Drug Enforcement Administration
PUBLIC NOTICE- DEA Criminal Investigators
Drug Enforcement Administration, Johnson City, Tennessee, United States, 37603
PUBLIC NOTICE – DEA Criminal Investigators
This is a public notice for Drug Enforcement Administration Criminal Investigator GL-1811‑7/9/11 positions open to U.S. Citizens. An official job announcement will be posted on USAJobs on January 12 and April 6, 2026.
Duties
Conducts complex criminal investigations targeting narcotics and drug‑related activities;
Prepares comprehensive and succinct criminal investigative reports and delivers briefings for senior personnel and other Federal, state, and local agencies;
Identifies and apprehends drug traffickers and arrests individuals engaged in criminal drug activities;
Gathers and analyzes evidence through investigative leads, seizures, arrests, execution of search warrants, and a variety of other means;
Testifies on behalf of the Federal government in court or before grand juries.
Basic Agent Training Applicants who have not completed previous federal law‑enforcement training through another federal agency must attend and complete a 16‑week residential training program. Current or former 1811 applicants who have successfully completed a Federal Criminal Investigation training program through another federal agency may qualify for a 3‑week Special Agent Transition Program (FCIT transcripts must be attached).
Requirements
U.S. citizenship required.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top‑Secret security clearance.
Must sign a mobility agreement confirming willingness to relocate as needed.
Completion of a pre‑employment medical clearance and annual medical examination required.
Full‑scope pre‑employment polygraph required; reciprocity possible for 1811 applicants with prior polygraph.
Selective Service registration or exemption required for males born after 12/31/59.
Minimum age 21 and not older than 36 at appointment unless a preference‑eligible veteran or former federal civilian law‑enforcement retirement covered position.
Successful e‑Verify employment verification check.
1‑year or 2‑year trial period to evaluate fitness and continued employment.
Valid state driver’s license and subject to random drug testing.
Basic Agent Training Requirement: 16‑20 week BAT course at DEA Training Academy, Quantico, Virginia.
1811 applicants who completed a federal criminal investigation training program may qualify for a 3‑week transition program.
Qualifications
GL‑07: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GL/GS‑05 level; tasks include assisting in investigations, writing reports, researching and analyzing data, or related duties.
Substitution of education for experience at the GS‑7 level: one full year of graduate-level education or two full years of progressive graduate education, or SAA recognition (see criteria).
GL‑09: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GL/GS‑07 level; tasks include assisting in investigations, collecting/analyzing data, writing reports, briefing officials, and testifying.
Substitution of education for experience at GS‑9: Master’s degree or equivalent, or two full years of higher‑level graduate education, or LL.B./J.D.; or SAA recognition.
GS‑11: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GL/GS‑09 level; tasks include conducting/supporting federal investigations, developing operational plans, undercover operations, developing sources, interviewing, and testifying.
Substitution of education for experience at GS‑11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three years of progressive graduate education.
Combination of education and experience may be used; compute percentage by total months of experience ÷12 plus total graduate semester hours ÷18 (or subtract 18/36 etc. per level). A combined percentage of at least 100% qualifies.
All education must be accredited by a U.S. Department of Education‑recognizable accreditor; foreign education may be considered if comparable.
Pass/fail courses may affect SAA status; must rely on class standing or honor society membership if >10% pass/fail.
One year of graduate education equals 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours). If not defined, use 18 semester hours.
Additional Information
Appointments will be made under 5 CFR § 213.3210 (Schedule B); may convert to permanent career appointment in third or fourth year.
Trial period of 1 to 2 years; performance, conduct, agency needs, and public interest considered. Certification of continued employment required after trial.
Special Agents may be required to work overtime, irregular schedules, weekends, holidays; LEAP compensation based on 25% of base salary.
Medical requirements include moderate to arduous physical exertion, firearms use, and exposure to inclement weather; pre‑employment medical exam mandatory.
Firearms requirement: authorized to carry and maintain proficiency; subject to Lautenberg Amendment; no misdemeanor domestic‑violence convictions.
Employment drug policy: disclosure of past drug usage required; assessments conducted case‑by‑case.
Mobility agreement: assignment to any domestic DEA facility required; family relocation support may be needed.
Full relocation expenses paid for transfers from other federal positions; new federal employees pay any un‑covered expenses.
