Investigator (Direct Hire)

Summary The investigator is responsible for overseeing, leading, and conducting impartial administrative investigations, implementing special initiatives, interpreting, and applying administrative guidelines, and sustaining the programs that contribute to the efficacy of investigations. Responsibilities This vacancy will be filled through DHS/TSA's Direct-Hire Authority pursuant to TSA MD 1100.30-26. Under the Direct-Hire Authority, category grouping and Veterans' Preference does not apply. This Investigator (Direct Hire) position is located Field Operations and HQ Operations, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Duties include but are not limited to: Handles, executes, and records all investigative cases. When criminal investigations are deemed necessary, refers cases to a supervisor for further action. The incumbent is tasked with collecting information, pinpointing issues and allegations essential for uncovering evidence, coordinating and conducting interviews, researching standards, and reporting the results of a thorough and complete investigation or inquiry. Assists in carrying out fact-finding missions, interviewing witnesses and suspects in administrative cases involving allegations against TSA employees, contractors, regulated parties, and individuals connected to the investigation. Consults with senior investigators to navigate technical and nuanced challenges that may affect investigative goals. Engages in interconnected investigations that involve interagency and intergovernmental teams to ensure that any discrepancies in findings are addressed. Executes intra- and interdivisional requests for investigative support, including interviews, physical and electronic surveillance, and other assistance in support of administrative, civil, and criminal investigations across the United States and outside the Continental United States. Reviews and applies relevant jurisdictional precedents or legal standards when gathering and interpreting evidence pertinent to the trier of fact. Prepares sworn statements, affidavits, and serves administrative subpoenas along with other official investigative documents. Identifies and searches for information sources, gathers and preserves relevant data to establish a preponderance of evidence for determining if administrative violations have occurred. Creates, manages, and updates the electronic case management file according to set milestones, including pertinent investigative details such as victim, witness, suspect, investigative participants, activity memoranda, interviews, and investigation reports. Conducts initial and summary investigative briefings for the Special Agent in Charge, Deputy Special Agent in Charge, and other relevant stakeholders. Offers administrative support during investigations. Performs various administrative and operational tasks such as collecting and assessing information to establish facts. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National. You must have reached the minimum age (18) at the time of application. You must complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI). Selective Service registration is required. Position requires full field background investigation and issuance of a secret clearance. Required to maintain all operational, policy, and legal standards required to testify before courts, juries, or judges regarding cases and/or the nature and complexities of regulations, procedures and techniques used in investigations. Position is subject to drug testing. Position requires domestic and overseas travel as necessary. If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing any of the scheduled appointments, the hiring agency may rescind their tentative offer of employment. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for TSA to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change. Qualifications To qualify for the SV-G Pay Band (equivalent to GS-5/7/9), you must meet one of the qualification requirements outlined below: Education: Bachelor's or higher-level degree in any field from an accredited college or university. OR Experience: For those qualifying using experience, your application must clearly outline three (3) years of progressively responsible general experience, one (1) year of which was equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent in the private sector. Such experience will demonstrate the ability to: analyze problems, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; plan and organize work; and communicate effectively orally and in writing. OR Combining of Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements, and may be computed by first determining the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the position; then determining the education as a percentage of the education required for the position; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for the position. Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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 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. You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Education Additional Information Eligibility to apply for other Federal positions: TSA is an Excepted Service agency exempt from most of Title 5 United States Code, including regulations which apply to displaced Federal employees (CTAP/ICTAP) of other agencies, and employment with TSA does not confer "Competitive Status" that generally results from selection and service in Competitive Service agencies. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has established an Interchange Agreement, which allows most permanent TSA employees to apply and be considered for vacancies in Competitive Service agencies. Information from OPM on this or other Interchange Agreements is available at: 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 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. 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. TSA employees who are absent for the purpose of performing military duty may apply for any vacancies announced in their absence. More than one position may be filled from this announcement. If you are entering TSA employment on an appointment without time limitations, you must serve a basic trial period unless you have already met the requirement. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (