- Position Title
- Criminal Investigator (Special Agent)
- Agency
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Announcement Number
- HSI-12716824-DHA Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Tuesday, April 1, 2025 to Tuesday, March 31, 2026
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
2.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
You will be required to submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of CTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center.
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy
- your grade is equivalent to or higher than the grade level of the vacancy
- the promotion potential (full performance level) of the position you are being separated from is equal to or higher than the promotion potential of the vacancy, and
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
You will be required to submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of CTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center.
3.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position?
If yes, confirm:
If yes, confirm:
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy
- your grade is equivalent to or higher than the grade level of the vacancy
- the promotion potential (full performance level) of the position you are being separated from is equal to or higher than the promotion potential of the vacancy, and
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
Preferences
1.
While the location in this announcement has multiple locations, you have the opportunity to identify two location preferences. Note that multiple duty locations fall within the Area of Responsibility (AOR) of each Special Agent in Charge (SAC) office. Please view the duty locations within each SAC AOR here. Your preference locations are NOT guaranteed. The duty locations offered will be based on the needs of the agency. If you decline the duty location offered during the official job offer, you will be removed from further consideration.
2.
While the location in this announcement has multiple locations, you have the opportunity to identify two location preferences. Note that multiple duty locations fall within the Area of Responsibility (AOR) of each Special Agent in Charge (SAC) office. Please view the duty locations within each SAC AOR here. Your preference locations are NOT guaranteed. The duty locations offered will be based on the needs of the agency. If you decline the duty location offered during the official job offer, you will be removed from further consideration.
3.
Are you willing to accept another location outside of your preference locations?
4.
Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location.
5.
Which of the following items describes your current or recent (within the last five years) political appointee service? If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
6.
I acknowledge that I am solely responsible for the answers and documentation submitted in my online application. I understand that my answers cannot be altered once I have submitted my application and the announcement has closed. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information contained in my online application for Federal Employment is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. I understand that a false or fraudulent answer to any question or item on any part of my online application may be grounds for not hiring me, or for firing me after I begin work, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment or both (See section 1001 of title 18, United States Code).
By clicking "Yes" below, I certify that I accept responsibility for the responses and documentation submitted in my online application and that the information I have provided is true to the best of my knowledge.
By clicking "Yes" below, I certify that I accept responsibility for the responses and documentation submitted in my online application and that the information I have provided is true to the best of my knowledge.
7.
Do any of your family members work for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement?
(A family member means an individual with any of the following relationships to the applicant: (1) Spouse, and parents thereof; (2) Sons and daughters, and spouses thereof; (3) Parents, and spouses thereof; (4) Brothers and sisters, and spouses thereof; (5) Grandparents and grandchildren, and spouses thereof; (6) Domestic partner and parents thereof, including domestic partners of any individual in (2) through (5) of this definition; and (7) Any individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with the employee is the equivalent of a family relationship.)
(A family member means an individual with any of the following relationships to the applicant: (1) Spouse, and parents thereof; (2) Sons and daughters, and spouses thereof; (3) Parents, and spouses thereof; (4) Brothers and sisters, and spouses thereof; (5) Grandparents and grandchildren, and spouses thereof; (6) Domestic partner and parents thereof, including domestic partners of any individual in (2) through (5) of this definition; and (7) Any individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with the employee is the equivalent of a family relationship.)
8.
If the answer to the question above is yes, please provide the relative(s)' name, relationship, and the ICE office or organization for which your relative(s) works (if known).
If the answer to the question above is no, please indicate 'not applicable'. (limit 1,000 characters)
If the answer to the question above is no, please indicate 'not applicable'. (limit 1,000 characters)
Conditions of Employment, Requirements and Suitability
The position in which you are applying must comply with a maximum age requirement. The following questions will assist us in determining your ability to meet this requirement.
1.
This position has an age requirement. Enter or select your date of birth.
2.
All applicants must undergo an intensive background investigation. The background investigation focuses on your honesty, reliability, police record, financial record, use of alcohol and drugs, mental health, and employment record. The background investigation includes interviews with your past and present employers, neighbors, teachers, and references, as well as checks of law enforcement, credit, educational, medical, and other records. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reviews your completed background investigation to determine if you are suitable for employment and meet security standards. ICE may contact you for additional information to refute information in your background investigation before a final decision is made. If you are found unsuitable, you cannot be employed as a Criminal Investigator.
