Summary This vacancy is for a Supervisory Criminal Investigator position located in Eastern Region in Investigation Services, Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Responsibilities The Inspector General of the Department of Education (Department) heads an independent and objective organization responsible for audit, investigation, and other services related to programs and operations of the Department. The Inspector General provides leadership and coordination and recommends policies for activities designed to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration of programs and operations, as well as to prevent and detect fraud and abuse in such programs and operations. The Inspector General is the principal advisor to the Secretary of the Department on the above matters and is responsible for keeping the Secretary and Congress fully and currently informed about problems and deficiencies relating to the administration of the Department’s programs and operations and the necessity for and progress of corrective action. The Office of the Inspector General consists of the following seven components: Immediate Office of the Inspector General Audit Services Enterprise and External Affairs Investigation Services Legal Services/Counsel to the Inspector General Management Services Technology Services Investigation Services (IS) is responsible for all investigative activities relating to the Department's programs and operations and the prevention and detection of fraud and abuse in these programs and operations. IS also conducts, supervises, and coordinates investigations of suspected fraudulent activity by Departmental employees. IS is responsible for establishing the necessary procedures for coordination with the Department of Justice on all criminal matters dealing with the Department’s programs and operations. The incumbent supervises a team of special agents that independently conducts investigations of theft, fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, public corruption, or whistleblower reprisals involving Department programs, operations, or funds. Provides advice, guidance and regulatory interpretation of laws, orders, rules, and regulations pertaining to the investigations conducted by the OIG. Develops policies, criteria, and procedures for investigations; conducts special projects and analyses in support of IS and develops and implements training strategies to promote the professional development of Criminal Investigators. Responsible for mastery of technical investigative and legal matters, high tech tools, and programs and operations of the Department. Organize, analyze and evaluate documents and evidence and prepare and submit reports. Selects or recommends selection of candidates for vacancies, promotions, details, and reassignments in consideration of skills and qualifications, mission requirements, and objectives; develops, modifies, and/or interprets performance standards; explains performance expectations to employees and provides regular feedback on strengths and weaknesses; holds employees responsible for satisfactory completion of work assignments; appraises performance of subordinates ensuring consistency and equity in rating techniques; hears and resolves employee complaints and refers serious unresolved complaints to higher lever management; identifies employee development needs and provides or arranges for training to maintain and improve job performance; demonstrates sensitivity to ideas of subordinates and promotes an environment where employees are empowered to participate in and contribute to effective mission accomplishment; and recognizes and takes action to correct situations posing a threat to the safety, security, and health of the work group. Advises senior staff of proposals, policies, and issues that involve exceptional controversy, involve intensive outside interest, require extensive analysis of technical literature or have long-range effects on the performance of investigative functions or the operations of OIG. Communicates with OIG leadership. Conducts outreach and liaison with internal and external stakeholders (i.e. prosecutors, other law enforcement agencies (LEAs), Department employees) and clients, such as State and Local oversight entities i.e. School Districts, participating Title IV institutions, State Educational Agencies, LEAs, and professional associations, to advance the Office of Inspector General’s mission. Manages the budget for their respective Region and possesses knowledge of Federal financial management practices, including strategic planning, budget formulation, and budget execution. Requirements Conditions of Employment May be required to complete a background and fingerprint check. Must successfully complete one (1) year supervisory probationary period. You must be a U.S. citizen. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Services. Subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance. Statement of Employment & Financial Interest is required. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. If you are a current federal employee, you must meet all time-in-grade and time-after competitive appointment qualifications within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. To verify that you meet these requirements, we will review your responses to the core eligibility questions on the occupational questionnaire, as well as your submitted resume and required documents. To make an accurate determination, you will need to include on your resume your federal position title, pay plan, occupational series, grade level, agency, dates for which you held the grade level (stated as MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY, OR MM/YYYY to PRESENT), and total hours worked per week. 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). More specific requirements are listed under the Other Information section. Qualifications You may meet the minimum requirements for the GS-15 if you possess: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-14) in federal service that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position (see description below). Specialized Experience for the GS-15: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-14 performing all of the following duties or work assignments: Experience leading investigative teams in the effective application of investigative methodologies and techniques for critical and sensitive criminal investigations including reviewing and evaluating allegations, information, and evidence to substantiate or disprove violations of federal criminal or civil statutes. Experience supervising, directing, planning and or coordinating investigative activities of employees engaged in inquires related to fraud, waste and abuse, mismanagement, public corruption, employee, and whistleblower reprisal. Experience documenting, summarizing, documenting investigative details related to federal criminal investigations to both internal and external stakeholders. Experience selecting, leading, developing and inspiring teams using performance plans, monitoring performance, and resolving conflicts to maximize employee potential and achieve organizational goals. