Criminal Investigator (Direct Hire)
Small Business Administration
Posted: March 10, 2026 (2 days ago)
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Office of the Inspector General, USPS
Other Agencies and Independent Organizations
Base salary range: $62,107 - $80,737
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-10. Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 years graduate study.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job is for a criminal investigator working for the U.S.
Postal Service's Office of Inspector General, focusing on planning and leading investigations into crimes like fraud or theft related to mail services in the Northeast region.
It involves fieldwork across locations like New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico, with potential travel and irregular hours.
A good fit would be someone with prior federal law enforcement experience who is detail-oriented, physically fit, and ready for high-stakes investigative work.
The USPS OIG is seeking a highly qualified applicant to fill our Criminal Investigator positions within the Office of Investigations, Northeast Area Field Office (NEAFO) across the following field offices and locations: Buffalo NY; Brooklyn, NY; New Haven, CT; Woburn, MA; Brockton, MA; Bellmawr, NJ; Edison, NJ; San Juan, PR.
Note about Bellmawr, NJ: If selected for Bellmawr, NJ location, the area of responsibility will be Delaware. Bring your skills and voice to our team!
You must currently be an 1811 criminal investigator or military equivalent and have at least one or more years of experience as a criminal investigator at a GS-11 or above equivalent grade level in the 1811 occupation series.
NON-QUALIFYING experience includes security details, intelligence analysis, corrections or guard duty, physical security, and military/security police officer.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS You must meet ALL of the minimum qualifications listed below. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Completed Basic Criminal Investigative Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) or its equivalent (Must submit a copy of the certification).
Currently serve as a federal law enforcement officer classified as an 1811 series Criminal Investigator or Military equivalent.
Have at least one or more years of experience in position at the GS-11 or above equivalent grade level as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer.
(You must submit a current SF-50 or equivalent that demonstrates your federal law enforcement status). Demonstrated experience planning, conducting and/or leading complex criminal investigations.
Must have received a satisfactory performance rating on your two most recent performance appraisals (Fiscal year 2024 and 2025).
If a performance appraisal is not available, you must submit a written statement stating the reason it is not available (You must submit a copy of your latest 2 performance appraisals or a written statement).
In accordance with applicable laws, the applicant selected for this position must: Maintain eligibility to operate motor vehicles Must be at least 21 years of age and not have reached 37th birthday at the time of initial appointment to law enforcement position Qualify and maintain authorization to carry firearms, including no current or previous domestic violence convictions Maintain physical, mental and emotional standards and requirements necessary to perform law enforcement assignments Work unscheduled irregular hours with the possibility of personal risk Must be willing to relocate at the direction of management DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of Postal Service structure, processes operations, etc.
Applicants that do not meet the minimum qualification requirements will not be considered.
EVALUATION FACTORS You must have the experience, knowledge and skills as listed in EACH of the evaluation factors.
Failure to demonstrate that you meet all of the evaluation factor requirements as listed below will result in a score of zero (0); an ineligible status, and you will not be referred for further consideration.
Include your major accomplishments relevant to the position requirements in your resume. Demonstrated experience planning, conducting and/or leading complex criminal investigations.
Demonstrative ability to define problems, analyze alternatives and recommend solutions to difficult problems or issues.
Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing facts and circumstances of investigations to individuals and groups.
Failure to demonstrate that you meet all evaluation factor requirements will result in a score of zero (0).
Upon receipt of a zero score, you will be deemed "not minimally qualified," and you will not be referred for further consideration. Major Duties:
The successful candidate must have experience in planning, conducting and/or leading complex federal criminal, civil and administrative investigations.
Candidates will be evaluated on the skills that they possess that are directly related to the duties of the position and the experience, education and training that indicate the applicant's ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position.
Only those candidates who meet all qualification and eligibility requirements and who submit the required information by 11:59 PM EST on 03/24/2026 will be considered.
The USPS OIG uses a Pay Banding system, which is equivalent to the Federal GS scale. Grade and salary determinations will be made based upon a candidate's education and professional experience.
This position is being advertised at the Journey Band level, equivalent to a GS-11 - GS-13. The salary range for this position is $74,678.00 - $163,062.00. The salary figures include locality pay.
Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) is authorized. Compensation includes 1811 LEAP coverage in primary position under law enforcement retirement.
Promotion potential to a GS-13 equivalent is at management's discretion. Relocation expenses will not be paid.
Travel Required: 50% or Less Please note that the duties and responsibilities associated with this position may vary based upon the agency's needs at the time of hire.
The following description of major duties and responsibilities is only intended to give applicants a general overview of the expectations.
The successful candidate must be highly motivated and exhibit a high degree of character and have experience conducting complex Federal criminal, civil, and administrative investigations.
Plans, conducts and/or coordinates criminal, civil and administrative investigations relating to alleged or suspected violations of Federal laws committed by or against Postal Service personnel or Postal Service contractors.
Obtains and evaluates information to support all criminal and civil investigations. Applies for and serves warrants for arrests, searches and seizures as appropriate and provided by law.
Prepares requests and/or reviews/approves requests for subpoenas, consensual monitoring, and other requests requiring higher authority.
Assists Government attorneys in the preparation of grand jury presentations and court cases; serves as a witness in grand juries, criminal and civil courts and administrative forums.
Maintains liaison with other offices, agencies, and appropriate organizations as needed.
Conducts investigations using various techniques such as surveillance, interviewing and interrogating, examining files and records, obtaining physical and documentary evidence and undercover assignments.
Collects, evaluates and preserves physical and documentary evidence. Utilizing cameras and other electronic surveillance equipment to gather evidence.
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