Criminal Investigator

This position is located within the Police Service at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Western New York Health Care System in Buffalo, New York. The mission of the Police Service is to serve and protect Veterans, patients, employees, contractors, volunteers, affiliates, visitors who frequent VA facilities.Qualifications: To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level, you must meet one of the following:
Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Criminal Investigator, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes investigating serious crimes and complex misdemeanors; utilizing an extensive array of standardized, optional and innovative investigation procedures, techniques and methods to detect, investigate and resolve crimes and other activities that are beyond the scope or requirements for solutions associated with standard patrol assignments; acting as liaison officer and facilitating the investigations of other Federal, State and local law enforcement personnel involved in the investigation and disposition of major crimes; collecting and using forensic evidence to solve crimes and support court cases against criminals; analyzing, evaluating and advising on law enforcement delivery systems and operations, as well as assessing the productivity, effectiveness and efficiency of the activities and operations; and, coordinating and/or participate in a taskforce or other team to conduct highly complex, difficult and sensitive criminal, civil and administrative investigations involving alleged misconduct, criminal activity and/or corruption. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. ~OR~
Education: Successful completion of of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. (Master of Laws), if related, such as criminal law, criminal justice, etc. from an accredited college or university. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the Criminal Investigator position. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~
Combination: Equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as described above, which may be used to meet total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the Criminal Investigator position such as criminal law, criminal justice, etc. and must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
~AND~
Driver's License Requirement (Screen-out): Applicants must possess a current and valid, unrestricted State driver's license, have a safe driving record and demonstrate they are medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely. Applicants are required to pass agency Government Vehicle Drivers physical examination. Note: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your driver's license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you may be required to provide a copy of your current and valid state-issued driver's license.
~AND~
Firearm Requirement (Screen-out): VA Criminal Investigators are required to carry agency-approved firearms while on duty on VA property. Criminal Investigators must achieve and maintain qualification/certification with the agency-approved firearms as condition of gaining and continuing employment as a Criminal Investigator. Applicants must be able to possess firearms under the terms of the Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended (18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9).
ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

1. Required to attend an 8 - 10-week course at the VA Law Enforcement Training Center in Little Rock, Arkansas (if not already completed). Satisfactory completion of this course is a condition of continued employment.
2. Must attend Investigator I, II and III training (3 weeks each) at the VA Law Enforcement Training Center in Little Rock, Arkansas (if not already completed) plus the Criminal Investigator Training Program (59 days) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA. Satisfactory completion of these courses within the first year is a condition of continued employment.
3. A medical examination is required. The duties of these positions require moderate to arduous physical exertion and/or duties of a hazardous nature. The following medical requirements apply to all applicants: good near and distant vision, ability to distinguish basic colors, and ability to hear the conversational voice.
4. Applicants and employees must have the capacity to perform the essential functions of the position without risk to themselves or others. Applicants and employees must possess emotional and mental stability. A psychological examination is required. In most instances, a specific medical condition or impairment will not automatically disqualify an applicant or employee. A medical condition or impairment is disqualifying only if the condition, for good medical reason, precludes assignment to or warrants restriction from the duties of the specific position. For some positions, the loss or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid. Reasonable accommodation shall also be considered in determining an applicant's ability to perform the duties of a position.
5. A character investigation will be conducted on applicants selected for employment. The purpose of such an investigation is to secure evidence of the candidate's honesty, integrity, general character, and loyalty to the U.S. Government.
6. As a condition of employment, must qualify to be issued a firearm and semi-annually with assigned firearm, annually with an expandable Straight Baton (MEB), maintain a valid State or Commonwealth Driver's License and pass annual physical and psychosocial assessments. Applicants must be able to possess firearms under the terms of the Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended (18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9).

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• Analysis and Problem Solving
• Arrest
• Criminal Investigation
• Criminal Law
• Forensics

IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.Education: IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).Employment Type: FULL_TIME