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement). Mastery knowledge of investigative concepts, principles, and theories and a mastery of the programs, activities, and functions of the Department of Education for which the position is responsible. The employee has the comprehensive knowledge to recommend new approaches, techniques, policies, and procedures and the leadership skills to appropriately implement them. The position also requires mastery knowledge of a wide range of techniques to provide leadership in the evaluation, assessment, and improvement of the investigation function and management systems. Ability to select, lead, and inspire a team to include maximizing employee potential, developing performance plans, and monitoring performance, resolving conflicts and achieving organizational goals. Skill in written and oral communications. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships. Knowledge of and skills in analyzing and organizing data. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SUPERVISORY POSITIONS: Candidates must have demonstrated in their work experience or training that they possess, or have the potential to develop, the qualities of successful supervision as follows: Assign and review work of subordinates, train and work effectively with subordinates from a variety of backgrounds and with different levels/areas of training. Accomplish the quality and quantity of work expected within set limits of cost and time. Plan own work and carry out assignments effectively. Communicate with others effectively both orally and in writing in working out solutions to problems or questions relating to the work. Understand and further management goals as these affect day-to-day work operations. Develop improvements in or design new work methods and procedures. Selectee must meet the initial agency suitability determination before a final offer can be made. This position is approved for Secondary Law Enforcement coverage under 5 (USC) 8331 (20) or 5 USC 8401 (17). Previous experience in a primary (rigorous) law enforcement position or equivalent outside of the Federal government, is a prerequisite. Coverage only extended if this position immediately follows service in a law enforcement position. FERS applicants for this must have completed three (3) years of service in a rigorous position (aka primary) position in order to continue coverage upon selection. Law Enforcement Availability: Applicants must agree to work an average of two hours extra per day to meet the requirements of law enforcement availability pay (LEAP) as described in Title 5 U.S.C. § 5545A(d)(1). Applicants may be required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination by an Agency designated physician to determine if they are physically and medically qualified to perform the full duties of the position. Any physical condition which could hinder an individual's full, efficient and safe performance of his/her duties as a criminal investigator, or failure to meet any of the required physical or medical qualifications, will usually be considered disqualifying for employment, except when sufficient evidence is presented that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job efficiently and without hazard to themselves and others. Medical Requirement: The duties of positions in this series require moderate 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, feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. Applicant must be able to pass an Audiometer test. Hearing loss exceeding a 30-decibel average in either ear in the conversational and speech range (500, 1000, 2000 cycles) is disqualifying. Applicant should possess uncorrected visual acuity of no less than 20/100 in each eye, correctable to 20/20 in one eye and 20/30 in the other eye. Ability to read, without strain, printed material the size of typewritten characters is required. Glasses are permitted. Normal depth perception: depth perception to the correctable standard of 80 seconds of ARC is permitted. Education Education cannot be substituted for experience for this position and grade level. Additional Information Veterans’ Career Counseling: If you are a veteran interested in receiving tips on preparing a Federal resume and/or how to prepare for an interview, you may email sro_recruiting@ed.gov to schedule a session with a career counselor (“Veterans Counseling Session” should be placed in the subject line of the email). Student Loan Default: If selected for this position, we will verify that you have not defaulted on any loan funded or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are found to be in default, we will contact you to make arrangements for repayment prior to making an official offer of employment. Suitability and Investigation: If selected for this position, you will be required to complete the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for federal employment and successfully complete a pre-appointment investigation/background check. Non-Essential: This position is considered non-essential for purposes of reporting to work during federal government closures. Selections: Agencies have broad authority under law to hire from any appropriate source of eligibles and may fill a vacancy in the competitive service by any method authorized. We may make additional selections from this vacancy announcement within 90 days from the date the selection certificates are issued, should vacancies occur. We may also share selection certificates amongst program offices across the agency. Employment Drug Policy: Applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to a urinalysis prior to appointment to screen for illegal drug use and will be subject to periodic random testing thereafter. This position requires that the incumbent must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license. Applicants must be a minimum age of 21 and not have reached their 37th birthday prior to the opening date of this vacancy announcement. If an applicant reaches his/her 37th birthday during the open period of this vacancy announcement, the application will be considered. Applicants who reach their 37th birthday prior to the opening date of this vacancy announcement will not be considered. Applicants who are currently or previously have been employed under a law enforcement position covered by 5 U.S.C. § 8336(C) or 5 U.S.C. § 8412(D) and applicants with documented veteran's preference are not restricted from applying regardless of age. Firearms Requirement: Applicants for this position are required to qualify with and use firearms and other weapons as part of assigned duties and to maintain such qualifications. Because of an amendment to 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9), which became effective September 30, 1996, and is referred to as the Lautenberg Amendment, applicants are ineligible for this position if at ANY time they have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence, unless such conviction was expunged, set aside, or the applicant received a pardon. Agent Training: Applicant must have satisfactorily completed the Basic Criminal Investigative Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, or its equivalent.