Criminal Investigator (Special Agent) Direct Hire

WHAT IS THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION (CI) DIVISION?

A description of the business units can be found at: https://www.jobs.irs.gov/about/who/business-divisions

IRS-CI Special Agents (SAs) are duly sworn federal law enforcement officers throughout all 50 states and US territories including special agent attachés located in 11 countries. As a SA, you will combine your accounting skills with law enforcement skills to investigate financial crimes. SAs fill a unique niche in the federal law enforcement community due to IRS-CI's broad jurisdiction of Title 18 and Title 31 crimes, in addition to our primary tax enforcement mission. SAs are known for their financial investigative expertise in areas, such as, tax fraud, public corruption, cybercrimes, narcotics, terrorism, and much more. Today's sophisticated schemes demand the analytical ability of financial investigators to trace transactions through complex financial records.

Watch this video to learn more! 
 

The following are the duties of this position at the full working level. If this vacancy includes more than one grade and you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform these duties and receive training to help you grow in this position.

• The Special Agent plans and conducts investigations relative to criminal statutes of tax administration, financial crimes, and other related offenses, which vary in levels of complexity and scope. The majority of the time is spent on investigations involving most or all of the following characteristics:
  • Indirect accounting methods to establish evidence
  • Precedent setting legal or investigative questions
  • Highly complex or unusual accounting problems
  • Information obtained from diversified sources gathered over a wide section of the country
  • Interrelationship of facts and evidence that are difficult to identify because of numerous holding companies, entities, etc.
  • A mixture of legal and illegal activities
• Performs other investigative and enforcement duties such as:
  • Testifying as a Government witness
  • Assisting the U.S. Attorney during the preparation of case for trial
  • Conducting collateral inquiries
  • Providing protection to persons and property
• Obtains, evaluates, integrates, and recommends actions on information items to identify larger areas of noncompliance (e.g., major profession, occupation, industry, or wide geographic area).
• May serve as a team leader and/or expert consultant in the information gathering function.
• Conducts or participates in surveillance, armed escorts, dignitary protection, undercover operations, execution of search and arrest warrants, seizures, etc.
• Protects the government's interest in enforcement activities.
• Maintains good physical condition in order to conduct criminal investigations, surveillance, protective assignments, undercover assignments, etc.

RequirementsConditions of Employment

• Telework Eligible Positions: Telework eligible positions do not guarantee telework. Employees must meet and sustain IRS telework eligibility requirements (e.g., reporting at least twice a pay period to your assigned Post of Duty (POD)) and supervisor's approval to participate in the IRS Telework Program. Employees must also be within a 200-mile radius of their official assigned post-of-duty (POD) while in a telework status. As a reminder - If you are selected for a position, you are responsible for reporting to your designated POD (location) on the negotiated start date or as directed by management.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National and provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. (Birth certificate showing birth in the U.S; Unexpired U.S. Passport; Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization; or Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. Citizen (Form FS-240))
• Undergo a review of prior performance/conduct and an income tax verification. Refer to "Get Your Tax Record" at http://www.irs.gov/(https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript) to check the status of your account, balance owed, payment history, make a payment, or review answers to tax questions. If you are not in compliance, you will be determined unsuitable for employment with IRS.
• Must successfully complete a background investigation, including a FBI criminal history record check (fingerprint check).
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
• Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. These documents must be unexpired original or certified copies.
• The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Treasury and its bureaus from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In 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 the Department of Treasury by email at, FairChanceAct@treasury.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: Treasury.gov/fairchanceact.

Qualifications

Federal experience is not required. The experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-timework is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.

You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement OR time of referral:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS :

GL-07 LEVEL: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GL-05 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes experience in or related to investigation of criminal violations (e.g., suspected crimes or alleged fraud) that provided the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the IRS Special Agent. Experience must have required: (1) the exercise of tact, initiative, ingenuity, resourcefulness and judgment in collecting, assembling, and developing facts, evidence and other pertinent data through investigative techniques which included personal interview; (2) the ability to make oral and written reports and presentations of personally conducted or personally directed investigations, examinations, or inspections; AND (3) the ability to analyze and evaluate evidence and arrive at sound conclusions. To be qualifying, this experience must have been acquired in investigative work related to the ACCOUNTING OR AUDITING OF BUSINESS OR COMMERCIAL PRACTICES OF SUBJECTS INVESTIGATED. OR

