Criminal Investigation

GS-1811

Position Overview

Criminal investigators with the Department of the Interior investigate crimes on or affecting public lands, such as theft or destruction of natural or cultural resources, wildlife trafficking, or violations of Federal wildlife and resource protection laws. DOI criminal investigators protect the public, land, and wildlife through their efforts. This work may vary significantly across positions, locations, or bureaus.

This position is represented at the following bureaus

Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Land Management
National Park Service
Office of the Inspector General
Office of the Secretary
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Candidate Description

The ideal candidate is conscientious, careful, and detail-oriented, with strong interpersonal and writing skills. This person should be self-motivated, team-oriented, and have a passion for natural resources. She or he uses initiative and resourcefulness to successfully complete complex investigations.

Specialty Areas

  • Digital and Computer Forensics

  • Undercover Work
  • International Investigations

     

Work Environment

Both indoors in an office setting, and outdoors in public lands areas which may be remote, with rough terrain and challenging environmental conditions.

Minimum Education Requirements

Please see the Individual Occupation Requirements and the Administrative and Management Positions Group Qualification Standard on the OPM websites.

Career Level Requirements

Responsibilities by Level

  • Journey:

    • Serving as a team leader providing guidance and support to journey level Investigators
    • Conducting complex investigations
    • Acting as liaison with other law enforcement organizations
    • Serving on special task forces
    • Enforcing international wildlife/conservation treaties

  • Senior:

    • Overseeing investigative programs
    • Managing sensitive, high visibility investigations with national or international significance

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Strengths by Level

Journey 7-13
Senior 14-15
  • Accountability
    Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
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    Journey 7-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Attention to Detail
    Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
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    Journey 7-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Decision Making
    Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
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    Journey 7-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Flexibility
    Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with ambiguity.
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    Journey 7-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Influencing/Negotiating
    Persuades others to accept recommendations, cooperate, or change their behavior; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.
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    Journey 7-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Interpersonal Skills
    Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
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    Journey 7-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Oral Communication
    Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
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    Journey 7-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Planning and Evaluating
    Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.
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    Journey 7-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Reasoning
    Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
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    Journey 7-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Self-Management
    Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.
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    Journey 7-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Teamwork
    Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
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    Journey 7-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Technical Competence
    Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
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    Journey 7-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Writing
    Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
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    Journey 7-13
    Senior 14-15

Common Pathways

Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...

45.1%

General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance

See Position Details
31.1%
18.9%

Park Ranger

See Position Details
Less Common Pathways (<2%)

Where We Are

DOI employs people at more than 2,400 locations across the United States and territories. Use the Position Locator tool to see where current DOI employees work. To check for job opportunities, scroll down and click "See jobs on USAjobs.gov."