What are the responsibilities and job description for the Special Agent position at US Drug Enforcement Administration?
Duties
DEA Special Agents are sworn federal law enforcement officers who fight against the nations illegal drug trade and pursue trafficking and narco-terrorist organizations.
- 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.
Law Enforcement Availability: Throughout their career at the DEA, 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.
Pay:
For positions filled at the 07 and 09 levels, pay will be set using the Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) locality pay tables. This link reflects the base rates and final salary will be based on duty station.
For positions filled at the 11 level, pay will be set using the GS pay rates and the final salary will be based on the duty station assigned.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- U. S. Citizenship Required.
- Incumbent is subject to random drug testing.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance.
- Must have and maintain a valid state driver's license.
- This position requires the completion of a pre-employment medical clearance and annual medical examination.
- Mobility agreement is required upon selection.
- Polygraph is required.
- Trial period is required.
- Males must be registered for Selective Service (www.sss.gov).
- DEA uses E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.
- 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.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position the applicant MUST have at least one year of specialized experience that has equipped them with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.
For the GS- 07 Level: This experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal service. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
- Experience assisting in investigations of alleged or suspected violations of the law;
- Writing reports of findings, results, or accomplishments for information or action relating to law enforcement activities and/or court cases;
- Researching, collecting and analyzing data from a variety of sources relating to investigations;OR;
Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA). In order to be creditable under this provision, SAA must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position and is based on:
- Class Standing: Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class, based on completed courses;
- Grade Point Average: Applicants must have a grade point average of:
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
For the GS-09 Level: This experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
- Experience assisting in investigations of alleged or suspected violations of the law;
- Collecting and analyzing data from a variety of sources relating to investigations;
- Writing reports and conducting briefings of findings, results, or accomplishments for information or action relating to law enforcement activities and/or court cases;
- Meeting or corresponding with court officials and law enforcement personnel to discuss case-related materials;
- Assisting prosecuting attorneys in preparation of technical aspects of cases; and/or testifying or presenting evidence for court, legislative, or administrative proceedings; OR;
Education: Have a masters degree or equivalent or 2 full years of progressively high-level graduate education leading to a master degree or have completed all requirements for an LL. B, if related or J.D. degree; OR;
Combination of Education and Experience: 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%.
For the GS-11 Level: This experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
- Experience working on Federal investigations;
- Developing operational plans and determining investigative priorities of cases;
- Developing and eliciting information from confidential sources;
- Interviewing, and interrogating persons suspected of violations of the law;
- Organizing evidence for presentation to prosecution officials and testifying in court; OR;
Combination of Education and Experience: 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%.
Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.
Education
See the Qualifications Section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements. 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: www.naces.org/members.php.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional information
Applicant Availability: Applicants must be available to complete all assessment phases of the Special Agent applicant process. The DEA will discontinue candidacy for applicants who are unable to participate in the employment assessments.
Physical Task Assessment (PTA): Qualified candidates are required to complete a PTA to evaluate an individual's present ability to successfully participate in the strenuous physical activities required during basic agent training.
Medical Requirements: The duties of this position require arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. If selected, individuals are required to successfully complete a pre-employment and annual medical examination. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to themselves or others is disqualifying.
Training Requirement: If selected, individuals are required to successfully complete a 16-week basic agent training (BAT) course held at the DEA Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Firearms Requirement: 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.
Employment Drug Policy: 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.
Appointments: 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.
Mobility Agreement: 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. Applicants must ensure that family members are prepared for and support any assignment location.
Relocation Expenses: 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.
Additional information on Special Agent employment eligibilities, medical and physical requirements, and the hiring process are available on the DEA Special Agent careers site.
Benefits
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.
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. A review of your resume will be conducted and compared against your responses to the assessment questions to determine if you are qualified for this job. Applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be invited to take a Physical Task Assessment (PTA). Applicants are provided two opportunities within a 60-day period to take and pass the PTA.
Upon successful completion of the PTA, applicants will be invited to complete an in person written battery test. Applicants who have successfully passed the written assessment will be contacted for a structured interview. The written battery test and interview measures the degree to which your background matches the competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:
- Attention to Detail
- Memory
- Flexibility
- Teamwork
- Problem Solving
- Decision Making
- Judgement
- Interpersonal Skills
- Self-Management
- Written Communication
- Oral Communication
Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed ahead of all candidates. Other 10-point preference eligible and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligible applicants. View information on veterans' preference on OPM's Fed Hire Vets website.
