Customs and Border Protection Logo
Position Title
Criminal Investigator
Agency
Customs and Border Protection
Announcement Number
OPR-DE-(DHA)-12135470-ERO Opens in new window
Open Period
Wednesday, September 20, 2023 to Tuesday, September 26, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. This position has an age requirement. Enter or select your date of birth. (limit characters)
2. Enter the number of MONTHS of Federal service experience you have attained as a firefighter, law enforcement or air traffic controller. (limit characters)
3. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
4. Are you a current federal employee who has received notice that you will be displaced from the Department of Homeland Security? If yes, confirm:
  • You occupy a position located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND
  • You are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND
  • You are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND
  • Your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of CTAP eligibility, such as:
  • Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice, AND
  • Copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center.
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5. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency? If yes, confirm:
  • You occupy (or have been separated from) a position located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND
  • You are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND
  • Your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of ICTAP eligibility, such as:
  • Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice, AND
  • Copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center.
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Preferences
1. Do you have a current valid State driver's license or will you be able to obtain a valid license at the time of appointment? (limit characters)
2. There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years, before completing an application for CBP employment.

If you do not meet the residency requirement as stated above and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency wavier by meeting one or more of the following conditions:
  • Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
  • A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
  • Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
  • Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

Exceptions may be granted to applicants if they can provide complete state-side coverage information required to make a suitability determination. Examples of state-side coverage information include: the state-side address of the company headquarters where the applicant's personnel file is located, the state-side address of the Professor in charge of the applicant's "Study Abroad" program, and/or the state-side addresses of anyone who worked or studied with the applicant while overseas. If selected for a position, you must provide documentation to support a request for an exception.

Do you meet the residency requirement?
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3. Are you receiving a retirement annuity from OPM based on retiring from the Federal government? If you select yes and you are selected for this position, your salary will be off-set by the amount of your retirement annuity.

To verify, please submit a copy of your retirement SF-50 with your application package.
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4. I have read and understand the following statement: You will be considered for the highest grade level for which you qualify for. Eligibility will be verified based on your resume and transcripts. You must have gained the work experience by the closing date of this announcement. Full-time work experience is 35 or more hours worked per week and must be clearly stated on your resume. Qualifications based on work experience will be determined by what is listed on your resume. Work experience refers to both paid and unpaid experience, such as volunteer work.

Your resume must include the following:
  • Be in English
  • Include full legal name
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Complete work history (which includes job titles)
  • Detailed description of your duties (including tasks performed)
  • The dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YY - MM/DD/YY)
  • Hours worked per week for any position you worked that was not full time (less than 35 hours per week)
For Federal employment experience, your resume must also include:
  • Series
  • Grade level(s)
  • Salary
*Note- It is recommended that you upload your resume as a PDF instead of a Word document to ensure document quality. Ensure that your uploaded resume is not a password protected document, to include Office 365 passwords.

Do you agree to provide a resume that contains the necessary requirements listed in the instructions above?
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5. Are you a current or former Federal employee? If yes, it is recommended that you submit a copy of your SF-50(s) (Notification of Personnel Action) to support your experience. Also, ensure that your resume contains a detailed description of your federal work experience, including the dates you performed those duties, your hours worked per week, job title, as well as series, grade level(s), and salary (if applicable). (limit characters)
6. The day immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday will be the last day to be referred for selection consideration. However, the age restriction may not apply if you are a preference eligible veteran or if you are currently serving or have previously served in a federal civilian law enforcement position covered by 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).

The following question determines your eligibility for Law Enforcement Retirement Coverage 6(c).

