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. 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.

Responsibilities

• 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 arrests 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 duties may be assigned based upon an individual's unique knowledge, skills, and/or experience.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top‑Secret security clearance.
• Must sign a mobility agreement confirming understanding and agreement to accept relocation to any location depending on the needs of the DEA.
• Must complete a pre‑employment medical clearance and annual medical examination.
• A full‑scope pre‑employment polygraph is required (reciprocity possible with prior polygraph from another agency).
• Selective Service: males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt.
• Age: at least 21 years and not older than 36 at time of application (exceptions for preference‑eligible veterans or those in a Federal civilian law‑enforcement retirement covered position).
• Must pass the E‑Verify employment verification check.
• Selectee will serve a 1‑year or 2‑year trial period during which fitness and continued employment advancing the public interest will be evaluated.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
• Subject to random drug testing.
• Must successfully complete a 16‑week basic agent training course at the DEA Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia (or a 3‑week Special Agent Transition Program if prior Federal criminal investigation training has been completed).
• Must be available to complete all phases of the Special Agent applicant process: Physical Task Assessment, Proctored Writing Assessment, Basic Qualification Review, and Structured Interview.

Qualifications

For the GL‑07 level:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GL/GS‑05 level, OR
• One full year of graduate‑level education in a field demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties, OR
• Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): bachelor’s degree with class standing in the upper third, GPA ≥3.0 (based on 4 years) or ≥3.5 (major‑field final 2 years), or membership in a national scholastic honor society, OR
• Combination of education and experience where the computed percentage meets at least 100% (experience months ÷12 + graduate semester hours