Drug Enforcement Administration Open Position

Criminal Investigator, GS-1811-07/09/11

ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: BA-2010B
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 03/12/2010
JOB LOCATION: Nationwide
WORK SCHEDULE: Full Time
SALARY RANGE: $38,511.00-$65,371.00
OPEN DATE: 02/12/2010
TIME LIMIT: Permanent - No time limit
WHO MAY APPLY: US citizens - Open to General Public
NUMBER OF VACANCIES: 200 PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 13

At the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), our people are agents for change. A unique mission requires special talent. As a DEA Special Agent, you will work as part of an elite criminal investigation team that transforms the power of your talent into action. That action makes a difference on the security and well-being of our nation and the world every day. If you want to harness the power of the DEA, join us. A job like no other. A fight without borders. Be an agent of change.


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NOTES:

DEA Special Agents may or may not be assigned to the Geographic Location from which they were hired. Special agents may have to relocate several times during their career. The hours are long and irregular. The Special Agent must be available at all times, to include holidays. Often, agents are sent on extended temporary duty assignments away from their assigned office. There is a requirement to carry a firearm and become proficient in its use. The nature of the work might place the agent in situations that present a danger to personal safety. A Special Agent may have to use a firearm in the line of duty, and may have to take someone's life in defense of self or others.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: To be considered for this position, you must attach the following required documents to your application. Incomplete applications may not be considered. Applicant forms (Mobility Agreement and DOJ-555) may be obtained via the DEA’s website at http://www.justice.gov/dea/job/agent/forms.html .

Required Documents:

1. Mobility Agreement

2. Form DOJ-555, Disclosure and Authorization Pertaining to Consumer Reports Pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act

3. If applicable, proof of successful completion of the education; i.e., a transcript from an accredited U.S. business or technical school, junior college, or university, or proof that foreign education has been deemed creditable. Failure to submit the required proof of education will result in you being deemed not qualified for the position.

4. For current or former active duty military personnel, a copy of your DD-214, and if applicable, a copy of your SF-15 and VA Letter.

5. For current or former Federal Status applicants, a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) and a copy of your most recent Performance Appraisal.

APPOINTING AUTHORITY: Initial appointment to the position will be made in the excepted service under the Schedule B (Section 213.3210) appointing authority. Employees appointed under Schedule B appointments may be converted to career appointments in not less than three years and not more than four years.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE: Generally, preference is granted to veterans who entered military service prior to October 14, 1976; or served on active duty during the period from August 2, 1990, through January 2, 1992, and who are otherwise eligible; or who served on active duty during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom; or who have served in a military action for which they received a Campaign Badge or Expeditionary Medal. This includes the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) awarded to those who participated in Operation Joint Endeavor or Operation Joint Guard. Also, you may be entitled to veterans' preference if you are a disabled veteran; you have received a Purple Heart; you are the spouse or mother of a disabled veteran; or you are the widow, widower, or mother of a deceased veteran. You will need to submit a Standard Form (SF) 15 and proof of your claim.

For more information on veterans' preference, please see the Vet Guide.

You may also access the Department of Labor's Expert Advisor system to answer your questions on eligibility for preference.

EXCEPTION TO OPM QUALIFICATIONS STANDARD: Applicants who do not qualify under this announcement per the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards for the 1811 series may still qualify if they possess unique skills and/or highly desirable specialized experience such as foreign language fluency or pilot/maritime, accounting/auditing, technical/mechanical or military experience. Eligibility based on such unique skills/experience is an agency unique authorized exception to the OPM Qualifications Standard. To determine if you qualify under the aforementioned unique skills and/or highly desirable specialized experience, please apply under job announcement number BA-2010A.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: In addition to education and experience, the DEA will further evaluate applicant qualifications based on character and conduct. There will be continuous evaluation of information, as it is obtained, to ensure that the prospective employee with the DEA meets agency specific qualifications. Issues in any of the areas listed will be deemed disqualifying. All applicants will be evaluated on the following:

* Must Meet DEA Drug Policy Requirements (specified in this announcement)

* Favorable/Responsible Credit History

* Candor/Honesty

* Favorable/Responsible Work History

* Good Judgment/Ability to Handle Stressful Conditions

* Acceptance of Directions/Work in Team Environment

* Responsible Driving Record

* Other qualities that promote the integrity and efficiency of the DEA

LAW ENFORCEMENT AGE REQUIREMENT: Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and not older than 36 at the time of appointment. In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirement provisions; therefore, candidates must be appointed before reaching their 37th birthday unless they are a preference eligible veteran OR presently serve or have previously served in a Federal civilian law enforcement retirement-covered position (after subtracting the years/months of prior Federal service worked in a primary law enforcement position, applicants must be less than 37 years of age). The maximum entry age limit was established under the age discrimination prohibitions contained in Section 15 of the Age Discrimination and Employment Act.

DRIVERS LICENSE: The position requires that the incumbent must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.

SECURITY CLEARANCE: This position is designated as “critical sensitive”. Completion of a full-field investigation is required before appointment. Applicants must be able to obtain a Top Secret Security clearance.

Applicants must not have been convicted of a felony crime.

POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION: Applicants must successfully complete and achieve favorable results on a pre employment polygraph examination.

LAUTENBERG NOTICE: Title 18 USC, Section 922 (G), automatically disqualifies anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from being appointed to this position.

FIREARMS: This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms. Under Title 18 USC, Section 922(g)(9), anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence is automatically disqualified from being appointed to a position requiring the possession of a firearm or ammunition.

MOBILITY AGREEMENT: This position requires employees to agree to a Mobility Agreement. The duty station is determined based on the needs of the Drug Enforcement Administration and incumbents may be reassigned to different geographical locations throughout their tenure. Selectees will be required to sign the Mobility Agreement as a condition of employment.

APPLICANT PROCESSING: Applicants who are rated as "Most Competitive" will be required to successfully complete a special agent assessment, medical evaluation, physical task test, urinalysis drug screening, polygraph examination, psychological assessment, and background investigation.

BASIC AGENT TRAINING: The selectee must successfully complete the 19 week Basic Agent Training Program at the Drug Enforcement Administration Training Center in Quantico, Virginia. Failure to pass the training program will result in separation from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

TRIAL PERIOD: Appointment is subject to completion of a trial period (one year for preference eligibles and two years for non-preference eligibles).

MOVING EXPENSES: Limited moving expenses are authorized.

DUTIES:(The duties described reflect the full performance level of this position)

Conducts criminal investigations and prepares for the prosecution of major violators of the Controlled Substances Act. Typical duties include conducting complex criminal investigations; carrying out surveillance of criminals; infiltrating illicit drug channels; identifying and apprehending drug traffickers; and arresting law violators engaged in criminal activities.