Diversion Investigator

US Drug Enforcement Administration; Ponce (PR); On-site; USD 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is seeking candidates for a federal position at the GS-07/09/11 levels.

The posting outlines education and experience pathways, including substitutions and superior academic achievement, with a competency framework emphasizing accountability, collaboration, and problem solving. The role involves planning briefings, conducting investigations, and preparing written materials for management guidance.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience at GS-05 or equivalent.
• Education can substitute for experience for GS-7.
• Superior academic achievement options include bachelor's with top third or GPA criteria.
• GS-11 requires one year at GS-11 level or higher or equivalent education/experience.

Responsibilities

• Plan and organize briefings and presentations to educate and raise awareness.
• Conduct investigations and evaluate results to ensure regulatory requirements.
• Research and prepare written materials and reports.
• Provide guidance to management on operations, policies and requirements.

Skills

Gathering data to prepare reports

Evaluating priorities to develop a策略

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Ph.D. or Doctoral degree

Job description

TOUGH WORK. VITAL MISSION. Challenge yourself! You have the power to help combat drug trafficking. Be a part of DEA! It's tough work, but a vital mission. Whatever your background or expertise, your work at DEA will be tremendously rewarding because it will have a daily impact on national security and the quality of life of all Americans.

The salary listed is based on the 2026 Base Salary table and will be augmented by locality pay as authorized for the duty location of the position. To qualify for employment with the DEA, applicants must not violate any of the automatic employment disqualifiers or the drug policy criteria. For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the required qualification requirements described below by the closing of this announcement. If you are qualifying based on education or if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript with your application.

GS-07

Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level or pay band in the Federal service that includes performing the following duties:

• Gathering data to prepare reports
• Evaluating priorities to develop a strategy for accomplishing daily tasks
• Orally presenting information in a logical manner
• Collaborating with management or colleagues to exchange information
• Accomplishing assignments independently

-OR-

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE

The experience requirement for the GS-7 level may be met by at least one year of graduate level education. (Degrees in fields of study such as accounting, pharmacy, chemistry, pharmacology, nursing, or criminal justice are desired, but not required.) Candidates not holding desired degrees will be considered.

-OR-

SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Completion of all requirements for a bachelor's degree in a field or expect to complete all requirements within the next nine months; and education meets at least one of the following requirements for superior academic achievement: 1) class standing in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision based on completed courses; 2) grade point average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on the official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; 3) grade point average of 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; OR 4) election to membership in a national scholastic honor society listed by the Association of College Honor Societies.

-OR-

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet the experience requirements if you have the specialized experience, but less than one year; and have some education, but less than one year. The computed percentages of requirements were met, and the total is at least 100%. (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.)

GS-09

Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level or pay band in the Federal service that includes performing the following duties:

• Preparing a variety of written materials or reports and making recommendations
• Collecting and/or analyzing conflicting information
• Orally presenting information in a logical manner
• Collaborating with management or colleagues to exchange information
• Following successive steps to complete tasks in accordance with instructions, policies, previous training, or practices

-OR-

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE

The experience requirement for the GS-9 level may be met by master's or equivalent graduate degree, or two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. (Degrees in fields of study such as accounting, pharmacy, chemistry, pharmacology, nursing, or criminal justice are desired, but not required.) Candidates not holding desired degrees will be considered.

-OR-

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet the experience requirements if you have the specialized experience, but less than one year; and have some education, but less than two years. The computed percentages of requirements were met, and the total is at least 100%. (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond one year by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.)

GS-11

Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level or pay band in the Federal service that includes performing the following duties:

• Planning and organizing briefings, formal and informal presentations to educate and raise awareness
• Conducting investigations and evaluating the results to ensure regulatory requirements are met
• Researching and preparing a variety of written materials and reports
• Resolving disputed facts, uncovering evidence through in-depth record searches
• Providing advice and guidance to management on matters relative to organizational operations, policies and requirements

-OR-

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE

The experience requirements for the GS-11 level may be met by Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. (Degrees in fields of study such as accounting, pharmacy, chemistry, pharmacology, nursing, or criminal justice are desired, but not required.) Candidates not holding desired degrees will be considered.

-OR-

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet the experience requirements if you have the specialized experience, but less than one year; and have some education, but less than two years. The computed percentages of requirements were met, and the total is at least 100%. (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond one year by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.)

Competencies

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competencies in the following areas:

• Accountability
• Achievement Motivation
• Arithmetic
• Attention to Detail
• Collaboration
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Memory
• Oral Communication
• Problem Solving
• Reading
• Reasoning
• Self-Confidence
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork
• Writing
• Motor Vehicle Operation

Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements, as described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement, will be assigned to one of three quality categories:

• Qualified Category: In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate a basic level of the required competencies (knowledge, skills and abilities) for the position.
• Highly Qualified Category: In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all, of the requirements of the position.
• Best Qualified Category: In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must possess the type and quality of experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position.