August 2017

FACT SHEET

GL-1811-7/9 CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR (SPECIAL AGENT)-EXTERNAL

&
GL-1811-5/7/9 CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR (SPECIAL AGENT)-INTERNAL

Position Requires:
U.S. Citizenship
Mobility is a condition of employment
Locations for placement will be specifically identified in the announcement(s). Applicants may only be placed in
those specifically designated locations.
Age restriction - Subject to the maximum entry age of 37 into federal law enforcement positions, unless you have
sufficient prior Federal civilian law enforcement experience or are a preference eligible veteran. Applicants who
th
will reach their 37 birthday prior to being referred for selection will be found ineligible due to the age restriction.
Referral will generally take four to five months after the opening date.
26 weeks training and fitness program
Successful passing of a medical examination, background investigation, drug test and tax audit
Carry and use of a firearm
Possession of a valid automobile drivers license

Language Proficiency:
Some positions require proficiency in Arabic, Armenian, Cambodian, Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin), Farsi, French,
German, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Hmong, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali,
Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese. If you indicate language proficiency, you may be tested at some point in the hiring
process to determine if you possess the required level of proficiency. A bilingual assessment will test your ability to
converse in the foreign language, to translate the foreign language to English and also from English to the foreign
language, and to write in English and the foreign language.

Qualifications:

GL-1811-5 Grade Level (internal announcement only):

Education:
The education requirement calls for completion of a four year course of study or bachelors degree in any field that
included or was supplemented by at least 15 semester hours (23 quarter hours) of accounting and 9 semester hours (14
quarter hours) from the following or closely related fields: finance, economics, business law, tax law, or money and
banking.

Experience:
If an applicant has not met the educational requirement, they must have three years of successful, responsible accounting
and business experience that required knowledge and application of accounting and auditing principles and general
business practices. The applicant must have demonstrated the ability to analyze and comprehend accounting and
bookkeeping records, financial statements, related reports, and automated systems. Proof of a Certified Public
Accountant (CPA) certificate (certificate number and date of issuance) obtained through written examination in a state,
territory, or the District of Columbia meets the GL-1811-5 level requirements. Applicants with such certificates may also
qualify for higher grade levels based on their education and experience. A combination of education and experience may
also be qualifying.

GL-1811-7 Grade Level (internal and external announcement):

Education: The education requirement calls for completion of a four year course of study or bachelors degree in any
field that included or was supplemented by at least 15 semester hours (23 quarter hours) of accounting and 9 semester
hours (14 quarter hours) from the following or closely related fields: finance, economics, business law, tax law, or money
and banking AND A) OR B) BELOW

A) Superior academic achievement that meets one of the four listed requirements: 1. A grade-point average of 3.0 or
higher out of 4.0 for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of study, or 2. A
grade-point average of 3.5 or higher out of 4.0 for all courses in the applicants major field of study, or those completed in

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the last two years of study, or 3. A ranking in the upper one-third of the applicants class in the college or university, or
major subdivision, or 4. Membership in a national honor society (other than a freshman honor society) recognized by the
Association of College Honor Societies.

OR

B) Completion of one full year of graduate study in accounting, law enforcement, business administration, criminology, or
a related field. For graduate education to be credited, an applicants combined graduate and/or undergraduate education
must have included at least 15 semester hours (23 quarter hours) of accounting and an additional 9 semester hours (14
quarter hours) from the following or closely related fields: finance, economics, business law, tax law, or money and
banking.

Experience:
If the above educational achievements are not met, the applicant must have investigative experience associated with the
accounting, auditing, business, or commercial practices of individuals or corporations under investigation. (An individual
with a CPA certificate and one year of investigative experience will qualify for the GL-1811-7 level.)
Skills Assessment & Pre-Employment
GL-1811-9 Grade Level (internal and external announcement):
Education
Applicants must have a masters degree or equivalent or two full years of progressively higher level graduate education
leading to such a degree or LL.B or J.D. In order for graduate education to be credited, an applicants combined graduate
and/or undergraduate education must include at least 15 semester hours (23 quarter hours) of accounting and an
additional 9 semester hours (14 quarter hours) of closely related business courses.

Experience
If the above educational requirements are not met, applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to
at least the GL-1811-7 level.

How You Will Be Evaluated

In addition to meeting Office of Personnel Management (OPM) qualifications, applicants will be assessed to ensure all
requisite competencies are met. Applicants will be rated based on education, training, and the quality of their experience.
They will respond to a series of online application questions, assessments, and evaluations, designed to assess their
possession of the following competencies: Arithmetic, Accounting Principles, Thinking/Decision Making/Problem Solving,
Memory, Vision, Learning, Teamwork/Social Skills, Openness to Change, Conscientiousness/ Integrity, Communication
(Written and Oral), and Physical Ability. Applicants must meet pre-established levels of performance at each assessment
phase to continue moving forward in the hiring process. If applicants fail any of the assessments, they will be removed
from consideration.

Phase 1 Applicants complete the online questions as part of the initial application process. Applicants found to be
minimally eligible based on responses to these questions will then receive an email for an on-line un-proctored
assessment including directions for accessing the assessment website and a unique link to register for individual personal
testing sessions.

Supporting documents should include copies of all transcripts, both undergraduate and graduate. Ensure that
accounting and business related courses are listed.
Resumes should include detailed information to support their qualifications for this position. Failure to provide
sufficient evidence in the resumes may result in a "NOT QUALIFIED" determination for this position.
o For tips preparing resumes click http://www.jobs.irs.gov/downloads/ResumeTips.pdf;

Phase 2 Applicants, who are eligible and tentatively qualified for this position based upon their responses to the online
application questions, will receive an email directing them to an on-line un-proctored assessment including directions for
accessing the assessment website and a unique link to register for their personal testing session. The second set of
online assessments are pass/fail and consist of a Realistic Job Preview video and a job simulation. This phase of the
selection process will take about 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete. The assessments must be completed within the
timeframe of the open testing period.

