Criminal Investigator (Special Agent)

U.S.-Citizenship-and-Immigration-Services; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) seeks qualified candidates for positions at the GL-09/GS-11/GS-12 levels to support criminal investigations and enforcement efforts.

The role involves handling federal, state, and local data queries, interviewing involved parties, and conducting comprehensive data analysis to inform decisions. Applicants may meet education substitutions (Master's or 2 years graduate education, or JD/LLB) for experience, with higher degrees guiding eligibility for

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience at GL-09 level or equivalent.
• Experience performing federal/state/local law enforcement-related database queries.
• Ability to discuss case materials with court officials or law enforcement personnel.
• Researching, collecting, and analyzing data from multiple sources for investigations.

Responsibilities

• Perform federal, state and local law enforcement-related database queries to verify identities and gather investigative information.
• Correspond with court officials or law enforcement personnel to discuss case-related materials.
• Researching, collecting and analyzing data from a variety of sources relating to criminal investigations.

Skills

Federal/State/Local queries

Investigative interviewing

Data analysis for investigations

Education

Master's degree or 2 years of graduate study OR J.D./LL.B.

Doctoral degree or 3 years graduate education (LL.M. if related)

Job description

Protect your homeland and defend your culture. Join USCIS, America's frontline defense against illegal foreign infiltration and fraud.

This role offers up to $50,000 as a signing bonus (current federal employees are not eligible) OR as a relocation bonus (eligible current federal employees only);not both. If you're driven and ready to serve with pride, join USCIS and become a vital part of homeland security! The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 10/01/2026. Time in Grade does not apply to Delegated Examining Announcements, any reference to Time in Grade in the questionnaire will not apply to the rating and ranking of applicants. This announcement is issued under the Direct Hire Authority to recruit for positions for which the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, has a critical hiring need.

GL-09:

You qualify at the GL-09 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GL-07 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the majority of the following duties:

• Performing federal, state and local law enforcement-related database queries to verify identities and gather investigative information.
• Corresponding with court officials or law enforcement personnel to discuss case-related materials; and
• Researching, collecting and analyzing data from a variety of sources relating to criminal investigations. OR
• You may substitute a Master's degree or two (2) full years of graduate education leading to such a degree in any field, or a J.D. or L.L.B. degree for experience required at the GL-09 grade level. Such education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise two years of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 36 semester or 54 quarter hours.

GS-11:

You qualify at the GS-11 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GL-09 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the majority of the following duties:

• Planning and conducting criminal investigations to determine violations of Federal laws;
• Interviewing, and interrogating persons suspected of violations of law; and
• Performing federal, state and local law enforcement-related database queries to verify identities and gather investigative information. OR
• You may substitute a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent degree) or three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in any field, or L.L.M. if related for experience at the GS-11 grade level or such education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise three years of graduate study. If that information is not available, use 54 semester or 81 quarter hours.

GS-12

You qualify at the GS-12 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the majority of the following duties:

• Planning and implementing strategies for the collection and analysis of information to support criminal investigations;
• Conducting a broad range of investigations in areas such as immigration crimes, fraud, human trafficking, counterintelligence, counter-terrorism or general criminal investigations; and
• Identifying criminal trends to develop leads and brings investigations to a conclusion for presentation to prosecutors.

GS-13

You qualify at the GS-13 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the majority of the following duties:

• Leading and providing technical guidance on a broad range of criminal investigations in areas such as immigration crimes, fraud, human trafficking, counterintelligence, counter-terrorism, or other multi-jurisdictional criminal investigations;
• Identifying criminal trends to develop leads and brings investigations to a conclusion for presentation to prosecutors; and
• Serving as a mentor as it relates to criminal investigations and federal criminal laws.