Department of State

Investigative Specialist

Washington, District of Columbia Full time

Investigative Specialist

Department: Department of State

Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $121785 - $158322 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is located in the Office of Civil Rights (S/OCR), Bureau of the Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State. You will investigate allegations of hostile work environment (HWE), including behavior tied to a basis which is protected from discrimination under various EEO laws and regulations, as well as misconduct that fits the definition of workplace violence or bullying as defined by the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM).

Major Duties:

  • Develops lists of witnesses, drafts witness and subject interview questionnaires, and schedules interviews, seeking supervisor input only as needed. Informs interviewees of their rights and responsibilities, obtains commitment under oath.
  • Provides expert advice to management on the interpretation of laws and to modify significant Department policies. Develops new approaches and methodologies to investigate cases to improve operations. Solves problems demanding advanced methods.
  • Gathers case information through routine questionnaires or by conducting a thorough case-specific intake interview with the alleged victim or knowledgeable party, collecting documentary evidence, and preparing a formal record of interview.
  • Plans, organizes, and investigates cases that address the most complex problems; his/her resolution of the cases serve as a basis for changes of major Department initiatives.
  • Maintains email and electronic case files according to standard procedures developed by S/OCR so as to facilitate records retrieval and compliance with Freedom of Information Act and other recordkeeping regulations.

Qualifications: Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement. NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement. Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F. Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience conducting investigations involving allegations of hostile work environment, documenting interviews and developing sources. Experience gathering information, collecting documentary evidence, and preparing a formal record of interview. Experience using a variety of research methods and analysis to coordinate investigative activities. There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position.

How to Apply: Prepare your application in USAJOBS To start your application, click Apply and we'll walk you through the process to attach a resume and any required documents. During the application process you can review, edit, delete, and update your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won't lose any changes. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process. STEP 1: Select the "Apply" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS. STEP 2: Submit your resume. Please see the Required Documents section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume. STEP 3: Complete the online assessment questions. STEP 4: Submit all required documentation applicable to you, as listed in the Required Documents section. To learn how to view the status of your submitted supporting documentation and application, visit the Application Instructions section of our agency's Civil Service selection process site. Technical assistance with your on-line application is available through the Help Desk at mgshelp@monster.com or by calling (866) 656-6830 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET Alternate Application Procedures If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET at least 2 working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-06