Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-14, in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience includes demonstrated ability to supervise criminal investigations involving organized criminal enterprises, violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and related statutes, or criminal investigations related to employee benefit plans, labor management relations and internal union affairs. Experience in planning work of subordinates, setting priorities, assigning cases, outlining problems anticipated, and objectives; providing technical direction and guidance to staff when complex problems arise during the conduct of an investigation. Experience in testifying as an expert or witness in cases involving organized criminal enterprises or racketeering. Consulting with attorneys where applicable, in preparation of cases for prosecution. Preparing and disseminating comprehensive investigative reports and administrative findings. Supervising undercover operations and consensual monitoring of criminal activity. Providing liaison with U.S. Attorney, District Attorneys and other DOJ officials.
Full performance level is the GS-15.
This position is outside the Bargaining Unit.
This position will not be filled until the Department's Placement Assistance Programs have been fully utilized.
There is no substitution of education for the required specialized experience at the GS-15 level.
Minimum Age Limit: An applicant must be at least 21 years of age to enter a law enforcement covered position. Maximum Age Requirements: An applicant must enter a Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) law enforcement covered position or a Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) law enforcement covered position not one day later than his/her 37th birthday. [Please note: a) This requirement does not apply to preference-eligible veterans; b) An individual who is 37 years of age or older may be reemployed as a law enforcement officer in the OIG if the individual has had prior coverage under the special law enforcement retirement plan.]
Applicants must meet time-in-grade, time-after-competitive-appointment and qualifications requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the vacancy to be eligible for consideration for selection. Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS FOR OIG CRIMINAL INVESTIGATORS The Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the Department of Labor has the responsibility for conducting criminal investigations of both organized crime/labor racketeering and fraud involving Department of Labor programs. This includes the authority to carry firearms; to make arrests with or without a warrant for Federal criminal violations; to execute search warrants, serve subpoenas, or perform other processes issued under the authority of the United States; and to perform other law enforcement duties necessary in discharging criminal investigative responsibilities. These duties may entail surveillance and undercover assignments, review of records and other evidence, and travel. OIG criminal investigators also perform duties in connection with protecting the Secretary of Labor as part of the Secretary's Detail. They are also required to complete basic federal law enforcement training. Incumbents are required to be able to perform the following duties:
A. Firearm Use. All OIG criminal investigators are required to qualify using U.S. DOL-owned firearms and to accept assignments where firearms are required. In the exercise of this authority, there is the potential that the use of the firearm may be justified and necessary. Criminal investigators must maintain this ability through quarterly requalification. Strength, stamina, and agility are necessary when qualifying or requalifying in the use of firearms. In the event of the actual use of a firearm in an investigative assignment, all of these characteristics, as well as the ability to react quickly, would be essential.
B. Arrests. OIG criminal investigators make arrests, with or without a warrant, according to the circumstances. Effecting an arrest of an individual or individuals in a suspected criminal act may be arduous and require physical strength, stamina, agility, and the ability to react quickly. There is always the potential for resistance, the use of force, the use of dangerous weapons, and attempted flight. OIG criminal investigators must have the capacity to exert strength to subdue the subject, employ defensive tactics, react and move quickly and easily in controlling the subject, and resist attack. They must be able to act quickly when controlling the subject's weapons and when handling their own weapons. In any attempted flight, investigators may be called upon to pursue the subject or, conversely, move swiftly away from a dangerous situation.
C. Search and Seizure. OIG criminal investigators execute warrants for search of premises or seizure of evidence. This may require climbing ladders; crawling in small spaces; lifting, moving, and carrying heavy objects in order to inspect evidence or records. This requires strength, vigor, stamina, and agility. Also, there is always the potential for violent reactions to searches. The criminal investigator must be able to react quickly and have the strength to cope with any such violence.
