Duties

Summary

This vacancy is for the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) position in the Eastern region. The Eastern region comprises 14 states and the District of Columbia with 24 judicial districts. The SAC oversees staff members in five offices with direct supervision of three Assistant SACs, in the District of Columbia, New York, and Philadelphia.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The Inspector General of the Department of Education heads an independent and objective organization responsible for audit, investigation, and other services related to programs and operations of the Department. The Inspector General provides leadership and coordination and recommends policies for activities designed to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration of programs and operations, as well as to prevent and detect fraud and abuse in such programs and operations. The Inspector General is the principal advisor to the Secretary of the Department on the above matters and is responsible for keeping the Secretary and Congress fully and currently informed about problems and deficiencies relating to the administration of the Department's programs and operations and the necessity for and progress of corrective action.

The Office of the Inspector General consists of the following five components:

• Immediate Office of the Inspector General
• Investigation Services
• Audit Services
• Management Services
• Information Technology Audits and Computer Crime Investigations

Investigation Services (IS) is responsible for all investigative activities relating to the Department's programs and operations and the prevention and detection of fraud and abuse in these programs and operations. IS also conducts, supervises, and coordinates investigations of suspected fraudulent activity by Departmental employees. IS is responsible for establishing the necessary procedures for coordination with the Department of Justice on all criminal matters dealing with the Department's programs and operations.

As a Supervisory Criminal Investigator with the Investigation Services Division the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

- Supervises a team of special agents that independently conducts investigations of theft, fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, public corruption, or whistleblower reprisals involving Department programs, operations, or funds. The incumbent supervises all staff actions providing advice, guidance and regulatory interpretation of laws, orders, rules, and regulations pertaining to the investigations conducted by IS, Office of Inspector General.

- Plans, implements, and guides a national investigations program of a Supervisory Criminal Investigator; GS-14 position while conducting complicated and sensitive investigations typical of the full performance level of a Criminal Investigator GS-13 position.

- Manages the budget for their respective Region and possesses knowledge of Federal financial management practices, including strategic planning, budget formulation, and budget execution.

- Advises senior staff of proposals, policies, and issues that involve exceptional controversy, involve intensive outside interest, require extensive analysis of technical literature or have long-range effects on the performance of investigative functions or the operations of OIG.

- Responsible for mastery of technical investigative and legal matters, high tech tools, and programs and operations of the Department. The incumbent also develops policies, criteria, and procedures for investigations; conducts special projects and analyses in support of IS; and develops and implements training strategies to promote the professional development of Criminal Investigators.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENT: The duties of positions in this series require moderate 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, feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. Applicant must be able to pass an Audiometer test. Hearing loss exceeding a 30-decibel average in either ear in the conversational and speech range (500, 1000, 2000 cycles) is disqualifying. Applicant should possess uncorrected visual acuity of no less than 20/100 in each eye, correctable to 20/20 in one eye and 20/30 in the other eye. Ability to read, without strain, printed material the size of typewritten characters is required. Glasses are permitted. Normal depth perception: depth perception to the correctable standard of 80 seconds of ARC is permitted.

Travel Required

50% or less - Travel will be required 50% or less of the time.

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Relocation expenses may be paid.
• May be required to complete a background and fingerprint check.
• Must successfully complete one (1) year supervisory probationary period.
• Drug Testing Required.
• May have to complete a one-year probationary period.
• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Services.

Applicants may be required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination by an Agency designated physician to determine if they are physically and medically qualified to perform the full duties of the position. Any physical condition which could hinder an individual's full, efficient and safe performance of his/her duties as a criminal investigator, or failure to meet any of the required physical or medical qualifications, will usually be considered disqualifying for employment, except when sufficient evidence is presented that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job efficiently and without hazard to themselves and others. Applicants who refuse to submit to the required examinations will not be considered for employment as Criminal Investigator.

Applicant must have satisfactorily completed the Basic Criminal Investigative Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, or its equivalent.

