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Criminal Investigator, ZA-1811-4 (MAP)

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Silver Spring, Maryland
Closing date
Jun 22, 2021
Duties

Summary

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) with one vacancy located in Silver Spring, MD.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

As a Criminal Investigator, you will perform the following duties:
  • Conduct complex investigations of national or international scope, uncover and document the illegal commercialization and destruction of protected wildlife resources.
  • Perform investigations, both civil/administrative and criminal, of suspected violations of laws and regulations under laws of the United States and specifically under the purview of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
  • Act as the subject matter expert in utilizing a full range of investigative techniques such as surveillance, use of undercover operations and coordinate investigative efforts with other Federal, State, local and Tribal agencies.
  • Conducts arrests, searches, and seizures in accordance with the U.S. Constitution, pertinent laws, regulations, directives, and court decisions.
  • Comply with existing policies, procedures and guidelines (including the use of force policy) pertaining to use, display, safety and maintenance of firearms and intermediate weapons.


Travel Required

25% or less - Up to 25% domestic and foreign travel may be required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
4

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National to apply.
  • Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
  • Must be suitable for Federal employment.
  • Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
  • Time-in-grade/band must be met by closing date of announcement.


This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel System (CAPS). This system replaced the Federal GS pay plan and structure. Under CAPS, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band.

The ZA-4 is equivalent to the GS-13/14.

NOTE:
*
A one year probationary period may be required.

*
Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.

*
This position is not in the bargaining unit.

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* This position requires the submission of a Financial Disclosure Form, OGE-450.

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CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

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Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): Incumbent is subject to work unscheduled duty hours and must be available for unscheduled duty based upon the needs of the agency. Therefore, the incumbent is eligible for Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) of an additional 25% and is subject to the provisions of the LEAP Act of 1994.

Training Requirements: Incumbent must successfully complete all training courses outlined by agency.

Drug Testing: This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.

Firearms Requirement: You will be required to carry a firearm while performing duties of this position. Maintaining firearm proficiency is also mandatory.

Security Clearance: This position requires a Critical Sensitive (Top Secret) Security Clearance.

Driver License Requirement: A valid state driver's license is required as you will be required to operate a Federal motor vehicle as part of your official duties.

Lautenberg Amendment: This position is covered by the 1996 Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968. A person convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence is not eligible for the position. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment (Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1001).

Mobility Agreement: This position may require the incumbent to be reassigned to a different geographic location. Accordingly, the incumbent will be required to sign a mobility agreement, which will remain in effect while assigned to this position as a criminal investigator.

Inclement Weather: The duties of this position require exposure to inclement weather.

Qualifications

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT (continued):

Medical Requirements: Applicants must pass a pre-employment medical/physical examination and psychological examination, then, maintain medical, psychological and comprehensive physical requirements as evidenced by successful completion of annual physicals. 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. Distant vision must be 20/20 (Snellen) in each eye corrected and no worse than 20/200 (Snellen) uncorrected. Near vision must be normal. Color vision must be sufficient to distinguish basic colors. Hearing must be at 30 db HL RE: ANSI 1969 or better in each ear at 500, 1000, and 2000Hz. At 3000 Hz, hearing must be at 40 db HL or better. Applicants are not permitted to use hearing aids for screening. 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 may be disqualifying.

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy .

EDUCATION: There is no positive education requirement for this position.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.

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.

To qualify at the ZA-4 or GS-13 level:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZA-3 or GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:
  • Conducting investigations that resulted in criminal or civil administrative prosecution and/or penalties; and
  • Assisting prosecuting attorneys to prepare for prosecution.


Education

Additional information

CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ .

CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:
  • A copy of your specific RIF notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice).
  • A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", noting current position, grade level, and duty location;
  • A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
  • Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
  • ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:
  • A copy of your RIF separation notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; notice of disability annuity termination; certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
  • A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc;
  • A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
  • Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
  • NOAA 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.

    How You Will Be Evaluated

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

    We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions). However, your resume or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. The best-qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

    The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:
    • Ability to conduct complex investigations on a national or international level.
    • Ability to perform investigations of suspected violations of laws and regulations.
    • Knowledge of investigative techniques.
    • Ability to act as a subject matter expert in investigative techniques.
    • Ability to conduct legal arrests, searches, and seizures.
    • Ability to comply with all existing policies, procedures and guidelines pertaining to firearms.

    Due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3), during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager. If referred, all relevant documents including performance appraisals and awards submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the hiring official for review.

    To preview questions please click here .

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance
    Top Secret

    Drug test required
    Yes

    Required Documents

    • Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional. Your resume must indicate your citizenship and if you are registered for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/59. Your resume must include information about your paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including: job title, duration of employment (mm/dd/yy - mm/dd/yy), hours per week, duties and accomplishments, salary, and your education. For work in the Federal service, please include the grade level for the position/s. Your resume may be used to validate your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire.
    • SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action: If you are a current or former Federal employee, you must provide the most current Notification of Personnel Action (Form SF-50) that verifies career/career-conditional status, title, series and grade (do not submit an Award SF-50). Also provide the SF-50 that reflects the highest grade level held on a permanent basis or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.
    • Veteran's documentation: If you are requesting consideration under Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) or Veterans Readjustment Act (VRA) you must submit a copy of your Member 4 DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service or other valid proof of eligibility (i.e., statement of service that shows service dates AND character of service) and/or any other required supporting documents (VA Letter). http://www.opm.gov/staffingPortal/Vetguide.asp#VeteransEmploymentAct1998 .
    • Active Duty Service Members: You must submit a statement of discharge/certification of release or an official written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days from the date the announcement closes. Enlisted Record Briefs and military identification do NOT qualify as official documentation. If the appropriate information is not submitted to confirm the discharge status, dates of service, etc., you will not be considered for this job opportunity under Veteran Preference procedures. To gain access to your DD-214 online please visit http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records
    • Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation if applicable (see other information).
    • Documentation supporting eligibility for non-competitive appointment, (severely disabled, eligible veterans, certain military spouses, etc.)
    • Education. If this position requires proof of higher education, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website. You MUST provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation by the closing date of the announcement will result in lost consideration.

    OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS:
    • Due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3), during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager.

      • Performance Appraisal - Submit the most recent performance appraisal (dated within the last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor. Do not submit a performance plan that does not include this information.
      • Awards - Copies of any award received within the last 3 years.
    • Applicants may submit these documents during the application process.


    If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

    Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

    Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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