Criminal Investigator

Criminal Investigator

Department: Department of Commerce

Location(s): League City, Texas

Salary Range: $65953 - $134195 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Law Enforcement (OLE), with one vacancy in League City, TX. This position is also announced under vacancy number NMFS OLE-26-12942976-DE, which is open to all US Citizens or Nationals. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.

Major Duties:

• As a Criminal Investigator, you will perform the following duties: Conduct investigations that may lead to criminal, civil, or administrative charges and penalties, while providing support, training, and learning opportunities on the job. Perform complex domestic and international investigations. Carry out detailed investigations at national or international levels. Identify and document illegal activities involving the commercialization and destruction of protected wildlife resources. Utilize a full spectrum of investigative techniques, including surveillance and undercover operations, and coordinate efforts with other Federal, State, and Tribal agencies. Make arrests, conduct searches, and seize evidence in accordance with the U.S. Constitution, relevant laws, regulations, directives, and court rulings; follow all policies, procedures, and guidelines (including use of force policies) related to the use, display, safety, and maintenance of firearms and intermediate weapons. NOTE: These duties are described at the full performance level of the ZA-3; the ZA-2 is developmental leading to such performance. POSITION REQUIREMENTS: Subject to financial disclosure as a sworn law enforcement officer, enforcing domestic laws, regulating a non-Federal entity and international treaties. Must be able to obtain & maintain a Secret clearance. This position is a critical, sensitive position that will be subject to a Tier 5 background investigation and maintain eligibility for a Top-Secret clearance; local security access will be limited to Secret level. Required to bear and maintain proficiency in the use of firearms to perform major duties of the position. This position requires the operation of a Federal motor vehicle. Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license to operate a government motor vehicle or vessel. This position has physical requirements. Must meet and maintain physical standards and medical requirements. This is a drug testing designated position (TDP). Must sign a mobility agreement. Must be able to work uncontrollable overtime. Position requires travel. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The duties of this position require exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of finger, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, 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. Distant vision must be 20/20 (Snellen) in each eye corrected and no worse than 20/200 (Snellen) uncorrected. Near vision must be normal. Color vision must be sufficient to distinguish basic colors. Hearing must be at 30 db HL RE: ANSI 1969 or better in each ear at 500, 1000, and 2000Hz. At 3000 Hz, hearing must be at 40 db HL or better. Applicants are not permitted to use hearing aids for screening. 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 may be disqualifying. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): Incumbent is subject to work unscheduled duty hours and must be available for unscheduled duty based upon the needs of the agency. Therefore, the incumbent is eligible for Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) of an additional 25% and is submiect to the provisions of the LEAP Act of 1994. Training Requirements: Applicants who have satisfactorily completed the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) provided by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, or an equivalent training program which provided instruction in the laws of arrest, search and seizure as they relate to investigating offenses against the United States, should provide a copy of your certification during the hiring process. Selectees who do not possess such certification will be required to successfully complete the course after entrance on duty. Selectee may be required to successfully complete any other agency-specific training required by the agency.

Qualifications: ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Drug Testing Requirement: This position is subject to random and pre-employment drug testing. Firearms Requirement: You will be required to carry a firearm while performing duties of this position. Maintaining firearm proficiency is also mandatory. Security Clearance: Must be able to obtain and maintain a Critical-Sensitive (Top Secret) clearance. Lautenberg Amendment: This position is covered by the 1996 Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968. A person convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence is not eligible for the position. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment (Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1001). Mobility Agreement: This position may require the incumbent to be reassigned to a different geographic location. Accordingly, the incumbent will be required to sign a mobility agreement, which will remain in effect during the incumbent's assignment to this position as special agent. Inclement Weather: The duties of this position require exposure to inclement weather. Medical Requirements: Applicants must pass a pre-employment medical/physical examination and psychological examination, then maintain medical, psychological, and comprehensive physical requirements as evidenced by successful completion of annual physicals. 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 function in order that the applicant may perform the duties satisfactorily. Distant vision must be 20/20 (Snellen) in each eye corrected and no worse than 20/200 (Snellen) uncorrected. Since the duties of these positions are exacting and responsible and involve activities under trying conditions, applicants must possess emotional and physical stability. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to himself/herself or others may be disqualifying. Maximum Entry Age: This position is a covered primary law enforcement position under Title 5 U.S.C 3307 Maximum Entry Age, the special retirement provisions for Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO). Candidates without prior LEO service must be under 37 years old. Those with current or prior federal LEO coverage will be considered only if they can demonstrate that they will have completed 20 years of covered service by the mandatory retirement age of 57. The maximum entry age requirement is waived for Veteran's Preference Eligible applicants; please click here for more information. Your application materials must clearly demonstrate this experience. Failure to do so will result in your application being marked as ineligible. Incumbent must maintain requirements to qualify for LEO retirement coverage (5 USC 8336(c) and 5 USC 8412(d)). If you have current or prior Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) coverage you must submit appropriate SF-50s that shows period of coverage. Failure to provide proof of Federal LEO coverage may result in removal from consideration. QUALIFICATIONS: Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/ EDUCATION: There is no positive education requirement for this position. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. To qualify at the ZA-2 or GS-07 level: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZA-1 or GS-05 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Assisting in conducting criminal, civil, or administrative investigations; Assisting in conducting arrests, searches, or seizures in accordance with U.S. laws; and Assisting with preparing written investigative reports from evidence gathered. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: One full year of graduate-level education. OR SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: Demonstrated by a related bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with one of the following. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your application clearly states how you meet one of the provisions below (you must attach a copy of your transcripts showing completed degree and, if applicable, proof of national Scholastic Honor Society membership): A grade point average (GPA) of 2.9 or higher based on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last 2 full years of undergraduate study; A GPA of 3.5 or higher based on a 4.0 scale for required courses completed in a major field of study, or those courses completed in a major field of study during the last two years of undergraduate study; Class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision of the college; Membership in a national Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College Honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of successfully completed graduate-level education and specialized experience may be used to meet the total experience requirements. To qualify at the ZA-3 or GS-11 level: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZA-2 or GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Collecting and evaluating investigative data; Conducting arrests, searches, or seizures in accordance with U.S. laws; and Preparing written investigative reports from evidence gathered. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of successfully completed graduate-level education and specialized experience may be used to meet the total experience requirements. Note: Only graduate-level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience.

How to Apply: Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the blue "Apply Online" button. If you are not a registered USAJOBS user, please create a new account and follow the instructions to complete your application process. If you are a registered user, login to access your existing USAJOBS profile. As a registered user, select a stored resume and select one or more of your stored documents to attach to your application. Check the "Certification" box and click the "Apply for this position now!" button located at the bottom of the screen. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. If you experience technical difficulties during the online application process, please contact the USAJOBS helpdesk To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

Application Deadline: 2026-04-27