This position is located in the Office of the Inspector General, Investigation Services, Investigations Operations Unit (IOU). IOU has a nationwide mission and is responsible for investigating information technology-based crimes and criminal activity that threatens the Department’s administration of Federal education assistance funds and data. IOU is also responsible for providing digital forensics services to other OIG components.
Minimum Qualification Requirements: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-12) in federal service that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position (see description below). Specialized Experience for the GS-13: One year of specialized experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-12 performing the three (3) following duties or work assignments: Experience in demonstrating advanced skills in law enforcement techniques and computer forensic techniques. Experience in analyzing records, complaints or allegations to identify issues in a case. Experience in questioning or interviewing subjects, witnesses and victims to obtain and verify information. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement). Knowledge of laws of evidence, rules of criminal procedures, and precedent setting court decisions required for gathering investigative evidence and conducting research and analysis for investigations. Knowledge of and skill in court decisions and legal precedent in cases where 18 USC 1030 was used to charge criminal violations. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to interact and work effectively with others. Skilled in use of computers and computer software including work processing, spreadsheets, email, and Internet search engines. Knowledge of and skill in analyzing and organizing data and in presenting facts and analyses orally and in writing. Knowledge of data and forensic analysis techniques, principles, theories, concepts, and practices applicable to data acquisition and analyses. Selectee must meet the initial agency suitability determination before a final offer can be made. Law Enforcement Availability: Applicants must agree to work an average of two hours extra per day to meet the requirements of law enforcement availability pay (LEAP) as described in Title 5 U.S.C. § 5545A(d)(1). Applicants may be required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination by an Agency designated physician to determine if they are physically and medically qualified to perform the full duties of the position. Any physical condition which could hinder an individual's full, efficient and safe performance of his/her duties as a criminal investigator, or failure to meet any of the required physical or medical qualifications, will usually be considered disqualifying for employment, except when sufficient evidence is presented that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job efficiently and without hazard to themselves and others. Medical Requirement: The duties of positions in this series require moderate arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, and knee joints is required. Arms, hands, legs, feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. Applicant must be able to pass an Audiometer test. Hearing loss exceeding a 30-decibel average in either ear in the conversational and speech range (500, 1000, 2000 cycles) is disqualifying. Applicant should possess uncorrected visual acuity of no less than 20/100 in each eye, correctable to 20/20 in one eye and 20/30 in the other eye. Ability to read, without strain, printed material the size of typewritten characters is required. Glasses are permitted. Normal depth perception: depth perception to the correctable standard of 80 seconds of ARC is permitted.
The Inspector General of the Department of Education (Department) heads an independent and objective organization responsible for audit, investigation, and other services related to programs and operations of the Department. The Inspector General provides leadership and coordination and recommends policies for activities designed, to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration of programs and operations as well as to prevent and detect fraud and abuse in such programs and operations. The Office of the Inspector General consists of the following seven components: Immediate Office of the Inspector General Investigation Services Audit Services Management Services Technology Services Legal Services/Counsel to the Inspector General Enterprise and External Affairs This position is considered a primary law enforcement position and is eligible for special law enforcement retirement coverage. IOU centralizes computer crime investigation and law-enforcement capabilities of digital evidence forensic analysis. Criminal Investigators in IOU are computer crime investigators and receive specialized training in information technology, digital forensics, and the investigation of cyber-crimes and conduct all investigations of alleged computer and network crime for the OIG. This includes: computer intrusions denial of service attacks the intentional destruction or altering of digital data, and the exploitation of children by means of visual depictions. This position required the incumbent to conducts investigations into intrusions of ED systems on fraud, waste, and abuse within Departmental programs, where a computer or other electronic means is used as a weapon, fruit, or instrumentality in the commission of a crime. The incumbent will submit written investigative reports and make oral presentations for management and/or prosecutors to substantiate or disprove allegations in accordance with standards and timeframe. The incumbent examines, verifies, and analyzes records, books, reports, correspondence, and other data of consequence related to transactions, actions, or allegations under investigation. The incumbent independently provides expert forensic support through the scientific analysis of electronic evidence. Conducts complex computer forensic examinations that are consistent with those standards established by ED-OIG, the Council of Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), the Department of Justice as well as reflective of current trends and techniques within the law enforcement and professional communities. This may include the testing of forensic software and other appropriate automated analytical tools to meet diverse investigative requirements.