Criminal Investigator (Special Agent)

U.S.-Citizenship-and-Immigration-Services; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

USCIS in Phoenix seeks qualified candidates for GL-09 to GS-13 level roles in federal criminal investigations. Responsibilities include conducting queries to verify identities, communicating with court officials, and researching data for investigations.

Substitution options include Master's degree or two years graduate study, or JD/LLB; higher levels require leadership across investigations. Federal experience eligibility applies; Direct Hire Authority recruitment.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience at GL-07 or equivalent for GL-09.
• Substitution of Master’s degree or two years of graduate study for experience.
• Doctoral degree or three years of graduate study for GS-13.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Researching, collecting and analyzing data from a variety of sources relating to criminal investigations.

Skills

Specialized investigations

Identity verification queries

Interviews and interrogations

Education

Master's degree or graduate education

J.D. or LL.B. degree

PhD or equivalent for GS-13

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 10/05/2026.

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, counterintelligence 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;
• Serving as a mentor as it relates to criminal investigations and federal criminal laws.

Federal Experience

Federal Experience: If you are using current or prior federal experience as a basis for qualifying for this position, the grade levels and length of employment (mm/dd/year) at each grade level must be listed in your work history. This information will be further validated if selected for this position.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience)

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 criteria 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 service.