Investigative Specialist

Summary

Protect your homeland and defend your culture. Join USCIS, America's frontline defense against illegal foreign infiltration and fraud. As an Investigative Specialist, you will provide technical expertise while conducting investigations of misconduct, corruption, and fraud involving USCIS employees and contractors.

Duties

• Organizational Location: This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, within Office of Investigations and are assigned based on the need of the agency.
• The responsibilities 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.
• Conducts investigations, fact finding and supports enforcement personnel where information indicates Federal or contract employee integrity or misconduct allegations have been detected in relation to the mission and goals of DHS and USCIS.
• Prepare accurate and concise investigative reports in a timely manner, assuring that all investigative procedures and findings conform to applicable Federal, DHS, and USCIS policy for use in administrative proceeding.
• Conducts detailed analysis to identify elements of proof, develop investigative plans and strategies, identify and collect evidence, and prepare for and conduct witness and subject interviews.
• Employs advanced qualitative and quantitative techniques to analyze a variety of law enforcement databases and other electronic tools to conduct e-searches on subjects under investigations.

Qualifications

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 11/13/2026. Current Federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the lower grade or equivalent grade band in the Federal service. The Time-in-Grade requirement must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 11/13/2026. Application Limit: This vacancy is limited to the first 100 applications received. All applications received prior to midnight 11:59 PM (ET) of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered. If the application limit is not reached by the closing date of the announcement, all applications received during the open period will be considered. Any required documents must be submitted at the time that you apply as documents will not be accepted past the day the application limit is reached, if applicable. If you choose to edit your application after it has been submitted, it will be removed from consideration until you re-submit your application. The date your application is last submitted will be used to determine whether you meet the cut-off criteria. GS-12: You qualify at the GS-12 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing all of the following duties: Conducting administrative investigation cases such as misconduct, corruption and fraud involving employees and/or contractors; Identifying and collecting evidence, preparing for and conducting witness and subject interviews; Following up on several separate investigative matters stemming from original assignments. GS-13: You qualify at the GS-13 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing all of the following duties: Conducting administrative investigations such as misconduct, corruption and fraud involving employees and/or contractors; Developing investigative plans and strategies or prepares investigative reports; Working with multi-jurisdictions to pursue complex investigative matters to their completion. Please read the following important information to ensure you submit everything we need to consider your application: It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit your responses and appropriate documentation prior to 11/13/2026. You must upload your resume under the "Resume" category. Resumes submitted under the "Other Documents" category will not be considered. Your most recently submitted resume will be used to determine your qualifications for the position advertised in this announcement. Therefore, your resume must highlight your most relevant, significant experience related to the requirements found in the qualification section of this announcement, as well as any applicable education. Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. To help ensure your resume remains clear and easy to read, we recommend using margins of at least 0.8 inches and a font size of at least 11 point. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since Human Resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Your application will be rated and ranked based on your responses to the online questions. Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information: Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job) Duties (be specific in describing your duties) Employer's name and address Supervisor name and phone number Start and end dates including month, day and year (e.g. June 18 2007 to April 05 2008) Start and end dates for each grade/pay level if you've held a federal position. Full-time or part-ti…

Education

EDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTION: There is no educational substitution at these grade levels. Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP): Per 5 CFR 576.202, An employee who receives a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) and later accepts employment for compensation with the Government of the United States within 5 years of the date of the separation on which the VSIP is based, including work under a personal services contract or other direct contract, must repay the entire amount of the VSIP to the agency that paid it (proof of payment is required) before the individual's first day of reemployment. Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. Common definitions for hiring terms found in this announcement.