D. Surveillances. In conducting investigations, criminal investigators may establish and maintain surveillances of suspected criminal acts. This calls for stamina. Surveillances may be arduous and may require agility. A surveillance at times requires the investigator to stand or sit for as long as 8 to 10 hours without relief in a surveillance position. This may be in the back of a van in a sitting or stooping posture; in a stationary automobile without benefit of heat or air conditioning because the engine cannot be operated; in an outdoor area in severe cold or heat; on a makeshift platform; in an open window behind a screen; or in positions which require climbing or crawling behind heating pipes, machinery, etc.
E. Undercover Assignments. From time to time, criminal investigators assume undercover roles. This calls for the ability to work under stressful and dangerous conditions on assignments which frequently involve organized crime figures. Undercover investigators could generate violent reactions on the part of the subjects of the investigations.
F. Review of Records and Other Evidence. Many cases under investigation involve the review of a tremendous amount of records which the agent takes control of and transports for copying. Boxes of records may weigh up to 100 pounds each, which the investigator must lift and move to the automobile and to the office. Considerable stamina is required for reviewing such voluminous records and physical strength for lifting and transporting them. In exercising the search and seizure authority, criminal investigators must also lift heavy boxes, packages, and heavy objects containing other types of evidence.
G. Travel. Many criminal investigators travel frequently -- up to 50 percent of the time. Much of the travel is performed by automobile driven by the agent from 8 to 10 hours at a time to reach the destination. Travel is sometimes performed in severe weather conditions and traffic on hazardous roads. Upon reaching the destination, there is no time for rest and recovery from such arduous driving except at the end of the work day. Investigators frequently spend two or more weeks in travel status before returning home. They work long hours conducting interviews, often at odd hours, and work on reports in the evening in the hotel room after interviewing witnesses, subjects, reviewing records, and performing other aspects of the investigation.
H. Secretary's Security Detail. OIG criminal investigators assigned to the Secretary's security detail may be required to work 14 to 16 hour days on a constant basis. The security detail normally requires criminal investigators to spend much of their time standing without relief. Criminal investigators must remain fully alert at all times in the event of an incident and are required to employ quick thinking and to respond rapidly when the unexpected happens.
I. Basic Law Enforcement Training. As a condition of employment, newly-hired OIG criminal investigators must have successfully completed the basic criminal investigator training course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), unless waived by OIG because of proof of comparable special agent or law enforcement officer training. The performance requirements in this training involve arduous efforts as well as strength, vigor, stamina, and ability to perform certain tasks (such as firearm use).
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR OIG CRIMINAL INVESTIGATORS The physical requirements for the position of OIG criminal investigator are based on the position requirements developed by the Office of Labor Racketeering and Fruad Investigations and the accompanying medical standards. Because of the nature of the position, the physical requirements are exacting and extend over various body systems. A general description of these requirements follow. A. Musculoskeletal System. The physical requirements associated with the musculoskeletal system involve muscle strength, flexibility, integrity of joints and extremities, and good neuromuscular coordination. Because some of the requirements may involve sustained, intense physical exertion, a good cardiovascular status also plays a significant role in the performance of these physical activities. Physical requirements include: 1. frequent heavy lifting, 45 lbs and over; 2. frequent moderate and light lifting, 44 lbs and under; 3. frequent heavy carrying, 45 lbs and over; 4. frequent moderate and light carrying, 44 lbs and under; 5. occasional straight pulling; 6. occasional pulling hand over hand; 7. occasional pushing; 8. reaching above shoulder with either arm; 9. use of fingers in the performance of actions requiring fine and gross motor control; 10. Use of both hands for the performance of independent or joint tasks; 11. walking; 12. standing, occasionally for prolonged periods; 13. running short and intermediate distances; 14. unusual movements such as kneeling and crawling; 15. frequent, repeated bending; 16. climbing, using legs only; 17. climbing, using legs and arms; 18. use of both legs and feet; 19. ability to operate a motor vehicle, often for considerable lengths of time; 20. ability to perform body movements requiring rapid neuromuscular coordination; and 21. ability to remain in the same position for prolonged periods. B. Special Senses. The hearing and visual requirements for this position are based on the need to recognize sounds, objects, and persons quickly and accurately, often in surroundings where the lighting is poor and the noise level is high. Additionally, the position requires the ability to respond quickly and accurately to these stimuli or good neuromuscular coordination. Physical requirements include: 1. near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; 2. far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; 3. the presence of both eyes; 4. adequate depth perception; 5. ability to distinguish basic colors; 6. ability to distinguish shades of colors; and 7. hearing without a hearing aid. C. Other Significant Requirements. 1. Ability to concentrate on a task for prolonged periods of time. 2. Ability to remain alert at all times while on duty. 3. Ability to function under physical and mental stress.
