Criminal Investigator

Department of Homeland Security › U.S. Coast Guard (94 current openings)

Glynco, Georgia Largo, Florida Boston, Massachusetts San Francisco, California New Orleans, Louisiana Lauderhill, Florida Saint Petersburg, Florida Mobile, Alabama Fairfax, Virginia Miami, Florida Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Tampa, Florida Honolulu, Hawaii Alameda, California District of Columbia, District of Columbia San Juan, Puerto Rico Juneau, Alaska Kodiak, Alaska Portsmouth, Virginia Alexandria, Virginia Chicago, Illinois Selfridge ANG Base, Michigan Los Angeles, California Key West, Florida Sarasota, Florida Anchorage, Alaska Baltimore, Maryland Jacksonville, Florida Portland, Maine Orlando, Florida San Diego, California Guam, Guam Seattle, Washington New London, Connecticut Buffalo, New York Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Cleveland, Ohio Portland, Oregon San Pedro, California Newark, New Jersey Corpus Christi, Texas Charleston, South Carolina New York, New York Cape May, New Jersey Elizabeth City, North Carolina Houston, Texas Saint Louis, Missouri Wilmington, North Carolina

Full-time Security Clearance: Sensitive Compartmented Information

Application Deadline:

2027-02-22

Posted:

2026-08-20

Apply on usajobs.gov

Salary: $106,437 – $138,370 per year (GS-13)

Salary context

Based on 40 annual-salary jobs in the same occupational series. This role's pay spans a broad range among similar positions.

Job Details

Position Overview

This vacancy is for a GS-1811-13, Criminal Investigator located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, COAST GUARD INVESTIGATIVE SERVICE-CG-CGIS.

Duties

You will serve as a Criminal Investigator & be responsible for conducting complex and highly sensitive criminal investigations into matters involving felony violations to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ); performing internal affairs investigations into alleged misconduct by CGIS personnel; carrying out investigations into violations of federal laws and statutes under the maritime jurisdiction of the USCG; & conducting investigations into matters referred by the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General to CGIS Headquarters.

Being a CG civilian makes you a valuable member of the CG team. Typical work assignments include:

Performing the investigative, intelligence, security, & law enforcement missions of CGIS.
Establishing contacts, maintaining effective work relationships, and gaining the confidence and cooperation of others.
Responding to requests for investigative assistance from CG commands & other law enforcement authorities.
Managing assigned projects in a wide range of law enforcement and administrative matters.
Writing clear & concise investigative reports & other documents in a timely manner, & presenting all indicated & developed information to supervisors, relevant commands, attorneys & courts or reviews & approves such reports.

As a "rigorous/primary" position, this position is covered by the Law Enforcement Retirement System. In accordance with Public Law 100-328 & Departmental Personnel Management Letter 338-2, candidates for law enforcement positions can not have reached their 37th birthday prior to the date of referral on a Certificate of eligible for a federal civilian law enforcement position. In unusual situations, a waiver may be authorized by the USCG Commandant up to age 39. An individual who has passed the maximum entry age limit, but previously served in a covered position, may be eligible for consideration & reinstatement of coverage if he will be able to complete a total of 20 years of covered law enforcement service by the time he reaches the mandatory retirement day of 57. See OPM Retirement Handbook for further details. The Maximum Entry Age requirement may be waived for applicants eligible for veterans' preference. (See here.) This position requires a mobility agreement. The selectee will be required to sign a mobility agreement indicating their willingness to accept reassignment to positions in other duty locations as determined by and based on the needs of the Coast Guard Investigative Service. The mobility agreement must be signed during pre-appointment & will remain as a condition of employment. The incumbent must carry firearms & maintain proficiency in their care & use. Therefore, the position is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment, 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(9) & selectee will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment (Title 18, USC., Section 1001). This position requires successful completion of a pre-employment physical which certifies that you are physically & medically qualified to perform the full duties of the position. See here . Results of a recent (up to one-year old) physical examination must be provided prior to appointment. Determination as to sufficiency of medical record will be made at time of appointment.

MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE: This position requires a maximum entry age for an initial appointment; applicants cannot have reached their 37th birthday by the date of appointment. Applicants who have passed the designated entry age limit, but who have previously serviced as a federal employee in a covered position, may be eligible to re-enter the firefighter/LEO service provided that they: (1) meet all applicable qualifications for the position and (2) will be able to complete a total of 20 years of covered an creditable Federal fire/LEO service by the time the firefighter/LEO reached the age of 57.

Open Continuous: You may update your application documents & some questions related to your personal information at any time during the announcement open period. Upon application, you may be provided a testing window to complete additional assessments. This testing window may stipulate a completion deadline before the announcement closes. It is your responsibility to complete the additional online assessments within the timeline provided to remain in consideration for this announcement. Failure to complete the online assessments within the testing window for this announcement will not preclude you from being considered for & completing the online assessments during a testing window on a future announcement.

Open Continuous announcement. The initial cut-off date for qualified applicants to be considered will be (30 days from posting). At the agency's discretion, additional cutoff dates will be established as vacancies & locations are identified during the open period.

Qualifications & Requirements

Basic Requirements: Individual Occupational Requirements/Medical Requirements

The duties of positions in this series require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, and knee joints is required. Arms, hands, legs, and feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. Sufficiently good vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Near vision, corrective lenses permitted, must be sufficient to read printed material the size of typewritten characters. Hearing loss, as measured by an audiometer, must not exceed 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz levels. Since the duties of these positions are exacting and responsible, and involve activities under trying conditions, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to himself/herself, or others is disqualifying.

