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Criminal Investigator (Special Agent)

Citizenship And Immigration Services

Job Location:

Phoenix, AZ - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 54485 - 54485

Posted: 6 October 2026 (20 days ago)

Application Deadline: 14 January 2027

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

Protect your homeland and defend your culture. Join USCIS Americas frontline defense against illegal foreign infiltration and fraud.

This role offers up to $50000 as a signing bonus (current federal employees are not eligible) OR as a relocation bonus (eligible current federal employees only);not both. If youre driven and ready to serve with pride join USCIS and become a vital part of homeland security!

Duties

The responsibilities described are for the full performance level. At developmental grade levels assignments will be of more limited scope performed with less independence and limited complexity.
As a Criminal Investigator conduct and coordinate high-level comprehensive criminal investigations involving individuals groups or large organizations operating at a local national or international level.
Conduct complex criminal investigations related to immigration fraud benefit fraud and threats to public safety and national security as it relates to the legal immigration system.
Utilize a variety of investigative techniques and legal authorities to conduct criminal investigations including the use of electronic and physical surveillance.
Access various databases to query and analyze information pertinent to detecting investigating apprehending and assisting to prosecute individuals or groups involved in immigration benefit related crimes.
Prepare case files that include detailed investigative reports that are logical and clear which are used to support obtaining legal authority to support ongoing criminal investigations.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Conditions of Employment:

You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National to apply for this position.
Successfully pass a Background Investigation which may include a financial disclosure.
You must pass a drug screening.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
Political appointees may require OPM approval before on-boarding.
USCIS applies the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 to its telework program.
You will be required to travel frequently and on short notice.
You may be required to complete a pre-employment medical examination which may include a psychological evaluation and be found to meet the medical standards for the position.
You may be required to successfully complete a pre-employment Physical Fitness Test (PFT) or Applicant Physical Abilities Test (APAT).
You will be required to maintain the ability to perform the rigorous physical requirements of the job.
You will be required to live within 50 miles of your duty station.
You will be required to testify at court Law enforcement officers and agents must be able to testify without concern of impeachment.
Possess a current valid drivers license. Must be REAL ID compliant.
The date immediately preceding an individuals 37th birthday is the last day for application submission (certain exclusions apply).
Applicants must be 21 at the time of application and under 37 by the closing date of this announcement unless they have prior federal law enforcement service under special retirement provisions. Refer to Age Requirement paragraph under Education section below.
You will be required to sign a Mobility Agreement.
This position requires the selectee to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18 U.S.C. Section 022 (g)(9)).
USCIS Criminal Investigators may use deadly force when necessary in accordance with the law and agency policy.
A mandatory component of continued employment is the requirement to successfully complete the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) and the FDNS Special Agent Training (FDNS SAT) located at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

This position IS considered essential for purposes of reporting to work when the facility might otherwise be closed.

Probationary Period: You may be required to serve a probationary period of 1 year.

Qualifications

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 10/05/2026.

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 Masters 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.

GS-11: You qualify at the GS-11 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience which is equivalent to at least the GL-09 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:

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.

GS-12: You qualify at the GS-12 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience which is equivalent to at least the GS-11 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:

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.

GS-13: You qualify at the GS-13 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience which is equivalent to at least the GS-12 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:

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 read the following important information to ensure you submit everything we need to consider your application: It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit your responses and appropriate documentation prior to 10/05/ must upload your resume under the Resume category. Resumes submitted under the Other Documents category will not be considered. Your most recently submitted resume will be used to determine your qualifications for the position advertised in this announcement. Therefore your resume must highlight your most relevant significant experience related to the requirements found in the qualification section of this announcement as well as any applicable education. Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. To help ensure your resume remains clear and easy to read we recommend using margins of at least 0.8 inches and a font size of at least 11 point. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since human resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Your application will be rated and ranked based on your responses to the online questions.

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)
Employers 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 youve held a federal position.
Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
Salary

Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide the above information may result in a finding of ineligible.

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.

Education

COMBINING QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION (at the GS-09 and GS-11 levels only): If you do not qualify based on experience or education alone you may be able to qualify based on a combination of your experience and education. For more information on combining education and experience visit the following website: General Schedule Qualification Standards. Transcript required: If you dont submit a transcript we will not use your education when deciding if youre qualified for the job. For verification purposes the transcript submitted must include your name and educational institution.

The Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS) was established within USCIS to strengthen national security and the integrity of the countrys 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 Secretarys 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 Agencys 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 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 for 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.

Additional information

FOR LEES SUMMIT MO DUTY STATION ONLY:
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SUPPORTS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW KANSAS CITY CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION OFFICE LOCATED IN KANSAS CITY MO. YOU WILL REPORT TO A USCIS BUILDING IN LEES SUMMIT MO WHILE THE NEW FACILITY IS BEING CONSTRUCTED.

Residency Requirement: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This residency requirement states that candidates must have for three of the last five years immediately prior to applying for this position; (1) resided in the United States; OR (2) worked for the United States Government as an employee overseas in a Federal or Military capacity OR (3) been a dependent of a U.S. Federal or Military employee serving overseas.

Physical Demands: Applicants must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

Motor Vehicle Operation: This position requires operation of a motor vehicle. You must possess a current valid drivers license.

Mobility Agreement: This position is subject to reassignment to any USCIS facility depending on the needs of the agency. Individuals selected for this position are required to sign a mobility agreement as a condition of employment.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet these standards all selected applicants must undergo and successfully obtain and maintain a background investigation for Top Secret as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a credit check a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts child support and/or tax obligations as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. For more information visit the OPM Mythbuster Page.

If a SECRET or TOP SECRET clearance is needed or the position is designated a Sensitive National Security position all selected candidates must meet the requirements for these clearances or Sensitive National Security position prior to placement AND maintain that level of clearance or national security eligibility while encumbering the position.

DHS uses E-Verify an Internet-based system to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.

It is our responsibility to eliminate any risks to national security public health and public safety that could be posed by individuals who use illegal drugs. This position may be subject to random testing as a condition of employment. A positive drug test or refusal to be tested will result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from Federal service.

Note: If you previously retired from the Federal service and are receiving an annuity your salary may be offset by the amount of your annuity.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicants criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of accordance with 5 U.S. Code 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act may submit a written complaint to our Staffing Helpdesk.

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.

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.

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package including health dental vision life and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan similar to a 401(k); Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.

Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information go to the DHS Careers website and select Benefits. Disabled veteran leave will be available to any federal employee hired on or after November 5 2016 who is a veteran with a service- connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

Rigorous Law Enforcement Officer Special Retirement Coverage: This is a rigorous position subject to mandatory retirement under the special retirement provisions for law enforcement officers under CSRS and FERS (5 CFR 842.803 and 5 CFR 831.903 Conditions for Coverage; 5 USC 8425(b) and 5 USC 8335(b) Mandatory Separation; and 5 USC 8412(d) and 5 USC 8336(c) Immediate Retirement).

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.

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority

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