U.S. Department of State – Arlington, Virginia

Criminal Investigator (Cyber Agent)

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Investigations (INV).  INV has broad jurisdiction over criminal, civil, and administrative investigations of alleged violations of Federal laws, regulations, and policies relating to Department/ USAGM programs and operations.  This position serves as a senior criminal investigator.

Responsibilities

The incumbent independently plans, organizes, and conducts the most difficult and extremely complex criminal, civil, and administrative investigations of alleged violations of U.S. law and Department regulations, such as fraud against the government, bribery, conflict of interest, false claims, conspiracy, misuse of funds, conversion of government property, embezzlement, kickbacks, and other Federal statutes related to fraudulent activities that negatively impact the operations of the Department/USAGM.

Acts independently, under the general direction of a Supervisory Criminal Investigator, to plan, organize, and conduct criminal, civil, and administrative investigations which often concern senior career and appointed officials of the United States Government, as well as foreign citizens, both domestically and abroad. Plan, organize, and conduct investigations with tact and discretion in potentially hostile environments. Accordingly, these investigations are frequently challenging and without precedent. Coordinate, instruct or technically leads one or more lower-grade criminal investigators or other persons with various occupational disciplines who are assigned on collaborative investigations.

Plans, organizes and conducts highly technical investigations using specialized cyber investigation tools and techniques. Uses knowledge of social media; mobile applications; search engines; surface, deep, and dark-web navigation; digital currency; open-source investigative tools; and digital evidence collection to conduct complex cyber investigations.

Provides expertise and technical support for INV investigations through the forensic analysis of electronic evidence to preserve, collect, and analyze digital evidence. Conducts computer forensic examinations that are consistent with standards established by INV, the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, and the Department of Justice, as well as reflective of current trends and techniques within the law enforcement and professional communities. Facilitates the gathering, analysis, preservation, and presentation of digital evidence used in criminal, civil, and administrative investigations.

Serves as a technical expert for crime scene searches concerning acquisition, preservation, and analysis of electronic evidence. Participates in planning and executing search warrants, subpoenas, and court orders.

Evaluates information reported through developed or reported leads to identify the issues involved and the types of evidence that are needed to prove or disprove the allegation. Perform record searches, review and analyze contracts and business records, interviews witnesses, develop informants, and conduct surveillance to establish the facts of the case and facilitate the detection, identification, and prosecution of persons who violated or are attempting to violate the law. Coordinate investigative and prosecutorial activities with Federal, state and local agencies, as necessary. Conduct search warrants.  Write affidavits and detailed reports of findings to be used in criminal, administrative or civil proceedings. Testify to investigative findings, as necessary, and assist authorities in the development and execution of judicial and/or administrative plans.

Travel Required

50% or less – Position requires domestic as well as overseas travel to accomplish assignments.

Conditions of Employment

• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret <br>security clearance.
• Must pass a pre-employment medical examination.
• One year probationary period, unless excepted by <br>regulation.
• Must be available for overtime.

Time-In-Grade Requirements:  Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements, including education, and any selective placement factors described below by the closing date of this announcement.  Education may only be substituted in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order to be credited towards qualifications.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.  It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.  Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials.

NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement. 

Applicants applying for the GS-13:  Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.  Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

• Experience planning, organizing, and conducting difficult and complex criminal investigations of criminal financial fraud, using specialized cyber investigation tools and techniques and computer forensic examination.
• Experience gathering, analyzing, preserving and presenting digital evidence.
• Experience serving as a technical expert for crime scene  searches and participating in planning and executing search warrants, subpoenas, and court orders.
• Experience evaluating information reported through developed or reported leads.
• Experience writing detailed reports of findings to be used in criminal, administrative or civil proceedings.
• Experience testifying to investigative findings.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position.

Applicants applying for the GS-14:  Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.  Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

• Experience planning, organizing, and conducting difficult and complex criminal investigations of criminal financial fraud, using specialized cyber investigation tools and techniques and computer forensic examination.
• Experience gathering, analyzing, preserving and presenting digital evidence.
• Experience serving as a technical expert for crime scene  searches and participating in planning and executing search warrants, subpoenas, and court orders.
• Experience evaluating information reported through developed or reported leads.
• Experience writing detailed reports of findings to be used in criminal, administrative or civil proceedings.
• Experience testifying to investigative findings.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-14 position.

AGE REQUIREMENT: All applicants, except preference-eligible veterans, MUST be no more than 37 years of age upon entry into this position.  If you are 37 or older, or will reach your 37th birthday, but have previously served in a Federal civilian law enforcement position which may exempt you from this age restriction, you must submit a copy of the SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, that you received in that position. If you are a preference-eligible veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or eligibility letter verifying your veterans preference eligibility.

Candidate must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license.

This position requires the incumbent to carry a firearm while performing duties and maintain firearm proficiency and successfully pass periodic firearm qualifications.  Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition.  Title 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(9).

This position requires the incumbent to work an average of two or more Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) hours per scheduled work day, which may include evenings, nights and weekends.  The hours worked will vary depending on the nature of the assignment.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: The duties of positions in this series require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, 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 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. Average loss of no more than 30 dB in each ear at 500, 1000, and 2000 HZ.  Loss of no more than 40 dB at 2000 HZ. Test performed without hearing aids.  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.  The incumbent must pass periodic physical examinations, meet physical standards set by the Agency for the position, and otherwise fulfill the requirements for law enforcement positions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c).

Prior to appointment, the person selected for this position must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties; and pass a medical examination reviewed by an authorized government physician.

MOBILITY AGREEMENT: Selectee must sign a mobility agreement to accept, on direction  of the Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, assignment to any one of INV’s offices, including any overseas posts. 

TRAINING: Must successfully complete OR have successfully completed the Criminal Investigator Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, GA; or equivalent training AND the Inspector General Investigator Training Program (IG-ITP) at the Inspector General Criminal Investigator Academy.  Candidates will be required to sign a Training Agreement attesting to their understanding that failure to successfully complete the training will result in removal.