Investigator

Summary The Investigator position may be located at duty stations across the United States, depending on workload and agency needs. The Investigator is responsible for coordinating and conducting complex and sensitive investigations concerning violations of federal statutes and regulations falling within APHIS' jurisdiction. Please see the Additional Information section for duty location information. Learn more about this agency Duties The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Plans, researches, coordinates, and conducts complex investigations and other projects of involving federal statutes and regulations governing the international and interstate movement and handling of plant and animal products. Plans and executes strategies for conducting witness interviews. Identifies instances when an investigative subpoena is necessary and appropriate. Prepares narrative-based, written reports of investigation with supporting evidentiary exhibits, while meeting the organization’s performance targets for quality and timeliness of work. Supports, prepares for, and serves as a witness in enforcement proceedings involving APHIS laws, and, with approval, in proceedings initiated by other parties that relate to animal and plant health further the purposes of APHIS’ mission. Ensures that the program information management system is properly updated and maintained to facilitate timely access to accurate status updates. Participates in the development of training materials and other activities to support organizational development. Liaisons with local, state, federal and international law enforcement agencies, APHIS and state animal health and plant protection officials as well as various entities of the regulated industries, and represents IES at meetings and conferences. Provides technical guidance to APHIS program officials on regulatory interpretation, proper methods of preserving and handling material evidence, procedures for dealing with unique and unusual situations. Performs other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a US Citizen or US National. Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information. Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/ Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use. Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application. In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter. All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions. Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. FOR THE GS-9 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-7 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Preparing reports of investigation that support investigative findings to help substantiate or refute violations of federal/state or local regulations or laws. With appropriate oversight conduct investigative research and interpretation of applicable laws, statutes and regulations. Interpreting evidence and statements to determine logical paths forward for continued or expanded pursuit of leads. Under the direct oversight of lead personnel, assisting in the use of federal statutes and regulations governing the international and interstate movement and handling of plant and animal products, the regulation of genetically engineered products, or the humane treatment of animals. Conducting interviews to obtain information about alleged violations. OR Successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree, in such fields as Criminal Justice, Biology, Animal Science, Plant Science, Agriculture, J.D., or other closely related fields, OR two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-9 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education This position does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee. Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here. This position involves Mobile Work: Mobile work is characterized by routine and regular travel to conduct work in customer or other worksites as opposed to a single authorized alternative worksite. Examples of mobile work include site audits, site inspections, investigations, property management, and work performed while commuting, traveling between worksites, or on Temporary Duty (TDY). For the vacancy in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, and the states of, New York, South Dakota, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Washington, Mississippi and Iowa these positions will be covering a large territory within the respective state. More information will be available at time of selection. These ARE NOT remote positions. State location vacancy totals: 1 vacancy - Lower Peninsula of Michigan 1 vacancy - New York 1 vacancy - South Dakota 1 vacancy - New Jersey 1 vacancy - Oklahoma 2 vacancies - Washington 1 vacancy - Mississippi 1 vacancy - Iowa Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.