Criminal Investigator (Direct Hire)

NASA•Texas, 24 79557, MX• Full Time

Posted 5 hours ago• Business & Finance• Mechanical

Compensation

$103,225–$159,575/year

Job Description

Summary

The OIG Cyber Crimes Division (CCD) conducts complex cybercrime investigations involving NASA and its resources. CCD also provides digital forensics support to criminal, civil, and administrative investigations. This includes planning and executing operations to seize, preserve, and analyze data from IT systems and digital media. Teamwork and collaboration are essential.

Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

03/19/2026 to 03/23/2026

This job will close when we have received 250 applications which may be sooner than the closing date.

Salary $103,225 to - $159,575 per year Pay scale & grade GS 12 - 13

Location

Duties

Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
Conduct complex investigations of NASA network intrusions and computer-facilitated crimes. Adapt technical solutions to investigative challenges. Monitor IT and telecommunications developments relevant to criminal investigative techniques.
Serve as an expert performing criminal investigations of persons and property under NASA control per Federal statutes. Conduct complex investigations, analyze evidence, resolve conflicts, examine records, and develop informants to establish facts.
Plan and conduct computer forensic acquisitions, digital evidence preservation, analysis, and reporting. Identify and resolve technical challenges. Collaborate on evidence handling issues and understand legal principles governing acquisition.
Conduct forensic examinations of computers, telecommunications, and electronic media. Administer workstations for data analysis in fraud and other investigations. Implement analysis tools and use automated methods to recover evidentiary data.
Search, correlate, and copy evidentiary data from media using various technologies. Organize materials following chain-of-custody procedures. Perform forensic data recovery per Federal standards and provide investigative support.
Identify potential investigations, gain supervisor authorization, and receive little guidance on case planning and development. Develop and follow leads and coordinate additional resources through supervisor.
Work with U.S. Attorney's Office to coordinate criminal prosecution and prepares affidavits for search warrant applications. Prepare and serve subpoenas and other legal orders related to criminal investigations.
Plan and conduct criminal, civil, administrative, and proactive investigations and performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
This position may require a one-year probationary/trial period. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. **See Additional Information section**
You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Must pass a pre-employment drug screening and background security investigation. This position will be subject to random drug testing after the applicant is hired.
If selected, you will be required to complete a financial disclosure statement.
Must be proficient in the use of assigned firearms/weapons, pass an initial qualification, and must continually qualify in the use of firearms/weapons.
Must meet the Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968. Persons convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are not eligible for this position.
This position requires the incumbent to possess and maintain a valid State Driver's License.
Must pass a pre-employment medical examination and physical fitness test and continue to successfully pass both requirements annually.
This position requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET/SCI security clearance.
This position requires you to satisfactorily complete (or have previously completed) the Criminal Investigation Training Program at Glynco, Georgia, or equivalent federal law enforcement training.
This is a primary law enforcement position; Incumbent must not have reached their 37th birthday upon appointment to this position unless there is sufficient prior Federal service in a covered primarily law enforcement or firefighter position.

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

To qualify for GS-12, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level:

Preparing investigative reports to aid in supporting possible prosecution and/or administrative or civil action;
Recognizing and developing evidence to assist with investigations and prosecutions involving computers, digital devices, and/or related technologies;
Conducting one or more of the following types of investigations: administrative investigations, criminal investigations, or cybercrime investigations.

To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level:

Preparing investigative reports and other work products summarizing investigative efforts and results;
Developing and presenting evidence to reconstruct events, sequences, time elements, relationships, responsibilities, legal liabilities, and/or conflicts of interest to ensure relevancy of investigation;
Providing guidance on cybercrime investigations in one or more of the following areas: digital evidence identification, collection, acquisition, forensic analysis or civil-cyber fraud investigations.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

Medical Requirements: The duties of this position requires 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 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 too himself/herself, or others is disqualifying.

Training Requirements: Satisfactorily complete (or have previously completed) the Criminal Investigation Training Program at Glynco, Georgia, or equivalent federal law enforcement training.

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Evaluation

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans' preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans' Preference information on the FedsHireVets website.

You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or assessment questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

Criminal Investigation
Forensics
Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence
Seizure
Technical Competence
Writing

NASA OIG considers paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

NASA OIG will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA OIG will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: [email protected].

Required Documents

All submitted resumes must not exceed two (2) pages in length. Resumes longer than two pages will be rejected by USAJOBS. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize including experience and relevant qualifications that directly align with the position advertised. All work experience and accomplishments must be associated with dates (month/year) to allow for accurate qualification assessment.

A complete application package includes a resume, required documents and completion of the vacancy announcement questionnaire. Please see this guidance: . Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire.

Please note: if any of the following types of information are included on your resume, your application package will be disqualified:

Classified or government sensitive information.
Social Security Number (SSN)
Photos of yourself
Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
Encrypted and digitally signed documents.

If your resume contains any of the above information, you must redact that information prior to the submission of your application.

The following documents are required:

Resume

There may be other supporting documents (licenses, certification, veterans preference, etc.), depending on your answers to the questionnaire and job announcement description, that you may have to submit, please verify your application. Do not submit an OF-306 with your application.

If you are a surplus or displaced employee (CTAP and ICTAP), submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP. This includes copies of your agency notice, most recent Performance Rating and most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) noting current position, grade level, and duty location.

Official documents are required at the time of appointment for verification of eligibility and qualifications.