Entry Level Criminal Investigator - Northeast Area Field Office (NEAFO)

Office of the Inspector General, USPS•New York, NY

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The USPS Office of Inspector General is hiring an entry-level trainee Criminal Investigator for its Office of Investigations, Northeast Area Field Office in New York, NY. The vacancy is open only to current USPS OIG employees and student cooperatives, USPS employees, U.S. Postal Inspection Service employees, and Postal Regulatory Commission career employees. Applicants outside these groups will not be considered. This primary criminal investigator role prepares the selected candidate to conduct federal criminal, civil, and administrative investigations. The position combines productive assignments with supervised on-the-job training, including observing senior agents and developing investigative judgment and methods. Training includes approximately 14 weeks of basic classroom instruction and successful completion of a 12-week Criminal Investigator Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center or an equivalent federal law enforcement academy. LEAP is authorized but will not be included in compensation until the candidate completes the required training. The position is advertised at the Journey Band level, equivalent to GS 7–9. Salary is $67,394–$96,989, including locality pay. Grade and salary depend on education and professional experience. Promotion to the next equivalent grade may be available at management’s discretion. Relocation expenses will not be paid. Travel may be required, up to 50%. The position requires unscheduled, irregular work beyond a 40-hour week, including substantial overtime on nights, weekends, and holidays, and may involve personal risk. The selected candidate must be readily available for such work and willing to relocate at management’s direction. The role also requires maintaining eligibility to operate motor vehicles, authorization to carry firearms, and the physical, mental, and emotional standards necessary for law enforcement assignments.

Requirements

Be a current USPS OIG employee or student cooperative, USPS employee, USPIS employee, or PRC career employee.
Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, or provide proof of receipt before the employment start date.
Have two years of experience with a law enforcement agency.
Demonstrate potential to conduct federal criminal, civil, and administrative investigations.
Submit the latest performance appraisal (FY 2025) with at least a satisfactory rating; if unavailable, submit a written explanation. Student cooperatives must submit a management recommendation letter from their current supervisor.
Successfully complete the 12-week FLETC Criminal Investigator Training Program.
Be at least 21 and not have reached the 37th birthday at the time of initial appointment to a law enforcement position.
Pass drug screening and a background investigation, and obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
Obtain and maintain a government-issued credit card.
Maintain eligibility to operate motor vehicles.
Qualify and maintain authorization to carry firearms, including having no current or previous domestic violence convictions.
Meet and maintain the physical, mental, and emotional standards required for law enforcement assignments.
Be willing to work unscheduled irregular hours, including substantial overtime, nights, weekends, and holidays, and be readily accessible for that work.
Be willing to relocate at management’s direction.
Demonstrate knowledge of law enforcement or investigative techniques and procedures.
Effectively present information orally and in writing about complex or sensitive issues.
Work effectively with a team and develop and maintain effective relationships with people within and outside the organization.
Submit a resume that clearly addresses every evaluation factor and includes relevant major accomplishments.

Nice To Haves

Advanced academic degree.
Knowledge of Postal Service operations.
Prior or current law enforcement or military experience.

Responsibilities

Develop the ability to conduct federal criminal, civil, and administrative investigations.
Complete supervised investigative assignments combining productive work with on-the-job training in investigative judgment and methods.
Observe senior agents conducting investigations and develop investigative abilities.
Participate in approximately 14 weeks of basic formal classroom training and complete the required Criminal Investigator Training Program.
Work unscheduled and irregular hours, including substantial overtime on nights, weekends, and holidays, as required.
Maintain eligibility to operate motor vehicles and authorization to carry firearms.
Remain available for travel and, if directed by management, relocation.

Benefits

Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Long-term care insurance
Flexible spending options
Retirement and Thrift Savings Plan
Flexible work schedules
Telework
Employee assistance programs
Eleven paid holidays per year
Thirteen days of paid sick leave per year
Thirteen to twenty-six paid vacation days per year, depending on years of service
Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP), calculated at 25% of base salary after successful completion of required training