Criminal Investigator

Summary

This position is in the Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation (OFI). The federal odometer law and its implementing regulations carry administrative, civil, and criminal penalties. The incumbent serves as a criminal investigator reporting directly to a supervisory criminal investigator.

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Duties

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As a Criminal Investigator, you will :

• Conduct independent investigations which are relatively large in number, widespread geographically, and which involve frequent or extensive contact with subjects and principals. These investigations are complex in nature and involve interstate movement of large numbers of vehicles and title documents through dealerships and subsidiaries which are engaged in systematic odometer fraud. The sensitivity of these investigations is such that premature disclosure could seriously hamper the progress of the investigation and endanger lives of both victims and suspects.
• Receive and analyze information from other NHTSA Enforcement Regional Offices, other Federal agencies, and State and local investigative agencies to determine suspects patterns of operations and to identify odometer fraud interwoven with legitimate activities. Assumes substantial personal responsibility for overcoming unresponsiveness, hostility or violence and for conducting hearings in order to satisfactorily handle difficult or unusual circumstances.
• Provide investigative assistance to other Federal and State law enforcement agencies when odometer fraud investigations develop evidence of violations of other criminal statutes, i.e., mail fraud, wire fraud, interstate transportation of stolen property and fraudulent securities, bribery of State officials and tax evasion. Organize and manage joint task force operations consisting of other Federal and State agencies to investigate large-scale odometer fraud schemes, providing leadership, guidance and direction, and to other enforcement officers. Develop and conduct training programs in odometer fraud for enforcement officials from other Federal and State agencies. Meet with high-level, elected and appointed, Federal and State officials to gain their support for the odometer enforcement program. Provide testimony before State legislative bodies in their attempts to strengthen odometer enforcement.
• Interview and take statements from persons having information relating to odometer fraud. Cultivate and use informants to develop investigative leads. Conduct and/or participate in surveillance and undercover investigative activity, sometimes posing as individuals involved in criminal activity, when necessary to the investigation, which is often very extensive and hazardous. Reviews and analyzes information from State motor vehicle records to obtain additional information about persons suspected of fraud, to detect alterations and forgeries, and to determine suspects' patterns of operations, i.e., document and/or money "laundering" operations.
• Examine the premises of businesses and persons suspected of fraud, using search warrants when necessary, inspect vehicles on the premises, examine and analyze records relating to motor vehicle transactions, and make copies of relevant records. Seizes and/or impounds documents, equipment and vehicles as necessary to assemble evidence needed for criminal convictions.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation (OFI) is seeking a highly skilled, self-directed, and resilient Law Enforcement Officer to serve as a GS-1811-14 Criminal Investigator. The ideal candidate must be prepared to independently manage large-scale, complex, and geographically widespread criminal investigations within an assigned Enforcement Region covering approximately one-fourth of the nation. This position involves extensive field operations and is classified as "Rigorous" under enhanced 6(c) federal law enforcement retirement coverage.

Additional Information :

• Criminal Investigators must be prepared to work overtime based on the needs of the agency. Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): LEAP is approved for this position to compensate employees for unscheduled duty in excess of the 40-hour workweek.
• For persons currently covered under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) this position meets the provisions of Title 5 U.S. Code, Section 8336 (Law Enforcement Retirement).
• For persons covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), this position meets the provisions of Title 5 U.S. code, Section 8412(d) (Law Enforcement Retirement).

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
• TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You may be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
• DRUG TESTING: This position has been determined to be a critical safety/security position as defined in the Department of Transportation (DOT) Order, DOT 3910.1D entitled "Drug and Alcohol-Free Departmental Workplace." Therefore, if selected for the position you will be required to submit to a pre-employment/pre-appointment drug test, you will also be subject to Random Drug Testing.
• Pre-employment: This position is subject to a pre-employment medical examination, and medical examinations will be required every 3 years for criminal investigators under the age of 40, and every 2 years for criminal investigators age 40 and over. Failure to meet physical requirements may result in reassignment from the position of special agent or other appropriate personnel action, including but not limited to removal or retirement.

