Federal

Investigative Director

Government Accountability Office Β· Legislative Branch
πŸ“ Washington, District of Columbia ES-00 $151,661 - $223,045/yr
Posted: Apr 3, 2026 Deadline: Apr 24, 2026 (Closes in 18 days days left)

About This Position

This position is located in the Government Accountability Office. As an Investigative Director you will be responsible for directing the Forensic Audits and Investigative Service (FAIS) investigations staff who are responsible for conducting congressional oversight investigations of alleged violations of federal criminal law and investigations of waste, fraud, and abuse.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: The Senior Executive Service (SES) appointments require one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower band/grade at the GS-14/GS-15 level, PE band level III, PT band levels III and IV, MS band levels I and II, Senior Executive Service, Senior Level (SL), or equivalent in the Federal Service, or comparable private/public sector. Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs): The ECQs assess executive experience and potential. They measure whether you have the executive skills needed to succeed in a variety of Senior Executive Service positions.

ECQs can be submitted outside of the resume as additional documentation. Please address the following ECQs listed below. Leading Change: This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals.

Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. Leading People: This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organizations vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.

Results Driven: This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. Business Acumen: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.

Building Coalitions: This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other federal agencies, state and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals. Technical Qualifications: All applicants must meet the Mandatory Technical Competency and Executive Core Qualification requirements listed below to be eligible for consideration. Eligibility will be based on a clear demonstration that the applicants training, and experience are of the scope, quality, and level of responsibility sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this executive position.

TQ-1: Criminal Investigation - Experience with knowledge of the guidelines, regulations, and procedures associated with criminal investigation, including evidence detection and handling and drawing appropriate factual inferences and conclusions. TQ-2: Criminal Law - Experience with expert knowledge of state and federal criminal laws, including procedures, regulations, guidelines, and precedents related to admissibility of evidence and prosecution. TQ-3: Investigative Techniques - Experience with the range of techniques (including undercover operations) and the associated technologies that can be used to investigate potential violations of criminal law, as well as conduct vulnerability and controls testing.

TQ-4: Program Management - Experience managing a program responsible for criminal fraud investigations and developing reports to pursue action against fraud, waste, and abuse. TQ-5: Collaboration - Experience in working with professionals from other disciplines in conducting investigations, such as accountants, auditors, hotline managers, and others. TQ-6: Policy Development - Experience in evaluating and implementing organizational law enforcement policy, procedures, and directives that communicate organizational priorities. *NOTE*: For current SES applicants or applicants who have previously held an SES appointment, ECQs can be resume based.

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. MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS The selectee must pass a pre-appointment medical examination by an authorized government physician and meet the physical requirements for this position as required by this agency. The duties of position in this series require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing 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. LEAP This position is not covered by the provisions of Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP). As such, this position will not receive additional premium pay.

Major Duties

As an Investigative Director, ES-1811-00, your typical work assignments may include the following: Provides executive direction of FAIS's investigative activities, which are performed by criminal investigators. The Investigative Director ensures activities are cost effective, exemplify GAO's core values, align with GAO's strategic goals, and are conducted in accordance with GAO's policies and applicable quality standards. These investigative activities are conducted in close collaboration with auditors/analysts, data analysts, investigative research analysts, methodologists, counsel, and support staff.

Identifies investigative priorities in coordination with the FAIS Managing Director and monitors progress toward annual and strategic goals, evaluates outcomes, and makes appropriate adjustments. This also includes contributing to performance measures for GAO's work, such as timeliness and financial/non- financial accomplishments. Oversees investigations and identifies potential violations of criminal law as well as systemic and programmatic vulnerabilities within a variety of government programs.

Provides leadership and oversight of staff conducting investigative activities to help ensure quality and timely client service. Coordinates investigative activities with GAO auditors/analysts to maximize resources and leverage available expertise within GAO. As appropriate, coordinates investigative activities with entities outside GAO such as IG Offices and law enforcement agencies.

Provides executive oversight of GAO's FraudNet hotline.

Conditions of Employment

You must meet all qualification requirements before the announcement closes. 1.You must be a U.S. citizen

2.

You will be required to submit a financial disclosure statement.

3.

You must be suitable for a top secret security clearance.

  1. Registered for Selective Service, if applicable. (www.sss.gov).
  2. Completion of a 1-year supervisory SES probationary period.
  3. Medical and Physical Examinations are required.
  4. Selectee must have and be able to maintain a valid state driver's license.

8.

This position requires that the selectee has successfully completed the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) https://www.fletc.gov/criminal-investigator-training-program or an equivalent program, such as the program offered to agents from the FBI, DEA and Postal Inspection Service.

How You Will Be Evaluated

If you meet the qualification requirements stated above, you will be further rated based on your responses to the vacancy questions. Please make sure that your responses to the vacancy questions are supported in your resume. Please follow all instructions carefully. If you provide incomplete answers, fail to provide a narrative response to any vacancy question(s) that requires further explanation, or if your response to a vacancy question is "see resume", your rating may be affected, or you may be determined ineligible.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), Technical Qualifications (TQs) and resume.If you do not meet the key requirements and/or basic qualifications or you fail to submit all required application materials, your application will not be considered.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Criminal Investigation Criminal Law Investigative Techniques Program Management Collaboration/Partnering Policy Development

Additional Information

Update your resume so it meets new resume requirements Starting on September 27, 2025, federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying to a job. What is required in the resume?

Resumes submitted for federal jobs are required to have: Contact Information-your name and the best way to contact you. Relevant work experience-Job experience should include employer name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and descriptions that explain how your previous work experience relates to and helps you meet the required qualifications in the GAO job announcement to which you are applying. Education, certifications or licensures-If the job announcement requires any education, certifications or licensures, make sure you include the required information on the resume.

For more information on the how to check the resume for the new 2-page requirement, please go to the Help Center or click the link : USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements OPTION FOR ADDITIONAL SELECTIONS: Based on the staffing needs, additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement. This is not a bargaining unit position. Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid for by the GAO.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: GAO provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request accommodation, please email [email protected] U.S. Government Accountability Office's policy is to provide equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office's policy is to provide equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. - To begin, click Apply to access the online application.

You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. - Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package.

You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted.

Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. - After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.- You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position.

Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), 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 you are unable to apply online, please contact Stephanie Ayton at [email protected] or 404-679-1879 by 4 p.m. est. on the closing date of the announcement. For technical issue with USAJOBS: Please refer to the USAJOBS help page.

Required Documents

You must provide a complete application package which includes: Resume: must be created using the USAJOBS resume builder and show relevant work experience. Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs): Required for applicants who not current SES employees and/or who has never held an SES appointment. Current SES appointees, ECQ's are resume based. SF-50: Current GAO employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent) showing tenure, type of service (competitive/excepted), as well as the highest grade/band held.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Investigative Director position at Government Accountability Office?
The salary range for this position is $151,661 - $223,045/yr. This is a ES-00 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Investigative Director job located?
This position is located in Washington, District of Columbia. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
Minimum Qualifications: The Senior Executive Service (SES) appointments require one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower band/grade at the GS-14/GS-15 level, PE band level III, PT band levels III and IV, MS band levels I and II, Senior Executive Service, Senior Level (SL), or equivalent in the Federal Service, or comparabl...
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Apr 24, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
Yes, a Top Secret clearance is required.
What does ES-00 mean?
ES-00 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.