AND

To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, applicants must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the federal sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

NOTE: All experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

Specialized experience must include the following:

Developing and maintaining professional liaison with law enforcement, other agencies, customers, and the media.
Gathering and development of criminal information and human intelligence (HUMINT) to further law enforcement or analytical actions.
Methods of proper law enforcement action.
Responsible for staff work assignments, setting priorities, preparing work schedules/instructions to subordinate on both operational and administrative matters.
Writing clear and concise investigative reports and other documents in a timely manner, and presents all indicated and developed information to supervisors, relevant commands, attorneys and courts or reviews and approves such reports.

NOTE: Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

This position does not have a positive education requirement.

Requirements

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Do NOT include the following types of information in your resume:

Social Security Number (SSN)
Date of Birth (DOB)
Photos of yourself (if included on your resume you will not be considered for this position)
Personal information: such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.

Key Requirements:

Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Must be registered or exempt from the Selective Service. See www.sss.gov
A one-year probationary period may be required.
To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation. This position requires a Top Secret clearance.
This not a Bargaining Unit position.
Selectee must be able to obtain/maintain a valid state driver's license.
Mobility agreement is required.
A pre-employment polygraph is required.
This position requires the ability to carry a firearm and the appropriate criminal investigative training and experience.
Selectee subject to successful completion of pre-employment medical exam.
All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit.
This position requires the selectee to pass a pre-employment drug test.

This position requires a mobility agreement. The selectee will be required to sign a mobility agreement indicating their willingness to accept reassignment to positions in other duty locations as determined by and based on the needs of the Coast Guard Investigative Service. The mobility agreement must be signed during pre-appointment and will remain as a condition of employment. The incumbent must carry firearms and maintain proficiency in their care and use. Therefore, the position is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment, 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(9) and selectee will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment (Title 18, USC., Section 1001).

Evaluations

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training, along with any applicable assessments, will be rated. The best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview. The necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities to perform this job are:

Criminal Law
Networking
Oral Communication
Criminal Investigation

To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13024288

Overstating your qualifications &/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

While veterans' preference does not apply in DHA/EHA, preference eligibles are encouraged to submit their supporting documentation (DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service, VA letter, SF-15, etc.).

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation. CTAP and ICTAP Eligibles: CTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position. If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. Individuals must be well-qualified. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website.

Required Documents

Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable.

Resume showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education, and training. Include start and end dates (mm/yy to mm/yy) and number of hours per week worked/volunteered. For additional information on your resume, see How to Apply.

Your responses to any applicable assessments.

Are you a current or former federal employee? Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current grade; your highest grade held; your current promotion potential and proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases and accessions.

Political Appointees: OPM must authorize employment offers for former or current Political Appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information. Submit proof of your former or current status, such as your SF-50. Please see here.

CTAP & ICTAP applicants MUST submit documentation verifying your eligibility. This includes a copy of your agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, most recent SF-50-Notification of Personnel Action noting your current position, grade level and duty location, and documentation from your agency showing your current promotion potential. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

Any other supporting documentation required for verification as described in the announcement.

NOTE: Failure to provide required documents could result in elimination of consideration.

How to Apply

Only resumes up to a total of 2 pages will be accepted. Font size should not be smaller than 10pts & margins no smaller than .5 inches. Applicants with resumes exceeding 2 pages will be removed from consideration.

To begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account & follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a resume & any applicable &/or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section for additional information. We encourage you to apply online.

Applications & supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, any applicable assessments, & any supporting documents by 11:59 PM EST on 02/22/2027.

USA Hire Assessment - If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen & via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system & the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.

Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.

Set aside at least 3 hrs to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.

Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.

Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments & assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us.

It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received & is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility & qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, we will not be able to consider it as part of your application.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov),all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

If claiming eligibility under the VOW Act: The VOW Act requires Federal agencies to treat active-duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, & preference eligibles, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD214. In order to be considered under the VOW Act, the certification must specify that the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package for this job announcement. The certification must be on letterhead from the appropriate military branch & include the following information: military dates of service and expected discharge or release date, character of service, military rank, type of discharge, & date when terminal leave will begin. Certifications must be signed by, or by direction of military members' military personnel offices, unit commanders or higher headquarters. Agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference &/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment.

The vacancy questionnaire includes four short, free-response essay questions. This provides an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager & agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words & did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot.

Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants for further consideration and structured interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.

Any Offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Recruitment incentives may be authorized.

Recruitment Incentive - Selectee(s) for this position who are newly appointed to a permanent position are authorized to receive a one-time recruitment incentive of 10% of the salary, including locality for this position. Receipt of the bonus will require a 12-month service agreement.

"Newly appointed" refers to the first appointment (regardless of tenure) as an employee of the Federal Government, an appointment following a break in service of at least 90 days from a previous appointment as an employee of the Federal Government, or, in certain cases, an appointment following a break in service of less than 90 days from a previous appointment as an employee of the Federal Government.

Relocation Incentive - Selectee(s) for this position who are current federal employees on permanent appointments and will be moving outside of the current commuting area of their current position to accept this position are authorized to receive a one-time relocation incentive of 10% of the salary including locality for this position. Receipt of the bonus will require a 12-month service agreement. The employee must establish a residence in the new geographic area prior to payment.

NOTE: Salary will be adjusted based on selected location.

Source: Data sourced from USAJOBS