PUBLIC NOTICE- DEA Criminal Investigators

About the role

This is a public notice for Drug Enforcement Administration Criminal Investigator GL-1811-7/9/11 positions open to U.S. Citizens. A job announcement will be posted on USAJobs on July 20th and October 19th, 2026.

Duties

• Help 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.
  • Conducts complex criminal investigations targeting narcotics and drug related activities;
  • Prepares comprehensive and succinct criminal investigative reports and prepares and delivers briefings for senior personnel and other Federal, state, and local agencies;
  • Identifies and apprehends drug traffickers and arresting individuals engaged in criminal drug activities;
  • Gathers and analyzes evidence through investigative leads, seizures, arrests, execution of search warrants, and a variety of other means;
  • Testifies on behalf of the Federal government in court or before grand juries.

Additional Information

For more information or questions about Special Agent positions, please visit Talk to a Recruiter.

Phase 1: Physical Task Assessment (PTA)

THE PTA IS THE 1ST ASSESSMENT YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE to evaluate your present ability to successfully participate in the strenuous physical activities required during basic agent training. You are highly encouraged to view the following PTA video to ensure you fully understand the protocols that are required to pass the PTA.

Phase 2: Proctored Testing

Candidates who successfully complete the PTA will receive an email invitation to schedule an appointment to complete Phase 2 of the recruitment process. Phase 2 requires candidates to complete the Writing Assessment at a proctored testing center. Applicants will select their proctored testing center location from over 600 available locations across the United States. These assessments measure the following competencies: Attention to Detail, Memory, Teamwork, Problem Solving, Decision Making.

Phase 3: Basic Qualification Review

Candidates who successfully complete the PTA and Written Assessments will have their resume and supporting documents reviewed to determine whether they meet the minimum qualification and eligibility requirements of this position. The evaluation team may exclude a candidate from consideration if the candidate's self-ratings are higher than supported by the application materials. Errors or omissions may impact eligibility.

Phase 4: Structured Interview

Candidates who pass Phase 3, will be contacted to schedule an appointment to complete Phase 4 of the recruitment process. Phase 4 requires candidates to complete a Structured interview. A panel of interviewers will evaluate candidates on each of the following competencies: Teamwork, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, Oral Communication, Decision Making/Judgement, Self-Management, and Flexibility.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• U. S. Citizenship Required.
  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.
  Must sign a mobility agreement that confirms your understanding and agreement to accept relocation to any location depending on the needs of the DEA.
  This position requires the completion of a pre-employment medical clearance and annual medical examination.
  A full-scope pre-employment polygraph is required.

Qualifications

For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility
Applicants must meet all of the required qualification requirements described below by the closing of this announcement. 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.

Education

• For The GL-07 Level
  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:
  Assisting in investigations of alleged or suspected violations of law;
  Writing reports of findings, results, or accomplishments for information or action relating to law enforcement activities and/or court cases;
  and Researching, collecting and analyzing data from a variety of sources relating to investigations;
  -OR-
  SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: 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,
  -OR-
  SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT (SAA): 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.

Experience

• For The GL-07 Level
  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:
  Assisting in investigations of alleged or suspected violations of law;
  Writing reports of findings, results, or accomplishments for information or action relating to law enforcement activities and/or court cases;
  and Researching, collecting and analyzing data from a variety of sources relating to investigations;
  -OR-
  SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2-full years of progressively higher-level graduate ed