<strong>Summary<br><br></strong><ul><li>THIS IS NOT A JOB ANNOUNCEMENT** <br><br></li></ul>This is a public notice for Drug Enforcement Administration Criminal Investigator GL-1811-7/9/11 positions open to U.S. Citizens.<br><br><ul><li>UPDATED** A job announcement will be posted on USAJobs on January 12th and April 6th, 2026.<br><br></li></ul><strong>PLEASE READ THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED SECTIONS. </strong>For more information about Special Agent positions, please visit Talk to a Recruiter.<br><br>Duties<br><br> Help <br><br>At the DEA, our people are agents for change. A unique mission requires special talent. As a DEA Special Agent, you will work as part of an elite criminal investigative team that transforms the power of your talent into action. That action makes a difference for the security and well-being of our nation and the world every day.<br><br><ul><li>Conducts complex criminal investigations targeting narcotics and drug related activities;</li><li>Prepares comprehensive and succinct criminal investigative reports and prepares and delivers briefings for senior personnel and other Federal, state, and local agencies;</li><li>Identifies and apprehends drug traffickers and arresting individuals engaged in criminal drug activities;</li><li>Gathers and analyzes evidence through investigative leads, seizures, arrests, execution of search warrants, and a variety of other means;</li><li>Testifies on behalf of the Federal government in court or before grand juries.<br><br></li></ul>Additional duties may be assigned based upon an individual's unique knowledge, skills, and/or experience.<br><br><strong>Basic Agent Training:</strong> Applicants who have not completed previous federal law enforcement training through another federal law enforcement agency must attend and complete a 16-week residential training program. <strong>Current or former 1811 applicants who have successfully completed a Federal Criminal Investigation training program through another federal law enforcement agency may qualify for a 3-week Special Agent Transition Program (FCIT Transcripts must be attached).<br><br></strong><strong>Requirements<br><br></strong> Help <br><br>Conditions of employment<br><br><ul><li>U. S. Citizenship Required.</li><li>Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance. Each applicant will be reviewed individually to agency suitability policy. Upon completion of this review, the DEA will decide, if any additional clearance will be required.</li><li>Must sign a mobility agreement that confirms your understanding and agreement to accept relocation to any location depending on the needs of the DEA.</li><li>This position requires the completion of a pre-employment medical clearance and annual medical examination.</li><li>A full-scope pre-employment polygraph is required. 1811 Applicants who have previously completed and passed a polygraph examination with their current or former agency, may seek reciprocity with the DEA during the hiring process.</li><li>Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/)</li><li>Applicant must be at least 21 years of age and not older than 36 at the time of appointment, unless you are a preference eligible veteran or a current, or previously served in a Federal civilian law enforcement retirement covered position.</li><li>Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: http://www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.</li><li>Selectee will be required to serve a 1-year or 2-year trial period, as appropriate, during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.</li><li>This position requires that the incumbent must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.</li><li>Incumbent is subject to random drug testing.</li><li>Basic Agent Training Requirement: If selected, individuals are required to successfully complete a 16 to 20-week basic agent training (BAT) course held at the DEA Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia.</li><li>1811 applicants who have successfully completed a Federal Criminal Investigation training program through another federal law enforcement agency, may qualify for a 3-week Special Agent Transition Program (FCIT Transcripts must be attached).<br><br></li></ul><strong>Qualifications<br><br></strong>For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility<br><br>Applicants must meet all of the required qualification requirements described below by the closing of this announcement.<strong> If you are qualifying based on education, you MUST submit a copy of your transcript with your application that clearly displays conferred degrees and/or relevant credit hours. An unofficial transcript will be accepted at the time of application. If selected, an official/sealed college transcript(s) will be required to verify education prior to employment.<br><br></strong>All applicants must meet one of the basic qualification requirements described below for this position.<br><br><strong>For The GL-07 Level<br><br></strong>Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GL/GS-05 level or pay band in the Federal service that includes performing the following duties:<br><br><ul><li>Assisting in investigations of alleged or suspected violations of law; </li><li>Writing reports of findings, results, or accomplishments for information or action relating to law enforcement activities and/or court cases; </li><li>Researching, collecting and analyzing data from a variety of sources relating to investigations; -OR-<br><br></li></ul><strong>SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE</strong><strong>:</strong> The experience requirement for the GS-7 level may be met by one full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to successfully perform the duties of the position, <strong>-OR-<br><br></strong><strong>SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT (SAA): </strong>Applicants who have completed (or expect to complete within 9 months) all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) in a course of study that directly reflects the job-related competencies necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position. Courses should emphasize the development of skills in teamwork, problem-solving, decision-making, flexibility, oral communication, interpersonal relations, and/or self-management. <br><br><ul><li>Eligibility for Upcoming Graduates: Senior students who are currently enrolled in a degree program and expect to complete all graduation requirements within 9 months of the closing date of this announcement, may be considered for a GL-7 appointment based on their grades at the time of application. To be considered:</li><ul><li>At the time of application, senior students must provide documentation confirming an expected graduation date AND;</li><li>Prior to entry on duty, provide evidence that they maintained the required grades during their senior year.<br></li></ul></ul>Failure to provide proof of graduation within the required timeframe OR failure to maintain the required grades through their senior year, may result in removal from consideration.