Are you willing to undergo a background investigation for this position?
Are you willing to undergo a background investigation for this position?
3.
Are you currently debarred from federal employment?
4.
As part of the background investigation, you must be prepared to answer questions about the use, sale, possession, or transportation of illegal narcotics, stimulants, and hallucinogenic or other controlled substances. Keeping this in mind, do you wish to continue this process?
5.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year by a civilian or military authority?
6.
Are you currently married to or living/residing with any person(s) residing in the U.S. without a legal/lawful immigration status (e.g., Entry Without Inspection, overstayed visa)?
7.
Have you ever knowingly harbored, concealed, transported, or employed an illegal alien?
8.
Have you ever been convicted of a crime of domestic violence (misdemeanor or felony) by a civilian or military authority that has not been expunged, set aside, pardoned, or dismissed?
9.
Applicants are required to undergo and successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening test and must submit to random drug testing after employment. Will you comply with these requirements?
10.
The law enforcement profession carries inherent risks. Would you be able to work alone in remote areas throughout the night or at times when you may have limited communication and may be at a high risk of danger?
11.
Mobility is a major factor in this occupation. Applicants must be willing to accept employment at any location offered. A minimum tour of duty of three (3) years at your first HSI Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Area of Responsibility (AOR) is required which will begin after successful completion of FLETC (HSISAT) training. Additionally, Criminal Investigators are regularly reassigned to new locations for the good of the service. Are you willing to comply with these requirements?
12.
A Criminal Investigator can expect to work approximately 50 hours per week. In addition, Criminal Investigators are subjected to callouts at all hours; long-term investigations that will require you to work nights, weekends and holidays; and travel which will require you to be away several days. This type of working schedule may negatively affect or burden family responsibilities. Are you willing to accept these working conditions?
13.
Carrying, use and proficiency in the use of firearms is required, in accordance with ICE policy and regulations. Are you willing to carry a firearm?
14.
Have you ever lost your right to possess a firearm for any reason under Federal law?
15.
The Criminal Investigator position requires moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, and knee joints is required; arms/hands/legs/feet must function separately. The work requires physical strength and stamina to perform such activities as conducting long periods of surveillance, pursuing and restraining suspects, and carrying heavy equipment be utilized in investigative efforts.
Appointment will be contingent upon a candidate passing a pre-employment medical examination to ascertain possession of the physical, emotional, and mental requirements for the position. Any chronic disease or condition affecting the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, the gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, digestive, nervous, endocrine or genitourinary systems that would impair full performance of the job duties will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may be disqualifying. The most common reasons for failing the examination involve vision and hearing impairments. Distance binocular vision without corrective lenses must test at least 20/200. Distant vision must test at least 20/20 in one eye and 20/30 in the other eye with or without corrective lenses. Color vision must be normal. Hearing in both ears is required. The use of hearing aids and cochlear implants in their present form are not acceptable. Any condition that would hinder full, efficient performance of the duties on the Criminal Investigator position or that would cause the individual to be a hazard to himself/herself or to others is disqualifying.
Will you comply with this requirement?
Appointment will be contingent upon a candidate passing a pre-employment medical examination to ascertain possession of the physical, emotional, and mental requirements for the position. Any chronic disease or condition affecting the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, the gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, digestive, nervous, endocrine or genitourinary systems that would impair full performance of the job duties will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may be disqualifying. The most common reasons for failing the examination involve vision and hearing impairments. Distance binocular vision without corrective lenses must test at least 20/200. Distant vision must test at least 20/20 in one eye and 20/30 in the other eye with or without corrective lenses. Color vision must be normal. Hearing in both ears is required. The use of hearing aids and cochlear implants in their present form are not acceptable. Any condition that would hinder full, efficient performance of the duties on the Criminal Investigator position or that would cause the individual to be a hazard to himself/herself or to others is disqualifying.
Will you comply with this requirement?
16.
