Qualifications
GL-7 QUALIFICATIONS:
To qualify for the GL-7 grade level, applicants must have one of the following:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-05 level in the Federal government performing duties such as: training in criminal or civil investigative principles and techniques
researching regulations and other pertinent directives, and analyze data, issues, and information that support project recommendations or work assignments
interpreting and applying pertinent regulations and manuals governing written communication in order to prepare written materials which communicate the intended information
presenting facts, issues, and positions that convey the intended information with the appropriate diplomacy and emphasis
assisting in physical search of suspects, vehicles and immediate surroundings for weapons, dangerous drugs, and other contraband and evidence
conducting investigations or administrative reviews associated with trade, travel, finance and immigration
conducting investigations or administrative reviews within cyber systems and networks
-OR-
A bachelor's degree in any degree from an accredited university or college AND meet one of the Superior Academic Achievement Provisions: Maintained a grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 3.0 or higher) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study OR
Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision OR
Be a member of a national honor (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.
-OR-
One full year of full-time graduate level education from an accredited university or college. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours from an accredited university or college will satisfy the one year of full-time study requirement.
- OR -
A combination of specialized experience and graduate level education that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement.
GL-9 QUALIFICATIONS:
To qualify for the GL-9 grade level, applicants must have one of the following:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-07 level in the Federal government performing duties such as: conducting search and seizures and apprehending and detaining suspects, communicating effectively in writing in order to prepare investigative chronology, affidavits, criminal complaints, operational plans, and other law enforcement documents
participating in various phases of investigations and understanding of progressively more complex interrogation and debriefing techniques
applying complex investigative methods in order to recognize, collect, and present evidence that reconstructs events, sequences, linkages and time elements, relationships, responsibilities, legal liabilities, and conflicts of interest, in a manner that meets requirements for criminal and/or civil prosecutions
utilizing surveillance techniques and procedures regarding the enforcement of laws and related statutes used in identifying, locating, investigating and arresting individuals
-OR-
A master's degree (or equivalent graduate degree such as a L.L.B/J.D.) or two full academic years of progressively higher graduate level education from an accredited university or college leading to such a degree
- OR -
A combination of specialized experience and graduate level education that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement.
National Service 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; teaching, 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.
Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
Requirement to Testify: If you are selected for this position, you will be required to testify at court. Law enforcement officers and agents must be able to testify without concern of impeachment.
HSI Special Agent Basic Training: A mandatory component of continued employment is the successful completion of Basic Training, which consists of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) and the HSI Special Agent Training Program (HSISAT). The training is approximately 22 weeks in total. You may be temporarily reassigned to a non-law enforcement position if you fail to complete basic training.
Physical Fitness Testing (PFT): Additionally, PFTs will also be administered at FLETC during the HSI Special Agent Basic Training. Every trainee must PASS the PFT a minimum of three times throughout the duration of training.
Age Requirement: The date immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday is the last day to be referred for selection (PL 93-950 and 100-238). However, the age restriction may not apply to individuals who are qualified preference-eligible veterans or who are currently or have previously served in a federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or 5 U.S.C. § 8412(d).
Current Federal Employees: Current federal employees who apply to this announcement may be required to accept a change to lower grade which will reduce their current salary based on Federal pay regulations. Pay retention and automatic re-promotion will not apply. All employees of this position will be required to complete 52 weeks at each grade level prior to being eligible for promotion or re-promotion.
Promotion Potential: When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval. All employees will be required to complete 52 weeks at each grade level before eligible for promotion or re-promotion.
Organizational Location: These positions are located in the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations within the 30 SAC locations and are assigned for the needs to the agency.
Geographic Locations: While the location in this announcement is identified as "location negotiable after selection," you have the opportunity to identify ONE geographic preference in your application. Your preference location is NOT guaranteed. The duty location extended at the final job offer will be based on the needs of the agency and availability of positions and funding. Upon final job offer you may be offered a duty location that is not within your geographic preference. You must be willing to accept any duty location that falls within the area of responsibility (AOR) of one of the 30 Special Agent in Charge (SAC) offices listed in this vacancy announcement. For example, if offered SAC San Francisco, you may be offered a final duty location of any office that falls within that AOR such as the Bakersfield, CA or Fresno, CA. If you decline the duty location offered during the official job offer, you will be removed from further consideration. This is a one time offer only. Selectees' applications will not be placed on hold to wait for a more desirable location to become available.
Severely Challenging Locations (SCLs): HSI is designating Presidio, TX; Alpine, TX; Deming, NM; and Saipan as SCLs. The maximum tour of duty will be as follows: Presidio: 2 years; Alpine, Deming and Saipan: 3 years. Upon completion of an assignment to an SCL, the employee will be able to request a self-funded reassignment to 1 to 5 preferred locations based on available vacancies and receive up to 40 hours of administrative leave for relocation. Also, employees who choose to remain at an SCL post beyond the maximum tour, pursuant to a service agreement, will be offered 1 of 3 preferred available locations. Additionally, if remaining up to 5 years, employees will be offered the position of their choice, based on available vacancies. Where available, the agency may offer government housing, pursuant to a rental agreement.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
All applicants must complete and pass each required assessment in order to remain in the hiring process. Tentative offers will be rescinded to those who are not able to successfully complete the below requirements.
Initial Unproctored Assessment: The initial group of applicants to be tested will receive a link by email to complete a candidate experience record and an automated writing assessment. A PASSING score is required for the writing assessment which evaluates an applicant's overall writing ability, organization, presentation of ideas, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary. Prior writing assessment scores will be utilized if obtained within the last year. Applicants who completed the writing assessment within the last 12 months and did NOT pass will not be allowed to retest and will no longer receive further consideration under this announcement. If you have passed the writing sample within the last 12 months, your scores will be reused.
Special Agent (SA) Test Battery: Applicants who PASS the writing assessment will be invited via email to schedule the proctored SA Test Battery. The SA Test Battery can be completed at more than 500 test centers nationwide (no international testing locations will be offered). The test will measure reasoning and logic, experience, and writing skills. Applicants must PASS the SA Test Battery to continue in the hiring process. Applicants who completed the SA Test Battery within the last 12 months and did NOT pass will not be allowed to retest and will no longer receive further consideration under this announcement. If you have passed the SA Test Battery in the last 12 months, your scores will be reused. All applicants should review the HSI Special Agent Test Battery Preparation Manual and other position requirements posted under "Application Process" at https://www.ice.gov/careers/criminal-investigator.
Medical Requirements: This position has medical requirements. Click here for information about the medical process. You must complete a pre-employment medical examination and be found to meet the medical standards for this position.
Physical Fitness Testing (PFT-P): A pre-employment Physical Fitness Test (PFT-P) will be administered. A PASSING score is required. If you have failed a PFT-P, you are not eligible for consideration for 12 months from the closing date of the announcement that you applied to that required the PFT-P.