Criminal Investigator (GS-12/13)

Summary

This office works within DOT to detect and prevent waste, fraud and abuse in departmental programs. The OIG reports to the Secretary and Congress and carries out its mission by issuing audit reports, evaluations, and management advisories with findings and recommendations to improve program delivery and performance. It conducts investigations into whether Federal laws and regulations were followed and reports suspected civil and criminal violations to the Attorney General.

Duties

If selected for this position, you will be responsible for planning, directing and conducting complex investigations of suspected fraud, waste, and abuse, and mismanagement in programs of DOT, as well as a variety of proactive investigations, including fraud prevention and detection surveys. You will determine the scope and depth of the investigation, analyze and evaluate evidence; and on the basis of findings, prepare investigative reports. Investigations require frequent travel and may occasionally require undercover and surveillance work. Investigations will typically involve violations of the Department's programs and regulations with respect to contract and grant fraud, illegal transportation of hazardous materials, aviation safety, and motor carrier safety. Results of investigations may form the basis for criminal or civil prosecution by the Department of Justice; withholding funds from a state or grantee; administrative personnel actions by DOT; or changes in practices and/or procedures by DOT.

Qualifications

To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, you must have one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience includes: Securing facts and developing evidence in support of ongoing investigations Conducting interviews, gathering, reviewing and discerning evidence for use in charging defendants criminally preparing fact-based written summaries in fraud and/or safety cases, with defendants having been charged or civil fines or penalties having been levied. To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, you must have one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience includes: Conducting interviews, gathering, reviewing and discerning evidence for use in charging defendants criminally preparing fact-based written summaries in fraud and/or safety cases, with defendants having been charged or civil fines or penalties having been levied. Securing facts and developing evidence – independent of supervisor or prosecutor direction Consistent record of defendants charged criminally or civil adjudications based upon lone or individual fraud cases or primarily as the lead in multiple fraud investigations. NOTE: All applicants who do not currently, or have in the past worked as a GS-1811 Criminal Investigator in a federal OIG office must clearly demonstrate in their on-line application, possession of the experience. Applicants who fail to clearly and specifically address this factor in their on-line application will not receive further consideration for the announcement. Applicants must meet qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Definition of Competencies Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. Problem Solving: Identifies and analyzes problems, weighs relevance and accuracy of information, generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations. Decision Making: Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations; to accomplish organizational goals; causes changes. Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling, communicates information (for example facts, ideas or messages) in a succinct and organized manner, produces written information, which may include technical material that is appropriate for the intended audience.

Requirements

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Selectee must relocate and fully reside within 60 miles from the regional office by the official start date. (continued under 'Other Information')

Key requirements

U.S. Citizen. Pre-employment drug testing and physical examination are required. You must meet the specialized experience to qualify. Successful completion of a background security investigation. Must possess and maintain a valid state DL to operate a motor vehicle. Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. All applicants: Your application will be reviewed in two phases to determine how you move forward in the hiring process. Phase I: Your resume will be reviewed to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. ONLY two (2) pages of your resume will be reviewed. Additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) will not be reviewed. Applicants who do not respond to the application questions may be rated ineligible. Applicants passing “Phase I” will move on to the “Phase II” of the assessment process where your application will be reviewed and rated based on the KSAs/Competencies listed in the vacancy announcement by a Subject Matter Expert (SME). Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents). Applicants who do not respond to the application questions may be rated ineligible. Federal employees must meet Time-In-Grade (TIG) requirements for merit promotion consideration. TIG is the 52-week requirement Federal employees in competitive service, General Schedule (GS) positions at GS-5 and above must serve before they are eligible for promotion to the next grade level. TIG requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Supporting documents may either be uploaded or faxed to 571-258-4052. The requested information MUST be received by fax within 48 hours prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement (not including Saturdays, Sundays or government holidays). NOTE: If you exaggerate or falsify your experience, education and/or your responses to questions, your ratings are subject to change or you may be removed from employment consideration. Applicants who fail to submit all the required documentation listed below, in addition to their resumes, will be considered ineligible for further consideration for this announcement. You may preview questions for this vacancy.

How to apply

Applications submitted via WWW.USAJOBS.GOV must be received before midnight eastern time on the closing date of the announcement. No extensions will be granted. If you fail to submit a COMPLETE on-line resume, you WILL NOT be considered for this position. Please make sure that the responses provided in the questionnaire are fully supported by your resume, that your resume is detailed and you have highlighted your most relevant experience for this position (to include starting and ending dates of employment for each position held), and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. If you fail to provide this information, it may result in you being rated "ineligible" or "not qualified" for this position. If you exaggerate or falsify your experience, education and/or your responses to questions, your ratings are subject to change or you may be removed from employment consideration. Applicants who do not respond to the application questions will be rated ineligible. If applying on-line poses a hardship to any applicant, the Servicing Personnel Office listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted on-line by the closing date. Applicants must contact the Servicing Human Resources Office PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE to speak to someone who can provide assistance for on-line submission. Requests for extensions will not be granted.

Other information

Conditions of Employment Continued: MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS- The duties of this position 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 Applicants must not turn 37 years of age before 30 days after the closing date of this announcement. If you are age 37 through 56 you must be eligible to retire at age 57 with 20 years of covered law enforcement service. All qualified veterans preference eligibles may apply and be considered for this vacancy regardless of whether they meet the maximum age requirements identified at 5 U.S.C 3307. You will be required to satisfactorily complete the criminal investigator training course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center if selected and not yet completed. Applicants who have already successfully completed the basic Criminal Investigator Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center or its equivalent will be given higher consideration for this position. You will be required to qualify and maintain qualification to carry and use government-owned firearms. You are ineligible for this position if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, unless the conviction was expunged, set aside, or you received a pardon. In most jurisdictions, you must be at least 21 years of age to carry a firearm. This position is eligible for Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP). THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL LIKE VACANCIES IN THE ANNOUNCED DUTY LOCATION. This is a primary position that meets the early law enforcement retirement provisions of both the Civil Service and the Federal Employees Retirement Systems. Best qualified candidates will be responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel expenses in conjunction with any required interviews, unless they are already employed by the Office of Inspector General at the U. S. Department of Transportation.