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Criminal Investigator (Special Agent) - SHADOW WOLVES
Summary
View Common Definitions of terms found in this announcement.
Organizational Location: These positions are located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, in Sells, Arizona.
These are non-bargaining unit positions.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
The public
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Clarification from the agency
This is an excepted service hiring authority appointment to be filled by individuals with one-fourth or more American Indian blood, with the approval and consent of an appropriate federally recognized Indian tribe.
Duties
- Serve as a Special Agent for interagency, multi-jurisdictional, international, and/or inter-organizational inquiries and investigations.
- Conduct investigations of marked difficulty and responsibility associated with trade, travel, finance, and immigration for combatting illicit activities associated with individuals, businesses, employers, criminal organizations or criminal conspiracies, and cyber systems and networks.
- Utilize a combined methodology of intelligence, investigative techniques, and legal authorities to conduct investigations and associated activities.
- Apply knowledge of the trends, laws, and investigative case development, independently or in coordination with other law enforcement officers (LEOs) or agencies to accomplish work.
- Prepare written documentation utilizing expert knowledge in support of investigations.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- Verification of one-fourth or more Indian blood is required: Applicants must prove this eligibility prior to final job offer by providing the Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaska Native Blood (CDIB) issued by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
- Upon appointment to this Schedule A appointment in the Excepted service, you will be required to serve a two-year trial period that does not have conversion rights to the Competitive service
- You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position. Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
- You must successfully pass a drug screen, pre-employment Physical Fitness Test (PFT), background investigation, and polygraph, if referred.
- If referred for a polygraph, you would be required to travel at your expense to take a polygraph exam and obtain a favorable result in order to continue in the hiring process.
- 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)).
- Medical Requirements: You must be physically, emotionally, and mentally able to perform the duties of the position. You must comply with ICE's policies, procedures and applicable law related to such medical and fitness standards.
- Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess a valid automobile driver's license at the time of appointment.
- Work Conditions: Job requires physical strength and stamina due to long periods of surveillance, restraining suspects, and carrying heavy equipment. Environment includes work indoors/outdoors in a potentially dangerous and stressful situations.
- A mandatory component of continued employment is the successful completion of Basic Training, which consists of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Criminal Investigator Training Program and the HSI Special Agent Training Program.
- You will be required to sign a Mobility Agreement. Travel: You will be required to travel frequently and on short notice. You will be required to live within 50 miles of your duty station.
- The date immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday is the last day to be referred for selection consideration (certain exclusions apply).
- You will be required to testify at court. Law enforcement officers and agents must be able to testify without concern of impeachment.
- ICE Criminal Investigators may use deadly force when necessary, in accordance with the law and agency policy.
- Convictions of misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are disqualifying.
- You must complete a pre-employment medical examination which may include a psychological evaluation and be found to meet the medical standards for the position.
- The duties and responsibilities of this position may require a proficiency (i.e., able to speak and/or read) in a foreign language.
- You will be required to obtain and maintain eligibility to occupy a national security position and access classified national security information at the Top-Secret level.
Qualifications
Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
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. All documents must be in English.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.
You qualify for the GL-09 grade level if you possess one of the following:
Experience: One(1) year of specialized experience at the GL-07 grade level or equivalent performing these duties:
- Investigating or assisting with investigations in one or more programmatic areas such as narcotics, money laundering, financial crimes, human trafficking, fraud, international trade, network intrusion response, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, counterproliferation or general criminal or administrative investigations;
- Performing federal, state, and local law enforcement-related database queries;
- Collecting or analyzing information in support of general criminal or administrative actions;
- Conducting or assisting with interviews with generally cooperative individuals (e.g., suspects, witnesses, sources, and/or victims) to gather information; and
- Assisting in the preparation of reports in support of general criminal or administrative actions. OR
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of successfully completed graduate level education beyond the first full year and experience as described above that when combined meets 100% of the requirement. Graduate level education must have been from an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.
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 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.
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.
The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
Pursuant to Executive Order 12564, and the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan, ICE is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions (testing designated positions) are subject to random drug testing. Moreover, other drug testing of employees (e.g., reasonable suspicion drug test) may be conducted in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. All applicants tentatively selected for employment at ICE are subject to pre-employment drug testing and a final offer of employment is contingent upon a negative drug test result.
Education
********OTHER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Current Federal Employees: Current federal employees who apply to this announcement may be required to accept a change to lower grade which will reduce their current salary based on Federal pay regulations. Pay retention will not apply. Current ICE employees in the 1811 job series will not be eligible for consideration under this vacancy announcement. For current 1811s you may be re-promoted; eligibility will be based on the completion of mandatory training, including the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP, or equivalent) and HSI Special Agent Training (HSISAT).
HSI Special Agent Basic Training: A mandatory component of continued employment is the successful completion of Basic Training, which consists of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) and the HSI Special Agent Training Program (HSISAT). The training is approximately 22 weeks in total. You may be temporarily reassigned to a non-law enforcement position if you fail to complete basic training.
