Criminal Investigator (Hiring Immediately)

Criminal Investigator The Veterans Health Administration was seeking a Criminal Investigator for the Montana VA Health Care System / Fort Harrison VAMC Police Service in Fort Harrison, MT. This position focuses on investigating suspected major offenses against VA patients, visitors, staff, U.S. government property, and government assets, and supports potential criminal prosecution involving the Montana VA Health Care System and associated clinics. Location: Fort Harrison, MT Vacancies: 1 Salary: $61,722 - $97,087 per year Pay Scale & Grade: GS-9 to GS-11 Promotion Potential: GS-11 Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Appointment Type: Permanent Telework: Ad-hoc telework may be authorized as determined by agency policy Remote/Virtual: Not available Travel Required: 25% or less Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Drug Test: Required Security Clearance: Not required Position Sensitivity/Risk: High Risk Union Representation: No Key Responsibilities: Perform criminal and non-criminal investigative duties with an emphasis on white-collar crime. Plan and conduct investigations of alleged violations of Title 18, United States Code. Investigate suspected fraud, bribery, larceny, embezzlement, collusion, conflict of interest, and related offenses involving VA/VHA employees or VA property. Evaluate complaints, tips, leads, and information to determine investigative merit. Gather, analyze, and report complex financial, observational, and investigative information to establish evidentiary value and sufficiency. Obtain evidence, explain constitutional rights, perform searches and seizures, and make arrests. Prepare and review investigative reports, make recommendations, and prepare cases for prosecution. Collect sufficient evidence to support court cases and explain the significance of evidence as proof of criminal activity. Coordinate and conduct joint investigations with other federal and state agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Marshals, and related law enforcement partners. Investigate serious crimes, complex misdemeanors, fraud networks, drug diversion, large-scale schemes, and misconduct affecting VA property, Veterans, visitors, or personnel. Perform other related duties as assigned. Basic Qualifications: Must be a U.S. Citizen. Must complete all required application steps, including the application, questionnaire, and online assessment. Must pass pre-employment drug testing and remain subject to testing requirements for this designated drug-testing position. Must be subject to a background/security investigation. Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959. Must complete all online onboarding requirements. Must provide acceptable identification for employment eligibility verification. Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as required for Department of Veterans Affairs health care personnel. Selected applicant must serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period. Eligibility: This was an internal announcement open to current, permanent employees working for the Montana VA Health Care System. Eligible Career Transition Assistance Plan applicants could also apply. Current federal employees were required to meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date. SF-50 documentation was required to verify eligibility and time-in-grade. Individual Occupational Requirements: Duties require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with free motion of fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, and knees is required. Arms, hands, legs, and feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning to perform duties satisfactorily. Good vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required. Near vision must be sufficient to read printed material the size of typewritten characters. Hearing loss must not exceed listed audiometer limits at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz levels. Applicants must possess emotional and mental stability due to the exacting and responsible nature of the duties. Any physical condition that would make the applicant a hazard to self or others may be disqualifying. GS-9 Qualification Requirements: Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level in federal service; or Must have a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree, or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a related field such as law enforcement or criminal justice; or Must have an equivalent combination of graduate education and specialized experience. Specialized experience includes conducting investigations of complaints, tips, and leads; obtaining physical evidence and testimony; using applicable federal guidelines to investigate crimes; and analyzing raw investigative data into comprehensive written reports. GS-11 Qualification Requirements: Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in federal service; or Must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. in a directly related field such as criminal law or criminal justice; or Must have an equivalent combination of graduate education beyond the master's level and specialized experience. Specialized experience includes investigating serious crimes and complex misdemeanors using standardized, optional, and innovative investigative procedures. Specialized experience includes detecting, investigating, and resolving crimes beyond standard patrol assignments. Specialized experience includes acting as liaison with federal, state, and local law enforcement personnel. Specialized experience includes collecting and using forensic evidence to solve crimes and support court cases. Specialized experience includes analyzing law enforcement delivery systems and coordinating or participating in task forces or teams conducting complex criminal, civil, or administrative investigations. Additional Conditions of Employment: Must possess a valid, unrestricted state driver's license and maintain a safe driving record. Must be medically qualified to operate a government vehicle and pass the agency Government Vehicle Drivers physical examination. Must be able to carry and qualify with agency-approved firearms while on duty on VA property. Must be able to possess firearms under the Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended. Must attend and successfully complete an 8- to 10-week course at the VA Law Enforcement Training Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, if not already completed. Must attend and successfully complete the 12-week Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Criminal Investigator Training Program, if not already completed. Must pass a medical examination, including requirements for vision, color distinction, and hearing. Must complete a psychological examination. Must complete a character investigation covering honesty, integrity, general character, and loyalty to the U.S. Government. Must qualify semi-annually with assigned firearm and annually with expandable straight baton. Must maintain valid driver's license and pass annual physical and psychosocial assessments. Competencies: Criminal Investigation Arrest Criminal Law Forensics Analysis and Problem Solving Physical Requirements and Work Environment: Work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking, bending, stooping, reaching, crawling, and similar activities. Work may take place in attics, crawlspaces, walls, ceilings, limited access spaces, or rough terrain. Work may require physical agility and dexterity to work in confined spaces and move or lift moderately heavy objects. Work involves frequent exposure to moderate risk situations, discomforts, unpleasant working conditions, and adverse weather conditions. Safety and security precautions may be necessary, including use of appropriate clothing or gear. May be required to work long and irregular hours, weekends, holidays, nights, or changed shifts and duty hours to conduct extensive criminal investigations. Required Documents: Resume SF-50 / Notification of Personnel Action Transcript, if using education to qualify Additional SF-50 showing time-in-grade eligibility, if required CTAP documentation, if applicable Performance appraisal, if applicable DD-214 / Statement of Service, if applicable SF-15, if applicable Cover letter, disability letter, separation notice, PCS orders, and other supporting documents, if applicable Benefits: Comprehensive federal benefits package. Health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance options may be available depending on appointment type and work schedule. Paid time off and federal retirement benefits may be available depending on appointment type and work schedule. Eligibility for benefits depends on position type and whether the position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Application Deadline: June 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET Status: This job announcement has closed and is listed as hiring complete. This position was open to current, permanent Montana VA Health Care System employees and eligible CTAP applicants. Applicants were required to submit a complete application package and complete any required USA Hire assessments through USAJOBS by the closing date.5c143e31-5e48-4549-b638-05792d185386