Criminal Investigator

Customs and Border Protection • Sierra Vista, AZ

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Joining Customs & Border Protection will allow you to leverage your advanced investigative knowledge, skills, and abilities in support of complex, challenging, and sensitive criminal, civil and administrative investigations. This is an exciting opportunity to strengthen the Department's mission to protect the homeland by contributing to policy development, mentoring less experienced agents, and evaluating investigative objectives, strategies, and goals. This position starts at a salary of $129,258.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $168,040.00 (GS-14, Step 10) Multiple vacancies are available within the Significant Incident Programs, including the Oversight of Critical Incidents Program, Use of Force Program, and Death in Custody Program. Salary listed reflects the rest of U.S. scale and, if applicable, will be adjusted to meet the locality pay or special rate Special Rates - OPM.gov of the duty location and position.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years
• All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English
• May be required to pass a background investigation and/or polygraph
• Must possess the Ability to operate a Government Owned Vehicle.
• A valid, non-restricted driver's license is required.
• Possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Conducting proactive and/or reactive investigations to include but not limited to employees or organizations suspected of crimes affecting the administration of Customs and Immigration laws including but not limited to fraud, perjury, giving false, fictitious or fraudulent information or other violations. Planning, organizing, and conducting investigations regarding a wide variety of allegations involving extremely complex, difficult, or sensitive criminal or administrative investigations of major importance and high-level interest, along with misconduct allegations. Conducting investigations involving jurisdictional overlap with other law enforcement agencies where you have been the lead case agent and directed operations, assigned tasks, and monitored task completion. Testifying as a witness in judicial hearings and courtroom trial proceedings where their testimony may result in incarceration, probation, and/or fines. Mentoring and assisting in the professional development of less experienced agents, working with newly hired criminal investigators at the GS-12 and GS-13 grade level, or existing criminal investigators requiring additional developmental or technical assistance.
• Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible.
• Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process
• Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 10/15/2026.
• You may be required to obtain a Top Secret clearance for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Creditable law enforcement officer service covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d), or creditable service covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8401(36) (as a Customs and Border Protection Officer) on or after July 6, 2008, may be applied toward the maximum age requirement.
• This age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving in a federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).
• The maximum age for original appointment articulated above shall not apply to the hiring of individuals entitled to veterans preference eligibility under 5 U.S.C. § 3312.
• You must submit proof of Veteran's Preference (DD-214 Member 4 Copy) at the time of application.
• If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
• Selectees will be required to sign a mobility agreement upon acceptance of this position. The selectee may be required to relocate to another duty location in accordance with applicable law, regulation and Agency policy, to a different geographic location, at any time during your employment with CBP.
• If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions: Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government
• All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.
• If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible.
• To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position.
• Criminal Investigators must complete an initial course of basic training, specifically the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, Georgia, or an Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) approved equivalent course of instruction and the OPR Special Agent Training Program at the Customs and Border Protection Advanced Training Center, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, as well as additional training throughout their careers.
• Both basic and advanced training programs are designed to prepare law enforcement personnel with the skills, aptitudes, and competencies required to serve as a Criminal Investigator.
• If you have questions regarding your retirement coverage provisions, contact the CBP Retirement Operations Center at [phone].
• If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.
• Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.
• Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis.
• If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision.
• You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement.
• To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.
• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Responsibilities

• Conducting proactive and/or reactive criminal investigations involving CBP employees and related entities suspected of crimes affecting the administration of Customs and Immigration laws including, but not limited to, fraud, perjury, giving false, fictitious or fraudulent information, or other violations.
• Gathering and analyzing vital information, facts, evidence, and intelligence from a variety of sources including open sources, law enforcement databases and interviews, and interrogations of suspects and witnesses.
• Preparing detailed reports of investigation and briefings, presenting the results of ongoing investigations to OPR senior management, and the Office of the U.S. Attorney's Office.
• Providing expert guidance to field offices on case management system transactional process, monitoring significant cases, and preparing operational briefings to senior leadership.
• Ensuring implementation and adherence to procedures, guidelines, and directives governing investigative activity, case queue management, and significant incident reporting.
• Conducting proactive and/or reactive investigations to include but not limited to employees or organizations suspected of crimes affecting the administration of Customs and Immigration laws including but not limited to fraud, perjury, giving false, fictitious or fraudulent information or other violations.
• Planning, organizing, and conducting investigations regarding a wide variety of allegations involving extremely complex, difficult, or sensitive criminal or administrative investigations of major importance and high-level interest, along with misconduct allegations.
• Conducting investigations involving jurisdictional overlap with other law enforcement agencies where you have been the lead case agent and directed operations, assigned tasks, and monitored task completion.
• Testifying as a witness in judicial hearings and courtroom trial proceedings where their testimony may result in incarceration, probation, and/or fines.
• Mentoring and assisting in the professional development of less experienced agents, working with newly hired criminal investigators at the GS-12 and GS-13 grade level, or existing criminal investigators requiring additional developmental or technical assistance.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed