results; ongoing random drug testing required
  • Successful background investigation and firearms qualification; must be able to carry a firearm
  • Attend and complete 12-week Criminal Investigator Training Program
  • Meet age requirements: at least 21 and under 37 years old (unless prior FLEO service)
  • No disqualifying physical or mental conditions; subject to Lautenberg Amendment restrictions on domestic violence convictions

Full Job Description

Positions under this announcement are being filled using a Direct Hire Authority (DHA), open to all U.S. citizens.

Selections made under this bulletin will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would be given new appointments to the civil service.

Under the provisions of the DHA, veteran's preference in selection does not apply.

Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered, please visit the new resume guidance for more information.

HOW TO QUALIFY: Eligible applicants must meet the following qualification requirements Specialized Experience: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-12 level, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Such experience includes One of the following: (1) Leading and managing a personal caseload containing multiple independent criminal investigations; (2) Testifying during criminal judicial proceedings (for example, grand jury, evidentiary hearings, trials); (3) Coordinating with prosecutors to present cases for prosecution, determine legal courses of action, or prepare for legal proceedings..

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Additionally, the Law Enforcement (1811) series has the following qualification requirements: Tentative selectee(s) must pass a pre-appointment physical examination.

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, 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 themselves or others is disqualifying.

Tentative selectee(s) will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment unless currently an SSA employee occupying a position already in a random drug testing program.

Appointment to the position is contingent upon a negative test result. After appointment the employee will be included in the agency's random drug test program.

This position is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment/Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968.

The selected employee will not be made a final offer of employment until after we receive notice of a successful background investigation, drug test, and medical physical.

Selectee will be required to pass firearms qualification and may be required to carry a firearm.

The selectee will be required to attend a course of instruction on the proper use of Oleoresin Capsicum spray (OCS), which is the oily resin of pepper.

This instruction includes being exposed to OCS so that knowledge of its effects can be gained. This position is covered by the special retirement provision for Federal Law Enforcement Officers (FLEO).

Selectee without previous FLEO service must be at least 21 years of age and not yet 37 years of age or older on the date of appointment.

Selectee newly assigned to the Criminal Investigator position MUST successfully complete the 12-week Criminal Investigator Program training course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Glynco, Georgia.

This position is designated as a mobile work position.

Mobile work means work that is characterized by routine and regular travel to conduct work in customer or other worksites as opposed to a single authorized alternative worksite such as a home or office.

It is different from telework and/or remote work.

Examples of mobile work include site audits, site inspections, investigations, property management, and work performed while commuting, traveling between worksites, or on Temporary Duty (TDY).

Selectee must sign a mobility agreement to accept relocation to other geographic locations if required by the agency. Major Duties:

  • Responsible for conducting and coordinating difficult and sensitive investigations related to fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in Agency programs and operations.
  • Independently conducts criminal investigations and determines the scope of investigations based on guidance from supervisory criminal investigators, subject matter experts, auditors,
  • (Cont'd) Office of Counsel to the Inspector General attorneys or other personnel in the investigative process.
  • Plans, coordinates, and initiates contacts with Federal, State, local officials, and other key officials related to matters under investigation for the purpose of obtaining facts,
  • (Cont'd) signed statements, explanation of actions, and conducting surveillance.
  • Plans and conducts interviews with suspects, witnesses, and informants in case development.
  • Develops the full breadth and depth of planning and conducting surveillance of a suspect or various groups of suspects. Serves as the key coordinator for all activities and participants involved in the surveillance.
  • Prepares interim and comprehensive final investigative reports for prosecutive and management official and maintains investigative files in a professional, organized manner in order that all pertinent information will be readily available.
  • Testifies before grand juries, courts, or administrative hearings on facts of investigative cases.
  • Plans and coordinates the investigative activities of lower graded criminal investigators assigned to assist on extremely complex and sensitive investigations.
  • Selectee will be required to pass firearms qualification and may be required to carry a firearm

Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes

Browse Similar Jobs

Posted on USAJOBS: 3/27/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/27/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: SSA 12882419-26-DHA-OIG