About This Position
This vacancy is for a GS-1811-13, Criminal Investigator located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, COAST GUARD INVESTIGATIVE SERVICE -CG-CGIS in WASHINGTON, District of Columbia.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements: Individual Occupational Requirements/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. AND To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, applicants must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the federal sector.
Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.
NOTE: All experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. Specialized experience must include the following: Developing and maintaining professional liaison with law enforcement, other agencies, customers, and the media. Gathering and development of criminal information and human intelligence (HUMINT) to further law enforcement or analytical actions.
Methods of proper law enforcement action. Responsible for staff work assignments, setting priorities, preparing work schedules/instructions to subordinate on both operational and administrative matters. Writing clear and concise investigative reports and other documents in a timely manner, and presents all indicated and developed information to supervisors, relevant commands, attorneys and courts or reviews and approves such reports.
NOTE: Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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. Qualify Ranking Factor: Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, GA OR its equivalent will be ranked above those who do not.
Major Duties
You will serve as a Criminal Investigator and be responsible for conducting complex and highly sensitive criminal investigations into matters involving felony violations to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ); performing internal affairs investigations into alleged misconduct by CGIS personnel; carrying out investigations into violations of federal laws and statutes under the maritime jurisdiction of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG); and conducting investigations into matters referred by the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General to CGIS Headquarters.. Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team.
Typical work assignments include: Performing the investigative, intelligence, security, and law enforcement missions of CGIS. Establishing contacts, maintaining effective work relationships, and gaining the confidence and cooperation of others. Responding to requests for investigative assistance from Coast Guard commands and other law enforcement authorities.
Managing assigned projects in a wide range of law enforcement and administrative matters. Writing clear and concise investigative reports and other documents in a timely manner, and presenting all indicated and developed information to supervisors, relevant commands, attorneys and courts or reviews and approves such reports. As a "rigorous/primary" position, this position is covered by the Law Enforcement Retirement System.
In accordance with Public Law 100-328 and Departmental Personnel Management Letter 338-2, candidates for law enforcement positions can not have reached their 37th birthday prior to the date of referral on a Certificate of eligible for a federal civilian law enforcement position. In unusual situations, a waiver may be authorized by the USCG Commandant up to age
- An individual who has passed the maximum entry age limit, but previously served in a covered position, may be eligible for consideration and reinstatement of coverage if he will be able to complete a total of 20 years of covered law enforcement service by the time he reaches the mandatory retirement day of
- See OPM Retirement Handbook for further details. The Maximum Entry Age requirement may be waived for applicants eligible for veterans' preference. (See Maximum Entry-Age Requirements for Veterans' Preference Eligibles.) This position requires a mobility agreement.
The selectee will be required to sign a mobility agreement indicating their willingness to accept reassignment to positions in other duty locations as determined by and based on the needs of the Coast Guard Investigative Service. The mobility agreement must be signed during pre-appointment and will remain as a condition of employment. The incumbent must carry firearms and maintain proficiency in their care and use.
Therefore, the position is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment, 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(9) and selectee will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment (Title 18, USC., Section 1001).
This position requires successful completion of a pre-employment physical which certifies that you are physically and medically qualified to perform the full duties of the position. Please see the GS-1811 Medical Requirements. Results of a recent (up to one-year old) physical examination must be provided prior to appointment.
Determination as to sufficiency of medical record will be made at time of appointment. MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE: This position requires a maximum entry age for an initial appointment; applicants cannot have reached their 37th birthday by the date of appointment. Applicants who have passed the designated entry age limit, but who have previously serviced as a federal employee in a covered position, may be eligible to re-enter the firefighter/LEO service provided that they: (1) meet all applicable qualifications for the position and (2) will be able to complete a total of 20 years of covered an creditable Federal fire/LEO service by the time the firefighter/LEO reached the age of
- Open Continuous: You may update your application documents and some questions related to your personal information at any time during the announcement open period. Upon application, you may be provided a testing window to complete additional assessments.
This testing window may stipulate a completion deadline before the announcement closes. It is your responsibility to complete the additional online assessments within the timeline provided to remain in consideration for this vacancy announcement. Failure to complete the online assessments within the testing window for this announcement will not preclude you from being considered for and completing the online assessments during a testing window on a future announcement.
Conditions of Employment
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Do NOT include the following types of information in your resume: Social Security Number (SSN) Date of Birth (DOB) Photos of yourself (if included on your resume you will not be considered for this position) Personal information: such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc. Key Requirements: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy.
To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for Top Secret as a condition of placement into this position. This may include e.g. a credit check after initial job qualifications are determined, a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs". Must be a U.S.
Citizen or National. Must be registered or exempt from the Selective Service. See www.sss.gov A one-year probationary period may be required. This is not a Bargaining Unit position. Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license and safe driving record.
Selectee subject to successful completion of pre-employment medical exam. Time-in-Grade requirement must be met by the closing date of the vacancy. Mobility agreement is required. Drug/Alcohol Testing required.
A pre-employment polygraph is required.
This position requires the ability to carry a firearm and the appropriate criminal investigative training and experience. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit.