Will you be less than 37 years of age (not reached your 37th birthday) at the closing date of this announcement?
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7. Have you used (including injecting, snorting, inhaling, swallowing, etc.), experimented with, received, purchased, transferred, or distributed THC (e.g., marijuana, weed, pot, hashish, edibles, gummies, etc.), synthetic marijuana (e.g., K2, Spice, etc.), or medicinal marijuana? Drug usage information will be taken into consideration during the background investigation. (limit characters)
8. Have you used (including injecting, snorting, inhaling, swallowing, etc.) or experimented with illegal steroids (e.g., the clear, juice, etc.), ever taken your prescription medication(s) recreationally (e.g., Adderall, Ritalin, Vicodin, etc.)? Drug usage information will be taken into consideration during the background investigation. (limit characters)
9. Have you used (including injecting, snorting, inhaling, swallowing, etc.), experimented with, received, purchased, transferred, or distributed other Schedule I-V controlled substance (those not listed in previous question)? Examples of controlled substances include cocaine or crack cocaine (e.g, rock, freebase, etc.), hallucinogenics (e.g, LSD, PCP, mushrooms, peyote, mescaline, etc.), ketamine (e.g., special K, jet, etc.), narcotics (e.g., opium, heroin, etc.), stimulants (e.g., speed, crystal meth, ecstasy, etc.), or inhalants (e.g., toluene, amyl nitrate, whippets, etc.). Drug usage information will be taken into consideration during the background investigation. (limit characters)
10. Are you a current political Schedule A or Schedule C Executive Branch employee or a former political Schedule A or Schedule C Executive Branch employee who held the position within the last five years applying to a competitive or non-political excepted service position under Title 5 of the United States Code or are you a current non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) Executive Branch employee or a former non-career SES Executive Branch employee who held the position within the last five years applying to a competitive or non-political excepted service position under Title 5 of the United States Code?

To verify, please submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) or other relevant documentation reflecting your status as a Political Appointee.
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11. Please indicate which program area (s) you are interested in below. Please choose up to 3. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
The following question will be used to determine whether or not you meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position. You may wish to consult the vacancy announcement for a description of those requirements. (limit characters)
1. Which of the following best describes your experience to qualify for the GS-14 grade level?
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The following questions will be used to rate applicants who meet the minimum eligibility and qualification requirements. (limit characters)
2. Indicate the extent of your experience in interviewing individuals to verify facts or obtain specific information.
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3. Indicate the extent of your knowledge of the concepts, principles, and methodologies for conducting criminal investigations.
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4. Indicate the extent of your experience in participating in or conducting undercover operations.
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5. Indicate the extent of your experience in conducting surveillance.
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6. Indicate the extent of your knowledge of and experience applying search and seizure procedures.
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7. Indicate the extent of your experience in dealing with individuals who are uncooperative, hostile, combative, or dangerous.
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8. Indicate the extent to which you have utilized law enforcement databases.
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9. Indicate the extent to which you have presented information to all levels of employees and management.
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10. Indicate the extent of your experience in using a filing or information tracking system to collect, compile, and organize information into meaningful groups.
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11. Indicate the extent of your experience in identifying sources for facts, information, technologies, or other data.
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12. Indicate the extent of your experience in completing forms, documents, and other routine reports.
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13. Indicate the extent of your experience in utilizing computerized databases.
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14. Indicate the extent to which you have verified the accuracy of data.
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15. Do you have experience conducting non-criminal or special-inquiry investigations involving complaints of alleged misconduct?
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16. Do you have experience conducting non-criminal or special-inquiry investigations involving the use of force by law enforcement officers?
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17. Indicate the extent of your experience in conducting research projects.
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Assessment 2
1. The Criminal Investigator position requires the successful completion of the following pre-employment requirements:
Polygraph examination
Background investigation
Medical examination
Drug test
If you are not willing to complete these requirements then the agency recommends you exit the online job application and not proceed further.

