Criminal Investigator (Special Agent)

Summary

OIG is organized into seven operational units: the Immediate Office of the Inspector General, Office of the Counselor, Office of Audits and Evaluations, Office of Healthcare Inspections, Office of Investigations, Office of Management and Administration, and Office of Special Reviews. In addition to the Washington, DC, headquarters, OIG has offices located in more than 60 locations throughout the country.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

06/10/2024 to 06/24/2024

This job will close when we have received 200 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more

• Salary

$84,366 - $131,452 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 11 - 12

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Locations

1 vacancy in the following locations:

• Long Beach, CA

• Los Angeles, CA

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

Yes-as determined by the agency policy.

• Travel Required

25% or less

• You may be expected to travel for this position 1-5 nights per month.

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Competitive

• Promotion potential

13

• Job family (Series)

1811 Criminal Investigation

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

Yes

• Announcement number

24-VAOIG-223

• Control number

794923200

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This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

• Family of overseas employees

Family members of a federal employee or uniformed service member who is or was, working overseas.

• Federal employees

• Competitive service

Current or former competitive service federal employees.

• Individuals with disabilities

• Land & base management

Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.

• Military spouses

• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista

• Special authorities

Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.

• Veterans

Clarification from the agency

All candidates who are: Current or former federal employees qualifying as Status Candidates, Federal employees currently serving on a VRA, VEOA eligibles, CTAP/ICTAP eligibles, eligible for special hiring authorities (e.g., the Schedule A appointment for persons with disabilities, or covered by an Interchange Agreement), or VRA eligibles or Land Management employees eligible under Public Law 114-47.

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Duties

OIG's Office of Investigations (OI) investigates potential crimes and civil violations of law involving VA programs and operations committed by VA employees, contractors, beneficiaries, and other individuals. These investigations focus on a wide range of matters including health care, procurement, benefits, education, construction, and other fraud; cybercrime and identity theft; bribery, embezzlement, and conflicts of interest; drug offenses; and violent crimes. OI is staffed by special agents, forensic accountants, analysts, and other professional staff in headquarters divisions and regional field offices that use data analytics, cyber-tools, covert operations, and other strategies to detect and address conduct that poses a threat to or has harmed VA personnel, operations, and the veterans or other beneficiaries they service. Through criminal prosecutions and civil monetary recoveries, OI's investigations promote integrity, patient safety, efficiency, and accountability within VA.

The Criminal Investigator (Special Agent), located in Long Beach, CA or Los Angeles, CA in Western Field Office, is responsible for planning, managing, conducting, and concluding (independently, jointly, or as a team leader) complex and sensitive criminal, civil, and administrative investigations and other matters involving VA's programs and operations.

The duties of the Criminal Investigator (Special Agent), include:

• Functioning as a law enforcement officer, including carrying authorized firearms and other enforcement equipment; applying for and executing arrest and search warrants; interviewing witnesses, victims, suspects and defendants; apprehending, searching, and transporting suspects and defendants.

• Initiating contacts with Federal, state, and local law enforcement officials, civic and business leaders, officials from financial institutions, medical facilities, and other organizations and individuals for the purpose of obtaining facts, signed statements, and developing investigative leads and cooperation.

• Collecting and analyzing operational and strategic intelligence from wide-ranging sources including Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies.

• Conducting investigations in compliance with OIG policies and procedures, investigative standards promulgated by the Council of the Inspectors General (CIGIE), and the provisions of the Attorney General Guidelines for Offices of Inspector General with Statutory Law Enforcement Authority.

• Identifying material, systemic weaknesses or failures in VA operations and/or processes during investigations and prepares reports outlining possible solutions to the issues uncovered.

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

This opportunity is also open to the general public under Announcement 24-VAOIG-225-P. Please refer to that announcement for details on open period, eligibility, and how to apply.

The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or volunteer service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week on your résumé.

Key Requirements:

• Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.

Our comprehensive benefits are very generous. Our benefits package includes:

• Challenging work, opportunities for advancement, competitive salaries, bonuses and incentive awards.

• Eleven paid holidays, 13 days of sick leave, and 13 to 26 days of vacation time each year.

• Access to insurance programs that may be continued after you retire.

• A wide choice of health insurance plans, coverage for pre-existing conditions, and no waiting periods. We pay a substantial amount (up to 75%) of the health insurance premiums.