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: One full year of graduate level education (transcripts submitted must also indicate receipt of a bachelor's degree) which included or was supplemented by at least 15 semester/23 quarter hours in accounting plus an additional 9 semester/14 quarter hours from among the following fields: business law, economics, finance, tax law or money and banking. OR Superior Academic Achievement may be met by having a Bachelor's degree, with one of the following: A GPA of 2.95 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses or those completed in the last 2 years of study, or a GPA of 3.45 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all courses in the major field of study or those courses in the major completed in the last 2 years of study, or rank in the upper one third of the class in the college, university, or major subdivision, or membership in a national honor society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.

NOTE: Superior Academic Achievement is credited only if you have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree which included or was supplemented by at least 15 semester/23 quarter hours in accounting plus an additional 9 semester/14 quarter hours from among the following fields: finance, economics, business law, tax law, or money and banking (transcripts submitted must indicate receipt of a bachelor's degree).

GL-09 LEVEL: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GL-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: experience in or related to investigation of criminal violations (e.g., suspected crimes or alleged fraud) that provided the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. The experience must have been acquired in investigative work related to the ACCOUNTING OR AUDITING OF BUSINESS OR COMMERCIAL PRACTICES OF SUBJECTS INVESTIGATED. Experience must be sufficient to demonstrate the ability to gather intelligence, analyze and evaluate raw investigative data, prepare comprehensive written investigative reports, and investigate complex claims involving suspected crimes or alleged fraud. Examples of qualifying experience include: Investigating criminal cases requiring the use of recognized investigative methods and techniques and that may have included appearing in court to present evidence; Supervising OR conducting interviews or interrogations that involved eliciting evidence, data, or surveillance information; Investigating computerized business and/or accounting systems and forming sound conclusions as to related criminal business practices and compliance with Federal laws and regulations. OR

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: Two 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education; a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree (i.e., L.L.B. or JD). AND All of the above education requirements must be supplemented by at least 15 semester hours (or 23 quarter hours) in accounting, AND an additional 9 semester hours 14 quarter hours) from among the following or closely related fields: finance, economics, money and banking, tax law, and business law. You may qualify by a combination of experience and education. Options for qualifying based on a combination will be identified in the online questions.

For examples of specialized experience for grade 7 and 9, click here.

You must also meet the following special requirements:

MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE: Provisions of Public Law 93-950 and Public Law 100-238 allow the imposition of a maximum age for original appointments to a law enforcement officer position within the Federal government. The date immediately preceding your 37th birthday is the final date of referral for selection. This age restriction does not apply to those who have previously served in a Federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. Section 8336 (c) provisions and preference eligible veterans.

Physical: Pass a medical examination prior to being appointed. This position requires moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with free motion of fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, and knee joints is required. Arms, hands, legs, and feet must function sufficiently in order for applicants to perform the duties satisfactorily. As part of the medical screening process, applicants must be able to certify that they are physically able to perform fitness requirements. 

Vision: Near vision, corrected or uncorrected, must be sufficient to read Jaeger type 2 at 14 inches. Normal depth perception, peripheral vision, and the ability to distinguish shades of color-by-color plate tests are required. If you have undergone refractive surgery, you must meet Treasury approved requirements, including documentation that you have passed exam and protocol testing. The earliest the refractive surgery evaluation can be performed is: three months post Laser in Situ Keratomileusis (Lasik); six months post Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK). Visual acuity requirements are expressed in terms of the Snellen vision test. Uncorrected distant vision must test 20/200, and corrected vision must test 20/20 in one eye, and 20/30 in the other.

Hearing: Hearing loss, as measured by an audiometer, must not exceed 30 decibels (A.S.A. or equivalent I.S.O.) in either ear in the 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz ranges. You must be able to hear the whispered voice at 15 feet with each ear without the use of a hearing aid.

Other Medical Requirements: You must possess emotional and mental stability. Any condition that would hinder full, efficient performance of the duties of this position or that would cause an individual to be a hazard to himself/herself or to others is disqualifying.