Are you willing to complete the above pre-employment requirements?
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2. During the last 5 years have you ever been fired from a job; quit after being told you would be fired or left a job by mutual agreement because of specific problems?
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3. During the last 5 years have you ever been terminated or removed from Federal employment?
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The Anti-Border Corruption Act of 2010 requires all job applicants for law enforcement positions at U.S. Customs & Border Protection to receive a polygraph examination and a background investigation before being offered employment. Please read the following questions and answers carefully! (limit characters)
4. Are you willing to undergo a polygraph examination for this position?
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5. Have you taken and FAILED a CBP polygraph examination within the last two years?
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PENALTIES FOR INACCURATE OR FALSE STATEMENTS: The U.S. Criminal Code (Title 18, section 1001) provides that knowingly falsifying or concealing a material fact is a felony which may result in fines and/or up to five (5) years imprisonment. In addition, Federal agencies generally fire, do not grant a security clearance to, or disqualify individuals who have materially and deliberately falsified these forms. Such actions remains a part of the permanent record for future placements. Your prospects of placement or security clearance are better if you answer all questions truthfully and completely. (limit characters)
6. Are you willing to undergo a background investigation for this position?
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FIREARM REQUIREMENT: This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. An applicant whose background includes any of the following will be ineligible for consideration: 1) convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year; 2) has any outstanding warrants or is a fugitive from justice; 3) unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; 4) adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution; 5) illegally or unlawfully in the United States; 6) renounced U. S. citizenship; 7) subject to a court-ordered restraining (protection) order from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner (spouse, former spouse, parent of applicant's child, individual who cohabitates or has cohabitated with the applicant), or child; or 8) convicted under Federal, State, or Tribal Court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or child. (limit characters)
7. Conviction under Federal, State, or Tribal Court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or child is disqualifying. An intimate partner means, with respect to a person, the spouse of the person, a former spouse of the person, an individual who is a parent of a child of the person, an individual who cohabitates or has cohabited with the person. Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or a child?
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8. Are you the subject of any Federal, State, or Tribal court-ordered restraining (protection) order for domestic abuse, including harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or a child?
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9. Have you ever been arrested or charged with a crime of domestic violence that did not results in a conviction?
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10. Have you ever been convicted of a felony or crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year?
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11. Have you ever lost your right to possess a firearm for any reason under Federal law?
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12. Are you currently delinquent on any debt for 90 days or more (e.g., credit cards, mortgage loans, taxes, overpayment of benefits, federal guaranteed student loans, and/or commercial loans)?
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13. Prior to your 18th birthday did you enter the U.S. illegally and subsequently initiate action to obtain legal status within 24 months after reaching age 18?
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14. After the age of 18, did you ever enter the U.S. illegally, use fraudulent or counterfeit documents to enter the U.S., or intentionally overstay an authorized period of admission to reside, work or attend school in the U.S. without legal immigration status?
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15. Have you ever been removed or deported from the U.S. prior to the age of 18?
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16. Have you ever been removed or deported from the U.S. after the age of 18?
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17. Have you ever failed to declare merchandise or funds as required by customs law?
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18. Are you currently married to or living with any person(s) illegally residing in the U.S.?
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19. Did you knowingly marry an undocumented noncitizen for the sole purpose of that individual obtaining legal immigration status?
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20. Did you knowingly marry a U.S. citizen for the sole purpose of obtaining legal immigration status?
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21. Have you ever intentionally harbored, concealed, transported or employed an undocumented noncitizen(s)?
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22. Have you ever kidnapped or imprisoned an individual against his or her will?
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23. Have you ever been convicted of any crime involving identity theft or the fraudulent use of a credit card including buying, selling, manufacturing, stealing or fraudulently using credit cards to obtain something of value?
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24. Have you participated in any act that involved theft of a vehicle or the use of a vehicle without the owner's consent, including riding as a passenger in a stolen vehicle or in a vehicle being used without the owner's consent?
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25. Have you received property which you knew was stolen?
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26. Have you been a member of, had an affiliation with, assisted or promoted any street gang, group, or organization that advocates or espouses any form of racism or illegal activities?
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27. Have you engaged in sexual abuse in a prison, jail, holding facility, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution as defined by 42 U.S.C. 1997?
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28. Have you been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or where the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse, or have you been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in such activity?
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