Criminal Investigator

Summary

This position is based at Raymond G Murphy VA Medical Center in Albuquerque - NM - within Police Services. The role involves handling serious crimes comparable to homicides - including large-scale fraud - drug diversion - prostitution rings - and multi-state schemes targeting VA property - Veterans - and staff.

About the Role

The duties of positions in this series require moderate to 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 - and feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. Sufficiently good vision in each eye - with or without correction - is required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Near vision - corrective lenses permitted - must be sufficient to read printed material the size of typewritten characters. Hearing loss - as measured by an audiometer - must not exceed 35 decibels at 1000 - 2000 - and 3000 Hz levels. Since the duties of these positions are exacting and responsible - and involve activities under trying conditions - applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to himself/herself - or others is disqualifying.

Responsibilities

• Investigates crimes which cannot be resolved through the initial efforts of the reporting officer's preliminary investigation or are beyond the scope of a Detective's responsibility
• Researches - interviews - observes - conducts stakeout operations - and executes investigative techniques
• Coincides and conducts joint investigations relating to alleged or suspected violations of criminal laws with other federal and state agencies such as the FBI - US Marshalls - etc
• Coordinates and conducts surveillance activities that are coordinated by an OIG and/or other federal agencies
• Captures sufficient evidence to support a court case against a criminal - and explains to the jury the significance of evidence as it relates to proof that a crime was committed
• Confers with the U.S. Attorney's office - VA Regional Counsel Office - or other outside law enforcement agencies as appropriate - to dispose of or to proceed with a case
• Led or assists in the conduct of administrative investigations of alleged administrative misconduct - patient abuse - and other improprieties
• Collaborates with a taskforce or other team to conduct highly complex - difficult and sensitive criminal - civil and administrative investigations
• Captures/compiles data that includes criminal trends - performance metrics - and quality assurance for all functions of Police Service
• Creates graphs - charts - and descriptions of the data collected to include analyzing the information and providing ways to reduce crime - improve performance - and meet customer needs while maintaining an acceptable performance service level
• Conducts and oversees Internal Affairs Investigations (IA) - under the direction of the Chief of Police or as assigned by VHA Leadership
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Requirements

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Full-time - Monday thru Friday (8 hours schedule - and on-call)
• Telework: This position is not authorized
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Qualifications

• To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 07/22/2026.
• Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7.
• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to: Conducting investigations of complaints - tips/leads - obtaining physical evidence - testimony - etc.; researching and utilizing applicable federal guidelines to investigate crimes; analyzing raw investigative data and converting it comprehensive written reports; and possessing excellent communication skills when interacting with the general public and other law enforcement agencies in a positive and respectful manner. NOTE: 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.
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree - or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. OR Combination: A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and experience as described above that equates to 100%.

Skills

None specified in the provided job posting.

Benefits

None specified in the provided job posting.

Pay

Not specified in the provided job posting.

Schedule

Full-time - Monday thru Friday (8 hours schedule - and on-call)

Additional Criminal Investigator Conditions of Employment

• Required to attend an 8-10-week POST 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.
• Must successfully attend and complete the FLETC Law Enforcement Criminal Investigator Training Program (FLETC CITP) within one year if not already completed.

Position Description/PD#: Criminal Investigator/PD99782S

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.