Criminal Investigator - Direct Hire
The Social Security Administration is hiring a Criminal Investigator under a Direct Hire Authority to conduct sensitive investigations involving fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in agency programs and operations.
The role supports prosecutive and management actions through surveillance, interviews, reporting, and testimony, while coordinating closely with prosecutors and other officials.
Responsibilities
- Conduct and coordinate difficult and sensitive criminal investigations related to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in agency programs and operations.
- Determine the scope of investigations based on guidance from supervisory investigators and other stakeholders (e.g., subject matter experts, auditors, counsel).
- Plan, coordinate, and initiate contacts with federal, state, and local officials to obtain facts, signed statements, explanations of actions, and to support surveillance activities.
- Plan and conduct interviews with suspects, witnesses, and informants to develop cases.
- Plan and conduct surveillance; serve as key coordinator for surveillance participants and activities.
- Prepare interim and final investigative reports for prosecutive and management officials and maintain organized investigative case files.
- Testify before grand juries, courts, or administrative hearings regarding investigative facts.
- Coordinate investigative activities of lower-graded investigators assisting on complex cases.
Requirements
Specialized experience: 52 weeks at the GS-12 level (or equivalent) in work related to this position, including at least one of the following:
- Leading and managing a personal caseload containing multiple independent criminal investigations.
- Testifying during criminal judicial proceedings (e.g., grand jury, evidentiary hearings, trials).
- Coordinating with prosecutors to present cases for prosecution, determine legal courses of action, or prepare for legal proceedings.
- Must meet law enforcement (1811) medical and physical requirements, including vision/hearing standards, physical capability for moderate to arduous exertion, and emotional/mental stability.
- Must pass pre-appointment physical examination, background investigation, and drug screening (urinalysis); continued participation in random drug testing after appointment.
- Must pass firearms qualification and may be required to carry a firearm; subject to the Lautenberg Amendment restrictions.
- Must complete a 12-week Criminal Investigator Program at FLETC (Glynco, Georgia) if newly assigned to this position.
- Must complete Oleoresin Capsicum spray (pepper spray) training, including exposure.
Age requirement (FLEO retirement coverage): If without previous FLEO service, must be at least 21 and under 37 at appointment.
Education: No educational requirement.
Other: If male born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
Conditions
- Hiring authority: Direct Hire Authority; open to all U.S. citizens; veteran’s preference does not apply.
- Appointment: New civil service appointment (including current civil service employees who are selected).
- Work style: Designated as a mobile work position with routine and regular travel to customer or other worksites; not telework/remote.
- Mobility: Must sign a mobility agreement and accept relocation to other geographic locations if required by the agency.
- Pre-employment contingencies: Successful completion of background investigation, medical physical, and drug test prior to final offer.
- Probation: May be required to serve a 1-year probationary period.
- Retirement: Covered by special retirement provisions for Federal Law Enforcement Officers (FLEO).
- Labor status: Non-bargaining unit position.
- Pay: Salary varies by selected location per General Schedule locality pay tables.