Applicants must agree to work an average of two hours extra per day to meet the requirements of law enforcement availability pay (LEAP) as described in Title 5 U.S.C. § 5545A(d)(1). Applicants for this position are required to qualify with and use firearms and other weapons as part of assigned duties and to maintain such qualifications. Because of an amendment to 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9), which became effective September 30, 1996, and is referred to as the Lautenberg Amendment, applicants are ineligible for this position if at ANY time they have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence, unless such conviction was expunged, set aside, or the applicant received a pardon.

More specific requirements are listed under the Other Information section.

Qualifications

You may meet the minimum requirements for the GS-15 if you possess:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-14) in federal service that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position (see description below).

Specialized Experience for the GS-15:

One year of experience equivalent to the GS-14 performing all three (6) of the following duties or work assignments:

1. Applicants must have successfully completed the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's Criminal Investigator Training Program or equivalent Federal criminal investigations training course;

2. Applicant must have demonstrated expert knowledge in the appropriate application of investigative approaches and techniques to gather information and facts necessary to disprove or substantiate violations of Federal criminal or civil statutes.

3. Applicant must have experience supervising employees whose duties directly support Federal criminal investigations.

4. Applicant must have experience in reviewing and approving investigative work products of Federal criminal investigators.

5. Experience leading and directing a federal enforcement organization that plans and conducts highly sensitive investigations or task force operations into allegations of criminal conduct, including complex impersonation schemes, white-collar crime, and cybercrime investigations.

6. Experience working for an Inspector General (IG) organization and a broad understanding of how it is structured and operates.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).

1. Knowledge of and skill in applying investigative approaches and techniques to gather information and evidence;

2. Knowledge of and skill in analyzing and organizing data;

3. Ability to lead and inspire a diverse team to include maximizing employee potential, developing performance plans and monitoring performance, resolving conflicts, and achieving organizational goals;

4. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships;

5. Skill in oral and written communications.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SUPERVISORY POSITIONS: Candidates must have demonstrated in their work experience or training that they possess, or have the potential to develop, the qualities of successful supervision as follows:

-Assign and review work of subordinates, train and work effectively with subordinates from a variety of backgrounds and with different levels/areas of training.

-Accomplish the quality and quantity of work expected within set limits of cost and time.

-Plan own work and carry out assignments effectively.

-Communicate with others effectively both orally and in writing in working out solutions to problems or questions relating to the work.

-Understand and further management goals as these affect day-to-day work operations.

-Develop improvements in or design new work methods and procedures.

Education

Additional information

Veterans' Career Counseling: If you are a veteran interested in receiving tips on preparing a Federal resume and/or how to prepare for an interview, you may email sro_recruiting@ed.gov to schedule a session with a career counselor ("Veterans Counseling Session" should be placed in the subject line of the email).

Student Loan Default: If selected for this position, we will verify that you have not defaulted on any loan funded or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are found to be in default, we will contact you to make arrangements for repayment prior to making an official offer of employment.

Suitability and Investigation: If selected for this position, you will be required to complete the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for federal employment and successfully complete a pre-appointment investigation/background check.

Essential/Non-Essential: This position is considered non-essential for purposes of reporting to work during federal government closures.

Financial Disclosure: This position requires a financial disclosure.

Telework: This position is telework eligible. At the discretion of the supervisor, generally employees may be authorized to telework one day per week if they are on regular 8-hour work schedule. Teleworkers may participate in some Alternative Work Schedules (AWS) in combination with a Telework Agreement.

Bargaining Unit: This position is not included in the bargaining unit.

Selections: Agencies have broad authority under law to hire from any appropriate source of eligibles and may fill a vacancy in the competitive service by any method authorized. We may make additional selections from this vacancy announcement within 90 days from the date the selection certificates are issued, should vacancies occur. We may also share selection certificates amongst program offices across the agency.

Appointment to this position is contingent upon successful completion of a full field background investigation and issuance of a 'TOP SECRET' clearance.

Applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to a urinalysis prior to appointment to screen for illegal drug use, and will be subject to periodic random testing thereafter.

