An investigative career with the GSA OIG today provides an opportunity in which an individual can make meaningful contributions and where one person's abilities and efforts can make government more responsive to the interests and concerns of the public.

As a Special Agent with the GSA OIG you will have an opportunity to perform criminal and non-criminal investigative duties with emphasis on white collar crimes. Typically, Special Agents plan and conduct investigations of alleged violations of Title 18, United States Code, including fraud, bribery, larceny, embezzlement, collusion, conflict of interest, as well as numerous other Federal statutes affecting the programs and operations of GSA. Additionally, Special Agents make arrests for violations of Federal criminal law, conduct searches and seizures, and perform other law enforcement duties as required.

A career with the Office of Inspector General will provide you with:

• Responsible and meaningful law enforcement related assignments aligned with your career goals;
• Opportunities for professional growth in a work environment that provides interaction with a wide range of other professionals from the public and private sectors;
• On-the-job and formal training to assist you in developing your knowledge, skills and abilities to meet the challenges you will face as a Federal law enforcement officer;
• Career advancement opportunities and monetary recognition of your valuable contributions to the organization;
• A competitive starting salary with regular increases and a great benefits program;
• Interesting travel assignments and the opportunity to live in a number of our nation's finest cities.

The GSA OIG Office of Investigations employs approximately 100 personnel. Headquartered in Washington, DC the OIG has investigative offices in the following cities around the nation:

• Auburn, WA; Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Fort Worth, TX; Kansas City, MO; Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; San Francisco, CA; and Washington, DC.

Entry-level positions with the GSA OIG are at the GS-5 and GS-7 level. Special Agents are eligible to receive Law Enforcement Availability Pay, which is 25 percent of base salary. All Federal employees receive additional locality pay ranging from 6.78 to 15.01 percent of base salary. Special Agents are eligible for promotion without further competition up to the journeyman grade (GS-12) level. Additional opportunities exist at higher grades based on qualifications and civil service rules and competition.

Relocation Expenses

For selected positions, and at selected times, the GSA OIG may offer the reimbursement of relocation expenses to entry-level personnel, which includes:

• transportation of employee and family;
• mileage, if a privately-owned vehicle is used for travel; and
• shipment and temporary storage of household effects.

For current Federal Government employees or former Federal Government employees with re-employment eligibility, the GSA OIG may offer full reimbursement of relocation expenses, which includes:

• transportation of employee and family;
• house hunting trip to the new duty station;
• mileage, if a privately-owned vehicle is used for travel;
• shipment and temporary storage of household effects;
• payment of temporary quarters allowance up to a maximum of 120 days at the new duty station; and guaranteed home sale.

Leave

Vacation (annual leave) is based on length of government service, including any military service. For the first 3 years, you earn 13 business days of vacation each year. For years 4 through 15, you earn 20 days; after 15 years, you earn 26 days. You may carry a maximum of 30 days of annual leave over to the following year. Regardless of the length of service, employees earn 13 sick days per year. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave that may be accumulated. Provisions for paid and/or unpaid leave exist to take care of other absences, such as maternity/paternity, adoption, care of dependent family members, military obligations, court attendance, and voting. GSA observes 10 paid holidays per year.

Health Benefits

Under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, group hospitalization insurance is offered by a number of carriers. Each provides for individual or family coverage. GSA pays a portion of the premium. No physical examination is required to obtain health care benefits.

Life Insurance

Once individuals accept a position with the Federal Government, they will be given an opportunity to select low-cost life insurance coverage. This coverage will be based on their annual salaries and age and includes possible payments for loss of limbs and eyesight in addition to accidental death. There are various options available.

Retirement Plan

The Government's three-tiered retirement plan (Social Security [including Medicare], a Basic Benefit Plan and a Thrift Savings Plan, a pre-taxed program, similar to 401(K) plans in the private sector) offers excellent benefits financed through payroll deductions and employer's contributions. Best of all, it's portable. Bi-weekly contributions are made to all three components. Social Security stays with you throughout your entire working life. Contributions to the Basic Benefit plan can be withdrawn if you leave Federal service, but you would no longer be eligible to receive any benefits from this plan. The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a tax-deferred retirement savings and investment system. You decide how much of your pay (up to a certain percentage) to put into TSP and how to invest it. We also contribute up to a maximum of 5 percent of your basic pay to your account. If you leave Federal service and do not want to withdraw your account, you may leave your entire account balance in TSP.

Employees are eligible to retire under the system described above at age 50 with 20 years of service or at any age with 25 years of service; maximum retirement age is 57.

Training

New Special Agents attend a mandatory 9 week basic and 4 week advanced training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)at Glynco, GA. Based on individual needs and requirements, additional training is provided to Special Agents throughout their careers. On the job training includes defensive tactics and quarterly firearms qualification.

Position Requirements

Special Agents with the GSA OIG are usually competitively hired as a result of position announcements. In addition to hiring experienced criminal investigators the OIG hires entry-level professionals. Educational backgrounds typically include graduate or undergraduate degrees in public and business administration, economics, accounting, criminal justice and law. The basic requirements for a special agent in an entry level position are:

• Bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree; or
• Three or more years of progressively responsible experience in investigations; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and education, college-level, analogous to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year college curriculum as above.

Complete information can be obtained by calling the Office of Human Resources at (202) 501-0360, e-mailing them at OIG.HR.Division@gsa.gov or from USAJobs. Applicants must not have reached their 37th birthday by time of their first appointment to a Federal law enforcement position and must be eligible to reach 20 years of credible service by the age of 57. Applicants must be medically and physically fit as pre-employment physical and drug tests must be passed. A background investigation is also performed on prospective hires.