Criminal Investigator

Summary

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office whose mission is to promote excellence, integrity, and accountability throughout the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In our dynamic environment, the OIG conducts investigations, audits, evaluations, and inspections to enhance program effectiveness and efficiency and to detect and prevent waste, fraud, and mismanagement in DHS programs and operations.

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Duties

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The position serves as a Criminal Investigator in the Digital Forensics and Analysis Unit (DFAU) within the Office of Investigations (INV) and is responsible for cybercrime investigations and digital forensics activities. The incumbent serves as a specialist in digital forensics, conducting complex analyses related to criminal casework and mentoring forensic specialists located in field offices.

Serves as a criminal investigator, the incumbent must apply knowledge of the investigation process and skills in fact-finding, analysis, and reporting to perform difficult and complex assignments, equipment; the adequacy of such activities as field investigations, testing operations or research conclusions, or the social, physical and economic wellbeing of individuals.

Typical assignments include :

• Conduct digital forensics examinations using best practices consistent with Scientific Working Group for Digital Evidence (SWGDE) and in compliance with CIGIE standards.
• Lead cyberinvestigations involving DHS equities. Analyze initial allegations and take appropriate investigative actions using the full range of authorities to conduct the investigation.
• Provide on-scene digital forensics support for complex search warrants. Review affidavits for technical sufficiency. Testifies as an expert in digital forensics areas in court.
• Write and review final investigative reports and memoranda to ensure compliance with established quality assurance standards.

Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• You must be able to obtain TOP SECRET/SCI security clearance.
• This position is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment, 18 U.S.C. Section(g)(9)/Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968. You will be required to carry a firearm.
• Must complete a pre-employment medical examination that will include testing of your vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and mobility of extremities by an authorized Government physician.
• Selective Service registration required.
• Completion of one-year Probationary Period may be required.
• Submission of Performance Appraisal is mandatory
• This position is a Drug Testing Designated Position and will be subject to random drug testing.
• Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): LEAP in the amount of 25% has been approved for this position.

Qualifications

You will qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level. Specialized experience at this level includes:

1. Presenting digital evidence that reconstructs events, sequences, and time elements to establish relationships, responsibilities, and legal liabilities.

2. Utilizing physical and digital investigative techniques, methods, and equipment in conducting criminal investigations to include drafting and preparing concise, logical reports of investigations, digital forensics reports, and summaries.

3. Conducting digital forensics examinations, investigating cyber offenses independently, and handling and documenting digital evidence.

Selective Placement Factor

In addition to the minimum qualifications described above, you must meet the following requirement(s) to be considered qualified for the position: You must have at least three years' experience leading investigations into cybercrimes AND performing digital forensics examinations in criminal cases.

Additional Requirements:

• Training Requirement: This position requires that you have completed the basic criminal investigator course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA or its equivalent (FBI Basic Special Agent Academy; DEA Basic Special Agent Academy; U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Basic Inspector Training Program; U.S. Army Military Police School; CID Special Agent Course; and U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Special Investigators Course). ( Copy of certificate or transcript verifying completion required upon selection. Please ensure it is listed on your resume. )
• Firearm Requirement: This position requires you to be authorized to carry a firearm and maintain firearm proficiency. Therefore, it is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment, 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) (9) and you will be required to verify that you have not been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
• Age Requirement: This position is covered by the law enforcement officer retirement provisions, 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) or 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d), and as such is covered by a mandatory age requirement. There is a maximum entry age of the day before your 37th birthday for original appointment into law enforcement officer positions as defined in 5 U.S.C. 8331(21) or 5 U.S.C. 8401(17). This age restriction does not apply to those who have prior Federal service in a covered primary law enforcement position, or to qualified Veterans' preference eligible regardless of whether they meet the maximum age requirements identified at 5 U.S.C. 3307.
• Medical Requirement: This position requires you to maintain physical fitness standards set by the agency. The duties of Criminal Investigators 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. 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. Additionally, the duties of this position involve activities under trying conditions, as such, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. This position may require the completion of a Medical Examination that will include testing of your vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and mobility of extremities by an authorized Government physician. If a medical examination is required, you must be cleared by the authorized Government physician in order to be determined physically fit to perform the arduous physical exertion required of this position.

This position has been identified as a Testing Designated Position (TDP); therefore, you are subject to drug testing under OIG's Drug-Free Workplace policy. Refusal to be randomly tested may result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date 10/23/2026of this announcement. Current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade level or equivalent grade band in the federal service. The time-in-grade requirement must be met by the closing date 10/23/2026 of this announcement.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Additional information

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select Benefits. Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for TOP SECRET/SCI as a condition of placement into this position.

DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.