A valid state's driver license is required.

Applicants must be a minimum age of 21 and not have reached their 37th birthday prior to the opening date of this vacancy announcement. If an applicant reaches his/her 37th birthday during the open period of this vacancy announcement, the application will be considered. Applicants who reach their 37th birthday prior to the opening date of this vacancy announcement will not be considered. Applicants who are currently or previously have been employed under a law enforcement position covered by 5 U.S.C. § 8336(C) or 5 U.S.C. § 8412(D) and applicants with documented veteran's preference are not restricted from applying regardless of age.

This position is approved for Secondary Law Enforcement coverage under 5 (USC) 8331 (20) or 5 USC 8401 (17). Previous experience in a primary (rigorous) law enforcement position or equivalent outside of the Federal government, is a prerequisite. Coverage only extended if this position immediately follows service in a law enforcement position. FERS applicants for this must have completed three (3) years of service in a rigorous position (aka primary) position in order to continue coverage upon selection.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We use a multi-step process to review and evaluate applicants:

1. Eligibility and Minimum Qualifications
Once the vacancy announcement closes, we will review your submitted resume and documents to determine if you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, including any required education, experience, and/or selective placement factors. You will be rated as ineligible if you are outside of the area of consideration (i.e., who may apply) or your application is missing any required documents. You will be rated as not qualified if you do not possess the minimum qualification requirements.

2. Rating and Ranking
If you are found to meet both the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, we will assess the quality of your experience and the extent to which you possess the required KSAs by comparing your submitted resume and documents against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. (The occupational questionnaire is the list of questions in the automated system that you will have an opportunity to answer once you apply for the position).

Based on the outcome of this evaluation, you will be assigned a numerical score (out of 100 possible). If your responses to the occupational questionnaire are not substantiated by your submitted resume, you may be eliminated from receiving further consideration.

3. Referral and Selection
If you are found to be amongst the most highly qualified applicants, you will be referred to the selecting official. As part of the assessment and selection process, the selecting official may invite you to participate in a structured interview, check your references, and/or request that you submit a writing sample or complete a written assessment or exercise to further evaluate your qualifications for this position.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)

Trust determination process
National security

Required Documents

You must submit (REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS):
• A resume demonstrating your education, experience, training, and accomplishments as it relates to the qualifications for this position and substantiating your responses to the occupational questionnaire.

Transcript:
• If you meet the qualification requirements based on education you must submit an unofficial transcript that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, major(s), grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts. This also applies to ED employees.

If you are a current or former federal employee (including current U.S. Department of Education employees), you must also submit:
• A Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), which demonstrates your competitive status eligibility. To verify your eligibility, we will review your SF-50 to determine your tenure (block 24) and position occupied (block 34). Examples of sufficient SF-50s include appointments, promotions, within-grade increases, and pay adjustments.

If you currently hold or previously held a federal position at or above the highest grade of this position or you have/had promotion potential at or above the highest grade of this position, you must also submit an SF-50 documenting your highest grade level held or promotion potential. Examples of sufficient SF-50s include appointments and promotions.

• A Copy of your Performance Appraisal and Awards, as applicable. Your performance appraisal and awards are requested to further assess the quality of your experience should your application be referred to the selecting official.

If you are claiming eligibility under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA), you must submit:
• A copy of your DD-214 that shows active service and character of discharge, member copy 4 (Separated Members only); OR
• A certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions within 120 days from the date of application (Current Active Duty Members only); AND/OR
• The Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (SF-15) AND all documents indicated on the form as proof of type of preference.

If you are claiming selection priority under Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), please visit:
CTAP: http://www.ed.gov/about/jobs/open/edhires/ctap.html
ICTAP: http://www.ed.gov/about/jobs/open/edhires/ictap.html

If you are claiming eligibility under any Special Hiring Authority, you must submit:
• Adequate proof of your eligibility (e.g., Documentation of noncompetitive eligibility as a returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Documentation of noncompetitive eligibility for employment under Schedule A as a person with severe physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, and intellectual disabilities.)