Criminal Investigator (Special Agent)

Immigration and Customs Enforcement•Phoenix, AZ

About The Position

The Criminal Investigator (Special Agent) serves with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), investigating criminal activity involving trade, travel, finance, and immigration. The work may involve interagency, multi-jurisdictional, international, and inter-organizational investigations of individuals, businesses, employers, criminal organizations, conspiracies, and cyber systems and networks. Special Agents combine intelligence, investigative techniques, and legal authorities, apply relevant laws and investigative practices, and prepare written documentation in support of investigations. The position is full-time and permanent, with duty locations at HSI offices in multiple areas across the country. Employees may be reassigned geographically and must agree to mobility requirements and live within 50 miles of their duty station. The role carries law-enforcement risks and requires carrying a firearm, maintaining firearm proficiency, testifying in court, completing required training, and maintaining the physical ability to perform demanding duties. Work can involve irregular and unscheduled overtime beyond 40 hours per week, including working alone in remote areas at night or with limited communication. The work environment includes indoor and outdoor settings and potentially dangerous or stressful situations.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
Successfully pass a background investigation; a polygraph may be required, and a favorable result is required if referred for testing.
Successfully pass a drug screen.
Complete a pre-employment medical examination and meet the position’s medical standards; the examination may include a psychological evaluation.
Successfully complete a pre-employment Physical Fitness Test and pass the fitness test during Basic Training.
Successfully complete mandatory Basic Training, consisting of the FLETC Criminal Investigator Training Program and the HSI Special Agent Training Program.
Carry a firearm and maintain firearm proficiency; people convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition.
Be able to testify in court without concern of impeachment.
Hold a valid driver’s license before the final job offer.
Sign and comply with a mobility agreement; reassignment to another geographic location may be required.
Live within 50 miles of the duty station.
Be at least 21 years old by the announcement closing date; the age restriction generally requires applying before the date immediately preceding the applicant’s 37th birthday, subject to stated exceptions.
For GS-11 qualification, have one year of specialized experience at the GL-09 level or equivalent, qualifying graduate education, or a combination of qualifying education and experience. Specialized experience includes supporting investigations, database queries, interagency cooperation, information-collection strategies, interviews or interrogations, and investigative reporting.
For GS-12 qualification, have one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level or equivalent conducting complex investigations, using sensitive or classified databases, developing partnerships, planning information strategies, conducting interviews using advanced techniques, and preparing reports using expert knowledge.
If qualifying through education, provide documentation of accredited education; foreign education must be evaluated as equivalent to U.S. accredited education.
Meet qualification requirements by the announcement closing date and provide clear, specific resume documentation; the resume must be no more than two pages.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must certify Selective Service registration.

Nice To Haves

A student loan repayment incentive may be available, subject to a service agreement.
Prior federal Criminal Investigator experience may support eligibility for re-promotion, subject to the stated criteria.

Responsibilities

Serve as a Special Agent in interagency, multi-jurisdictional, international, and/or inter-organizational inquiries and investigations.
Investigate illicit activities involving trade, travel, finance, and immigration, including activity associated with individuals, businesses, employers, criminal organizations, criminal conspiracies, and cyber systems and networks.
Use intelligence, investigative techniques, and legal authorities to conduct investigations and related activities.
Apply knowledge of investigative trends, laws, and case development independently or in coordination with other law enforcement officers or agencies.
Prepare written documentation and reports in support of investigations.
Conduct interviews and interrogations with cooperative and non-cooperative individuals, including suspects, witnesses, sources, and victims.
Plan and implement strategies to collect and analyze information for long-term criminal investigations.
Review files and conduct law-enforcement database queries, including use of sensitive and classified databases.
Develop and maintain partnerships with other agencies and governmental and private-sector entities.
Testify in court.
Carry a firearm and maintain firearm proficiency.
Complete Basic Training, including the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Criminal Investigator Training Program and the HSI Special Agent Training Program.
Remain available for unscheduled overtime and maintain the physical fitness needed to perform job duties.