What are the responsibilities and job description for the Criminal Investigator (Special Agent) position at Career Opportunities | USCIS?
This role offers up to $50,000 as a signing bonus (current federal employees are not eligible) OR as a relocation bonus (eligible current federal employees only);not both. If you're driven and ready to serve with pride, join USCIS and become a vital part of homeland security!Qualifications:The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 10/01/2026.
Time in Grade does not apply to Delegated Examining Announcements, any reference to Time in Grade in the questionnaire will not apply to the rating and ranking of applicants.
This announcement is issued under the Direct Hire Authority to recruit for positions for which the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, has a critical hiring need.
GL-09: You qualify at the GL-09 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GL-07 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the majority of the following duties:
- Performing federal, state and local law enforcement-related database queries to verify identities and gather investigative information.
- Corresponding with court officials or law enforcement personnel to discuss case-related materials; and
- Researching, collecting and analyzing data from a variety of sources relating to criminal investigations. OR
- You may substitute a Master's degree or two (2) full years of graduate education leading to such a degree in any field, or a J.D. or L.L.B. degree for experience required at the GL-09 grade level. Such education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise two years of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 36 semester or 54 quarter hours.
- Planning and conducting criminal investigations to determine violations of Federal laws;
- Interviewing, and interrogating persons suspected of violations of law; and
- Performing federal, state and local law enforcement-related database queries to verify identities and gather investigative information. OR
- You may substitute a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent degree) or three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in any field, or L.L.M. if related for experience at the GS-11 grade level or such education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise three years of graduate study. If that information is not available, use 54 semester or 81 quarter hours.
- Planning and implementing strategies for the collection and analysis of information to support criminal investigations;
- Conducting a broad range of investigations in areas such as immigration crimes, fraud, human trafficking, counterintelligence, counter-terrorism or general criminal investigations; and
- Identifying criminal trends to develop leads and brings investigations to a conclusion for presentation to prosecutors.
- Leading and providing technical guidance on a broad range of criminal investigations in areas such as immigration crimes, fraud, human trafficking, counterintelligence, counter-terrorism, or other multi-jurisdictional criminal investigations;
- Identifying criminal trends to develop leads and brings investigations to a conclusion for presentation to prosecutors; and
- Serving as a mentor as it relates to criminal investigations and federal criminal laws.
Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:
- Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
- Duties (be specific in describing your duties)
- Employer's name and address
- Supervisor name and phone number
- Start and end dates including month, day and year (e.g. June 18 2007 to April 05 2008)
- Start and end dates for each grade/pay level if you've held a federal position.
- Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
- Salary
Note: Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.
Federal Experience: If you are using current or prior federal experience as a basis for qualifying for this position, the grade levels and length of employment (mm/dd/year) at each grade level must be listed in your work history. This information will be further validated if selected for this position.
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 criteria 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 service.
Note: Applicants who are referred to the hiring office for selection consideration may be required to complete a writing sample and/or other writing exercise as part of the interview/selection process. If the hiring office decides to request a writing sample and/or other writing exercise as part of its selection process, a designated contractor or Agency representative will contact you to: (1) inform you of this requirement; and (2) provide further instructions.
The Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS) was established within USCIS to strengthen national security and the integrity of the country's legal immigration system by closely aligning the adjudication of immigration benefits and services with the identification of potential threats to national security and/or public safety, the detection and deterrence of fraud, and the use of law enforcement and intelligence information to ensure optimal security for U.S. communities. FDNS systematically identifies updates, and records indicators of fraudulent activities; manages fraud cases; identifies vulnerabilities and other weaknesses that compromise the integrity of the legal immigration system; and coordinates and provides logistical support in law enforcement and national security matters. FDNS is the primary conduit for information sharing and collaboration with law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Training: Selected candidates will report to their duty location and will later be required to attend and successfully complete the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) and the FDNS Special Agent Training (FDNS SAT) located at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. These trainings are approximately 21 weeks in total and located in multiple locations. Failure to meet the minimum course requirements for any of the training programs is grounds for removal from the position or separation by appropriate procedures. Certificate of successful completion of CITP or another approved program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, or a substantially similar program as approved by the Secretary or the Secretary's designee to being authorized to exercise the powers set forth in 40 U.S.C. 1315 (b)(2). After successful completion of training you may be assigned to another location based on the Agency's need.
Applicant Physical Abilities Test (APAT): A pre-employment Physical Fitness Test (PFT) may be administered. A passing score is required. If you have failed a PFT, you are not eligible for consideration for 12 months from the closing date of the announcement in which you applied that required the PFT. Additionally, a PFT will also be administered at FLETC during training. Every trainee must pass the PFT during training.
Medical Requirements: You may be required to complete a pre-employment medical examination and be found to meet the medical standards for this position.
Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 21 years of age by the closing date of this announcement. This position has a maximum-age requirement. In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3307 candidates must apply before reaching their 37th birthday. 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).
Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): This position may require substantial amounts of irregular or occasional overtime. You will be required to work on an unscheduled basis in excess of the 40-hour workweek. You must be readily available to perform this unscheduled overtime on a continual basis.
Firearms Requirement: You will be required to carry a firearm while performing duties of this position. Maintaining firearm proficiency is also mandatory. You must satisfactorily complete (or have previously completed) the firearms component of the Criminal Investigation Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Any person who has been convicted of a crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition. Candidates under consideration will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of such an offense. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment.
Work Conditions: This job requires physical strength and stamina to perform such activities as conducting long periods of surveillance, pursuing and restraining suspects, and carrying heavy equipment to be uses in investigative efforts. These activities require considerable physical exertion, such as running, stooping, bending, climbing, lifting and carrying heavy objects. The environment involves work indoors and outdoors in a variety of potentially dangerous and stressful situations, as well as exposure to physical attack, including the use of lethal weapons.
Recruitment Incentive: A Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for newly appointed employees (i.e., individuals who have never been employed by the federal government or individuals who have had break in service of at least 90 days from their previous appointment as an employee of the Federal Government). Eligible applicants will be required to sign a service agreement prior to receiving the incentive.
Relocation Incentive: A Relocation Incentive may be authorized a current employee with an official performance appraisal or evaluation of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent who must relocate to accept a position in a different geographic area. Eligible applicants will be required to sign a service agreement prior to receiving the incentive.
Employment Type: OTHERSalary : $54,485