Benefits / Position Information

Benefits

Pay: You will be paid a base salary plus any authorized locality pay for the geographic area where you will be employed.

Promotion Potential: These positions have promotion potential to the GS-13 level. A career ladder promotion is contingent upon satisfactory performance and the satisfactory completion of all training or other requirements. Such promotions are not mandatory.

Law Enforcement Retirement: This position meets the eligibility criteria for law enforcement retirement under both the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Employees covered by either retirement system who reach age 50 or over with at least 20 years of service as a law enforcement officer are qualified for law enforcement retirement. In addition, employees covered by FERS (all new hires to the Federal government) of any age with at least 25 years of service as a law enforcement officer are qualified for law enforcement retirement. Finally, employees who reach age 57 with at least 20 years of service as law enforcement officers are subject to mandatory retirement.

Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): As a law enforcement officer you will be required to work on an unscheduled basis in excess of the 40-hour work week. You must be readily accessible to perform this unscheduled work. To ensure your availability, you will receive extra compensation in the form of Law Enforcement Availability Pay.

Overtime: These positions require substantial overtime. Special Agents earn special types of overtime, Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP), which is calculated at a flat rate of 25 percent of base salary. Selectees will be required to work on an unscheduled basis in excess of the 40-hour workweek. You must be readily accessible to perform this unscheduled work. To ensure your availability, you will receive extra compensation in the form of LEAP.

Annual and Sick Leave: Annual leave is earned according to the number of years you have been in the Federal Service. You earn 104 hours a year for the first 3 years, 160 hours a year for the next 12 years, and 208 hours a year after 15 years of service. You can carry over up to 240 hours to the next year. Sick leave can be accumulated without limit and taken as needed. You earn 104 hours of sick leave each year.

Federal Law Enforcement Retirement Coverage 12(d): Special Agents are covered under the provisions of both the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) 6 (c) or the Federal Employees Retirement System and the "12(d)." Employees covered by either retirement system that reach age 50 or over with at least 20 ye.ars of service as a law enforcement officer are eligible for law enforcement retirement. In addition, employees covered by FERS (all new hires to the Federal government) are eligible for law enforcement retirement at any age with at least 25 years of service as a law enforcement officer. Finally, employees who reach age 57 with at least 20 years of service as a law enforcement officer is subject to mandatory retirement under both retirement systems.

Health Insurance: The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program offers you a choice of health plans that allow you to select the kind and amount of insurance protection you actually need and want. The Government pays part (not more than 75%) of the cost of premiums. Each year you have the opportunity to enroll or change plans. For more information on these benefits, please visit U.S. Office of Personnel Management's web site.

Where are the Positions Located

Special Agent positions are located throughout the continental United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, Alaska, and Hawaii; however, many of the positions are located along the U.S. Southwest border.

What is the Salary

For current salary information, refer to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's web site. See HR Tools and Resources, Pay Tables, Salaries and Wages, and select Law Enforcement Special Salary Rate and Locality Pay Tables. The tables do not include the 25% LEAP, which begins after successful completion of Special Agent training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Employees are eligible for promotion up to the GS-13 without having to apply again.

Relocation Expenses

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

What are the Pre-Employment Requirements

Selections for these positions are made contingent upon the successful completion of a thorough background investigation, medical examination, and drug test. Employment offers may be withdrawn from those who do not provide adequate and timely responses to requests for information.

Key Requirements

• U.S. Citizens
• Background Security Investigation
• Drug Test
• Applicants Convicted of Domestic Violence cannot be employed as Special Agents
• Medical Exam
• Structured Oral Interview

Major Duties

You will be responsible for conducting criminal, civil, and administrative investigations that require an expert level of planning and coordination for very complex investigations in terms of structure and coordination requirements. You will investigate individuals, businesses, employers, criminal organizations or criminal conspiracies, and terrorist or terrorist organizations that represent a significant threat to public safety and national security to identify, penetrate, and dismantle such criminal organizations. You may serve as an undercover operative, undercover program manager or case agent in certified undercover operations involving penetration of close-knit terrorist and other criminal groups, over extended periods of time. You will conduct and coordinate high-level comprehensive investigations involving individuals, groups, or large organizations operating at a national or international level or local level, where there are few, if any established criteria. You will provide coordination and guidance for multi-jurisdictional, inter-regional, and inter-organizational inquiries and investigations. You will coordinate both undercover and surveillance operations during the course of the investigations, and usually coordinate teams of agents and other law enforcement officers and agencies during the conduct of large scale raids, arrests, and seizures involving international and/or multiple jurisdictions. You will plan and coordinate the review of business and other records with other Federal, state and local agencies to gather evidence, including cases in which exploitation or abusive employment practices are present.