Criminal Investigator

Please

note: This position has a Selective Placement Factor that must be met and supported by your applicant package.

This position is in the EPA Office of Inspector General (OIG) Office of Investigations (OI). If selected, you will be responsible for planning, directing, and conducting complex investigations of suspected fraud, waste, and abuse, and mismanagement in EPA programs and operations.

You will determine the scope of the investigations, analyze facts and evidence, interview witnesses and subjects, and prepare investigative reports.

You will conduct fraud investigations, which typically involve violations of law, or Agency regulations such as financial fraud, employee misconduct, intrusion into EPA systems and computers, scientific misconduct, impersonation of EPA officials, and theft of EPA property and funds. Investigative findings may form the basis for criminal or civil prosecution by the Department of Justice; civil action by EPA; withholding funds from a grantee or contractor; administrative personnel action by EPA; or changes in policy by EPA.

This position is designated as a “Primary Position” pursuant to 5 CFR 842.802. Primary duties mean those duties of a position that: (a) Are paramount in influence or weight; that is, constitute the basic reasons for the existence of the position; (b) Occupy a substantial portion of the individual's working time over a typical work cycle; and (c) Are assigned on a regular and recurring basis. Law Enforcement Officer (LEO): This position is covered by the special retirement provisions for Law Enforcement Officer (LEO). Candidates without previous LEO service must be under age

1. Employees subject to special retirement coverage for law enforcement officers must retire at age 57 upon completing 20 years of law enforcement service under the special retirement provisions for law enforcement officers. If these 20 years of service are not attained at age 57, mandatory retirement is required upon completion of 20 years of service. This age restriction does not apply to those who have previously served in a Federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. Section 8336 (c) provisions and preference eligible veterans.

This position is covered by Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP). An additional compensation rate of 25% (subject to statutory limitations) will be added to the locality salary. The ideal candidate will perform the following duties: Plans, organizes, and conducts complex fraud investigations involving criminal and civil, and administrative violations of laws or regulations in EPA and CSB programs and operations.

Assesses allegations and identifies investigative steps and resources. Analyzes and evaluates facts for evidentiary value. Presents findings to supervisors, prosecutors, and other high-level officials.

Prepare investigative reports that are accurate, clear, and concise. Uses specialized investigative techniques to obtain evidence. Testifies in court and administrative hearings. Interviews witnesses and subjects, administer oaths, obtain statements, carry firearms in the performance of official duties, make arrests, and execute search and seizure warrants.

Works closely with other personnel within the OIG, EPA, law enforcement organizations, and professional business community in investigating and resolving allegations of criminal, civil, and administrative misconduct.

You must be at least 21 years of age and not older than 36 at the time of appointment. In accordance with PL 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirements provisions; therefore, you must be appointed before reaching your 37th birthday unless you presently serve or have previously served in a Federal civilian law enforcement retirement-covered position. Incumbents will be required to carry and use firearms in the performance of their law enforcement duties.

Incumbents will be required to participate in firearms training and qualifications, as well as physical standards and training consistent with Departmental law enforcement requirements. Lautenberg Notice: Title 18 USC, Section 911 (g), automatically disqualifies anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from being appointed to this position unless such conviction was expunged, set aside, or the applicant received a pardon. Work Schedule: The hours are long and irregular.

You must be available at all times, to include holidays.

You may also be sent on extended temporary duty station assignments away from your assigned office.

You may be reassigned to different duty locations throughout the U.S. based on the needs of the Agency.

Applicants must possess a valid state driver's license or be able to operate a Government-owned or leased motor vehicle. Incumbent will be required to obtain and maintain a top-secret security clearance. Incumbent must have successfully completed and passed the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's Criminal Investigator training program (CITP), OR an equivalent and recognized federal law enforcement training program.

Your certificate of completion MUST be provided at the time of application. U.S. citizen; Selective Service registration (if applicable); Top Secret clearance; Pre-employment physical is required and periodic physicals thereafter; Pre-employment drug testing is required and random testing thereafter.

This position does not have a mandatory education requirement.

All applicants: Your application will be reviewed in three 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 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 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. Applicants passing “Phase II” of the assessment process will be invited to participate in a structured interview, as part of “Phase III”. A SME panel will conduct the structured interview and assign a score for each of the five required competencies listed below, based on your responses to the interview questions.

Your will be assessed on the following competencies: Knowledge and Conduct of Fraud Investigations Written and Oral Communication Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence Fraud Acumen Record and Financial Analysis

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 apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Offices within the OIG community who have vacancies with the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s). Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.