All of the medical requirements MUST be met at the time of initial examination/test. Applicants failing to meet the medical requirements at the time of their initial examination/test will be considered ineligible for the position.

For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.
 

Education

For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.

Applicants who are graduating from an accredited university within 9 months from the date of application and will meet all related educational criteria described in the announcement may apply for the position, but cannot receive a final job offer prior to certification that they have completed their qualifying educational curriculum.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click here for Foreign Education Credentialing instructions.
 

Incentive Information:

A Recruitment incentive MAY be authorized for locations identified with an asterisk (*). Authorization will be considered based on location AND applicant qualifications. The incentive will require a three-year service agreement. The service agreement details will be provided to new employee prior to entrance on duty. The monetary incentive will be disbursed as outlined in the service agreement.

*A monetary Recruitment Incentive MAY be authorized for the following locations:*

Homewood, AL
Anchorage, AK
Camarillo, CA
Fresno, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Modesto, CA
Oakland, CA
Sacramento, CA
San Francisco, CA
San Jose, CA
San Rafael, CA
Santa Maria, CA
Santa Rosa, CA
West Palm Beach, FL
Macon, GA
Savannah, GA
Boise, ID
Peoria, IL
Springfield, IL
Evansville, IN
Indianapolis, IN
Merrillville, IN
South Bend, IN
Cedar Rapids, IA
New Orleans, LA
Shreveport, LA
Boston, MA
Traverse City, MI
Rochester, MN
Jackson, MS
Saint Louis, MO
Omaha, NE
Greensboro, NC
Akron, OH
Cincinnati, OH
Cleveland, OH
Columbus, OH
Dayton, OH
Independence, OH
Toledo, OH
Muskogee, OK
Eugene, OR
Medford, OR
Portland, OR
Erie, PA
Harrisburg, PA
Pittsburgh, PA
Rapid City, SD
Knoxville, TN
Memphis, TN
Amarillo, TX
Beaumont, TX
Corpus Christi, TX
El Paso, TX
Lubbock, TX
Salt Lake City, UT
Norfolk, VA
Richmond, VA
Bridgeport, WV
Madison, WI
Cheyenne, WY

Though many locations may be listed, you will be limited to a maximum of five (5) location choices. Please consider each location carefully when applying and make your selections in priority/preference order. If you are selected for a position at one of your location selections, that location will become your official post of duty.

Additional information

• A 3-year probationary period with limited appeal rights is required.
• This is a non-bargaining unit position.
• Have salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must certify registration with Selective Service System or exemption.
• We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.
• Salary range reflects min-max locality pay for all locations listed and will be adjusted for selected duty location. Pay tables: Law Enforcement Officer.
• Receive Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP), an additional 25% of basic pay to compensate for working irregular and recurring overtime resulting in an average of 50 hours per week over the calendar year, per LEAP regulations.
• Commuting distance for LEAP (Required). IAW Title 5 CFR 550.182(D) the agency must determine that a criminal investigator is generally/reasonably accessible to perform unscheduled duty based on the needs of the agency. The provisions of Treasury Directive 74-06 Home-to-Work Transportation Controls paragraph 3(d) require that special agents reside within 50 miles of their official duty station to be considered for Home-to-Work transportation (only granted/waived by Treasury).
• Possess/maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license on appointment.
• File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report w/i 30 days of appointment and annually afterward.
• Sign a mobility agreement.
• Carry/use a firearm. Maintaining firearm proficiency is mandatory. Ineligible for this position if ever convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, unless pardoned or conviction was expunged/set aside.
• Complete the Special Agent Basic Training (SABT) Curriculum at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, GA (approximately 26 weeks), consisting of: Criminal Investigation Training Program (CITP) (may be waived if previously completed or equivalent training can be verified) AND Special Agent Investigative Training (SAIT).
• At FLETC, MUST certify the ability to perform Physical Performance Requirements (PPRs) and SABT physical requirements which include, but are not limited to: three minute continuous- 1.5-mile run/walk, 18-minute 1.5-mile run, bench press, 30-yard sprint, body composition, cardiovascular endurance, trunk flexibility, upper body strength, agility test, sit-ups, and bench press. The inability to complete training due to a medical or physical condition present prior to arrival may result in removal from training, the SA position, and the IRS.
• Complete a pre-employment medical examination by an authorized Government physician; be determined physically fit to perform strenuous physically demanding duties. The medical exam includes completing a health history questionnaire and a physical examination by a third-party medical professional.
• Drug test with negative result is required prior to appointment and subject to random drug testing.
• Undergo annual physical examinations to maintain a level of physical fitness IAW the standards/policies of this agency.
• Employment of any candidate selected for this position may be conditional on classification and/or audit of federal tax returns (may include up to 2 years of returns).
• Employment of any candidate selected for this position will be conditional on obtaining/maintaining a High-Risk Security Clearance.
• Obtain/use Government-issued charge card for business-related travel

