Criminal Investigator, GS-1811-14 (ED OIG-Wide Only)

Criminal Investigator, GS-1811-14 (ED OIG-Wide Only)

Department: Department of Education

Location(s): Salt Lake City, Utah, Seattle, Washington, Phoenix, Arizona, Los Angeles, California, San Francisco, California, Denver, Colorado, Washington, District of Columbia, Miami, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, Chicago, Illinois, Indianapolis, Indiana, New Orleans, Louisiana, Boston, Massachusetts, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kansas City, Missouri, Albuquerque, New Mexico, New York, New York, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Portland, Oregon, Austin, Texas

Salary Range: $125776 - $163514 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is in the Department of Education, Office of Inspector General (OIG), Investigation Services (IS), Special Investigations Unit (SIU). The incumbent directs, manages, and oversees special agents, investigators, analysts, and support staff conducting criminal, civil, and administrative investigations, as well as sensitive inquiries involving Department personnel, programs, and operations nationwide.

Major Duties:

• 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. We're the U.S. Department of Education (ED) Office of Inspector General (OIG). 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, the incumbent will perform the following duties: Plan and conduct investigations to detect fraud, waste or abuse in programs and operations administered or financed by the U.S. Department of Education, including allegations of fraud or abuse by contractors, grantees, educational or financial institutions, Department employees and other individuals. In addition, to conducting sensitive criminal investigations of senior management misconduct, conflict of interest, bribery, unauthorized political activity, and insider threats. Examines financial records and other data related to investigations, verifying and corroborating evidence for accuracy and relevance. It includes advising Department of Justice officials on cases for Federal Grand Jury presentation, testifying as a witness in legal proceedings, and ensuring the integrity and timeliness of SIU data in the OIG's electronic case management system. Prepare detailed and accurate reports based on investigative findings. These reports must be clear, logical, and suitable for use in legal proceedings. Additionally, the agent testifies in court, presenting evidence and supporting prosecutorial actions while ensuring compliance with legal standards. Works well with others to successfully perform the mission of the office. Participate with intergovernmental task forces on program fraud and abuse. to foster productive relationships with counterparts across Federal, State, local, and international entities.

Qualifications: Minimum Qualification Requirements Specialized Experience for the GS-14 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 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: Experience in planning, directing, coordinating, conducting fact-finding, and executing sensitive criminal, civil, and administrative investigations of senior management misconduct, conflict of interest/ethics issues, and unauthorized disclosure of information. Experience in evidence management, records management and data quality assurance as it relates to complex fraud investigations. Experience in analyzing records and complaints to validate allegations, interviewing others to obtain and verify information, and preparing comprehensive reports detailing the investigation of the alleged violations. 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). Possess a comprehensive mastery of sensitive investigative operations across criminal, civil, and administrative domains. Demonstrated ability to exercise a high level of diplomacy and tact in complex situations, exceeding the expectations of a journeyman criminal investigator within the Office of Inspector General (OIG). This skill set enables effective communication and collaboration with various stakeholders while maintaining the integrity of investigations. Knowledge of criminal, civil, and administrative investigative techniques, along with a strong understanding of Federal criminal law and the Federal Rules of Evidence. High level skills in conducting interviews and interrogations, recognizing significant leads. Strong organizational abilities to facilitate effective planning and execution of investigations. Proficient in navigating unique demands and time-sensitive situations, ensuring effective responses under pressure. Possesses knowledge of the Federal Rules of Criminal and Civil Procedure and a strong understanding of legal standards for evidence and testimony. Excels at preparing detailed and logical investigation reports, testifying effectively in court, and communicating complex information clearly. Skills include supporting prosecutorial actions and ensuring accuracy and thoroughness in report preparation to include written and oral communication. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships. 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.

How to Apply: Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not already have one) at www.usajobs.gov. Step 2: Create a resume using the USAJOBS resume builder. Ensure that your resume demonstrates your education, experience, training, and accomplishments as it relates to the qualifications for this position and substantiates your responses to the occupational questionnaire. Step 3: Upload any required documents into your USAJOBS account (must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX)). Step 4: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire and attach any required documents. Verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBS transfer into the agency's hiring system. You will have the opportunity to upload any additional required documents in the agency's hiring system. Click “Finish” to submit your application. NOTE: You may update your application or required documents at any time while the announcement is open by logging into your USAJOBS account, clicking on "Application Status," clicking on the position title, clicking "Update Application,” and following the prompts. In order to receive consideration for this position, you must submit your complete application, including all required documents, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the closing date of the vacancy announcement. If the vacancy announcement has an application limit, we recommend that you submit your complete application at the time of initial application. We will not accept any required documentation after the closing date of the vacancy announcement. If you have any questions regarding submitting your application, please contact the HR Specialist listed under the Agency Contact Information.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-19