You may choose to opt in of having your information shared with other agencies when applying for this position. If an agency requests a copy of a certificate, you are on, you will be notified.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

EPA OIG provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed in this vacancy announcement. Payment of relocation expenses is NOT authorized.

All the information you provide will be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application, by checking reference and through other means, such as the interview process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for not hiring you or for firing you after you begin work. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement.

You are strongly encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position. To begin the application process, click the Apply button to the top right on this screen, follow the prompts to log-in/register, submit all required documents, and complete the assessment questionnaire. To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the day the announcement closes.

As referenced in the Required Documents section, all required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS document portfolio feature. It is recommended that you review your application materials after they have been uploaded to your application to ensure they conform to the requirements stated in the announcement. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application, please contact the HR Specialist listed on the announcement.

If you cannot apply online, you must contact the HR Specialist listed below for assistance no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement.

You must provide complete application materials by the day the announcement closes. For detailed instructions to assist you in ensuring your application package is received, go to EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION EPA welcomes applications from persons with disabilities.

Through the reasonable accommodation process, we provide persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment that persons without disabilities enjoy. A reasonable accommodation is any change in the work environment or in the way things are customarily done. An accommodation removes workplace barriers and enables an applicant with a disability to have an equal opportunity to participate in the application process, be considered for a position, and, if hired, perform the essential functions of their job.

The EPA National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators will provide assistance to you, the Human Resources Office, and/or the hiring official as needed. For more information, refer to EPA's Reasonable Accommodation website. Below is more detailed information about how to request a reasonable accommodation during the application, selection, and hiring process: If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process (submitting the application or completing the application process), contact the Human Resources Office listed below no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement, and the Human Resources Office will work directly with you.

If you are referred to the hiring official for consideration and need an accommodation during the selection process, including the interview, notify the person who contacted you from the hiring official's office. If you do not hear back within three days about your reasonable accommodation request for the selection process, please notify EPA's National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators via email at [email protected]. If you are selected and need an accommodation during the hiring process up to orientation, notify the HR Specialist who made the job offer to you.

Please

note: Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Documents to be submitted online:

NOTE: You should ensure your social security number, date of birth, and any other personal information are redacted. Resume Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages. If your resume exceeds the two-page limit, you will be removed from consideration for this announcement.

The resume and required supporting documentation should provide the minimum qualifications and relevant experience for the announced position. 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, and 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. - If you are a current or former federal employee you must provide a copy of your most recent SF Form 50, Notification of Personnel Action, that shows: (1) permanent or career-conditional tenure (codes 1 or 2, in block 24), and (2) position occupied in the competitive service (code 1, in block 34). To be considered as a non-competitive eligible candidate, the SF-50 must show the highest grade level or promotion potential level applicant has attained competitively and grade must be equivalent or higher than the grade for which applying. Indicate on your application the highest permanent grade you have held; if this grade is different from your current grade, submit a copy of an additional SF-50 showing this grade. - Current Federal Employees: You must submit your entire most recent completed annual performance appraisal.

Failure to provide the performance appraisal or statement at the time of application will result in an incomplete application and will not receive further consideration. - Certificate of completion for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's Criminal Investigator Training Program or an equivalent Federal law enforcement basic training academy. APPLICANTS CLAIMING VETERANS' PREFERENCE To be eligible for veterans' preference, you must claim preference in your USAJOBS account; you must also submit proof of eligibility as indicated below. Separated veterans claiming 0-point preference: DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service) or other official document/statement from the Armed Forces showing separation, discharge, or release from active duty; document must show separation is under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge) and that the release or discharge was due to sole survivorship Separated veterans claiming 5-point preference: DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service) or other official document/statement from the Armed Forces showing separation, discharge, or release from active duty; document must show separation is under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge) Separated veterans claiming 10-point preference based on compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more: DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service); document must show separation is under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge); and VA letter stating overall/combined disability rating (percentage); and SF-15 (use current version: SF-15 Form)--see page 2 for documents that can be submitted in lieu of the DD-214 and VA letter Other separated veterans claiming 10-point preference OR spouses, widows/widowers, or mothers claiming 10-point derived preference: SF-15 (use current version: SF-15 Form); and Other required documentation indicated on the SF-15 Active-duty service members: Certification from the Armed Forces (Statement of Service) documenting active duty dates, expected discharge/release date, campaign medals/badges, and character of service (a certification is any written document from the Armed Forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged/released from active duty service in the Armed Forces under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge) within 120 days after you submit the certification) DISPLACED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ICTAP/CTAP ELIGIBLE Most recent performance appraisal Proof of eligibility Most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, tenure, and duty station