Criminal Investigator

About the role

These positions are located in region 1 and region 4 within the USDA Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations. These positions serve as a Special Agent with responsibility for the investigation of all potential or suspected violations of federal environmental, natural, and cultural resource statutes as they relate to public lands, For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact SM.FS.lei_recruit@usda.gov. In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. In addition to meeting the basic requirement see education section below, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement: For GS 11 - Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-9. Specialized experience is defined as 3 or more of the following: Assisting in conducting criminal investigations by gathering preliminary facts, reviewing available records, and identifying basic evidentiary relationships to support senior investigators in developing case strategies, resolving factual discrepancies, and reconstructing events relevant to violations of Federal or state law. Performing surveillance and limited undercover assignments under close supervision, observing suspects' movements, documenting behavioral patterns, and reporting findings to senior investigators to support broader investigative operations involving multiple subjects or locations. Supporting intelligence and counterintelligence-related activities by collecting information from law enforcement databases, assisting in the analysis of potential threats to critical infrastructure, and sharing vetted intelligence with supervisors or partner agencies in accordance with established protocols and security requirements. Assisting in preparing investigative reports, affidavits, case summaries, and documentation for administrative or prosecutorial review by organizing evidence, verifying accuracy of supporting records, and presenting factual information clearly and concisely for consideration by senior agents, prosecutors, or agency officials. Participating in joint operations and jurisdictional coordination activities by assisting in executing subpoenas or warrants, supporting interagency investigative tasks, attending briefings with Department of Justice (DOJ) or U.S. Attorney personnel, and providing testimony on straightforward investigative matters under the direction of senior law enforcement officers. OR Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., in a field that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position such as Law Enforcement Land Management or Natural Resource Protection. OR Combination of Education and Experience: An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. For GS 12 - Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11. Specialized experience is defined as 3 or more of the following: Assisting in planning and conducting complex and sensitive criminal investigations by gathering and analyzing evidence, verifying conflicting records, following obscure leads, coordinating with senior investigators, and contributing to the development of investigative strategies consistent with established legal and procedural standards. Participating in undercover operations and surveillance assignments by maintaining cover identities, documenting activities of multiple suspects across varied locations, relaying real-time observations to the investigative team, and providing accurate situational updates to support operational decision-making. Supporting intelligence and counterintelligence activities by collecting, assessing, and sharing information related to threats against critical infrastructure; reviewing case-related intelligence from partner agencies; and ensuring compliance with classification, dissemination, and national security protocols. Preparing investigative reports, affidavits, case summaries, and evidentiary documentation that accurately reflected investigative findings; supported requests for warrants; and contributed t

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