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Criminal Investigator Open Continuous
Department of Education Office of Inspector General Apply Print Share Save
Summary
This job is open to
Duties
Requirements
How you will be evaluated
Required documents
How to apply
Summary This position is located in the Department of Education Office of Inspector General OIG Investigation Services. As a Criminal Investigator the incumbent of this position will be responsible for investigations involving allegations of suspected violations of criminal statutes as they relate to fraud or corruption in various Department of Education programs.
This is an open continuous announcement to fill current and future vacancies until 12312026.
Learn more about this agency
Summary This position is located in the Department of Education Office of Inspector General OIG Investigation Services. As a Criminal Investigator the incumbent of this position will be responsible for investigations involving allegations of suspected violations of criminal statutes as they relate to fraud or corruption in various Department of Education programs.
This is an open continuous announcement to fill current and future vacancies until 12312026.
Learn more about this agency
Overview Help
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates 03172026 to 12312026
This job is open continuously and will remain open for an extended period of time. We will fill jobs as they become available. The next consideration date is 4232026. Learn more
Salary 57188 - 97087 per year
Locality pay will vary based upon the selectees duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection.
Pay scale & grade GS 07 - 11
Locations Few vacancies in the following locations
Washington DC
Plantation FL
Atlanta GA
Chicago IL
Show more fewer locations 7
Ann Arbor MI
Kansas City MO
New York NY
Philadelphia PA
Pittsburgh PA
San Juan PR
Dallas TX
Remote job No
Telework eligible Yes-This position is eligible for situational telework at the discretion of management.
Travel Required Occasional travel - Travel up to 50 of the time may be required to complete assigned tasks and investigations.
Relocation expenses reimbursed No
Appointment type Permanent
Work schedule Full-time
Service Competitive
Promotion potential 13
Job family Series 1811 Criminal Investigation
Supervisory status No
Security clearance Top Secret
Drug test Yes
Position sensitivity and risk Critical-Sensitive CS High Risk
Trust determination process Credentialing Suitability Fitness National security
Financial disclosure Yes - Requires a financial disclosure agreement.
Bargaining unit status No
Announcement number OIG-HQ-2026-0004
Control number 861531500
This job is open to Help Federal employees - Competitive service Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Managements hiring rules and pay scales.
Career transition CTAP ICTAP RPL Federal employees whose job agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.
Land and base management Current or former employees of a base management agency.
Veterans Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse widow widower or parent of a veteran who may be eligible for derived preference
Military spouses Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.
Individuals with disabilities Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.
Family of overseas employees Family members of a federal employee or uniformed service member who is or was working overseas.
Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista Individuals who have served at least 2 years with the Peace Corps or 1 year with AmeriCorps VISTA.
Special authorities Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.
Clarification from the agency Current federal civilian employees in the competitive service on permanent career or career-conditional appointments Former federal employees with reinstatement eligibility Current federal employees eligible under Interchange Agreements and Applicants eligible under special hiring authorities Schedule A etc.
If you do not meet one of these categories you may apply under the concurrently advertised vacancy announcement OIG-HQ-2026-0006 which is open to all United States Citizens. Help
This job is also open in another announcement to The public Career transition CTAP ICTAP RPL
Duties Help
Fraud doesnt stop and neither do we. Were the Office of Inspector General an independent oversight office within the U.S. Department of Education ED charged with identifying and preventing fraud waste and abuse and ensuring accountability and effectiveness within ED programs. If you want to help fight fraud and make a difference for Americas students schools and taxpayers we may have the career for you We offer competitive salaries opportunities for rapid and substantial salary increases and career growth great benefits employee recognition programs and more.
Often referred to as Americas watchdogs its our job to help ensure that the hard-earned tax dollars that fund ED programs and operations are used as intended by law achieve the desired results and reach the intended recipients.
The OIG conducts audits and reviews of issues involving Federal student aid K-12 schools charter schools special education vocational education adult education and more. When our work identifies problems we propose solutions. Our work has resulted in improvements to ED programs and changes to some of the most important Federal education laws in our country.
We conduct criminal and civil investigations into suspected fraudulent activities by schools colleges universities contractors subcontractors school officials-any entity or individual that participates in ED programs or receives ED funding. Through our work we have unraveled multimillion-dollar fraud schemes by people placed in positions of trust to educate our children. Were also on the cutting edge of cybersecurity using the latest technology and techniques to discover and defeat current and emerging threats from cyber and economic crime.
We tackle new and emerging issues head-on and continually work to improve our techniques and capabilities. We consistently expand our expertise by training and developing our staff. This dedication has enabled the OIG to become a leader in the Federal government in the areas of audits investigations and fighting cybercrime.
Whether you are just entering the workforce or are a seasoned professional if youre looking for a career rather than just a job and shaping the next generation of Americans tackling tomorrows challenges consider joining our team.
As a Criminal Investigator at the GL-7 and GL-9 the incumbent is a trainee who acquires skills by observing a senior investigator perform criminal investigation activities and who provides assistance to that investigator under close and constant supervision. The duties and responsibilities of the positions are developmental.
Assists in planning investigations and performs relatively routine aspects of investigations such as assisting with gathering and obtaining evidence participating in surveillance operations interviews and the drafting of third-party request letters and subpoenas.
Assists with the examination and verification of records books reports correspondence and other data of consequence related to transactions actions or allegations under investigation.
Drafts reports of investigative findings for review by senior criminal investigators.
The incumbent of this developmental position is expected to refer to and comply with all applicable regulatory and procedural guides.
As a Criminal Investigator at the GS-11 the incumbent conducts detailed investigations into allegations of criminal violations related to fraud or corruption in Department of Education programs often involving high-profile individuals or officials. These investigations involve sensitive issues and circumstantial evidence requiring careful handling to avoid discrediting the Department. The incumbent employs advanced techniques reviews records and prepares thorough reports with recommendations. They also assist the Department of Justice in case preparation testify as witnesses in grand juries and courts on federal violations.
Plans investigations and performs most aspects of investigations such gathering and obtaining evidence participating in surveillance operations interviews and the drafting of third-party request letters and subpoenas.
Examines verifies and analyzes records books reports correspondence and other data of consequence related to transactions actions or allegations under investigation.
Drafts reports of investigative findings for review by management.
Requirements Help
Conditions of employment
You must be a U.S. citizen.
May be required to complete a background clearance and fingerprint check.
Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service.
You may be subject to serve a one year of probationary period.
Must possess and maintain a valid state drivers license.
Pass drug screening and subject to random drug testing.
Mobile work is a condition of employment.
You may be required to attend Special Agent Basic Training.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.
Salary The salary range indicated in this announcement reflects the lowest and highest potential salaries for this position. The actual salary range will be based on the applicable locality pay for the selected duty location. Special Salary Rate locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.
Condition of Employment As a condition of employment for accepting this position you may be required to serve a probationary period or trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider your performance and conduct the needs and interests of the agency whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period OR trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.
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 MMYYYY to MMYYYY OR MMYYYY 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.