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Criminal Investigator, (MP)

Office of Inspector General, Sacramento, CA, United States


Summary

This position is located in the Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, Investigation Services. As a Criminal Investigator, the incumbent of this position will be responsible for investigations involving allegations of suspected violations of criminal statutes as they relate to fraud or corruption in various Department of Education programs.

This is an open continuous announcement to fill current and future vacancies, until 12/31/2026.

Duties

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Fraud doesn't stop, and neither do we. We're the Office of Inspector General, an independent oversight office within the U.S. Department of Education (ED) charged with identifying and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, and ensuring accountability and effectiveness within ED programs. If you want to help fight fraud and make a difference for America's students, schools, and taxpayers, we may have the career for you! We offer competitive salaries, opportunities for rapid and substantial salary increases and career growth, great benefits, employee recognition programs, and more.

Often referred to as America's watchdogs, it's our job to help ensure that the hard-earned tax dollars that fund ED programs and operations are used as intended by law, achieve the desired results, and reach the intended recipients.

The OIG conducts audits and reviews of issues involving Federal student aid, K-12 schools, charter schools, special education, vocational education, adult education, and more. When our work identifies problems, we propose solutions. Our work has resulted in improvements to ED programs and changes to some of the most important Federal education laws in our country.

We conduct criminal and civil investigations into suspected fraudulent activities by schools, colleges, universities, contractors, subcontractors, school officials-any entity or individual that participates in ED programs or receives ED funding. Through our work, we have unraveled multimillion-dollar fraud schemes by people placed in positions of trust to educate our children. We're also on the cutting edge of cybersecurity, using the latest technology and techniques to discover and defeat current and emerging threats from cyber and economic crime.

We tackle new and emerging issues head-on and continually work to improve our techniques and capabilities. We consistently expand our expertise by training and developing our staff. This dedication has enabled the OIG to become a leader in the Federal government in the areas of audits, investigations, and fighting cybercrime.

Whether you are just entering the workforce or are a seasoned professional, if you're looking for a career rather than just a job, and shaping the next generation of American's tackling tomorrow's challenges, consider joining our team.

As a Criminal Investigator at the GS-12, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Plans and conducts complex and sensitive investigations and performs most aspects of investigations, such gathering and obtaining evidence, participating in surveillance operations, interviews, and the drafting of third-party request letters and subpoenas. Examines, verifies, and analyzes records, books, reports, correspondence, and other data of consequence related to transactions, actions, or allegations under investigation. Drafts reports of investigative findings for review by management. As a Criminal Investigator at the GS-13, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Independently plans and conducts all aspects of complex program and grant fraud investigations, gathering and obtaining evidence, participating in surveillance operations, interviews, and the drafting of third-party request letters and subpoenas. Examines, verifies, and analyzes records, books, reports, correspondence, and other data of consequence related to transactions, actions, or allegations under investigation. Drafts reports of investigative findings for review by senior criminal investigators. Requirements

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Conditions of employment

You must be a U.S. citizen. May be required to complete a background clearance and fingerprint check. Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service. You may be subject to serve a probationary period. Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license. Pass drug screening and subject to random drug testing. Mobile work is a condition of employment. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance Salary : The salary range indicated in this announcement reflects the lowest and highest potential salaries for this position (2026-RUS (LEO). The actual salary range will be based on the applicable locality pay for the selected duty location. Special Salary Rate locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.

Condition of Employment:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a probationary period or trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period OR trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

If you are a current federal employee, you must meet all time-in-grade and time-after competitive appointment qualifications within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. To verify that you meet these requirements, we will review your responses to the core eligibility questions on the occupational questionnaire, as well as your submitted resume and required documents. To make an accurate determination, you will need to include on your resume your federal position title, pay plan, occupational series, grade level, agency, dates for which you held the grade level (stated as MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY, OR MM/YYYY to PRESENT), and total hours worked per week.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

Specialized Experience for the

GS-12

level:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or equivalent public or private sector experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the following duties or work assignments below:

Conducting the full range of criminal investigations of greater than average complexity and importance using accepted methodology and problem-solving techniques. Serving as a lead agent in planning and conducting investigations, operations, searches, seizures, or arrests. Reviewing evidence and preparing case reports at the conclusion of a criminal investigation. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).