Physical Fitness Testing (PFT): A Physical Fitness Test (PFT) will be administered. A passing is required. Two PFT failures will result in your removal from the hiring process, and you will no longer be eligible for consideration under this announcement. Additionally, a PFT will also be administered at FLETC during Basic Training. Every trainee must pass the PFT during training.
Polygraph: ICE has designated this position for polygraph testing which you may be required to submit to and successfully complete as a pre-employment requirement. If referred for polygraph testing, you will be required to travel to a testing location at your own expense. If you previously had an unsuccessful polygraph examination administered by ICE within the last two (2) years, ICE will use those results which will remove you from continuing in the hiring process.
Medical Requirements: Click here for information about the medical process. You must 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. Provisions of Public Law 93-950 and 100-238 allow the imposition of a maximum age for initial appointment to a Criminal Investigator position with the Department of Homeland Security. The date immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday is the last day an applicant may submit an application. 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).
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.
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.
Promotion Potential: When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.
Re-Promotion. Re-promotion may be available to Criminal Investigators up to the GS-13 full promotion level, who were selected through external competitive recruitment after July 4, 2025 and previously occupied an 1811 position at a higher permanent grade level. Re-promotion is limited to federal Criminal Investigators with prior or current GS-1811 series appointments or those qualified under an OPM-approved Interchange Agreement. The earliest eligibility for re-promotion will be 90 days after appointment. Re-promotions will be based on the completion of all administrative and regulatory requirements including satisfactory performance, specialized experience, mandatory training completion, and firearm proficiency.
Additional information
This is an open continuous announcement until 10/01/2026. The initial cut-off date for qualified applicants to be considered will be set for 05/01/2026. Additional cut-off dates for referral to hiring managers for selection consideration will be established by the agency as needed.
At the time of application: You must submit proof of membership, descendancy, or degree of Indian ancestry through tribal membership or enrollment.
Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaska Native Blood (CDIB) issued by the Bureau of Indian Affairs is required prior to final job offer. A CDIB is an official document that certifies an individual possesses a specific degree of Indian blood of a federally recognized Indian tribe. For the purposes of this Schedule A authority, this must be at least one-fourth or more from any Indian tribe.
E-Verify: 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.
Suitability: If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
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.
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; telework; 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
A student loan repayment incentive may be available, in which case a service agreement will be required.
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.
Benefits
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, we will use an Assessment Questionnaire to place you in one of three categories based on your experience, education and training. The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:
- Conscientiousness
- Decision Making and Judgment
- Interpersonal Skills
- Managing and Organizing Information
- Teamwork
If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:
- Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF) and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis.
- Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
- Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.Interviews may be required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.
Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. (This position is not considered scientific/professional.) Other 10-point preference eligible and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligible within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of [insert score] for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.
Required Documents
- Please note at the time of application - You must submit proof of membership, descendancy, or degree of Indian ancestry through tribal membership or enrollment.
- Please note prior to final job offer - A Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaska Native Blood (CDIB) issued by the Bureau of Indian Affairs is required.
- 2-Page Resume showing relevant experience, education and training. Work experience must include: job title, duties, employer's name, employer's telephone number, employer's address, starting and ending dates (MM/YY), hours worked per week, and indicate whether or not we may contact your current supervisor. Please limit your resume to 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. In describing your experience on your resume, please be clear and specific. We will not make assumption regarding your experience. Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. (for more information, see the How do I write a resume for a federal Job-Two-Page Resume Limit).
- Maximum Age Requirement Documents: If you occupy or previously occupied a federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position as specified in 5 USC 8336(c) or 5 USC 8412(d) and exceed the age of 37, you must submit a copy of all SF-50s reflecting the beginning and end dates of creditable law enforcement civilian (not military) service under 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or 5 U.S.C. 8412(d). The retirement code in block 30 must be annotated on all submitted SF-50s. If you are a preference eligible veteran and exceed the age of 37, please provide the documentation outlined in Veteran's Preference Documentation below.
- Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript or a list of coursework with hours completed. A diploma is not an acceptable form of documentation. Your transcripts must show the list of courses completed, quarter and semester hours earned, cumulative GPA, and date degree conferred. The transcripts must identify the full name of the institution and include your full name. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information. ***Prior to the final job offer, an official transcript will be required.***
- Are you a veteran? You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable. If claiming 10 point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference." If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans' information.
- Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Plan (ICTAP)? If so, submit a copy of your agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.
- Are you a current or former federal employee? Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current grade; your highest grade held; your current promotion potential and proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases, and accessions.
- Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title, type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee), agency and beginning and ending dates of appointment.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the Occupational Questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12918587 and submit all the required documentation as specified in he HOW TO APPLY and the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section.
The complete initial Application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/01/2026.
The vacancy questionnaire includes four short, free-response essay questions. This provides an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot.
PLEASE NOTE: If your materials are not received by the closing date, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible. Also, if you do not provide a valid email address, you may not be notified of the outcome of your application.
To begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. We encourage you to apply online.
Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, your online questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM eastern standard time on10/01/2026.
It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your application.
One or more positions may be filled using this vacancy announcement.
Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
Next steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
Overview
- 1811 Criminal Investigation
- Credentialing
- Suitability/Fitness
- National security
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