<br><br>S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership: <br><br><ul><li>Class Standing: Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class, based on completed courses;</li><li>Grade Point Average: Applicants must have a grade point average of:</li><ul><li>3.0 or higher: Based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; OR;</li><li>3.5 or higher: Based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; OR;</li></ul><li>Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society: Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies OR;<br></li></ul><strong>COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE</strong><strong>: </strong>A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.<br><br><strong>For The GL-09 Level<br><br></strong>Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GL/GS-07 level or pay band in the Federal service that includes performing the following duties:<br><br><ul><li>Assisting in investigations of alleged or suspected violations of law; </li><li>Collecting and analyzing data from a variety of sources relating to investigations; </li><li>Writing reports and conducting briefings of findings, results, or accomplishments for information or action relating to law enforcement activities and/or court cases; </li><li>Meeting or corresponding with court officials and law enforcement personnel to discuss case-related materials; and </li><li>Assisting prosecuting attorneys in preparation of technical aspects of cases; and/or testifying or presenting evidence for court, legislative, or administrative proceedings; -OR-<br><br></li></ul><strong>SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: </strong>Master's or equivalent graduate degree <strong>OR</strong> 2-full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree <strong>OR</strong> LL.B. or J.D. <strong>-OR-<br><br></strong><strong>COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:</strong> A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus <strong>18</strong>) by 18. Add the two percentages.<br><br><strong>For the GS-11 Level: </strong>One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the<strong> GL/GS-09 </strong>level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrate your ability in the following:<br><br><ul><li>Conducting or supporting federal criminal investigations in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies;</li><li>Developing operational plans and determining investigative priorities of federal cases;</li><li>Operating undercover, conducting surveillance operations, participating in raids, seizures and arrests etc.;</li><li>Developing and eliciting information from confidential sources;</li><li>Interviewing, and interrogating persons suspected of violations of law; and </li><li>Organizing evidence for presentation to prosecution officials and testifying in court; OR;<br><br></li></ul><strong>SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: </strong>Have a Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leader to a Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or LL.M, if related; <strong>OR;<br><br></strong><strong>COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE</strong><strong>:</strong> A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus <strong>36</strong>) by 18. Add the two percentages.<br><br>Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.<br><br>Education<br><br><strong>If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: </strong>Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education DAPIP | Homepage).<br><br><strong>FOREIGN EDUCATION: </strong>Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials, visit: Members - NACES<br><br><strong>PASS/FAIL COURSES:</strong> If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.<br><br><strong>GRADUATE EDUCATION:</strong> One year of graduate education in considered to be the number of credit hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.<br><br>Additional information<br><br><strong>Appointments: </strong>If selected, appointments will be made in accordance with 5 CFR 213.3210 (Schedule B), Excepted Service Appointments. Individuals appointed via the Schedule B authority may be converted to permanent Career appointments at the third or fourth year from the initial appointment.<br><br><strong>Probationary/Trial Period:</strong> As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1 to 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:<br><br><ul><li>your performance and conduct;</li><li>the needs and interests of the agency;</li><li>whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and</li><li>whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.<br><br></li></ul>Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.<br><br><strong>Law Enforcement Availability: </strong>Special Agents may be required to work substantial overtime and occasional irregular work schedules, to include weekends and holidays. Special Agents must be readily accessible to perform unscheduled work. Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) is provided to Special Agents to ensure their availability and are compensated based upon 25 percent of the respective grade's base salary.<br><br><strong>Medical Requirements: </strong>The duties of this position require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. If selected, you will be required to pass a pre-employment medical examination. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to himself/herself, or others is disqualifying.<br><br><strong>Firearms Requirement: </strong>This position requires individuals to be authorized to carry a firearm and maintain firearm proficiency. Special Agent positions are subject to the Lautenberg Amendment, 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(9). Individuals are required to verify that they have not been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.<br><br><strong>Employment Drug Policy: </strong>All DEA applicants are required to disclose their current and past drug usage and activity. The DEA recognizes some otherwise qualified applicants may have used illegal drugs or abused legal drugs or substances in their past. These circumstances will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.<br><br><strong>Mobility Agreement: </strong>This position is subject to reassignment to any domestic DEA facility, depending on the needs of the DEA. Individuals selected for this position are required to sign a mobility agreement as a condition of employment. <strong>Applicants must ensure that family members are prepared for and support any assignment location.<br><br></strong><strong>Relocation Expenses: </strong>Full relocation expenses will be paid for individuals transferring from another Federal position. New Federal government employees are subject to limited relocation expenses and are responsible for moving expenses not covered by DEA policies.<br><br>Recruitment Incentives may be offered.<br><br>Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.<br><br>Additional information on Special Agent employment eligibilities, medical and physical requirements, and the hiring process are available on the DEA Special Agent careers site.<br><br> Help <br><br>A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.<br><br>Review our benefits<br><br>Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.