Criminal Investigator

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

Major duties and responsibilities include:

• Investigates crimes which cannot be resolved through the initial efforts of the reporting officers preliminary investigation or are beyond the scope of a Detectives responsibility
• Researches interviews observes conducts stakeout operations and executes investigative techniques
• Coordinates and conducts joint investigations relating to alleged or suspected violations of criminal laws with other federal and state agencies such as the FBI US Marshalls etc.
• Participates in surveillance activities that are coordinated by an OIG and/or other federal agencies
• Collects sufficient evidence to support a court case against a criminal and explains to the jury the significance of evidence as it relates to proof that a crime was committed
• Confers with the U.S. Attorneys office VA Regional Counsel Office or other outside law enforcement agencies as appropriate to dispose of or to proceed with a case
• Leads or assists in the conduct of administrative investigations of alleged administrative misconduct patient abuse and other improprieties
• Coordinates and/or participate in a taskforce or other team to conduct highly complex difficult and sensitive criminal civil and administrative investigations
• Collects/compiles data that includes criminal trends performance metrics and quality assurance for all functions of Police Service
• Creates graphs charts and descriptions of the data collected to include analyzing the information and providing ways to reduce crime improve performance and meet customer needs while maintaining an acceptable performance service level
• Conducts and oversees Internal Affairs Investigations (IA) under the direction of the Chief of Police or as assigned by VHA Leadership
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.


Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am to 3:00pm. Must be willing to work weekends irregular work hours and extended hours if determined by the needs of the service. Must be willing to be placed detailed or temporarily assigned to other related services and/or locations if necessary. 8 10 or 12 hour shifts are possible to meet the needs of the careline hours can vary.

Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See Required Documents below for details.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public 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 your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Drivers License Requirement: Applicants must possess a valid unrestricted State drivers license have a safe driving record and demonstrate that he or she is medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely. Applicants are required to pass agency Government Vehicle Drivers physical examination. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs therefore; please do not submit a copy of your drivers license with your application package. If an interview is requested you may be required to provide a copy of your valid state-issued drivers license.

Firearm Requirement: VA Police Officers are required to carry agency-approved firearms while on duty on VA property. Officers must achieve and maintain qualification/certification with the agency-approved firearms as condition of gaining and continuing employment as a Police Officer. Applicants must be able to possess firearms under the terms of the Gun Control Act of 1968 as amended (18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9). 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; religions; 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.

AND

ALSO TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION AT THE GS-9 LEVEL YOU MUST MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal service that equipped me with the particular knowledge skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of a Criminal Investigator and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. Specialized experience includes conducting investigations of complaints tips/leads obtaining physical evidence testimony etc.; researching and utilizing applicable federal guidelines to investigate crimes; and analyzing raw investigative data and converting it comprehensive written reports. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

OR

EDUCATION: Have successfully completed a masters or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field related to Criminal Investigation that demonstrates the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to do the work of this position (such as law enforcement or criminal justice). NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

OR

COMBINATION: I have equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours) and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

For more information on these qualification standards please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at Requirements
The duties of positions in this series require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing use of firearms and exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of finger wrist elbow shoulder hip and knee joints is required. Arms hands legs and feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. Sufficiently good vision in each eye with or without correction is required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Near vision corrective lenses permitted must be sufficient to read printed material the size of typewritten characters. Hearing loss as measured by an audiometer must not exceed 35 decibels atand 3000 Hz levels. Since the duties of these positions are exacting and responsible and involve activities under trying conditions applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to himself/herself or others is disqualifying.

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as long periods of standing walking bending stooping reaching crawling and similar activities. Performance of work may take place in attics crawlspaces walls ceilings and other limited access spaces or in rough terrain. The work may require some common characteristics and abilities of physical agility and dexterity to work in confined spaces and to move or lift moderately heavy objects.