Criminal Investigator (Open Continuous)

This position is located in the Department of Education, Office of Inspector General (OIG), Investigation Services. As a Criminal Investigator, the incumbent of this position will be responsible for investigations involving allegations of suspected violations of criminal statutes as they relate to fraud or corruption in various Department of Education programs. This is an open continuous announcement to fill current and future vacancies, until 06/23/2026.

Fraud doesn't stop, and neither do we. We're the Office of Inspector General, an independent oversight office within the U.S. Department of Education (ED) charged with identifying and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, and ensuring accountability and effectiveness within ED programs. If you want to help fight fraud and make a difference for America's students, schools, and taxpayers, we may have the career for you! We offer competitive salaries, opportunities for rapid and substantial salary increases and career growth, great benefits, employee recognition programs, and more. Often referred to as America's watchdogs, it's our job to help ensure that the hard-earned tax dollars that fund ED programs and operations are used as intended by law, achieve the desired results, and reach the intended recipients. The OIG conducts audits and reviews of issues involving Federal student aid, K–12 schools, charter schools, special education, vocational education, adult education, and more. When our work identifies problems, we propose solutions. Our work has resulted in improvements to ED programs and changes to some of the most important Federal education laws in our country. We conduct criminal and civil investigations into suspected fraudulent activities by schools, colleges, universities, contractors, subcontractors, school officials—any entity or individual that participates in ED programs or receives ED funding. Through our work, we have unraveled multimillion-dollar fraud schemes by people placed in positions of trust to educate our children. We're also on the cutting edge of cybersecurity, using the latest technology and techniques to discover and defeat current and emerging threats from cyber and economic crime. We tackle new and emerging issues head-on and continually work to improve our techniques and capabilities. We consistently expand our expertise by training and developing our staff. This dedication has enabled the OIG to become a leader in the Federal government in the areas of audits, investigations, and fighting cybercrime. Whether you are just entering the workforce or are a seasoned professional, if you're looking for a career rather than just a job, and shaping the next generation of American's tackling tomorrow's challenges, consider joining our team. As a Criminal Investigator at the GL-7 and GL-9, the incumbent is a trainee who acquires skills by observing a senior investigator perform criminal investigation activities and who provides assistance to that investigator under close and constant supervision. The duties and responsibilities of the positions are developmental. Assists in planning investigations and performs relatively routine aspects of investigations, such as assisting with gathering and obtaining evidence, participating in surveillance operations, interviews, and the drafting of third-party request letters and subpoenas. Assists with the examination and verification of records, books, reports, correspondence, and other data of consequence related to transactions, actions, or allegations under investigation. Drafts reports of investigative findings for review by senior criminal investigators. The incumbent of this developmental position is expected to refer to and comply with all applicable regulatory and procedural guides. As a Criminal Investigator at the GS-11, the incumbent conducts detailed investigations into allegations of criminal violations related to fraud or corruption in Department of Education programs, often involving high-profile individuals or officials. These investigations involve sensitive issues and circumstantial evidence, requiring careful handling to avoid discrediting the Department. The incumbent employs advanced techniques, reviews records, and prepares thorough reports with recommendations. They also assist the Department of Justice in case preparation, testify as witnesses in grand juries and courts on federal violations. Plans investigations and performs most aspects of investigations, such gathering and obtaining evidence, participating in surveillance operations, interviews, and the drafting of third-party request letters and subpoenas. Examines, verifies, and analyzes records, books, reports, correspondence, and other data of consequence related to transactions, actions, or allegations under investigation. Drafts reports of investigative findings for review by management.

Salary: The salary range indicated in this announcement reflects the lowest and highest potential salaries for this position. The actual salary range will be based on the applicable locality pay for the selected duty location. Special Salary Rate locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages. Condition of Employment: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a probationary period or trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period OR trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. If you are a current federal employee, you must meet all time-in-grade and time-after competitive appointment qualifications within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. To verify that you meet these requirements, we will review your responses to the core eligibility questions on the occupational questionnaire, as well as your submitted resume and required documents. To make an accurate determination, you will need to include on your resume your federal position title, pay plan, occupational series, grade level, agency, dates for which you held the grade level (stated as MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY, OR MM/YYYY to PRESENT), and total hours worked per week. 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).