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This position will be filled through the Direct Hire Authority. Under this authority, competitive rating, ranking, and veterans' preference procedures do not apply. Your application will be considered based on education, training, and quality of your experience. For more information on Direct-Hire Authority visit: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Your application must include your resume, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a "not qualified" determination.

Referral: Applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. Candidates may be required to participate in a selection interview (telephonic and/or in person at the discretion of the Selecting Official in accordance with hiring practices). We will not reimburse costs related to the interview such as travel to and from the interview site.

If you are a displaced Federal employee (eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must be found "well qualified" for the position. Well qualified is defined as: experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, demonstrated by meeting all the competencies for this position.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English.

1. Resume - Your resume MUST contain dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or present). To ensure you receive full credit for relevant experience, include the hours worked per week. We recommend that your resume not exceed 5 pages. If including Federal service experience, you MUST provide the pay plan, series, and grade, i.e., GS-0301-09. If the pay plan, series, and grade are not provided, it may result in an ineligible determination.
   Your resume must NOT include photographs, classified or government sensitive information, social security number (SSN), encrypted/digitally signed documents, or other inappropriate material or content. If your resume contains prohibited information as listed above, your application will be determined ineligible, and you will not receive consideration for this position. (Cover letters are optional.) Please view Resume Tips.
   It is also recommended that your resume not include personal information such as age, gender, religion, race, disability, etc.
2. Online Application - Questionnaire
3. Education - See Education Section above
4. Registration/License (If Applicable) - active, current registration/license
5. Veterans' Preference (if applicable) - You MUST submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge. If you are serving under active duty, provide certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released within 120 days from the date of certification. The certification must indicate your dates of service, rank and that you will be separated under honorable conditions.
   10-point preference eligible - Submit an Application for 10-point Veteran Preference, SF-15, along with the required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15. Veterans Affairs/Armed Forces certification must include the percentage of the service-connected disability or disabilities (including the "combined" percentage if you have more than one disability). Refer to FedsHireVets for additional information on veterans' preference.
6. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) (If Applicable) - IRS CTAP eligibles can apply for jobs within and outside the commuting area. Treasury CTAP eligibles can apply for jobs within the commuting area. Find required documentation at: Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP).
7. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) (If Applicable) - If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee, click CTAP/ICTAP for eligibility and a detailed list of required documents.
8. High School Diploma (or equivalent) - If you are 16 or 17 years of age, you MUST submit documentation of graduation from high school (or equivalent); OR completion of a formal vocational training program; OR statement from school authorities agreeing with your decision to pursue employment rather than continuing your education.

Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).

Pay Retention MAY be offered to current Treasury employees applying. Applicants from other Federal Agencies may be eligible for Highest Previous Rate salary step adjustments. Typically, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade.

How to Apply

This Direct Hire Public Notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection. Your application will remain active through the open period of this Public Notice. Applicants will be referred on a first in, first out basis. Those applicants who are applying earlier in the process will stand a much better chance of being referred for consideration in the selection process. 

The following instructions outline our application process. You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 09/02/2024 in this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, please contact us by noon ET on 09/02/2024. To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12300619

• To begin the application process, click the "Apply Online" button.
• You will be re-directed to USA STAFFING to complete your application process; answer the online questions and submit all required documents. (To submit supporting documents, import documents from USAJOBS to the appropriate document types. If the document you need was not imported from USAJOBS, you may upload it directly into this application. To protect your privacy, we suggest you first remove your SSN).
• To complete, you must click the "Submit Application" button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/02/2024.

To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login . All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.