MEDICAL STANDARDS FOR OIG CRIMINAL INVESTIGATORS 1. The criminal investigator must be in excellent physical condition and possess the following minimum requirements: a. the ability to hear the conversational voice without a hearing aid; b. good visual acuity and visual fields at a distance, as well as the ability to read, without strain, printed material the size of typewritten characters; glasses and contact lenses are permitted for correction; c. ability to distinguish colors; d. ability to perform strenuous physical activities; and e. ability to perform activities requiring agility and neuromuscular coordination. 2. The criminal investigator will record his or her pre-employment clinical history on the OIG Medical-Physical Evaluation form. This form provides information for the physician performing the investigator's medical examination. 3. The following criteria regarding specific diseases or conditions have been developed to ensure that the individual is capable of performing the duties of the criminal investigator position efficiently without hazard to himself/herself or others. a. Hypertension. A clinical diagnosis of hypertension (usually defined as a blood pressure reading of at least 150/90) should be based on a minimum of three separate blood pressure readings. Such a condition may be disqualifying only when: (1) it cannot be controlled by medication, or (2) the high blood pressure has caused end organ damage (e.g., renal disease brain damage), or (3) the use of medication incapacitates the employee for the safe and efficient performance of duties. b. Diabetes mellitus. The existence of diabetes does not preclude the employment of persons suffering from diabetes in rigorous duty positions provided the condition is controlled and there are no chronic complications which would pose a hazard to the individual or to others. The following specific criteria apply: (1) the condition is controlled by diet and/or oral medication; (2) if the condition is insulin-requiring, there has been no evidence of severe hypoglycemic reactions during the past year; and (3) there are no significant complications (e.g., cardiovascular, visual, renal, neurological). c. Seizure disorders. The history of seizure disorders which can present a hazard to the applicant and to others should be considered disqualifying unless the physician can ascertain that such a condition will not hamper the performance of hazardous duties or endanger the individual or others. 4. When the medical history or physical examination discloses evidence of any of the following diseases or conditions, the ability of the criminal investigator to perform the duties of the position should be judged on a case-by-case basis. In these cases, the physician should provide specific rationale as to why and how the condition will or will not affect performance adversely. a. Communicable diseases, particularly of a chronic or ongoing nature. b. Mental illnesses. c. Musculoskeletal disorders, particularly those resulting in joint or bone deformities. d. Previous amputation of limbs or parts thereof. e. Cardiovascular conditions not included in 3, above. f. Malignant neoplasms. g. Terminal conditions. h. Any other disease or condition that the physician finds may adversely and significantly affect performance or safety. 5. In addition to the actual physical examination, each criminal investigator will undergo several clinical and laboratory tests to ascertain their physical condition: a. chest x-rays (when indicated) b. visual acuity c. audiometry d. blood chemistry -- general health screen e. urinalysis f. electrocardiogram (when indicated) g. pelvic (when indicated) h. serology (when indicated) 6. The criminal investigator must be physically capable of performing the duties of the position efficiently and without hazard to himself/herself and others. If a physician recommends a criminal investigator (or tentative selectee) as physically qualified, even though all the above requirements have not been met, the medical file will be sent to the agency physician for review before the Personnel Officer makes a final medical qualification determination. Other Requirements The incumbent must understand that the position requires: 1. Possible irregular unscheduled hours, a degree of hazard, and personal risk. 2. Possible relocation (change of official duty station) at the direction of management. 3. Meeting OIG medical requirements for Criminal Investigators. 4. Participation in the Agency's drug testing program.Minimum Requirements: - Qualification and Position Requirements.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
Click here for Evaluation details. For Displaced Employees ONLY: if you meet the eligibility requirements for special priority selection under ICTAP/CTAP, you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles will be considered "well-qualified" if they attain at least a rating score of 85 in a numerical rating scheme. Be sure to review DOL Account Eligibility Questions #24 and 27 to reflect that you are applying as an ICTAP/CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation.
Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies:
The Competencies are:
Technical Competencies:
Knowledge and Conduct of Investigations: Teaches, instructs, leads, or mentors others in the proper and most effective ways to conduct investigations.
In highly-sensitive cases, organizes, integrates, and analyzes information and data from various sources to identify violations and develop findings.
Stays abreast of changes in the principles, practices, and techniques for conducting civil, criminal, and administrative investigations and documenting findings and conclusions.
Mastery knowledge in applying principles, practices, and techniques in the conduct of civil, criminal, and administrative investigations and in documenting findings and conclusions in an efficient, accurate, and timely manner.
Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence: Serves as an advisor to other staff and management on laws, government regulations, OMB circulars, executive orders, agency rules, and government organization and functions applicable to the operations of DOL.
Stays abreast of changes in the laws and regulations impacting the investigation function and work.
Mastery knowledge in applying laws and government regulations applicable to investigations or in proposing investigations.
Technology Application: Reviews the work of others in assessing whether technology applications have been utilized to improve or strengthen the investigative process for the most complex and difficult assignments.
Management Competencies:
Building Coalitions and Communications: Coaches others to ensure that reports, memoranda, and other documents reflect the position and work of the organization in a clear, convincing, and organized manner.
Provides constructive feedback and coaching to staff on oral presentations, entrance conferences, interviews, briefings, or other communications.
Considers and factors in organizational and situational realities (internal and external) when determining how to best advance or achieve organizational objectives.
Business Acumen: Sets and monitors timeliness criteria, resource requirements, and goal achievement.
Tracks and measures progress toward goals and results and outcomes.
Manages and directs the work of others to meet timelines, remain within budget, and provide efficient services to customers.
Leading Change: Identifies, keeps up to date on, and integrates key national and international policies and economic, political, and social trends that affect the OIG’s mission.
Manages diverse projects while being responsive to changes in priorities and/or handling unplanned events.
Develops, promotes, and executes long and short-term strategic plans.
Acts as a catalyst for organizational change, when appropriate; builds a shared vision with others.
- Develops long-term goals or objectives for a major program or organization.
Stays abreast of changes in information technology that impacts the investigations program function and work.
Mentors, coaches, instructs, and/or leads others in making innovative use of technology applications to enhance the investigative process.
With a long-term perspective, identifies complex and strategic use of information technology solutions to improve organizational work, processes, or outcomes.
Leading People: Implements strategies that ensure the recruitment, maintenance, and development of a diverse staff.
Develops individual staff members and assigns work to leverage the individual and group strengths, talents, and skills of staff.
Communicates and articulates expectations and measures for staff performance, both individually and as a team.
Promotes quality work through effective use of the agency performance management system and accountability of staff.
Networks with peers outside the organization.
Results Driven: Develops ability to make sound and well-informed decisions, perceiving the impact an implications of any decisions.
In identifying and analyzing problems, distinguishes between relevant and irrelevant information to make logical decisions.
Manages and directs the work of others to meet timelines, remain within budgets, and provide efficient services to customers.
Monitors and evaluates organizational and work plans, focusing on results and measuring attainment of outcomes.
The information you provide may be verified by a review of your work experience and/or education, by checking references and through other means (ex. interview). Your evaluation may also include a review by an HR Specialist or panel and may include other assessment tools (ex. interview, structured interview, written test, work sample, etc). The examining Human Resources Office (HRO) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your vacancy question responses. If not, the HRO may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency indicated by the content of your resume.
To preview questions please click here.
