Criminal Investigator (Special Agent)

Closing date: 03/31/2026
Salary: $63,148 to – $101,860 per year
Pay scale & grade: GL 9

Duties
As a Criminal Investigator, at the full performance level, you will perform the following duties:

• Conduct and coordinate high-level comprehensive investigations involving individuals, groups, or large organizations operating at a local, national, or international level.
• Use electronic surveillance, interviews, polygraph examination, and physical surveillance to obtain evidence in investigative cases.
• Make arrests, confront multiple suspects, and secure scenes sometimes under potentially dangerous and hazardous environments.
• Take part in securing signed statements, affidavits, and documentary evidence for inclusion in reports or case records.
• Prepare sworn testimony on behalf of the government in criminal and federal grand jury cases.

Conditions of employment

• Qualification requirements must be met by the date of application submission.
• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation which may include a polygraph examination.
• If referred for a polygraph, you will be required to travel at your expense to complete the polygraph exam and obtain a favorable result in order to continue in the hiring process.
• You must complete a pre-employment medical examination which may include a psychological evaluation and be found to meet the medical standards for the position.
• You must successfully complete a pre-employment drug test.
• Upon appointment to this position, you will be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• The law enforcement profession carries inherent risks and you may be required to work alone in remote areas throughout the night or at times when you may have limited communication.
• This position requires the selectee to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, U.S.C. Section 022 (g)(9)).
• You will be required to testify at court. Law enforcement officers and agents must be able to testify without concern of impeachment.
• The date immediately preceding an individual’s 37th birthday is the last day for application submission (certain exclusions apply).
• You must have a valid driver’s license prior to your final job offer.

You qualify for the GL-9 grade level if you possess one of the following:

Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level or equivalent performing duties such as:

• Conducting investigations, with close guidance and oversight of a supervisor, in one or more investigative specialties such as narcotics, bulk cash smuggling, money laundering, financial crimes, human trafficking, fraud, international trade, or general criminal investigations.
• Performing a variety of federal, state, and local database queries for the purpose of gathering information on criminal histories.
• Assisting higher graded agents or specialists with obtaining evidence.
• Conducting interviews with suspects and witnesses.
• Assisting in the preparation of investigative reports for prosecution or administrative action.

OR

Education: A master’s (or equivalent graduate degree such as a L.L.B/J.D.) or 2 academic years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. Graduate level education must have been from an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of successfully completed graduate level education beyond the first full year and experience as described above that when combined meets 100% of the requirement. Graduate level education must have been from an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.