Summary Are you looking for a career in national security? The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) Background Investigations Directorate is seeking a trustworthy, inquisitive person to fill the role of Investigator. The Investigator will conduct background investigations with a focus on quality and timeliness. This is a developmental position and a great opportunity to enter the federal government. Become a part of America's Gatekeeper Team! Responsibilities This position may be filled at either GG-07 or GG-09 grade level, please indicate the grade for which you want to be considered. Incumbent may be advanced non-competitively to the established target grade upon meeting developmental benchmarks, performance requirements, and other requirements, as applicable established for the career program or specifically for the incumbent. As a INVESTIGATOR (SPECIAL AGENT) you will be responsible for the following duties: -Assist with conducting Federal Personnel Background Investigations, many of which are sensitive or controversial, where allegations, hearsay information, or other vague or intangible information of an adverse nature exist. -Evaluate individual's trustworthiness for access to classified information, placement in a sensitive position, retention in the military services, or placement in Federal employment. -Assist with collecting and developing information from a variety of sources. -Prepare reports of investigation in accordance with DOD guidelines and instructions. Local Commuting Definition: -District of Columbia, Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in the State of Maryland and all cities. -Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and all cities now and hereafter existing in the geographic area bounded by the outer boundaries of the combined areas of the counties listed above Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: General Investigation Series 1810 (opm.gov) for OPM qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by 02/07/2025 Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience required for this position is: To qualify at the GG-07 level experience must include general knowledge of Federal laws, DCSA policy and program relating to investigations as contained in handbooks, regulations, directives, and operating instructions. Applying basic investigative principles, concepts, and methods of fact-finding and investigative procedures. OR a Conferred Bachelor's degree (or equivalent). To qualify at the GG-09 level experience must include conducting personnel background research/inquiries, reviewing personnel forms and reports for completeness and accuracy, reviewing technical documents (such as employment applications, investigative questionnaires, affidavits, credit and police reports, loans/benefits applications etc.) to extract information, identifying discrepancies/inconsistencies, or areas potentially requiring clarification or additional information, applying regulations and/or operating procedures within a technical program, adjudicating or substantiating cases/claims for legal/financial/medical benefits, military intelligence action, law enforcement, or legal work, or interviewing personnel for various reasons. OR Education must equal a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. Specifically you will be evaluated on the following competencies: 1. Oral Communications: 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. 2.Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences. 3. Planning 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. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. Education If substituting education for experience, at the GG-07 level, you must have a Conferred Bachelor's degree (or equivalent). For the GG-09 level, a Master's or equivalent degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such as degree or LL.B. or J.D. If substituting or combining education for experience, transcripts MUST be provided. Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position. Superior Academic Achievement does not apply to DCIPS positions. Foreign Education: For further information, click on the following link: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ Additional Information VETERANS PREFERENCE/CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL In accordance with DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, veterans preference is not required to be applied when considering candidates with prior Federal competitive or excepted service who have completed a probationary or trial period and have not been separated for cause. Therefore, veterans preference will not be applied to applicants with current federal service, or former federal civilian service meeting the above criteria. Other Notes: Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf Applicants selected from this announcement may be required to serve a two-year trial period. If selected, Federal employees currently serving in the competitive service must acknowledge that they will voluntarily leave the competitive service by accepting an offer of employment for a DCIPS excepted service positions. If selected, non-DCIPS candidates must acknowledge in writing that the position they have been selected for is in the excepted service and covered by DCIPS. Selection under this appointment authority does not confer civil service competitive status. All current and former Federal employees must submit a copy of your latest SF50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your tenure, grade and step, and type of position occupied (i.e., Excepted or Competitive); or similar Notification of Personnel Action documentation, i.e., Transcript of Service, Form 1150, etc. Resumes should NOT include: Classified information/SSN/Photo of yourself/personal information (gender, religion, affiliation etc/Encrypted digitally signed docs). Resumes with this prohibited information will be automatically ineligible for consideration.