Criminal Investigator

Summary

This office works within DOT to detect and prevent waste, fraud and abuse in departmental programs. The OIG reports to the Secretary and Congress and carries out its mission by issuing audit reports, evaluations, and management advisories with findings and recommendations to improve program delivery and performance. It conducts investigations into whether Federal laws and regulations were followed and reports suspected civil and criminal violations to the Attorney General.

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Duties

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GS-13 Major Duties

• Reviews allegations to determine criminal jurisdiction, Department of Transportation (DOT) nexus, and programmatic or financial impact; advises management on investigative merit and appropriate criminal enforcement action.
• Plans, develops, and conducts complex and sensitive criminal investigations involving fraud, waste, abuse, and other violations; gathers, evaluates, and analyzes evidence to establish probable cause and support criminal prosecution.
• Determines and articulates DOT nexus and criminal jurisdiction throughout the investigative process.
• Develops, implements, and revises comprehensive investigative case plans, identifying the nature of criminal allegations; subjects and targets; coordination requirements with prosecutors and law enforcement partners; projected evidence needs; sources of information; and investigative steps, strategies, and timelines.
• Exercises significant independence in determining investigative scope, depth, and priorities while coordinating with supervisory personnel regarding resource utilization and case direction.
• Conducts or oversees advanced investigative techniques, including electronic and physical surveillance, undercover operations, execution of search and arrest warrants, and service of subpoenas.
• Leads and coordinates criminal investigative activities with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, U.S. Attorney's Offices, and other prosecutorial authorities.
• Independently conducts interviews and interrogations of witnesses, confidential sources, cooperating defendants, and subjects of investigations.
• Analyzes complex financial, tax, accounting, and banking records to identify, document, and prove fraudulent schemes and related criminal activity.
• Evaluates information to distinguish admissible evidence from hearsay or unreliable data and applies advanced analytical methods to identify criminal patterns and violations.
• Documents investigative actions, findings, and evidence in accordance with criminal investigative standards and maintains accurate, timely records within the official case management system.
• Prepares and reviews legally sufficient investigative reports, affidavits, and case packages for presentation to prosecutors and senior management.
• Provides expert testimony before grand juries, courts, and administrative forums as required.
• Performs frequent travel in support of criminal investigative operations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizen
• Pre-employment drug testing and physical examination are required
• You must meet the specialized experience to qualify
• Successful completion of a background security investigation
• Must possess and maintain a valid state DL to operate a motor vehicle
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date
• Selectee must currently reside within 65 miles from the regional office

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• PRE-EMPLOYMENT/PRE-APPOINTMENT DRUG TESTING: Tentatively selected candidates are required to successfully complete a pre-employment urinalysis in accordance with DOT 3910.1D entitled "Drug and Alcohol-Free Departmental Workplace", which includes testing for marijuana. Marijuana is legal in some states, however it's still illegal at the federal level. 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.
• TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

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Qualifications

Quality Ranking Factor:

Applicants who have successfully completed the basic Criminal Investigator Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center or its equivalent will be given higher consideration for this position.

To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, you must have one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience includes:

• Conducting interviews,
• gathering, reviewing and discerning evidence for use in charging defendants criminally
• preparing fact-based written summaries in fraud and/or safety cases, with defendants having been charged or civil fines or penalties having been levied.
• Securing facts and developing evidence - independent of supervisor or prosecutor direction
• Consistent record of defendants charged criminally, or civil adjudications based upon lone or individual fraud cases or primarily as the lead in multiple fraud investigations.

Your resume will be evaluated based on the following competencies:

GS-13

1. Investigative and Analytical Skills- Analyzes complex evidence to determine probable cause or support findings.

2. Case Management and Organizational Skills- Prepares and maintains detailed case plans outlining scope, objectives, and evidence collection steps.

3. Communication Skills (Written and Verbal)- Produces grammatically correct, clear, and organized reports, affidavits, subpoenas, and summaries.

4. Coordination and Collaboration- Establishes productive working relationships with law enforcement partners and internal teams.

5. Judgment, Decision-Making, and Adaptability- Makes timely and sound operational decisions during fieldwork (e.g., surveillance, searches, arrests).

NOTE: All applicants who do not currently, or have in the past worked as a GS-1811 Criminal Investigator in a federal OIG office must clearly demonstrate in their on-line application, possession of the experience. Applicants who fail to clearly and specifically address this factor in their on-line application will not receive further consideration for the announcement.

Applicants must meet qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Additional information

Conditions of Employment Continued:

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS- The duties of this position 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

Applicants must not turn 37 years of age before 30 days after the closing date of this announcement. If you are age 37 through 56 you must be eligible to retire at age 57 with 20 years of covered law enforcement service. All qualified veterans preference eligibles may apply and be considered for this vacancy regardless of whether they meet the maximum age requirements identified at 5 U.S.C 3307.

You will be required to satisfactorily complete the criminal investigator training course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center if selected and not yet completed.

You will be required to qualify and maintain qualification to carry and use government-owned firearms. You are ineligible for this position if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, unless the conviction was expunged, set aside, or you received a pardon. In most jurisdictions, you must be at least 21 years of age to carry a firearm.

This position is eligible for Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP).

This is a primary position that meets the early law enforcement retirement provisions of both the Civil Service and the Federal Employees Retirement Systems.

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Best qualified candidates will be responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel expenses in conjunction with any required interviews, unless they are already employed by the Office of Inspector General at the U. S. Department of Transportation.

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

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.