Recruitment incentives may be offered. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
Benefits Federal employees have comprehensive benefits. Eligibility depends on type of position and full‑time status. Contact the hiring agency for specific benefits details.
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Duties
Conducts complex criminal investigations targeting narcotics and drug‑related activities;
Prepares comprehensive and succinct criminal investigative reports and delivers briefings for senior personnel and other Federal, state, and local agencies;
Identifies and apprehends drug traffickers and arrests individuals engaged in criminal drug activities;
Gathers and analyzes evidence through investigative leads, seizures, arrests, execution of search warrants, and a variety of other means;
Testifies on behalf of the Federal government in court or before grand juries.
Basic Agent Training Applicants who have not completed previous federal law‑enforcement training through another federal agency must attend and complete a 16‑week residential training program. Current or former 1811 applicants who have successfully completed a Federal Criminal Investigation training program through another federal agency may qualify for a 3‑week Special Agent Transition Program (FCIT transcripts must be attached).
Requirements
U.S. citizenship required.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top‑Secret security clearance.
Must sign a mobility agreement confirming willingness to relocate as needed.
Completion of a pre‑employment medical clearance and annual medical examination required.
Full‑scope pre‑employment polygraph required; reciprocity possible for 1811 applicants with prior polygraph.
Selective Service registration or exemption required for males born after 12/31/59.
Minimum age 21 and not older than 36 at appointment unless a preference‑eligible veteran or former federal civilian law‑enforcement retirement covered position.
Successful e‑Verify employment verification check.
1‑year or 2‑year trial period to evaluate fitness and continued employment.
Valid state driver’s license and subject to random drug testing.
Basic Agent Training Requirement: 16‑20 week BAT course at DEA Training Academy, Quantico, Virginia.
1811 applicants who completed a federal criminal investigation training program may qualify for a 3‑week transition program.
Qualifications
GL‑07: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GL/GS‑05 level; tasks include assisting in investigations, writing reports, researching and analyzing data, or related duties.
Substitution of education for experience at the GS‑7 level: one full year of graduate-level education or two full years of progressive graduate education, or SAA recognition (see criteria).
GL‑09: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GL/GS‑07 level; tasks include assisting in investigations, collecting/analyzing data, writing reports, briefing officials, and testifying.
Substitution of education for experience at GS‑9: Master’s degree or equivalent, or two full years of higher‑level graduate education, or LL.B./J.D.; or SAA recognition.
GS‑11: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GL/GS‑09 level; tasks include conducting/supporting federal investigations, developing operational plans, undercover operations, developing sources, interviewing, and testifying.
Substitution of education for experience at GS‑11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three years of progressive graduate education.
Combination of education and experience may be used; compute percentage by total months of experience ÷12 plus total graduate semester hours ÷18 (or subtract 18/36 etc. per level). A combined percentage of at least 100% qualifies.
All education must be accredited by a U.S. Department of Education‑recognizable accreditor; foreign education may be considered if comparable.
Pass/fail courses may affect SAA status; must rely on class standing or honor society membership if >10% pass/fail.
One year of graduate education equals 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours). If not defined, use 18 semester hours.
Additional Information
Appointments will be made under 5 CFR § 213.3210 (Schedule B); may convert to permanent career appointment in third or fourth year.
Trial period of 1 to 2 years; performance, conduct, agency needs, and public interest considered. Certification of continued employment required after trial.
Special Agents may be required to work overtime, irregular schedules, weekends, holidays; LEAP compensation based on 25% of base salary.
Medical requirements include moderate to arduous physical exertion, firearms use, and exposure to inclement weather; pre‑employment medical exam mandatory.
Firearms requirement: authorized to carry and maintain proficiency; subject to Lautenberg Amendment; no misdemeanor domestic‑violence convictions.
Employment drug policy: disclosure of past drug usage required; assessments conducted case‑by‑case.
Mobility agreement: assignment to any domestic DEA facility required; family relocation support may be needed.
Full relocation expenses paid for transfers from other federal positions; new federal employees pay any un‑covered expenses.
Recruitment incentives may be offered. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
Benefits Federal employees have comprehensive benefits. Eligibility depends on type of position and full‑time status. Contact the hiring agency for specific benefits details.
#J-18808-Ljbffr