USA Staffing

Position Title: Criminal Investigator (Special Agent)
Agency: Veterans Affairs, Inspector General
Announcement Number: 23-VAOIG-257-P Opens in new window
Open Period: Friday, September 8, 2023 to Friday, September 22, 2023

For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.

1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?

A. No, I do not claim Veterans' Preference

B. 0-point Sole Survivorship Preference (SSP)

C. 5-point preference based on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (TP)

D. 10-point preference for non-compensable disability or Purple Heart (XP)

E. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of at least 10% but less than 30% (CP)

F. 10 point preference based on widow/widower or parent of a deceased veteran, or spouse or parent of a disabled veteran (XP)

G. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of 30% or more (CPS)

2. Are you a surplus or displaced Federal employee eligible under the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)? Click CTAP for eligibility and a detailed list of required documents you must submit in order to be eligible.

A. Yes

B. No

3. Are you a displaced Federal employee eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)? Click ICTAP for eligibility and a detailed list of required documents you must submit in order to be eligible.

A. Yes

B. No

1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.

2. Are you currently serving or have served in the last five years in a Political Appointment in the Federal Government?

A. Yes

B. No

3. Would you like the opportunity to be considered for similar positions that require the same knowledge, skills and abilities?

A. Yes

B. No

4. If you were born a male after December 31, 1959, and are at least 18 years of age, have you registered with the Selective Service System (select "Not applicable" if this question does not apply to you)?

A. Yes

B. No

C. No, but I have an approved exemption

D. Not applicable

5. Are you a current Federal employee?

A. Yes

B. No

6. If you are, or ever were a Federal civilian employee, indicate the pay plan and grade level or pay band of the highest graded position you have ever held.
(limit 250 characters)

Incumbents selected for Criminal Investigator positions are covered under special law enforcement provisions. This requires that applicants not exceed the maximum age for entry. The date immediately preceding an applicants 37th birthday is the final date for selection. The age restriction does not apply if you served in a Federal civilian (not military) law enforcement officer (FLEO) position covered by special civil service retirement provisions, including early or mandatory retirement.

If you are not subject to the age restriction because you have previously served in a Federal civilian (not military) law enforcement officer (FLEO) position as described above, you must submit an SF 50 (or equivalent documentation) showing service in a covered civilian law enforcement. OR If you are not subject to the age restriction because you are a preference eligible veteran, you must submit appropriate veterans documentation to establish that you are eligible for veteran's preference in order to waive the age requirements for this position.

Will you have reached your 37th birthday by the closing date of this announcement?

A. I will NOT have reached my 37th birthday by the close of this announcement.

B. I am not subject to the age restriction because I served in a Federal civilian (not military) law enforcement officer (FLEO) position as described above.

C. I am a preference eligible veteran and am not subject to the requirements above.

D. I will be 37 or older by the close date of this announcement. I am not a preference eligible veteran and have not previously served in a Federal civilian (not military) law enforcement (FLEO) position.

Medical Requirements: The selectee must pass a pre-appointment physical examination and meet the physical requirements for this position as required by this agency. The duties of this position 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 and hearing are required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Because the duties of this position are exacting, responsible, and sometimes performed under trying conditions, the selectee must possess emotional and mental stability. Any physical condition that would cause the selectee to be a hazard to himself/herself, or others is disqualifying.

Do you meet the physical requirements as described above?

A. Yes, I possess the requirements listed above.

B. I do not possess the requirements listed above.

For the GS-9: Specialized experience is one full year at the GS-07 level, or equivalent, that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience includes:
Applying investigative techniques to conduct investigations. AND
Assisting with interviews, briefings or presentations; AND
Drafting written reports or use of products that present facts, findings, logical conclusions, and persuasive arguments
OR
Masters or equivalent graduate degree, or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LLB or JD. From the choices below, select the item that best describes your education and experience. Only graduate level education in excess of the first 18 semester hours (27 quarter hours) may be combined to be considered for qualifying education.

OR
You may qualify on a combination of education and experience. To combine education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the requirement must equal at least 100 percent.

1. Select the choice that describes your specialized experience as described above.

A. I have one full year (52 weeks) or more of specialized experience equivalent in responsibility and scope to the GS-07 level as described above.

B. I possess a master's degree or equivalent or two years progressively higher education leading to such a degree, or an LL.B. or J.D. if related. (Attach a copy of transcript or list of college courses designating semester or quarter hours earned to ensure proper credit.)

