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Investigative Analyst (Polygraph Examiner/Quality Reviewer)

Drug Enforcement Administration
Washington, DC Full Time
POSTED ON 7/8/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 8/5/2026
Summary

TOUGH WORK. VITAL MISSION. Challenge yourself! You have the power to help combat drug trafficking. Be a part of DEA! It's tough work, but a vital mission. Whatever your background or expertise, your work at DEA will be tremendously rewarding because it will have a daily impact on national security and the quality of life of all Americans.

Duties

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As a Investigative Analyst (Polygraph Examiner/Quality Reviewer), your typical work assignments may include:

  • Developing and conducting polygraph examinations of investigative subjects identified in support of agency field offices.
  • Identifying information and report polygraph conclusions for potentially pre-disqualifying misconduct described by an applicant assisting agency in determining an applicants' eligibility.
  • Verifying applicant statements using polygraph disciplines to support adjudicative decisions by agency for the eligibility of applicants requiring public trust and access to national security.
  • Advising various Staff Coordinators, Polygraph Program Manager, and Section Chief regarding polygraph operations and operations policy.
  • Performing DEA polygraph examinations and/or polygraph quality control (QC) review of DEA polygraph examinations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/).
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: http://www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.
  • Incumbent is subject to random drug testing.
  • Selectee may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period (OR 1-year OR 2-year trial period, as appropriate) during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation. Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
  • All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.

Qualifications

Dual Compensation Off-Set Waivers: This announcement is being used to recruit CSRS and FERS annuitants on a limited basis. A dual compensation waiver may be approved in accordance with applicable regulations under certain specified circumstances, not to exceed three years. Annuitants who are reemployed with a salary offset (dual compensation) waiver are eligible for:

  • Full annuity and full Federal salary;
  • Annual and sick leave (not applicable for an intermittent work schedule);
  • Full-time work schedules;
  • Receive overtime (on a full schedule). Overtime hours are counted towards maximum hour limitations; and
  • New hires under this authority will be offered a non-status, term appointment in the competitive service not-to-exceed 3 years.

Annuitants reemployed with full salary and annuity under an exception granted in accordance with 5 CFR 533:

  • Are not considered employees for purposes of subchapter III of chapter 83 or chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code.
  • May not elect to have retirement contributions withheld from their pay;
  • May not use any employment for which an exception is granted as a basis for a supplemental or recomputed annuity; and
  • May not participate in the Thrift Savings Plan.

Reemployed annuitants may only receive one appointment per job series.

For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the required qualification requirements described below by the closing of this announcement. Selective Placement Factor: Applicants must be a federal agency certified federal polygraph examiner in good standing, having successfully completed the National Center for Credibility Assessment (NCCA) or Predecessor Basic PDD course. (Must submit a copy of your certificate).

AND

Applicants applying for the GS-13 must meet the following requirements:

  • Have at least one full year of qualifying specialized experience that is at least equivalent in difficulty and complexity to work performed at the GS-12 grade level. Specialized 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 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.

Qualifying experience must demonstrate the following: 1) Conducting the Empirical Scoring System when reviewing polygraph software; 2) Using practical experience in techniques relating to polygraph pre and post examination interviews to elicit information in support of adjudicative decisions regarding persons in access or requesting access to classified information and/or positions of public trust; 3) Explaining relevant topics in a manner that differentiates disqualifying conduct from non-pertinent transgressions by a law enforcement applicant; and, 4) Testifying in litigation as a sworn federal agent to any criminal confessions and/or admissions collected during the conduct of a polygraph examination; and, 5) Providing technical review of examination files while following ethical, professional and technical standards.

Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

For reasonable accommodation at the Drug Enforcement Administration, please contact the Human Resources office listed in this announcement.

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.

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.

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to similar positions in any Division/Office listed in this announcement. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.

Recruitment and/or Relocation Incentives may be considered and approved under conditions specified provided the agency has determined that the position is likely to be difficult to fill in the absence of an incentive and funding for such an incentive is available.

Required

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 1-year or 2-year 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.

If eligible, telework and/or remote work agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval. Please note that any approved remote work arrangement is subject to the locality pay area of the alternative telework worksite.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Salary.com Estimation for Investigative Analyst (Polygraph Examiner/Quality Reviewer) in Washington, DC
$72,977 to $95,706
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