Criminal Investigator, GS-1811-12/13 (MP)

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, Investigation Services.

As a Criminal Investigator, the incumbent of this position will be responsible for investigations involving allegations of suspected violations of criminal statutes as they relate to fraud or corruption in various Department of Education programs.

This is an open continuous announcement to fill current and future vacancies, until 12/31/2026.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: Specialized Experience for the GS-12 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or equivalent public or private sector experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the following duties or work assignments below: Conducting the full range of criminal investigations of greater than average complexity and importance using accepted methodology and problem-solving techniques.

Serving as a lead agent in planning and conducting investigations, operations, searches, seizures, or arrests.

Reviewing evidence and preparing case reports at the conclusion of a criminal investigation.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs).

You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).

Knowledge of and skill in applying investigative approaches and techniques to gather information and evidence. Understanding of federal statutes and regulations.

Ability to plan, interact, work effectively with others. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Knowledge of and skill in analyzing and organizing data and in presenting facts and analyses in writing. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and to meet essential deadlines.

Skilled in use of computers and computer software including work processing, spreadsheets, email, and Internet search engines.

Specialized Experience for the GS-13 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or equivalent public or private sector experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the three (3) following duties or work assignments below: Applying a wide range of criminal investigative, enforcement, laws, regulations, guidelines, and precedent decisions.

Identifying significant sources of information to detect illegal activity and document issues or probable cause and conduct investigations to determine if violations have occurred.

Communicating orally and in writing to prepare and present reports, briefings, and/or exchange information.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs).

You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).

Independently apply investigative approaches and techniques to gather information and evidence. Understanding of federal statutes and regulations.

Ability to plan, interact, work effectively with others. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Knowledge of and skill in analyzing and organizing data and in presenting facts and analyses in writing. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and to meet essential deadlines.

Skilled in basic use of computers and computer software including work processing, spreadsheets, email, and Internet search engines.

Individual Occupation Requirement (IOR): 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.

Agent Training: Applicant must have already satisfactorily completed the Basic Criminal Investigative Training Program (CITP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, or its equivalent.

Mobility Plan: New employees hired pursuant to this vacancy announcement must sign a mobility agreement. The purpose of the mobility policy is to meet the needs of the OIG. Major Duties:

Fraud doesn't stop, and neither do we. We're the Office of Inspector General, an independent oversight office within the U.S.

Department of Education (ED) charged with identifying and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, and ensuring accountability and effectiveness within ED programs.

If you want to help fight fraud and make a difference for America's students, schools, and taxpayers, we may have the career for you!

We offer competitive salaries, opportunities for rapid and substantial salary increases and career growth, great benefits, employee recognition programs, and more.

Often referred to as America's watchdogs, it's our job to help ensure that the hard-earned tax dollars that fund ED programs and operations are used as intended by law, achieve the desired results, and reach the intended recipients.

The OIG conducts audits and reviews of issues involving Federal student aid, K–12 schools, charter schools, special education, vocational education, adult education, and more.

When our work identifies problems, we propose solutions. Our work has resulted in improvements to ED programs and changes to some of the most important Federal education laws in our country.

We conduct criminal and civil investigations into suspected fraudulent activities by schools, colleges, universities, contractors, subcontractors, school officials—any entity or individual that participates in ED programs or receives ED funding.

Through our work, we have unraveled multimillion-dollar fraud schemes by people placed in positions of trust to educate our children.

We're also on the cutting edge of cybersecurity, using the latest technology and techniques to discover and defeat current and emerging threats from cyber and economic crime.

We tackle new and emerging issues head-on and continually work to improve our techniques and capabilities. We consistently expand our expertise by training and developing our staff.

This dedication has enabled the OIG to become a leader in the Federal government in the areas of audits, investigations, and fighting cybercrime.

Whether you are just entering the workforce or are a seasoned professional, if you're looking for a career rather than just a job, and shaping the next generation of American's tackling tomorrow's challenges, consider joining our team.

As a Criminal Investigator at the GS-12, the incumbent will perform the following duties: Plans and conducts complex and sensitive investigations and performs most aspects of investigations, such gathering and obtaining evidence, participating in surveillance operations, interviews, and the drafting of third-party request letters and subpoenas.

Examines, verifies, and analyzes records, books, reports, correspondence, and other data of consequence related to transactions, actions, or allegations under investigation.

Drafts reports of investigative findings for review by management.

As a Criminal Investigator at the GS-13, the incumbent will perform the following duties: Independently plans and conducts all aspects of complex program and grant fraud investigations, gathering and obtaining evidence, participating in surveillance operations, interviews, and the drafting of third-party request letters and subpoenas.

Examines, verifies, and analyzes records, books, reports, correspondence, and other data of consequence related to transactions, actions, or allegations under investigation.

Drafts reports of investigative findings for review by senior criminal investigators.