Criminal Investigator; U.S. Citizens and Federal

Criminal Investigator

As a Criminal Investigator, you will:

• Conduct independent investigations which are relatively large in number, widespread geographically, and which involve frequent or extensive contact with subjects and principals. These investigations are complex in nature and involve interstate movement of large numbers of vehicles and title documents through dealerships and subsidiaries which are engaged in systematic odometer fraud. The sensitivity of these investigations is such that premature disclosure could seriously hamper the progress of the investigation and endanger lives of both victims and suspects.
• Receive and analyze information from other NHTSA Enforcement Regional Offices, other Federal agencies, and State and local investigative agencies to determine suspects patterns of operations and to identify odometer fraud interwoven with legitimate activities. Assumes substantial personal responsibility for overcoming unresponsiveness, hostility or violence and for conducting hearings in order to satisfactorily handle difficult or unusual circumstances.
• Provide investigative assistance to other Federal and State law enforcement agencies when odometer fraud investigations develop evidence of violations of other criminal statutes, i.e., mail fraud, wire fraud, interstate transportation of stolen property and fraudulent securities, bribery of State officials and tax evasion. Organize and manage joint task force operations consisting of other Federal and State agencies to investigate large-scale odometer fraud schemes, providing leadership, guidance and direction, and to other enforcement officers.
  
  Develop and conduct training programs in odometer fraud for enforcement officials from other Federal and State agencies. Meet with high-level, elected and appointed, Federal and State officials to gain their support for the odometer enforcement program. Provide testimony before State legislative bodies in their attempts to strengthen odometer enforcement.
• Interview and take statements from persons having information relating to odometer fraud. Cultivate and use informants to develop investigative leads. Conduct and/or participate in surveillance and undercover investigative activity, sometimes posing as individuals involved in criminal activity, when necessary to the investigation, which is often very extensive and hazardous. Reviews and analyzes information from State motor vehicle records to obtain additional information about persons suspected of fraud, to detect alterations and forgeries, and to determine suspects' patterns of operations, i.e., document and/or money "laundering" operations.
• Examine the premises of businesses and persons suspected of fraud, using search warrants when necessary, inspect vehicles on the premises, examine and analyze records relating to motor vehicle transactions, and make copies of relevant records. Seizes and/or impounds documents, equipment and vehicles as necessary to assemble evidence needed for criminal convictions.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation (OFI) is seeking a highly skilled, self-directed, and resilient Law Enforcement Officer to serve as a GS-1811-14 Criminal Investigator. The ideal candidate must be prepared to independently manage large-scale, complex, and geographically widespread criminal investigations within an assigned Enforcement Region covering approximately one-fourth of the nation. This position involves extensive field operations and is classified as "Rigorous" under enhanced 6(c) federal law enforcement retirement coverage.

Additional Information :

• Criminal Investigators must be prepared to work overtime based on the needs of the agency. Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): LEAP is approved for this position to compensate employees for unscheduled duty in excess of the 40-hour workweek.
• For persons currently covered under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) this position meets the provisions of Title 5 U.S. Code, Section 8336 (Law Enforcement Retirement).
• For persons covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), this position meets the provisions of Title 5 U.S. code, Section 8412(d) (Law Enforcement Retirement).