Summary The EPA Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office within the EPA that helps the agency protect the environment in a more efficient & cost effective manner. We perform audits, evaluations, & investigations of the EPA to promote economy, efficiency, and to prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse. We strive to provide solutions to problems that ultimately result in making America a cleaner and healthier place. Responsibilities This position is in the EPA Office of Inspector General (OIG) Office of Investigations (OI). OI criminal investigators investigate allegations of fraud, waste, abuse and misconduct impacting EPA programs and operations. Investigations include procurement, grant and program fraud, cybercrime, employee integrity, laboratory fraud and scientific integrity, and national security threats against our nation’s water utilities. Responsibilities This position is designated as a “Primary Position” pursuant to 5 CFR 842.802. Primary duties mean those duties of a position that: (a) Are paramount in influence or weight; that is, constitute the basic reasons for the existence of the position; (b) Occupy a substantial portion of the individual's working time over a typical work cycle; and (c) Are assigned on a regular and recurring basis. Law Enforcement Officer (LEO): This position is covered by the special retirement provisions for Law Enforcement Officer (LEO). Candidates without previous LEO service must be under age 37. Employees subject to special retirement coverage for law enforcement officers must retire at age 57 upon completing 20 years of law enforcement service under the special retirement provisions for law enforcement officers. If these 20 years of service are not attained at age 57, mandatory retirement is required upon completion of 20 years of service. This age restriction does not apply to those who have previously served in a Federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. Section 8336 (c) provisions and preference eligible veterans. This position is covered by Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP). An additional compensation rate of 25% (subject to statutory limitations) will be added to the locality salary. The ideal candidate will perform the following duties: Plans, organizes, and conducts complex and sensitive investigations relating to violations of criminal and civil law, and administrative regulations; Performs special investigative projects; Interviews witnesses and subjects, administer oaths, provide constitutional rights warnings when necessary, obtain statements, carry firearms in the performance of official duties, make arrests, and execute search and seizure warrants; and Works closely with other personnel within the OIG, EPA, law enforcement organizations, and professional business community in investigating and resolving allegations of criminal, civil, and administrative misconduct. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. citizen. Background Investigation Required. Pre-employment physical is required and periodic physicals thereafter. Pre-employment drug testing is required and random testing thereafter. Criminal Investigators - Special Provisions Medical Requirements for 1811 occupational series may be found here. Age Requirements: You must be at least 21 years of age and not older than 36 at the time of appointment. In accordance with PL 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirements provisions; therefore, you must be appointed before reaching your 37th birthday unless you presently serve or have previously served in a Federal civilian law enforcement retirement-covered position. Incumbent will be required to carry and use firearms in the performance of their law enforcement duties. Incumbent will be required to participate in firearms training and qualifications, as well as physical standards and training consistent with Departmental law enforcement requirements. Lautenberg Notice: Title 18 USC, Section 911 (g), automatically disqualifies anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from being appointed to this position unless such conviction was expunged, set aside, or the applicant received a pardon. Work Schedule: The hours are long and irregular. You must be available at all times, to include holidays. You may also be sent on extended temporary duty station assignments away from your assigned office. You may be reassigned to different duty locations throughout the U.S. based on the needs of the Agency. Applicants must possess a valid state driver's license or be able to operate a Government-owned or leased motor vehicle. Incumbent will be required to obtain and maintain a top-secret security clearance. Incumbent will be required to satisfactorily complete the criminal investigator training course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) if selected and not yet completed. Qualifications All applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Experience may have been obtained in either the federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or nongovernmental organizations. GL-07: You must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level or equivalent band of responsibility in the Federal service to include: (1) Identifying problem areas and proposing and implementing solutions; (2) Identifying and analyzing relevant information in financial and business/government records; (3) Setting work priorities and allocating resources; (4) Partnering with other individuals from within and outside the organization; (5) Communicating effectively in both oral and written forms to convey ideas and concepts regarding complex issues; and (6) performing significant research on a topic(s) to be able to articulate findings in both oral and written form. -OR- Bachelor's degree that provided the knowledges, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of this position and superior academic achievement demonstrated by class standing. GL-09: You must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level or equivalent band of responsibility in the Federal service to include: (1) Identifying problem areas and proposing and implementing solutions; (2) Identifying and analyzing relevant information in financial and business/government records; (3) Setting work priorities and allocating resources; (4) Partnering with other individuals from within and outside the organization; (5) Communicating effectively in both oral and written forms to convey ideas and concepts regarding complex issues; (6) Performing significant research on a topic(s) to be able to articulate findings in both oral and written form; and (7) Having exposure to and/or conducting criminal, civil, or administrative investigations in the areas of financial fraud (i.e., contact or grant fraud), employee misconduct, or program integrity. -OR- Masters or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a related LL.B. or J.D.; OR a combination of specialized experience and education beyond one (1) full year of graduate level education. In addition to the above specialized experience, applicants must also demonstrate the competencies listed below: Planning and Evaluating Writing Oral Communication Evidence of the above specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience or based on job titles alone. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). 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. Education This position does not have a mandatory education requirement. Additional Information This position is open to those in the local commuting area. Local commuting area means the geographic area that usually constitutes one area for employment purposes. It includes any population center (or two or more neighboring ones) and the surrounding localities in which people live and can reasonably be expected to travel back and forth daily to their usual employment. Generally, the local commuting area is within 50 miles of the duty location. The salary range indicated in this announcement will be adjusted to the General Law Enforcement Officer Pay table. General schedule locality pay table pay table may be found under, https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2023/law-enforcement-officer/ Are you a Displaced Federal Employee? If so, please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures Additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values at EPA. Our excellence can only be fully realized by staff who share our commitment to these values. Successful candidates are committed to advancing equity and inclusion in the Agency’s workplace and mission. We encourage applications from candidates with a variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. At EPA, diversity is a vital element in bringing a balance of perspectives to bear on every challenge we face. We are committed to creating a diverse workforce because we know that the individual strengths and abilities of our employees make us a stronger organization. The more inclusive our employee base is, the greater the variety of ideas that are generated, and the more representative we are of the nation we serve. To learn more about how EPA values and supports our diverse workforce, visit Equal Opportunity Employment at EPA. EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. For additional information: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures. Although the Service Type indicated above is Competitive, you may be appointed as Excepted Service based on your eligibility to be hired under certain appointing authorities. Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range listed in the Overview section.