The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) enforces the Federal drug laws of our nation. Formed in 1973, the DEA was built on the proud tradition of Federal drug law enforcement dating back to 1915, when our country’s first anti-drug laws were enacted. Its mission is to enforce the controlled substance laws and regulations of the United States and bring to the criminal justice system individuals and members of organizations who are involved in the illegal cultivation, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances in the United States.

Following the passage of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (CSA), the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, the predecessor agency of the DEA, recognized the need to establish a workforce dedicated to the investigation and regulation of legitimately produced controlled substances. 

A Diversion Investigator (DI) is a specialist responsible for addressing the problem of diversion of controlled pharmaceuticals and regulated chemicals from the legitimate channels in which they are manufactured, distributed and dispensed. The mission of a DI is to aid the pharmaceutical and chemical industries in complying with the CSA and other pertinent acts, as well as international treaties and conventions. DIs conduct investigations to uncover and investigate suspected sources of diversion and take appropriate criminal, civil and/or administrative actions. 

In order to accomplish this mission, a wide range of work activities is employed. One such activity is the scheduled investigation of registered handlers of controlled substances. These investigations serve to deter diversion through evaluation of the registrants’ record-keeping procedures, security safeguards and general compliance with the CSA and implementing regulations. Legitimate handlers of controlled substances subject to investigation are drug manufacturers, distributors, importers and exporters, and narcotic treatment programs. 

Most recently, there has been a growing push to investigate diversion of controlled substances involving the use of the Internet. The rapidly changing environment and an increase in Internet diversion of controlled substances has created a need for programs to target these sources of diversion.

Frequently, DIs are involved in investigations aimed at the most serious registrant violators of controlled substances laws and regulations. These registrants have a documented or suspected history of diversion of drugs/chemicals into the illicit market. DIs collect and analyze information developed during their investigation and consult with supervisory personnel to determine if criminal prosecution is warranted. DIs work closely with DEA Special Agents and state and local law enforcement officers who provide assistance in making undercover purchases and executing search warrants. DIs also work closely with attorneys for DEA, the United States Attorneys Office and state and local prosecutors. DIs are required to testify as to the results of their investigations during criminal trials, Grand Jury proceedings and administrative hearings.

The job of a DEA Diversion Investigator involves maintaining liaison with all levels of the drug and chemical registrant population. DIs will often answer questions registrants have concerning their responsibilities under the CSA. 

Many DIs also become involved in their office’s demand reduction and community out-reach programs.

Foreign-based DIs are experts in legal and regulatory matters pertaining to narcotics, psychotropic substances, and regulated chemicals. They serve as advisors/consultants to foreign host governments in establishing anti-diversion programs.

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General: You must be a U.S. citizen and possess a valid driver’s license.

Physical: Selected candidates are required to obtain a qualifying medical examination to determine physical and mental fitness and must be free of any impairment which would interfere with normal work performance. Distant vision should be 20/40 (uncorrected or corrected with glasses or contact lenses). Near vision should be 20/25 and must be sufficient to read Jaegar Type #2 at 14 inches (glasses or contact lenses permitted). Depth perception and ability to distinguish shades of color (color plate test) are essential. Candidates must be able to hear conversational voice at a distance of 20 feet with both ears. The use of a hearing aid is permissible.

Education: Successful candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree (any major) and meet one of the following Superior Academic Achievement Provisions:

• A grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 2.95 or higher) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.
   

• A grade-point average of "B+" (a GPA of 3.5 or higher) for all courses in your major field of study, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.
   

• Rank in the upper third of your class in the college, university or major subdivision.
   

• Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor society) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.

Note: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) was taken on a pass/fail similar basis, your claim must be based on class standing or membership in an honor society.

One full year of graduate level education in an accredited college or university, or a Master’s degree, LL.B., J.D., LL.M., Ph.D.

Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lowest grade level.

An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Skills: In addition to the minimal qualifications, credit may be given to those individuals who possess one or more of the following special skills.

• Investigative experience 

• Proficiency in a foreign language 

• Accounting experience or degree 

• Chemistry experience or degree 

• Pharmacology/Pharmacist experience or degree 

• Computer skills/experience 

• Military Service 

• Law Enforcement experience or degree

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Typically, DIs are recruited through competitive or merit promotion procedures. However, two additional programs are being utilized to recruit special skills.

• Veteran's Recruitment Appointment (VRA). Eligibility for this program requires an honorable discharge from active duty United States military service within the last 3 years. 

• Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP). This is a two-year training program, open to all qualified candidates, offering Federal benefits as well as promotion opportunity. Employees will be eligible for conversion to career-conditional status upon completion of the program.

Candidates:

• must successfully complete an extensive panel interview process, which requires a full disclosure of past drug use*; the personal interview assesses such facts as interpersonal skills, problem solving, self-management, flexibility, teamwork and communication skills; a thorough background investigation and comprehensive suitability review will be performed to determine a candidate’s general character, honesty and suitability for this position 

• must be willing to accept assignments anywhere in the U.S., based on the needs of the agency 

• are required to sign a mobility statement to this effect prior to an offer of employment 

• will be screened by urinalysis testing for the presence of marijuana and other controlled substances and will be subject to random testing throughout their career 

• must also successfully complete a medical examination 

• may be subject to a pre-employment polygraph examination screening 

• must successfully complete Diversion Investigator Basic Training, a formal 12-week training program. Following this training, those individuals who are selected from a competitive register will be required to complete a one-year probationary period of employment. Those individuals selected under VRA and FCIP will serve a two-year probationary period 

• must be aware that irregular working hours may be required 

• must be able to travel. Depending on the duty location, the work may be require frequent travel for periods of up to several weeks 

*Drug Questionnaire - DEA requires that all applicants complete a drug questionnaire as part of their application process. Please complete the attached questionnaire and submit it with your application package.

"Applicants who are found, through investigation or personal admission to have experimented with or used narcotics or dangerous drugs, except those medically prescribed, will not be considered for employment with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Exceptions to this policy may be made for applicants who admit to a limited youthful and experimental use of marijuana. Such applicants may be considered for employment if there is no evidence of regular, confirmed usage and the full-field background investigation and results of the other steps in the process are otherwise favorable."

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