Education
This position does not have a positive education requirements.
How You Will Be Evaluated
We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training, along with any applicable assessments, will be rated. The best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.
The necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities to perform this job are: Criminal Law Networking Oral Communication Criminal Investigation To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12973138 Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must be 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.
In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. (Note: Veteran's preference does not apply under Merit Promotion procedures. View VEOA information on Feds Hire Vets. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation.
CTAP and ICTAP Eligibles: CTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position. If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. Individuals must be well-qualified by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100.
Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website.
Additional Information
E-Verify DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. Fair Chance Act The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment.
In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to [email protected].
Suitability Statement If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. Shared Certificates Statement Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
Moving expenses may be paid in accordance with appropriate regulations. If you are unable to apply online, please contact [email protected]. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Visit Reasonable Accommodation More than 1 selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 45 days from the date the certificate was issued.
How to Apply
Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Font size should not be smaller than 10pts & margins no smaller than .5 inches. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. To begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account.
Your application packet must include a resume, any applicable assessments, and any applicable and/or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. We encourage you to apply online.
NOTE: This announcement has an open period until (9/17/2026), with applicant cut-off dates every 30 days. Applications received that meet the eligibility and qualification criteria may be referred for further consideration based on the following cut-off dates: 7/17/2026 AND 8/17/2026 AND 9/17/2026. Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only.
You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used.
You must submit your resume, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM EST on 09/17/2026. USA Hire Assessment - If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email.
The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link.
Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments.
You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hrs to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us.
It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration.
If a document is not legible, we will not be able to consider it as part of your application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated.
For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. If claiming eligibility under the VOW Act: The VOW Act requires Federal agencies to treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligibles, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD214. In order to be considered under the VOW Act, the certification must specify that the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package for this job announcement.
The certification must be on letterhead from the appropriate military branch and include the following information: military dates of service and expected discharge or release date, character of service, military rank, type of discharge, and date when terminal leave will begin. Certifications must be signed by, or by direction of military members' military personnel offices, unit commanders or higher headquarters. Agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD214 or other appropriate documentation.
Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment.
Required Documents
Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages.
You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Resume showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education, and training. Include start and end dates (mm/yy to mm/yy) and number of hours per week worked/volunteered.
For additional information on your resume, see How to Apply. SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility): You must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50(s) that verify your eligibility for consideration as a current or former federal applicant; and Your SF-50 must verify your highest competitive grade, time-in-grade, your current promotion potential or full performance level & proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement. DO NOT submit an award SF-50 or pay adjustment SF-50 as these often do not verify grade or eligibility.
For consideration for a promotion, Box 4 of the SF-50 must show a date that is at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing. Recommend submitting your last promotion SF-50 or within-grade increase SF-50. Veterans' preference documentation (Member Copy 4 of DD-214, Revised October 2013 SF-15 and VA letter, if applicable.
NOTE: The revised October 2013 SF-15 is the latest copy & all others are not usable. Please see Feds Hire Vets for detail. Veterans claiming 5 point veterans' preference must submit legible Member 4 Copy DD214(s) indicating Character of Service. 30% Disabled Veterans must submit their Member Copy 4 DD-214(s), which includes Character of Service, and VA Disability Letter with percentage of disability OR documentation of disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more.
Other 10 point Preference Eligibles must submit applicable Member Copy 4 DD-214(s), which includes Character of Service, & provide documentation of 10 point preference described on the back of the SF-15. If you are a current active duty military member who does not have a DD214 & is claiming eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces indicating you will be discharged/released under honorable conditions from active duty within 120 days from the date you submit your certification as part of your application for this announcement. See the "How to Apply" section of this announcement for information on specific requirements for VOW certifications.
Schedule A documentation, if applicable.
Note: Coast Guard welcomes & encourages applications from persons with disabilities. Qualified applicants with disabilities may be eligible for special hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A eligibility. Military Spouses (if applicable) - You MUST submit verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage) AND: (1) a copy of your spouse's active military orders; OR (2) verification of your spouse's 100% service-connected disability (VA Letter and/or DD-214); OR (3) verification of the service member's death while on active duty (DD-1300/Death Certificate).
You are not eligible if you were not married to the veteran at the time of death or have since remarried. Interchange Agreement with Other Merit Systems Eligible: Documentation of eligibility as listed in each individual interchange agreement. Other noncompetitive or special appointing authorities (e.g., Peace Corps, VISTA, Public Land Corp, Military Spouse, VRA, 30% Disabled Veterans, Certain Former Overseas Employees, Foreign Service, etc.) must provide substantiating documentation as required.
Political Appointees: OPM must authorize employment offers for former or current Political Appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information. Submit proof of your former or current status, such as your SF-50.
Please see here. CTAP & ICTAP applicants MUST submit documentation verifying your eligibility. This includes a copy of your agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, most recent SF-50-Notification of Personnel Action noting your current position, grade level and duty location, & documentation from your agency showing your current promotion potential.
View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. Any other supporting documentation required for verification as described in the announcement.