Criminal Investigator

Summary

The Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Inspector General is currently looking for a Criminal Investigator in the Office of Invesigations. Join our professional team of auditors, criminal investigators, and inspectors who help support DOE's mission through performance and financial audits, inspections of management issues and administrative allegations, and investigations into alleged violations of law.

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Duties

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As a Criminal Investigator for the Office of Investigations, you will be responsible for the following:

• Develop investigative plans and independently execute operations involving alleged or suspected criminal violations of Federal law (including contract/grant fraud, procurement fraud, and program corruption) characterized by multiple subjects, complex financial/electronic records, and operational obstacles.
• Conduct interviews, interrogations, surveillance, consensual monitoring, undercover operations, and physical or electronic evidence searches; execute search and arrest warrants; issue administrative subpoenas; and manage crime scene evidence in strict compliance with legal chain-of-custody rules.
• Perform detailed evaluations of complex documentary, financial, and electronic data (e.g., bank records, contracts, electronic communications); analyze complex patterns and interrelationships; assess witness credibility; and resolve contradictory, missing, or fragmentary information.
• Draft clear, complete, and legally supportable written products, including Reports of Investigation (ROIs), prosecutive summaries, search/arrest warrant affidavits, and subpoena requests; present case findings to Assistant U.S. Attorneys and agency officials; and provide sworn testimony before grand juries, courts of law, or administrative bodies.
• Develop operational contacts, build investigative sources, and coordinate joint enforcement activities with Federal, State, local, and foreign law enforcement partners, prosecutors, and technical experts to resolve complex jurisdictional and investigative matters.

This position is being advertised as part of a career-ladder opportunity (GL-09/GS-11) FPL 13. The duties described above reflect the position at GS-11 grade level. If selected at the lower grade level (GL-09), you will perform similar duties of a more conventional scope and complexity under closer supervisory guidance.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• May be required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450 or an Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USOGE, 6/08).
• You will be required to report to a DOE OIG assigned office. The essential functions of this position require physical presence in your DOE OIG assigned office.
• Must obtain and maintain a Q security clearance.
• A successful completion of a pre-employment physical required.
• Will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• The position requires a valid driver's license at the time of appointment and must maintain the license while employed in the position.
• Completion of the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) or documentation of successful completion of a formal basic special agent/criminal investigator training course of instruction.
• Incumbent may be subject to relocation to another geographic location based on the needs of the organization and mission requirements. A signed Mobility Agreement is required.
• Incumbent must meet requirements for training and qualification with firearms.
• This position is a Drug Testing Designated position and is subject to preemployment and random drug testing.
• This position is not remote, the selectee will be expected to report to the duty station(s) listed. If selected, military spouses, veteran caregivers, and spouses of foreign service employees may be eligible for applicable workplace flexibilities.

Qualifications

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (09/08/2026) of this announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 for each federal position listed as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of qualifying experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience . For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience.

For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected

SELECTIVE FACTOR: This position performs criminal investigations of alleged or suspected violations of Federal criminal law requiring full authority to execute search and arrest warrants, carry firearms, and conduct statutory law enforcement operations, and successful completion of the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) or an equivalent Federal basic criminal investigator academy (e.g., FBI, DEA, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, USAF BSIC, or Army CID Special Agent Course) is required. Candidates who do not meet this requirement by the closing date of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position.

-AND-

To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level, you must possess one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement.

BASIC REQUIREMENT for GL-09 and GS-11: In accordance with OPM's Individual Occupational Requirements for the GS-1811 series, applicants must meet the following basic requirement as determined by a pre-employment physical exam. 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.

-AND-

EXPERIENCE FOR GL-09: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GL/GS-07) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience that demonstrates ALL of the following .:

1. Assisting higher-level investigators in planning, coordinating, and conducting investigations of alleged or suspected violations of law, regulations, or policies;
2. Collecting, analyzing, and documenting physical, documentary, or electronic evidence and data from a variety of sources related to ongoing investigations;
3. Writing investigative reports, summaries, or memorandums outlining facts, evidence, and preliminary findings;
4. Conducting interviews of witnesses and suspects, taking sworn statements, and verifying and corroborating gathered information;
5. Coordinating with internal and external law enforcement or government agencies to support investigative operations; and
6. Providing factual testimony in court proceedings, grand juries, or administrative hearings.