Qualifications

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR:

• Must have successfully completed an accredited basic law enforcement training program (civilian or military).

In addition to meet the selective placement factor, you must meet the minimum qualifications for this position of specialized experience for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the Grade 14 , you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include:

• Experience planning, conducting, and managing criminal investigations that involve interstate commerce, organized fraud schemes, fraudulent documents, money laundering, or sophisticated corporate structures
• Experience executing search warrants, utilizing specialized computer software to process and analyze digital evidence from computerized systems and devices, cultivating informants, and conducting tactical surveillance.
• Experience participating in, managing, or leading joint operations, directing other federal, state, or local law enforcement personnel, and conducting high-level briefings or training for external stakeholders.
• Experience preparing final investigative reports for the Department of Justice, serving as a case agent during federal grand jury proceedings, and providing evidential testimony in federal or state judicial proceedings.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Legal Knowledge, Judicial Processes, and Case Presentation Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state criminal statutes, rules of evidence, and precedent court decisions, combined with a comprehensive understanding of federal judicial processes, serving as a grand jury case agent, and preparing comprehensive investigative reports for Department of Justice prosecution.
• Digital Forensics and Electronic Data Analysis Demonstrated ability to utilize advanced digital forensic tools and specialized computer forensic software to acquire, process, and analyze digital evidence from computerized systems, network environments, and electronic records to identify electronic fraud.
• Tactical Field Operations, Warrants, and Use of Force Demonstrated proficiency in planning and executing tactical field operations, including the safe deployment of firearms under DOJ deadly force guidelines, execution of search warrants and evidence seizures, physical surveillance, and high-risk undercover investigative activities.
• Executive Communication, Witness Elicitation, and Stakeholder Diplomacy Demonstrated tact, diplomacy, and sophisticated communication skills required to conduct complex subject witness interviews and elicitation, and to interact effectively with corporate executives, elected state officials, and senior executives within the Department of Justice.
• Multi-Agency Management and Automotive Industry Expertise Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and lead complex, multi-agency criminal task forces while leveraging comprehensive knowledge of state motor vehicle titling regulations and a thorough understanding of new/used vehicle commerce across dealerships, leasing companies, and auto auctions.

For all types of consideration, 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.

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link:

All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

This position does not have an Education Requirement; however it does have the following Individual Occupational Requirement:

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.

Additional information

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, View email address on click.appcast.io. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

LAUTENBERG AMENDMENT: This position requires that the employee be qualified to carry a firearm. Under the Lautenberg Amendment [18 U.S.C. 922(g) (9)], A person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition. Therefore, candidates who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are not qualified for this position. Candidates under consideration will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of such an offense. Persons who provide false or fraudulent information may be subject to a fine or imprisonment under Title 18 U.S.C., Section 1001, and may be barred from Federal employment.

MEDICAL AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT: The nature of criminal investigative work requires that you have unimpaired hearing, vision, and mental alertness, in order that you are able to recognize the presence of dangerous or risky situations and take precautions necessary to prevent physical harm to yourself and to others. Physical well-being is a prerequisite to effective performance because of the stress that results from continuous direct contact with criminal elements and extensive investigative "street work" (sometimes 14-16 hours a day). You must also be in sound physical condition to take evasive or defensive action when a situation arises. Physical contact is required in many instances, such as serving subpoenas to subjects under investigation.

Applicants are subject to the maximum age for original entry into law enforcement positions with this agency - the date immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday. Also considered eligible will be : (a) those found to be eligible and referred to a selecting official who pass the age limit during the selection process before actual entry on duty or (b) those individuals age 37 through 56 who have previous service creditable under the CSRS or FERS law enforcement provisions sufficient to enable them to retire at age 57 with 20 years or creditable service.

This requirement does not apply to preference eligible veterans . If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement. Failure to provide this documentation with your application will result in loss of eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement.

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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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.