Criminal Investigator (Senior Special Agent/International Attache')

This is an overseas time-limited assignment. The initial tour of duty is three (3) years, as designated by the Department of State. This assignment may be extended in one (1)-year increments without further competition; however, the total duration may not exceed five (5) years.

The assignment may be extended or terminated at any time based on the needs of the agency. Upon completion of the assignment, the selectee will be returned to the United States to their previous position or to a similar position, as determined by the needs of the agency. The Criminal Investigator (Senior Special Agent/International Attaché) leads complex international investigations enforcing Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and other U.S. wildlife laws while building partnerships with foreign governments, U.S. agencies, and global organizations.

The role analyzes intelligence, directs multi-agency teams, and provides training and outreach while representing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (U.S. FWS) in high-impact global enforcement efforts.

Major duties include: Leads and coordinates extremely complex, high-risk international criminal investigations involving CITES and other wildlife protection laws, integrating intelligence, specialized technology, and multi-agency resources. Serves as the primary U.S. FWS liaison to foreign governments, U.S. embassy/consulate agencies, and international enforcement partners to resolve jurisdictional challenges and advance cooperative investigative efforts.

Designs, develops, and delivers specialized law enforcement training to international investigators, and prepares guidance materials for new or evolving legal and regulatory requirements. Conducts outreach and compliance education with government officials, industry leaders, non-governmental organizations, and enforcement networks to prevent wildlife trafficking and strengthen international cooperation. Provides expert advice to leadership on investigative trends, emerging threats, and strategic enforcement priorities, helping shape international wildlife law enforcement policies and practices.

Physical Demands: The work involves significant physical effort, including extended periods of standing and walking over rough or uneven terrain, as well as repeated bending, lifting, and similar activities. Duties require a high degree of agility and dexterity. Work Environment: Work is performed in a foreign country where living and working conditions may be inadequate, and political or economic instability may pose safety risks.

Duties occur in both office and outdoor settings and may involve exposure to adverse weather, noisy or dusty environments, and moderate hazards, including during surveillance activities using aircraft, boats, or motorized vehicles. Driver's License: Must possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's license to operate motor vehicles, or special-purpose law enforcement vehicles, including four-wheel drives, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, and small watercraft. Due to the unpredictable and mission-critical nature of law-enforcement operations, the incumbent may be required to work irregular or extended hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Work may be performed at a primary duty station or across multiple locations in support of operational requirements. Criminal Investigators in this position are covered by Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP). To maintain eligibility for LEAP, the incumbent must perform an annual average of two (2) hours of unscheduled duty per day, and LEAP is paid at a rate of 25 percent of the employee's annual base pay.

Overseas pay adjustments will be applied, in accordance with authorized allowances, only after the employee reports for duty at the position's designated overseas duty location. Allowances and differentials for an overseas location (e.g., Post Allowance, Living Quarters Allowance, Post Differential, etc.) can be reviewed on the Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) website: https://allowances.state.gov/.

There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-14 grade level. Nor does this position have a positive education requirement. See Qualifications section.

You will be evaluated based on how your application materials reflect the qualification requirements of this position. Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are minimally qualified for this job, Human Resources will complete a review of your resume and supporting documentation.

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications requirement(s), the best qualified candidates will be identified through a structured resume review panel that will result in issuing a ranking referral list to the hiring manager. The panel will measure the specialized experience and critical competencies and/or job elements listed below that are required to successfully perform in the position.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Knowledge of criminal investigative principles and techniques, rules of evidence and criminal procedure, key Federal court decisions on admissibility and constitutional protections, and the roles and jurisdictions of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies. Ability to plan, organize, conduct, and evaluate highly complex and sensitive investigations, applying new methods and techniques as needed. Ability to work and communicate effectively with domestic and international prosecutors to plan, prepare, and execute complex cross-border criminal investigations that support successful prosecutions inside and outside the United States.

Knowledge of fish and wildlife laws, rules, and regulations, including import and export requirements and search and seizure authorities. Skill in producing clear, well-organized written reports, presentations, and guidance materials tailored to diverse audiences. Candidates who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are highly qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire.

Best qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided. Candidates who apply under Noncompetitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

Conditions of Employment: Testing Designated Position: All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to undergo urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Medical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment medical examination. May be subject to post-employment medical examinations and psychological screening to ensure continued compliance with fitness standards for this position.

Required to submit an OF-178, Certificate of Medical Examination, if one is not already on file. Law Enforcement Authority: Must accept, maintain, and exercise law enforcement authority. Position Sensitivity: This position is designated as Special-Sensitive(SS)/High-risk.