C. I have a combination of education and experience to qualify for this position.

D. I do not meet any of the requirements as stated above.

2. Please state the dates and location for this experience/education. Please be sure that your resume clearly describes this experience/education.

For the GS-7: Specialized experience is one full year at the GS-5 level, or equivalent, that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience includes:
Applying investigative techniques to assist in investigations; AND
Assisting with interviews, briefings or presentations

OR
Education: One full year of graduate level education in a related field;

OR
Superior Academic Achievement based on a bachelor's degree that is demonstrated through class standing (upper 1/3 of class); or grade point average (2.95/4.0 overall or 3.5/4.0 in major), or election to membership in a qualifying national scholastic honor society. (Attach copy of transcript or list of college courses designating semester or quarter hours earned to ensure proper credit.

OR
You may qualify on a combination of education and experience. To combine education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the requirement must equal at least 100 percent.

3. Select the choice that describes your specialized experience as described above.

A. I am qualifying based on a combination of education and experience. Together the percentage of experience and education as they relate to the requirement total at least 100 percent

B. I possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal Service.

C. I possess a Bachelors degree plus Superior Academic Achievement.

D. I possess at least one full year of graduate level education in a related field.

E. I have been elected to membership in a qualifying national scholastic honor society.

F. I do not meet the descriptions of required education and experience as described above.

4. Please state the dates and location for this experience/education. Please be sure that your resume clearly describes this experience/education.

5. Select the one answer that describes your experience of conducting criminal investigations or analyzing information.

A. I have experience participating in criminal investigations.

B. I have experience participating in civil investigations.

C. I have experience initiating and completing a work/school related project that requires research, analysis, review, critical thinking and the ability to write reports or products that presented facts and findings in a logical, concise and objective manner.

D. I do not possess the experience described above.

6. Select the response that reflects your experience gathering and analyzing facts.

A. I have gathered data/information in preparation for analysis by others.

B. I have gathered data/information, analyzed it, and summarized the results of my findings.

C. I have gathered data/information, performed analyses, summarized results, and identified problem areas.

D. I have gathered statistical data and narrative information, performed analyses, summarized results, identified problem areas, and proposed/implemented solutions.

E. None of the above.

7. Please select the option that describes your primary work experience.

A. Detective

B. Police Officer

C. Background investigator

D. Federal criminal investigator

E. I have work experience that involves inquiry, research, analysis and critical thinking.

F. None of the above

8. Select the types of computer software programs and/or applications with which you have experience.

A. Word processing programs

B. Spreadsheets

C. Presentations / graphics

D. Database management programs

E. Statistical quantitative analysis tools (e.g. SAS, SPSS)

F. None of the above.

9. Which of the following computer resources do you have experience using?

A. General internet search engines (i.e. Google, Yahoo, etc.).

B. Internet subscriber search engines (i.e. Accurint, Choicepoint, Dun & Bradstreet, etc.).

C. Law enforcement databases (i.e. NCIC, TECS, etc.).

D. Internal agency databases and search engines.

E. Academic or local government databases and search engines.

F. None of the above

10. Select all of the verbal communication activities that you have experience performing.

A. Briefed senior employees/officials on work product findings in an organized, concise and objective manner.

B. Briefed management/customers on policy changes.

C. Presented technical issue to a team or large group.

D. Defended recommendations on controversial issues.

E. Facilitated coordination of efforts between organizational entities.

F. Acted as technical representative.

G. Regularly consulted by others on technical, programmatic, and/or professional issues.

H. Presenting investigative findings to Assistant U.S. Attorneys.

I. Providing operational briefings to other members of a task force or raid team.

J. Testifying in court and/or administrative hearings.

K. None of the above.

11. Please select the option that describes your primary work experience.

A. Collecting facts and documenting in report.

B. Searching databases, but not documenting findings.

C. Conducting routine inquiries and reporting results to superiors.

D. Conducting an analysis drawn from several different sources, without complete information, and analyzing and documenting findings in a report.

E. Working within a certain set of specifications or policies to problem solve and generate recommendations.

F. None of the above.

12. Select all of the written products below that you have experience writing.

A. Memorialized work activity in a report or memorandum.

B. Reports of Investigation or Research.

C. Administrative reports to management.

D. Comprehensive reports requiring research, analysis and detailed explanations of findings

E. None of the above.

13. Select the one answer the describes your experience self-initiating and monitoring work priorities.

A. I need specific guidance to initiate work and identify priorities.

B. I need minimal guidance to initiate work and identify priorities.

C. I can initiate work and identify priorities without any guidance.

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