Criminal Investigator (Special Agent)

U.S.-Immigration-and-Customs-Enforcement; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Homeland Security Investigations) in the United States is seeking qualified candidates for criminal investigator roles at the GS-11/12 level.

The positions require conducting and assisting with a broad range of investigations across various programmatic areas, reviewing law enforcement databases, and coordinating inter-agency partnerships. Candidates should be prepared to plan for information collection and to conduct interviews and report creation to

Qualifications

• Experience conducting or assisting with a broad range of investigations in programmatic areas such as narcotics, money laundering, fraud or counterterrorism.
• Reviewing files and performing database queries using law enforcement sensitive databases.
• Assisting in inter-agency partnerships and cooperation with private and public entities.
• Assisting in planning strategies for collection and analysis to support long-term investigations.
• Conducting interviews to gather information and preparing reports for criminal actions.
• Combination of graduate education beyond the first two years and qualifying experience (when applicable).

Skills

Investigations broad range

Interagency partnerships

Interviewing techniques

Report preparation

Strategic planning

Criminal investigations knowledge

Education

Graduate education or doctoral degree

Job description

Organizational Location:

These positions are located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations in multiple locations.

These are non-bargaining unit positions.

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.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess one of the following:

Experience

• Conducting or assisting with a broad range of investigations, and developing specialized expertise, in programmatic areas such as narcotics, money laundering, financial crimes, human trafficking, fraud, international trade, network intrusion response, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, counterproliferation or general criminal investigations;
• Reviewing files and performing federal, state, and local law enforcement-related database queries, using law enforcement sensitive and classified databases;
• Assisting and participating in inter-agency partnerships, and in cooperation with other governmental and private sector entities;
• Assisting in planning strategies for the collection and analysis of information to support long‑term criminal investigations;
• Conducting interviews and interrogations with cooperative and non‑cooperative individuals (e.g., suspects, witnesses, sources, and/or victims) to gather information; and
• Preparation of reports, using acquired practical knowledge, in support of general criminal actions. OR

Education

A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three (3) full years of progressively higher‑level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a LL.M., if related. Graduate level education must have been from an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and activities necessary to do the work.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience

A combination of successfully completed graduate education beyond the first full two years and experience as described above that when combined meets 100% of the requirement. Graduate level education must have been from an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess the following:

Experience

• Conducting a broad range of complex investigations, and exercising specialized expertise, in programmatic areas such as narcotics, money laundering, financial crimes, human trafficking, fraud, international trade, network intrusion response, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, counterproliferation or general criminal investigations;
• Reviewing files and performing complex federal, state, and local law enforcement-related database queries, using law enforcement sensitive and classified databases;
• Maintaining, developing, and enhancing inter‑agency partnerships, and connections with other governmental and private sector entities;
• Planning and implementing strategies for the collection and analysis of information to support long‑term criminal investigations;
• Conducting interviews and interrogations using advanced techniques with a wide variety of individuals (e.g., suspects, witnesses, sources, and/or victims) to gather information; and
• Preparation of reports, using expert knowledge, in support of general criminal actions.

In addition to the above requirements, your resume will be reviewed to determine possession of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

Promotion Potential:

When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and was not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.

Re‑Promotion:

Re‑promotion may be available to Criminal Investigators up to the GS‑13 full performance level, who were selected through external competitive recruitment after July 4, 2025 and previously occupied an 1811 position at a higher, permanent grade level. Re‑promotion is limited to federal Criminal Investigators with prior or current GS‑1811 series appointments or those qualified under an OPM‑approved Interchange Agreement. The earliest eligibility for re‑promotion will be 90 days after appointment. Re‑promotions will be based on the completion of all administrative and regulatory requirements including satisfactory performance, specialized experience, mandatory training completion, and firearm profiency.

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.

Current or Former Political Appointees:

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non‑career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service‑connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non‑competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

A student loan repayment incentive may be available, in which case a service agreement will be required.