This is a developmental position leading to the full performance level of GS-13. Closer supervision and technical guidance and/or on-the-job training are provided. Duties are gradually broadened so the incumbent is eventually performing all of the duties of the full performance level. At the full performance level, Serves as a Special Agent in the Office of Investigations (OI), with the responsibility for conducting and coordinating difficult and sensitive investigations related to fraud.

Duties

Responsible for conducting difficult and sensitive investigations related to fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in Agency programs and operations. Conducts research and analysis of cases to determine the applicable laws and the implementing regulations which were violated and the proof required to support such cases and methods of obtaining them. Determines the most effective manner for planning and conducting investigations. Plans and initiates contacts with Federal, State, local officials and other key officials related to matters under investigation for the purpose of obtaining facts, signed statements, explanation of actions, to learn the sequence of events. Plans and conducts interviews with suspects, witnesses, and informants in case development. Plans and conducts surveillance of a suspect or various groups of suspects. Initiates requests for approval when applicable for recording instruments and special devices in accordance with legal requirements and instructions. Receives complaints from Hotline, employees, and other individuals. Coordinates closely with managers and officials to ensure management knows their responsibilities for action following investigative findings. Testifies before grand juries, courts, or administrative hearings on facts of investigative cases. As required, is appointed Special Deputy U.S. Marshal with full law enforcement authority, as such: carries an authorized firearm, executes arrest and search warrants, apprehends, searches, and transports violators.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Selective Service Registration: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov
• Fingerprinting and background and/or security investigation may be required.
• Job offers are contingent on fingerprinting and background / security investigation results.
• Federal employees must be in good standing.
• Federal employees must have a successful performance rating.
• Selectees may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period.
• All application materials must be received by the closing date.
• Official Personnel Folders will not be reviewed.
• Requests for copies of application documents will not be accepted.
• All application forms submitted become the property of SSA Human Resources.

Qualifications

WHO MAY APPLY: Applications will only be accepted from applicants eligible for one of the following categories. Federal employees currently serving under career or career conditional appointments; Federal employees currently serving under the following types of appointments: Schedule A, Reg. 213.3102 (U) appointments for individuals with disabilities; Veterans Recruitment Appointments; and time limited appointments for veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; Former Federal employees eligible for reinstatement (i.e., those who have career status or separated from a career-conditional appointment less than 3 years ago); Current or former Federal employees eligible under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP); or Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) Eligibles (i.e., Preference-eligible veterans OR veterans who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous service). Federal employees serving under excepted service appointments with competitive service compatibility (e.g., Postal Service, Foreign Service, an agency with an interchange agreement, etc.) may be eligible to apply. Please visit Excepted Service Appointments with Competitive Service Compatibility for more information. NOTE: Excepted service employees serving under Schedule A appointments for Attorney positions or Pathways Programs appointments (Presidential Management Fellows, Recent Graduates, and Interns) are not eligible for consideration. HOW TO QUALIFY: Eligible applicants must meet the following qualification requirements. Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-9 level, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience must include all of the following: 1) assisting on criminal investigations; 2) conducting research for criminal investigations; 3) collecting evidence; and 4) conducting interviews with suspects, witnesses, and/or informants. Or Possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree Or Have completed 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. Or Have a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience that together meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position. 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. Applicants will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Time in grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants for promotion must have 52 weeks at GS-09. Additionally, the Law Enforcement (1811) series has the following qualification requirements: Tentative selectee(s) must pass a pre-appointment physical examination. 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, 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 or without 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, must not exceed 35 decibels at 1000, 2000 and 3000 Hz levels. 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. Tentative selectee(s) will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment unless currently an SSA employee occupying a position already in a random drug testing program. Appointment to the position is contingent upon a negative test result. After appointment the employee will be included in the agency's random drug test program. This position is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment/Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968. The selected employee will not be made a final offer of employment until after we receive notice of the completion of a successful background investigation. Selectee will be required to pass firearms qualification and may be required to carry a firearm. The selectee will be required to attend a course of instruction on the proper use of Oleoresin Capsicum spray (OCS), which is the oily resin of pepper. This instruction includes being exposed to OCS so that knowledge of its effects can be gained. This position is covered by the special retirement provision for Federal Law Enforcement Officers (FLEO). Selectee without previous FLEO service must be at least 21 years of age and not yet 37 years of age or older on the date of appointment. Selectee newly assigned to the Criminal Investigator position MUST successfully complete the 9-week Criminal Investigator Program training course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Glynco, Georgia.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: If you are qualifying on the basis of education or satisfying an educational requirement, submit a copy of your transcripts that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. Unofficial transcripts or screenshots of electronic/web transcripts with the required information will be accepted at the time of application. You must submit your transcripts according to the application submission details of this announcement. Documents will not be accepted via email or regular mail. If selected, you may be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of the personnel action placing you into the new position.

Foreign Education: If your transcripts show education completed in foreign colleges or universities, you must also provide documentation that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in a conventional/accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

For GS-11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent degree, or LL.M. in a field that is directly related to the position.

Combining Education and Experience: Experience and education as described above may be combined to meet the minimum qualification requirements. Experience and education will be computed as percentages of the overall requirements and must equal to 100 percent when combined. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-11.

Note: One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school you attended has determined to represent one year of study. If this information cannot be obtained from your school, we will consider 18 semester/27 quarter hours to be equal to one year of full-time study.

Contacts

• Address OIG 6401 Security Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21235 US
• Name: OPE Staffing OIG
• Phone: 410-965-1234
• Email: [email protected]