Summary This position is in Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics and Training, Criminal Investigation Division, National Capital Area Branch. About OECA This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis. Responsibilities You will: Conduct criminal investigations of extreme complexity and scope and often must piece together evidence that comes from other investigators stationed throughout the nation; lead investigations of organizations that are very complex and may have a large number of primary and subsidiary activities. Lead, plan, and conduct complex protective advances and movements involved in providing the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency with personal physical security. These activities include, but are not limited to, conducting advances, motorcade logistics, physical security, site security, and conducting or coordinating investigations of individuals or groups who may present a physical danger to the protectee. Provide leadership, assistance, or instruction to other Special Agents on conducting criminal investigations. Serve as coordinator in assignments involving the utilization of undercover agents, electronic monitoring, and physical surveillances that may require the penetration of close-knit groups over extended periods of time; obtain search warrants through the use of sworn affidavits and conduct searches. Participate in grand jury investigations of potential criminal actions and serve as a special agent of the grand jury; testify as a government witness in court and enforcement actions, assist staff in preparation of cases for trial, conduct collateral inquiries, provide protection to persons and property, and assist regulatory enforcement staff as appropriate. Grow your career for the good of our planet The environmental challenges we face today are urgent. At the Environmental Protection Agency, we need professionals like you to join our team dedicated to safe, clean, and healthy communities. Our agency is built upon a commitment to protect human health and the environment. The work we do here changes the world. That’s why there has never been a more crucial moment to be one of the scientists, engineers, community leaders, IT specialists, communicators, administrative professionals, technicians, problem solvers, and innovators united in our mission to protect our land, air, water, and people. Join us. Be EPA. Discover how you can apply your skills to make an impact. Explore careers and learn more about EPA at epa.gov/careers. One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position. Requirements Conditions of Employment Pre-employment drug testing is required and random testing thereafter. Pre-employment physical is required and periodic physicals thereafter. You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section. You must be a U.S. citizen. See special provisions in the Qualifications section. This position is designated as High Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation. All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date. You must meet time in grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement. If you are selected, you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period if appointed as Competitive Service or a two-year trial period if appointed as Excepted Service. REAL ID requirements became effective on 05/07/25. If you are selected for this position and plan to use your driver’s license or identification card during the onboarding process (i.e., for employment eligibility verification or to obtain your EPA identification card), the document must be a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver’s license or identification card that includes the REAL ID-compliant star marking, or must be an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL). You will receive information about alternative acceptable documents (e.g., passport) prior to onboarding. For more information about REAL ID, see Dept. of Homeland Security and REAL ID FAQs. If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter. Participation in the medical monitoring program is required. You will be required to obtain and maintain a top-secret security clearance. You will be required to obtain (before coming on board) and maintain a valid driver’s license and must be able to operate a Government-owned or leased motor vehicle. #LI-Onsite If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required. Pre-employment psychological evaluation is required. Qualifications You must meet qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. To qualify for the GS-13 level, you must have 1 year of full-time specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level defined as experience leading criminal investigations when evidence is concealed; developing and preparing operational plans related to the service of search warrants, arrest warrants, undercover operations, electronic monitoring, and surveillances; providing leadership on conducting criminal investigations; and planning and conducting protective operations with other law enforcement entities to include advances, motorcade operations, site and physical security plans, counterintelligence, and medical response for a cabinet level or equivalent level high-ranking official. Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: Skill in applying criminal provisions of environmental protection statutes, laws and regulations to inspection, investigation, enforcement, and/or compliance work Knowledge of the operation and function of a protective detail and associated security requirements Skill in use of force, special and personal protective equipment, protective operations driving/motorcade operations, medical “first responder” and surveillance/counter-surveillance techniques Knowledge of complex protective advances and movements to provide personal physical security knowledge of business operations and techniques Knowledge of decisions and precedential cases involving admissibility of evidence, search and seizure, and arrest authority Knowledge of the availability and uses of modern detection devices and laboratory services, including those related to electronic monitoring, undercover operations, and physical surveillance Knowledge of what constitutes a crime or violation as defined in pertinent statutes Knowledge of the methods and patterns of criminal operations. Ability to properly maintain complete and organized case files and physical evidence and meet administrative and investigative documentation obligations in a timely manner 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. *If you have part-time work experience, read this: Part-Time Experience. CRIMINAL INVESTIGATORS - SPECIAL PROVISIONS Medical: You must be found to be physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties. Age: You must be at least 21 years of age and not older than 36 at the time of appointment. In accordance with PL 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirement provisions; therefore, you must be appointed before reaching your 37th birthday unless you presently serve or have previously served in a federal civilian law enforcement retirement-covered position. Basic Agent Training: You must successfully complete and pass the required Basic Agent Training Program. Failure to pass the training program will result in separation from EPA. Law Enforcement Training: You must successfully complete the 12-week Federal Law Enforcement Training Center’s Basic Criminal Investigator Training Program and the Environmental Investigations Basic Training Program at Glynco, GA. You must pass the training program on the first attempt or you will be removed from this position and failure may result in separation from the agency. You are exempt from this training if you have previously completed the program. Firearm: You must meet qualifications to carry a firearm. Lautenberg Notice: Title 18 USC, Section 911(g) automatically disqualifies anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from being appointed to this position. You must not have been convicted of a felony crime. Work Schedule: The hours are long and irregular. You must be available at all times, to include holidays. You may also be sent on extended temporary duty station assignments away from your assigned office. You may be reassigned to different duty locations throughout the U.S. based on the needs of the agency. Driver’s License: You must have a valid driver's license and be able to operate a government-owned or leased motor vehicle. Education Additional Information Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range listed in the Overview section. EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. For additional information: E-Verify. Although the Service type indicated in the Overview section is Competitive, you may be appointed as Excepted Service based on your eligibility to be hired under certain appointing authorities. Are you a Displaced Federal Employee? If so, please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information on the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP NOTE: To be entitled to selection priority, you must be rated well-qualified (i.e., you must have a score of 87 or higher--see the How You Will Be Evaluated section). If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility. This position is not in the bargaining unit.