• A retirement program which includes employer-matching contributions.- Learn more about Federal benefits programs at: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits

Qualifications

You must meet the following requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Age Restriction: The date immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday is the maximum entry age for original appointment to a law enforcement officer position. This requirement does not apply to a) Preference-eligible veterans; OR b) Individuals who are 37 years of age or older and have previously served in law enforcement officer positions that were covered by a special law enforcement retirement plan.

AND

Medical Requirements: The selectee must pass a pre-appointment physical examination and meet the physical requirements for this position as required by this agency. The duties of this position 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 and hearing are required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Because the duties of this position are exacting, responsible, and sometimes performed under trying conditions, the selectee must possess emotional and mental stability. Any physical condition that would cause the selectee to be a hazard to himself/herself, or others is disqualifying.

AND

For the GS-12: Specialized experience is one full year at the GS-11 level, or equivalent, that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Specialized experience includes:

• Researching laws, regulations, guidelines, or approved procedures to provide findings; AND
• Analyzing technical documents from different/multiple sources and summarizing review in a written product; AND
• Utilizing verbal communication skills for interviews, briefings or presentations; AND
• Writing reports or products that present facts, findings, logical conclusions, and persuasive arguments; AND
• Applying investigative techniques to conduct investigations.

For the GS-11: Specialized experience is one full year at the GS-09 level, or equivalent, that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Specialized experience includes:

• Researching laws, regulations, guidelines, or approved procedures to provide findings; AND
• Writing reports or products that presented facts, findings, logical conclusions, and persuasive arguments; AND
• Applying investigative techniques to conduct or assist in investigations.

OR

Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.M., if related.

OR

You may qualify by a combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience. Only graduate level education in excess of the first two years 36 semester hours (54 quarter hours) may be combined to be considered for qualifying education.

In addition to the above requirements, you must meet the following time-in-grade requirement, if applicable: For the GS-12, you must have been at the GS-11level for 52 weeks.

In addition to the above requirements, you must meet the following time-in-grade requirement, if applicable: For the GS-11, you must have been at the GS-09level for 52 weeks.

Time After Competitive Appointment: Candidates who are current Federal employees serving on a nontemporary competitive appointment must have served at least three months in that appointment.

Education

The education generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education

Additional information

• We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Applicants who apply for this position may be considered for other positions within the Office of Inspector General that require the same knowledge, skills, and abilities.

• This is a non-bargaining unit position.

• A recruitment incentive may be offered.

• We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules.

• Office assignment may be at one of the locations listed on the announcement subject to availability and OIG management discretion.

Conditions of Employment (CONTINUED):

• A one year probationary period may be required.

• Must successfully complete a background investigation.

• Public Trust

• Background Investigation will be required.

• Travel nationwide under tight deadlines. The incumbent should anticipate frequent walking and standing as a component of this travel.

• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.

• Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.

• Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.

• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.

• Obtain and use a Government-issued purchase card for business-related travel.

• Carry and use a firearm. Maintaining firearm proficiency is also mandatory. You will be ineligible to occupy this position if at any time you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, unless you received a pardon or your conviction was expunged or set aside.

• Complete a pre-employment medical examination (including vision, hearing, cardiovascular and mobility of extremities) by an authorized Government physician and be determined physically fit to perform strenuous physically demanding duties. You may be required to provide medical or related documentation to Federal Occupation of Health at the time of the pre-employment physical. You will be required to undergo regular physical examinations and to maintain a level of physical fitness in accordance with the standards and policies of this agency.

• Complete or have previously completed the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, GA OR its equivalent.

• Agree to work an average of two extra hours per day. Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) has been approved to compensate for unscheduled duty in excess of the 40-hour workweek.

• Possess and maintain a valid driver's license from one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

• Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.

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• Benefits

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How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application includes your résumé, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your résumé includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your résumé may result in a "not qualified" determination.

Applicants that are in the top tier will then be referred for an additional review.

Rating: Your application will be evaluated in the following areas: Leadership, Technical, Communication and Self Management.

Your application will be rated and ranked among others, based on your responses to the online questions, regarding your experience, education, training, performance appraisals and awards relevant to the duties of this position. Your rating may be lowered if your responses to the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application.

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview and/or a writing assessment. Applicants who are selected for an interview may ask questions about the evaluation process at the time they are contacted for an interview.

If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)) you must receive a score of 92 or better to be rated as "well qualified" to receive special selection priority.