The selectee must maintain a favorable background investigation. Firearms and Defensive Tactics: Must qualify and maintain annual/semiannual firearms certification and safely utilize firearms, nonlethal weapons, and defensive tactics in daily activities. Lautenberg Amendment: This position authorizes the incumbent to carry a firearm.

Under Title 18, U.S.C. Section 922(g)(9), individuals convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition. Candidates under consideration will be required to certify they have ever been convicted of such an offense.

Age Requirement: The maximum entry-age for this position is 37, unless you have sufficient prior Federal civilian law enforcement (or firefighter, if applicable) experience, or are a preference-eligible veteran. Law Enforcement Retirement: The incumbent of this position performs primary law enforcement work and is eligible for coverage under the law enforcement retirement provisions of Title

1. U.S.C. Part 841 or 842. Special Retirement Coverage - Secondary Law Enforcement Position: This is a secondary-administrative law enforcement position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d) (FERS). PLEASE

NOTE: Applicants may meet qualification requirements but still be ineligible for special retirement coverage. If such an applicant is selected, they will be placed in the regular retirement system. To be eligible for Secondary retirement coverage under CSRS, employee must transfer directly from a primary position to a secondary position without a break in service exceeding 3 days.

To be eligible for Secondary retirement coverage under FERS, an employee must: 1) transfer directly from a primary position to a secondary position without a break in service exceeding 3 days, AND 2) complete 3 years of service in a primary rigorous position including any such service during which FERS deductions were not withheld, AND 3) be continuously employed in a secondary position(s) since moving from a primary rigorous position, except for breaks in employment caused by involuntary separation (not for cause). Applicants are responsible for providing this office with sufficient information to determine special retirement status and prevent any loss of benefits. This typically includes submitting your work history or other documentation that demonstrates service in approved covered positions.

You must also inform this office if you are currently serving in a Primary position.

Review the appointment eligibility criteria in the application preview linked below. The eligibility section of the application allows you to choose how you wish to be considered for this vacancy announcement.

You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to and submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section or the application text.

You may qualify for more than one eligibility, so please choose carefully. If you respond that you do not meet any of the eligibility criteria, you will not be considered for this position under this announcement. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents section.

Click 'Apply' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.

Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents. To preview the assessment questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12919059. Please ensure you check the acknowledgement checkbox then click the Submit Application button to submit your application.

Applications must be received by 05/04/2026, 11:59 p.m., EST, to receive consideration. Check application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, in Applications tab, click the position title you applied to for the status. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact the Human Resources Office via email at [email protected].

You must submit a complete application package. We will not make assumptions about your experience and/or education. Required Documents: 1. Resume: You may only submit one (1) resume. Only the resume submitted under the "Resume" "Document Type" will be used to determine your qualifications and for rating purposes.

Your resume must describe your job-related qualifications (paid and non-paid work experience) that includes job title, beginning and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and description of job duties. You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included. If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written form, you must ensure this information is provided.

Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.

Note: Current and former Federal employees should include pay plan, series, and grade level for relevant federal experience. If experience is for a career ladder position, please ensure to clearly distinguish the job duties for each grade level and how long you were working in each grade level. Do not include the following types of information in your resume: Classified or government sensitive information Social Security Number (SSN) Photos of yourself Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc. Encrypted and digitally signed documents.

1. SF-50: (non-award), or equivalent Notification of Personnel Action if you are a current or former Federal employee.

Your SF-50 (non-award) must show tenure code 1 or 2 in block 24, and position occupied code 1 (competitive service) in block

1. If you have previously held a higher grade than the grade/position you currently occupy, you must submit a copy of the last non-award SF-50 you received for that position. If you have any questions regarding which SF-50's to submit, it is highly recommended that you contact the person listed on this vacancy announcement before the closing date.
2. Applicants applying under PL-114-47, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act must submit documentation verifying eligibility. Required documentation includes: First and last SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) for each appointment verifying the Position Occupied code (block 34, code 1-Competitive Service), AND Documentation of satisfactory performance for each appointment, such as, performance evaluations, memorandum of record, whereas the supervisor(s) documented an acceptable performance level for a specified rating/employment period.

Failure to submit required documentation may result in loss of consideration.

Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment if you are requesting to be considered Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act eligibility.

1. Performance Appraisal: Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g., superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last five (5) years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official.

The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.

Additional Documentation if applicable: 1. Cover Letter

1. CTAP Documentation: If you are applying under CTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility under 5 CFR 330.602(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP eligible.
2. College Transcripts: Please refer to the education section above for additional information. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. A copy of your official transcripts may be required if you are selected. Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.