Candidates will only be referred at the highest grade in which they qualify.
Benefits
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.
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.
Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted to our automated system by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
1. Resume: showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours per week worked/volunteered. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must support your answers to the completed online assessment questions.
2. Transcripts, if applicable and you are qualifying based on education: See the Qualification and Education sections of this announcement for more information. If selected, an official/sealed college transcript(s) will be required to verify education prior to employment.
3. DEA Drug Questionnaire: All applicants must fully disclose any drug use during the application process. Download the drug questionnaire here.
4. Veterans' Preference Documentation, if applicable:- To claim 5-point preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
- To claim 10-point preference, submit all required documentation outlined on the SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) to support your claim (e.g., DD-214, official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs, etc.). If we cannot verify your 10-point preference claim, your application will be reviewed for 5-point preference.
- To claim 10-point derived preference (i.e., spouses, widows, widowers or mothers of veterans), submit a completed SF-15 and all required documentation listed on the SF-15 to support your claim.
- To claim 0-point Sole Survivorship preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 or another form of official documentation showing that your discharge or release from active duty occurred on or after August 29, 2008 and was based on a sole survivorship discharge.
- For all preference claims:
- DD-214 Member 4 copies are preferred and must show the dates of service, type of discharge, and any qualifying service campaign medals.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Prepare your application in USAJOBS:
To start your application, click Apply and the system will provide guidance on how to attach a resume and any required documents.
During the application process you can review, edit, delete, and update your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won't lose any changes. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process.
STEP 1: Select the "Apply" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS.
STEP 2: Submit your resume. Please see the Required Documents section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume.
STEP 3: Complete the online assessment questions. You may preview the assessments questions here.
STEP 4: Submit all required documentation applicable to you, as listed in the Required Documents section.
Alternate Application Procedures:
If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET at least 2 working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted.Agency contact information
Special Agent Staffing
Phone
000-000-0000
Email
DEASAJobAnnouncement@dea.gov
Address
Drug Enforcement Administration
Do Not Send Postal Mail
Springfield, VA 21310
USNext steps
After all application packages are received, we will review applications and evaluate applicants' qualifications and will refer candidates, as described in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section, to the hiring manager for selection consideration.
Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment must successfully complete a series of pre-employment screenings to include a polygraph examination, medical evaluation, urinalysis drug screening, psychological assessment, and background investigation to determine if the individual attains the ability to successfully carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position. All Special Agent candidates will be reviewed by a DEA hiring panel.
Failure to complete the pre-employment screenings will result in the termination of employment consideration.
Your application status will be updated up to four times during the following hiring phases:- After applications are received.
- After applications are assessed to determine qualifications.
- After candidates are referred to the hiring manager.
- If selected, candidates may receive additional notifications regarding the next steps in the hiring process.
Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request
Required Documents
All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted to our automated system by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
1. Resume: showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours per week worked/volunteered. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must support your answers to the completed online assessment questions.
2. Transcripts, if applicable and you are qualifying based on education: See the Qualification and Education sections of this announcement for more information. If selected, an official/sealed college transcript(s) will be required to verify education prior to employment.
3. DEA Drug Questionnaire: All applicants must fully disclose any drug use during the application process. Download the drug questionnaire here.
4. Veterans' Preference Documentation, if applicable:
- To claim 5-point preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
- To claim 10-point preference, submit all required documentation outlined on the SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) to support your claim (e.g., DD-214, official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs, etc.). If we cannot verify your 10-point preference claim, your application will be reviewed for 5-point preference.
- To claim 10-point derived preference (i.e., spouses, widows, widowers or mothers of veterans), submit a completed SF-15 and all required documentation listed on the SF-15 to support your claim.
- To claim 0-point Sole Survivorship preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 or another form of official documentation showing that your discharge or release from active duty occurred on or after August 29, 2008 and was based on a sole survivorship discharge.
- For all preference claims:
- DD-214 Member 4 copies are preferred and must show the dates of service, type of discharge, and any qualifying service campaign medals.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
All U.S. Citizens
Salary : $45,426 - $77,112
