Investigative Specialist

Citizenship and Immigration Services•Los Angeles, CA

16h

About The Position

The Investigative Specialist works for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Office of Investigations. Assignments are based on agency needs. At the full performance level, the role provides technical expertise in investigations of misconduct, corruption, and fraud involving USCIS employees and contractors. At developmental grade levels, assignments are narrower in scope, less independent, and less complex. The position conducts administrative investigations and fact-finding, supports enforcement personnel, analyzes evidence and investigative information, and prepares reports for use in administrative proceedings. The position may be filled at the GS-12 or GS-13 level. Applicants must meet the applicable specialized-experience requirements; educational substitution is not available at these grade levels.

Requirements

U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
Successfully pass a background investigation, including financial disclosure, and pass drug screening; the position may also be subject to random drug testing.
For applicants not currently employed by USCIS, meet the residency requirement: during three of the five years immediately before applying, have resided in the United States, worked overseas for the U.S. Government in a Federal or military capacity, or been a dependent of a Federal or military employee serving overseas.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service.
Current Federal employees must have 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band; the time-in-grade requirement must be met by the stated qualification deadline.
GS-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-11, including conducting administrative investigations involving employee or contractor misconduct, corruption, or fraud; identifying and collecting evidence and preparing for and conducting witness and subject interviews; and following up on multiple investigative matters arising from original assignments.
GS-13: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-12, including conducting administrative investigations involving employee or contractor misconduct, corruption, or fraud; developing investigative plans and strategies or preparing investigative reports; and working across multiple jurisdictions to complete complex investigations.
May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
Submit a resume of no more than two pages and required application documents by the announcement deadline; the vacancy is limited to the first 100 applications.
Applicants selected for the position must successfully complete the required background investigation; any clearance or sensitive-national-security eligibility required for placement must be met and maintained.

Responsibilities

Conduct administrative investigations and fact-finding concerning allegations of employee or contractor integrity issues or misconduct related to DHS and USCIS missions and goals.
Support enforcement personnel in investigative matters.
Prepare accurate, concise investigative reports in a timely manner, ensuring procedures and findings comply with applicable Federal, DHS, and USCIS policies for administrative proceedings.
Analyze investigations to identify elements of proof and develop investigative plans and strategies.
Identify and collect evidence; prepare for and conduct witness and subject interviews.
Use advanced qualitative and quantitative techniques to analyze law-enforcement databases and other electronic tools, including conducting electronic searches on subjects under investigation.
At the GS-12 level, follow up on separate investigative matters arising from original assignments.
At the GS-13 level, work across multiple jurisdictions to complete complex investigative matters.