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Applicants who pass Phase 2 testing will have their rsum and supporting documentation reviewed to ensure they meet
the basic qualification requirements. Qualified applicants will then be invited to schedule and complete the next phase of
testing in a proctored testing environment.

Phase 3 Applicants who pass the second set of online tests will be invited for a third phase of testing at a proctored test
site where you will take additional pass/fail tests, the Special Agent Knowledge and Skill Examination and Writing Sample
test, which will take approximately 3 hours to complete. The assessments must be completed within the timeframe of the
open testing period.

Selection Interview - The combined score of phase three assessments will determine placement into a final quality
category. Applicants in the highest quality categories may be invited for an interview. Three member interview panels at
field office locations are comprised of a combination of Special Agent in Charge (SAC), Assistant Special Agent in Charge
(ASAC) and Supervisory Special Agents (SSAs). All applicants will be asked the same set of standardized interview
questions.

Salary: Current GL 2017 base salary with geographic locality pay for most of the US:
GL-1811-9 is $51,424
GL-1811-7 is $46,110
GL-1811-5 is $40,511

Salary will include an additional twenty-five percent (25%) Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP). The actual starting
salary may vary based on prior Federal experience, cost of living adjustment and geographic locality pay.

These positions are full-time.

Promotion Potential:
The journey level (non-competitive promotion potential based on successful performance) is to the GS-1811-13 grade
level.

Major Duties: This is a Federal law enforcement position. IRS Special Agents investigate violations of Federal tax laws,
money laundering violations and violations of the Bank Secrecy Act, and conduct other investigations relating to the work
of the Department of the Treasury. They participate in multi-agency task forces to investigate other criminal activities
such as fraud, organized crime and domestic terrorism. The work involves surveillance; interviewing witnesses;
interrogating suspects; searching for physical evidence and clues; seizures of contraband, equipment and vehicles;
securing and serving search warrants; making arrests, inspecting records and documents; etc. Agents must be able to
recognize and develop evidence for orderly representation to U.S. attorneys and other legal officers, to meet and confer
with persons from all walks of life, to testify effectively in court and prepare detailed written reports. They must be
proficient in the use of firearms, skilled in defensive tactics and be able to exercise judgment, resourcefulness and
initiative. IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agents are renowned as the premier financial investigators.

Conditions of Employment:
Comprehensive background investigation
Pre-appointment tax audit
Pre-and post-appointment medical examinations
Drug test and subject to random drug testing thereafter
Complete a three year probationary period with limited appeal rights (unless already completed)
Training for approximately 26 weeks
First permanent post of duty will be in one of the specifically locations designated in the announcement(s).
Sign Conditions of Employment form with mobility agreement.
Detailed or assigned based on the needs of the Service
Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) which requires irregular and recurring overtime - an average of at least
10 hours of overtime per week over the calendar year
Participate in Criminal Investigation's physical fitness program that includes an annual health screening and
annual physical fitness assessment.
Report arrests for any reason to manager within the next scheduled workday
Carry firearms and qualify in the use of firearms on a recurring basis
Possess and maintain a valid automobile driver's license
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Medical Requirements:
Duties require moderate to arduous physical exertion. Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of limbs is
required. All applicants must meet the medical requirements at the time of their required initial examination.
Vision: Uncorrected distant vision must test 20/200 and corrected distance vision must test 20/20 in one eye and 20/30
in the other. Normal depth perception and peripheral vision are required and ability to distinguish shades of color. Those
who had refractive surgery will be required to undergo a Department of Treasury approved examination. The earliest the
refractive surgery evaluation can be performed is: 3 months post Laser in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) and six months
post Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK).
Hearing: Hearing loss as measured by an audiometer must not exceed 30 decibels (A.S.A) or equivalent (I.S.O.) in
either ear in the 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz ranges. Applicants must be able to hear the whispered voice at 15 feet with each
ear without the use of a hearing aid.

Special Medical Requirements:

Since the duties of these positions are exacting and involve the responsibility for the safety of others under trying
conditions, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. Any condition that would hinder full, efficient
performance of the duties of these positions or that would cause the individual to be a hazard to himself/herself or to
others is disqualifying.

Physical Conditioning:
Upon arrival at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA, special agent trainees are required to
participate in rigorous physical conditioning classes, learn defensive tactics, and complete physically challenging firearms
courses. Trainees must be in excellent physical condition to successfully complete required courses.

Lautenberg Amendment:
Section 18 USC 922(g)(9) of the Omnibus Consolidate Appropriation Act of 1997 makes it unlawful for any person who
has been convicted of a misdemeanor involving domestic violence to possess a firearm. Applicants who have been
convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence will be found not qualified for this position.

Retirement Benefits:
The special agent position is a "rigorous" position in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and a "primary"
position in the Civil Service Retirement Systems (CSRS). A break in law enforcement service of more than three days
requires a return to a rigorous/primary position for continued law enforcement retirement coverage.

Special agents are covered under Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). He or she can retire at the age of 50
with 20 years of Federal law enforcement service or any age with 25 years of service. Mandatory provisions require that
all law enforcement personnel retire at the age of 57 with a minimum of 20 years of law enforcement service. If the 20
years of service has not been completed, the person will be separated at the end of the month in which the 20 years of
law enforcement service is completed. He or she must be given a 60-day notice prior to mandatory separation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES AT:

https://jobs.irs.gov/resources/job-descriptions/irs-criminal-investigation-special-agent

The IRS YouTube Special Agent Realistic Job Preview (RJP) video can be accessed at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opw-N9lL-8k