Knowledge of and skill in applying investigative approaches and techniques to gather information and evidence. Understanding of federal statutes and regulations. Ability to plan, interact, work effectively with others. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Knowledge of and skill in analyzing and organizing data and in presenting facts and analyses in writing. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and to meet essential deadlines. Skilled in use of computers and computer software including work processing, spreadsheets, email, and Internet search engines. Specialized Experience for the

GS-13

level:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or equivalent public or private sector experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the three (3) following duties or work assignments below:

Applying a wide range of criminal investigative, enforcement, laws, regulations, guidelines, and precedent decisions. Identifying significant sources of information to detect illegal activity and document issues or probable cause and conduct investigations to determine if violations have occurred. Communicating orally and in writing to prepare and present reports, briefings, and/or exchange information. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).

Independently apply investigative approaches and techniques to gather information and evidence. Understanding of federal statutes and regulations. Ability to plan, interact, work effectively with others. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Knowledge of and skill in analyzing and organizing data and in presenting facts and analyses in writing. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and to meet essential deadlines. Skilled in basic use of computers and computer software including work processing, spreadsheets, email, and Internet search engines.

Individual Occupation Requirement (IOR): Medical Requirements : The duties of positions in this series 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 in each eye, with or without correction, is required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Near vision, corrective lenses permitted, must be sufficient to read printed material the size of typewritten characters. Hearing loss, as measured by an audiometer, must not exceed 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz levels. Since the duties of these positions are exacting and responsible, and involve activities under trying conditions, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to himself/herself, or others is disqualifying.

Agent Training : Applicant must have already satisfactorily completed the Basic Criminal Investigative Training Program (CITP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, or its equivalent.

Mobility Plan : New employees hired pursuant to this vacancy announcement must sign a mobility agreement. The purpose of the mobility policy is to meet the needs of the OIG.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience for this position and grade level.

Additional information

Veterans' Career Counseling: If you are a veteran interested in receiving tips on preparing a Federal resume and/or how to prepare for an interview, you may email careers@ed.gov to schedule a session with a career counselor ("Veterans Counseling Session" should be placed in the subject line of the email).

Student Loan Default: If selected for this position, we will verify that you have not defaulted on any loan funded or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are found to be in default, we will contact you to make arrangements for repayment prior to making an official offer of employment.

Suitability and Investigation: If selected for this position, you will be required to complete the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for federal employment and successfully complete a pre-appointment investigation/background check.

Employment Drug Policy :

Applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to a urinalysis prior to appointment to screen for illegal drug use and will be subject to periodic random testing thereafter.

Essential/Non-Essential: This position is considered essential for purposes of reporting to work during federal government closures.

Selections: Agencies have broad authority under law to hire from any appropriate source of eligibles and may fill a vacancy in the competitive service by any method authorized. We may make additional selections from this vacancy announcement within 90 days from the date the selection certificates are issued, should vacancies occur. We may also share selection certificates amongst program offices across the agency.

Applicants eligible for selection preference under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) must meet the agency definition of "well qualified." At ED-OIG, this means a score of 85.0 or higher.

Applicants must be a minimum age of 21 and not have reached their 37th birthday prior to the opening date of this vacancy announcement. If an applicant reaches his/her 37th birthday during the open period of this vacancy announcement, the application will be considered. Applicants who reach their 37th birthday prior to the opening date of this vacancy announcement will not be considered. Applicants who are currently or previously have been employed under a law enforcement position covered by 5 U.S.C. § 8336(C) or 5 U.S.C. § 8412(D) and applicants with documented veteran's preference are not restricted from applying regardless of age.

Firearms Requirement : Applicants for this position are required to qualify with and use firearms and other weapons as part of assigned duties and to maintain such qualifications. Because of an amendment to 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9), which became effective September 30, 1996, and is referred to as the Lautenberg Amendment, applicants are ineligible for this position if at ANY time they have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence, unless such conviction was expunged, set aside, or the applicant received a pardon.

Law Enforcement Availability:

Applicants must agree to work an average of two hours extra per day to meet the requirements of law enforcement availability pay (LEAP) as described in Title 5 U.S.C. § 5545A(d)(1).

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

As an ED employee, you will also benefit from our family-friendly work environment. As part of our commitment to maintain a work life balance, we offer excused leave for Parent/Teacher Conferences (3 hours); excused leave for annual health screenings (4 hours); and matching leave for community volunteer service. Other flexibilities that may be available to you include alternative work schedules.

You may be eligible to receive a recruitment incentive for this position. To receive this incentive payment, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon.

You may be eligible to receive a relocation incentive for this position. To receive this incentive payment, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon.

You may be eligible to participate in the Student Loan Repayment Program as a recruitment incentive for this position. To receive student loan repayments, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.