Did you ever enter the United States illegally; overstay an authorized period of admission; reside, work, or attend school in the United States without status, violate or assist another to violate immigration or customs laws (e.g., smuggle an illegal alien, harbor/shelter an illegal alien, internationally fail to declare merchandise or funds as required, make false claim to U.S. citizenship, attempt to enter the United States using fraudulent or counterfeit documents or documents belonging to another, etc.) or were you ever removed or deported from the United States?
17.
ICE Criminal Investigators may use deadly force when necessary, in accordance with the law and agency policy. Are you willing to use deadly force if necessary?
18.
ICE Criminal Investigators enforce laws and investigate such issues as immigration crime, customs violations, human rights violations and human smuggling; smuggling of narcotics, weapons and other types of contraband; and financial crimes, cybercrime and export enforcement issues. ICE Criminal Investigators also conduct investigations aimed at protecting critical infrastructure industries that are vulnerable to sabotage, attack or exploitation. Are you willing to investigate these crimes and enforce the laws against them?
19.
Are you now under charges or do you have pending charges for any violations of law?
20.
Have you ever been convicted, been imprisoned, been on probation, or been on parole? (Includes felonies, firearms or explosives violations, misdemeanors, and all other criminal offenses)
21.
Have you engaged in sexual abuse in a prison, jail, holding facility, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution as defined in 42 USC 1997?
22.
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?
23.
Are you delinquent on any federal debt? (Includes delinquencies arising from federal taxes, loans, overpayment of benefits, and other debts to the U.S. Government, plus defaults of federally guaranteed or insured loans such as student and home mortgage loans.)
INSTRUCTIONS: Law enforcement officers and agents are held to a high standard of honesty, integrity and credibility due to the need of public trust and confidence attendant to their job responsibilities. One of these responsibilities is the requirement to testify at criminal trials. Under GIGLIO v. United States 405 U.S. 150, investigative agencies must turn over to prosecutors any potential impeachment evidence with respect to agents/officers involved in court cases. In testifying, an agent/officer's credibility, character of truthfulness and reputation could be used to cast substantial doubt on the evidence and facts of these criminal cases. Keeping this in mind, please answer the next two questions.
24.
Is there anything that would prevent you from testifying in the court of law?
25.
Are you aware of any information regarding your credibility, integrity and/or honesty that may impair your ability to testify in criminal proceedings?
26.
Have you ever been made aware of that any government attorney did not want you to testify on behalf of the government due to concerns under Giglio v. United States, 405 U.S. 150 (1972) (i.e., that you are Giglio impaired)?
27.
Have you ever participated in a federal polygraph examination in conjunction with a pre-employment hiring process?
28.
If you chose response A in the previous question, provide the approximate date and agency which conducted the polygraph examination, otherwise write "N/A."
29.
In the past 365 days, have you ever been informed by a federal government agency that you did not successfully complete a polygraph examination in conjunction with a pre-employment hiring process?
30.
Applicants may be required to undergo and successfully complete a polygraph test. Will you comply with this requirement?
31.
Applicants who are referred for polygraph testing will be required to travel to a testing location at their own expense. Will you comply with this requirement?
32.
In the past two-years, have you been administered a polygraph examination by U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and been informed by ICE officials that you did not successfully complete the polygraph examination in conjunction with a pre-employment hiring process?
33.
Will you be able to obtain a valid driver's license before entering on duty as a Criminal Investigator?
34.
If you are a current federal employee, please select the agency/department in which you are employed. If you are not a current federal employee, please select "none."
35.
If you select "Other," please indicate which agency you work for, otherwise write, "N/A."
36.
Are you currently an active duty service member in the armed forces? If yes, you are required to submit a written statement from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions within 120 days from the close of this announcement.
37.
A Criminal Investigator must reside within 50 miles of their assigned duty location. If selected, are you willing to reside within 50 miles of your assigned duty location?
Assessment 1
The following question will only 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.
1.
Which of the following statements best describes your experience and/or education for the GL-09 grade level?
2.
If you chose response A or C, you must provide the position title and dates of employment referenced in your resume that demonstrates this experience. If you chose any other response, indicate "not applicable."