-OR-

EDUCATION FOR GL-09 : Successful completion of at least a Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B or J.D., if related .. You must include transcripts.

-OR-

Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of completed graduate education beyond the first year by 18 (or 27 for quarter hours). Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Note: You must include a copy of your transcripts if qualifying based on education.

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level, you must possess one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement.

EXPERIENCE FOR GS-11: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GL/GS-09) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience that demonstrates ALL of the following .:

1. Independently planning, coordinating, and conducting investigations of alleged or suspected criminal, civil, or administrative violations of law;
2. Executing a variety of investigative techniques, including surveillances, searches, seizures, undercover operations, and evidence collection;
3. Conducting detailed analyses of complex evidence, financial data, and records to verify facts, corroborate information, and establish elements of a violation;
4. Conducting complex interviews and interrogations of witnesses, subjects, and informants, and taking formal sworn statements and affidavits;
5. Preparing clear, comprehensive investigative reports (e.g., Reports of Investigation, prosecutive summaries, and affidavits) detailing findings, evidence, and conclusions;
6. Establishing contacts and coordinating investigative operations with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors; and
7. Testifying as an expert or material witness in court proceedings, grand juries, or formal administrative hearings.

-OR-

EDUCATION FOR GS-11 : Successful completion of at least a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR an LL.M., if related, from an accredited college or university. Note: You must include a copy of your transcripts if qualifying based on education.. You must include transcripts.

-OR-

Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. You possess a combination of specialized experience and graduate education (beyond the second year / 36 semester hours) as described above. To combine education and experience, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of completed graduate education beyond the second year by 18 (or 27 for quarter hours). Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Note: You must include a copy of your transcripts if qualifying based on education. D. I do not have the education and/or experience as described in the above statements.

Education

Continuing from the Qualification Section Above:

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined above by the closing date of the announcement. Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: Criminal Investigation Series 1811

Volunteer Experience: "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

Time-in-Grade: Any individual who is currently holding, or has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet time-in-grade requirements (must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent in the Federal service). Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal civilian employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appt.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), grade-point average or class ranking, and date degree conferred. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

CONTINUED FROM THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SECTION BELOW:

Shared Certificates : The Department of Energy shares lists of applicants among its internal Departmental Elements and organizations. You may be referred for consideration to other DOE Hiring Managers throughout the Department for more than one position based on this application. By applying to this announcement, you understand your application materials may be shared with multiple Hiring Mangers throughout DOE. If additional positions are filled from this announcement conditions of employment may differ. You will be notified if you are referred for additional positions.

Additional information

• A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
• The minimum age for initial appointment to a law enforcement position is 21, and the maximum age is 37. (The date immediately preceding an applicant's 37th birthday is the final date for selection). This requirement does not apply to preference eligible veterans, or if you served in another Federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by special civil service retirement provisions.
• Subject to drug testing, must test negative prior to being appointed, and will be subject to random testing thereafter. Failure to pass subsequent tests could result in disciplinary action, up to and including removal from the Federal service.
• Must successfully complete the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's Basic Criminal Investigator Training Program. Applicants who have previously completed the training program are exempt.
• This position is covered under the provisions of the Lautenberg Amendment "Suitability to Possess Firearms and Ammunition." The selectee must successfully and safely qualify with a firearm; failure to do so may result in removal from the position.
• Criminal Investigators are subject to frequent travel and may be reassigned to a different duty location throughout the U.S. dependent upon program needs; a signed mobility agreement is required. Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): LEAP is approved to compensate employees for unscheduled duty in excess of the 40-hour workweek. Criminal Investigators must be prepared to work overtime based on the needs of the agency.
• This announcement may be used to fill additional similar positions across OIG-DOE if identical vacancies occur within 120 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
• This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across OIG-DOE.
• More than one selection may be made from this announcement.
• For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: You will be assigned to an OIG office. Limited, situational telework flexibilities may be offered as defined by agency policy. Telework flexibilities are not guaranteed.

Relocation Incentives: May be authorized, subject to available funding and management approval, to current Federal employees who must relocate to accept a position in a different geographical area. If a relocation incentive is authorized, the employee must sign an agreement to fulfill a period of service with the agency of not less than 12 months and not more than 4 years, as determined by the gaining office in accordance with agency policy. Authorization of incentives is not guaranteed.

Promotion Potential: Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactory perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommending by the position's supervisor.

For Reasonable Accommodation information or assistance:

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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.

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.