Forest Service Logo
Position Title
Criminal Investigator
Agency
Forest Service
Announcement Number
25-WO-LEI-12757294-G-RY Opens in new window
Open Period
Thursday, July 3, 2025 to Wednesday, July 9, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. Your answers will be used to determine your eligibility to apply to this job opportunity announcement. You will be considered under the eligibility option(s) to which you answer YES. Select YES to all eligibility options for which you want to be considered. If you respond NO to meeting the criteria for all the eligibilities, you will not be considered for the position(s) under this announcement.

NOTE: You must submit the required supporting documentation to receive consideration for EACH selected eligibility. Failure to provide the required documents will result in an ineligible rating and your application will be excluded from consideration.
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1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2.
Are you a current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy;  AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you 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.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
 
 
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3.
Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty?

-OR-

Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating of 100 percent at the time of retirement or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?

-OR-

Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?

 For more information, review USAJOBS Help Center Military Spouses 
 
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4. Are you a current or former permanent Farm Service Agency County employee? (limit characters)
5. Are you a current Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment? (limit characters)
6. Are you a Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment AND you have held or currently hold a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised? (limit characters)
7.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than USDA? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as 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 were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

 For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
 
 
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8.
Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) who is claiming eligibility under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act and: 

• was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; and,

• served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a single break in service of two or more years; and,
• performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; and,

• if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and whose most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
  
Note: Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better.  Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked.  Non-pay status (such as LWOP) is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited.  Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.
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9.
Are you a current Excepted Service employee of a Federal Agency that has a valid interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management?

 For more information, review  Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems.
 
-OR-
 
 Are you a current:

• Postal Career Service Employee;

• Postal Rate Commission Employee;

• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; or,

• Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee?

For more information, review Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
 
 
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10. Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below: 

• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating? 
OR 
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
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11.
Are you:

• a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
• eligible for veterans' preference?

Note: If you are currently on active duty you may be considered under the two provisions above provided you submit  a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. 

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
 
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Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
2. Are you a current or former Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee? (limit characters)
3. How did you hear about this job opportunity? Please select one and specify if required: (limit characters)
4. Please enter at least 3 references below. Include first and last name, phone number and email address.
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Assessment 1
hank you for your interest in this Criminal Investigator GS-1811-11/12 position. We will evaluate your resume and responses to this questionnaire to determine if you are among the best qualified for this position. Your responses are subject to verification and must be fully supported by your resume and supporting documents. (limit characters)
Law Enforcement Instructions: This position authorizes the incumbent to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, U.S.C., Section 922(g)(9)). A "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" is generally defined under the statute as any offense involving the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by the victim's current or former domestic partner, parent, or guardian. The term "convicted" as defined in the statute, excludes any person whose conviction has been expunged, set-aside, or pardoned or any person whose civil rights have been restored unless the pardon, expunging or restoration of civil rights expressly prohibits the possession of firearms or ammunition. Candidates who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence within the meaning of the referenced statutes are not qualified for this position. Candidates under consideration will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of such an offense. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment. (limit characters)
1. Firearms Question (Screen-Out): Does your background include any of the following? (limit characters)
2. Maximum Age Requirement (Screen-Out): From the choices below select the response that best describes how you meet the maximum age requirement for this position. (limit characters)
3. Select the statement that best describes your education and/or experience. Experience claimed must be supported in your resume. (limit characters)
4. Select the statement that best describes your experience. Experience claimed must be supported in your resume. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
5. Conduct investigations based on modifications to established criteria for case planning and conduct. (limit characters)
6. Review conflicts in evidence by reviewing facts or uncovering information to develop a case more thoroughly. (limit characters)
7. Examine investigative findings or conclusions by examining records to detect links in a chain of evidence. (limit characters)
8. Review leads to coordinate any additional resources needed to support the case. (limit characters)
9. Conduct complex investigations based on modifications to established criteria for case planning and conduct. (limit characters)
10. Substantiate investigative findings or conclusions by examining records to detect links in a chain of evidence or information. (limit characters)
11. Develop leads and coordinate any additional resources needed to support the case. (limit characters)
12. Participate in committees comprised of internal and external representatives concerned with training policies and academic requirements for a law enforcement and investigations program. (limit characters)
13. Communicate orally with various levels of an organization or in a classroom situation regarding law enforcement matters. (limit characters)
14. Use instructional methods, training techniques, and/or curriculum plans in order to provide instruction for law enforcement training courses. (limit characters)
15. Review training program and communicate ideas to evaluate student performance as a regular part of a job. (limit characters)
16. Develop new instructional methods, training techniques, and/or curriculum plans in order to develop and instruct law enforcement training courses. (limit characters)
17. Implement a training program and evaluate student performance as a regular part of a job. (limit characters)
18. Conduct surveillance work that requires observing the characteristics, habits, and movements of more than one suspect over time. (limit characters)
19. Use investigative skills and techniques to locate and identify persons or property. (limit characters)
20. Review policies, precedents, and a wide range of investigative techniques, and guidelines to conduct sensitive investigations. (limit characters)
21. Determine course objectives and for validity and reliability to analyze such things as test items prepared by instructors. (limit characters)
22. Evaluate course planning and conducts validity and reliability studies to analyze such things as test items prepared by instructors. (limit characters)
23. Participate in establishing policy and procedures for development of training in keeping with goals and objectives of an agency. (limit characters)
24. Develop recommendations for training course revisions as appropriate. (limit characters)
25. Evaluate the effectiveness of education/training principles to a wide range of training problems and deficiencies. (limit characters)
26. Investigate new concepts and innovations applicable to external evaluation efforts. (limit characters)
27. Review and evaluate multiple courses and/or programs of instruction regarding law enforcement and investigation. (limit characters)
28. Write summaries based upon research, for use in updating existing course material, and in providing student lesson plans. (limit characters)
29. Examine reports for clarity of facts, to present necessary aspects of investigation in sufficient detail for class participation. (limit characters)
30. Complete reports of investigation for cases that were controversial, sensitive, or complex. (limit characters)
31. Prepare the following documents: criminal complaints, probable cause statements, or search warrants for judicial action. (limit characters)
32. Participate in development of course material in the field of law enforcement and/or develops different approaches and methods of instruction. (limit characters)
33. Prepare investigative reports, with responsibility for presenting necessary aspects of investigation insufficient detail and accuracy. (limit characters)
34. Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your resume and all supporting documentation are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Submitting false information or attempts to falsify information may be grounds for disqualifying you or for terminating you after you have been hired. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy. (limit characters)