Drug Enforcement Administration
PUBLIC NOTICE- DEA Criminal Investigators
Drug Enforcement Administration, Louisville, Kentucky, us, 40201
PUBLIC NOTICE – DEA Criminal Investigators
Join the Drug Enforcement Administration as a DEA Criminal Investigator (Special Agent). This position requires U.S. citizenship and is open to qualified candidates for GL‑1811‑7/9/11 positions.
Summary This is not a job announcement; an official UI announcement will be posted on USAJobs on January 12th and April 6th, 2026. For more information about Special Agent roles, please visit the DEA careers website.
Responsibilities
Conduct complex criminal investigations targeting narcotics and drug‑related activities.
Prepare comprehensive investigative reports and deliver briefings to senior personnel and partner agencies.
Identify and apprehend drug traffickers and arrest individuals engaged in criminal drug activities.
Gather and analyze evidence through investigative leads, seizures, arrests, execution of search warrants, and other means.
Testify on behalf of the federal government in court or before grand juries.
Additional duties may be assigned based on individual knowledge, skills, or experience.
Basic Agent Training
Applicants without prior federal law‑enforcement training must attend a 16‑week residential training program at the DEA Training Academy, Quantico, Virginia.
Eligible 1811 applicants who have completed a federal criminal investigation training program may qualify for a 3‑week Special Agent Transition Program. FCIT transcripts must be attached.
Conditions of Employment
U.S. citizenship required.
Must obtain and maintain a Top‑Secret security clearance.
Must sign a mobility agreement allowing relocation to any DEA facility.
Must complete pre‑employment medical clearance, annual medical exams, and a full‑scope pre‑employment polygraph.
Eligible males born after 12/31/59 must register or be exempt from Selective Service.
Age: 21–36 (unless veteran or prior federal law‑enforcement retiree).
Pass E‑Verify employment verification.
Serve a 1‑ or 2‑year trial period to evaluate fitness and public interest advancement.
Maintain a valid state driver’s license; subject to random drug testing.
Meet the basic agent training requirement (16‑20 weeks at Quantico).
1811 applicants with prior federal training can qualify for the 3‑week transition program (see above).
Qualifications – GL‑07
One year of specialized experience equivalent to GL/GS‑05, including:
Assisting in investigations of alleged or suspected violations of law;
Writing reports of findings for law‑enforcement action;
Researching, collecting, and analyzing data from various sources.
Experience may be substituted by:
1 year of graduate‑level education
or
Superior Academic Achievement (SAA)
(bachelor’s degree plus SAA in a relevant field).
Up‑to‑date SAA requires a 3.0+ GPA (or higher for specific majors) and/or membership in an honor society, and must be maintained to graduate.
Combination of education and experience may be used if the computed percentage (experience months /12 + graduate semester hours/18) equals or exceeds 100 %.
Qualifications – GL‑09
One year of specialized experience equivalent to GL/GS‑07, including:
Assisting in investigations of alleged or suspected violations of law;
Collecting and analyzing investigative data;
Writing reports and conducting briefings;
Meeting or corresponding with court officials and law enforcement;
Assisting prosecutors in case preparation and testifying in proceedings.
Experience may be substituted by: a master’s degree, 2 years of graduate education, an LL.B./J.D., or equivalent.
Combination of education and experience may be used if the computed percentage (experience months /12 + graduate semester hours beyond 18 /18) equals or exceeds 100 %.
Qualifications – GS‑11
One year of specialized experience equivalent to GL/GS‑09, including:
Conducting or supporting federal criminal investigations with other agencies;
Developing operational plans and investigative priorities;
Operating undercover, conducting surveillance, and participating in raids, seizures, and arrests;
Developing and eliciting information from confidential sources;
Interviewing and interrogating suspects;
Organizing evidence for prosecution and testifying in court.
Experience may be substituted by: a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three years of graduate education toward a Ph.D. (or LL.M. if related).
Combination of education and experience may be used if the computed percentage (experience months /12 + graduate semester hours beyond 36 /18) equals or exceeds 100 %.
Additional Information
Appointments are per 5 CFR 213.3210; may transition to Career appointments after the third or fourth year.
Probationary/Trial period (1–2 years) evaluates performance, agency needs, and public‑interest contribution. Continuation requires written certification.
Special Agents may work substantial overtime and irregular schedules; Law Enforcement Availability Pay is awarded.
Medical requirements include moderate to arduous physical exertion; a pre‑employment medical examination is required.
Firearms proficiency and authorization are mandatory; applicants must not have convictions for domestic‑violence misdemeanors.
Drug policy requires disclosure of past/current drug use; eligibility assessed on a case‑by‑case basis.
Relocation: full expenses for transfers from other federal positions; limited coverage for new employees.
Recruitment incentives may be offered; multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
More details on eligibility, medical/physical requirements, and the hiring process are available on the DEA Special Agent careers site.
Benefits As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a comprehensive benefits package. Eligibility depends on position type and work status. Contact the hiring agency for specific benefits information.
How to Apply Applications will be accepted via the official ARPA portal for the announcement posted on USAJobs. Keep in mind the announcement closes when the announcement page is marked "closed," after which no further applications will be accepted.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Summary This is not a job announcement; an official UI announcement will be posted on USAJobs on January 12th and April 6th, 2026. For more information about Special Agent roles, please visit the DEA careers website.
Responsibilities
Conduct complex criminal investigations targeting narcotics and drug‑related activities.
Prepare comprehensive investigative reports and deliver briefings to senior personnel and partner agencies.
Identify and apprehend drug traffickers and arrest individuals engaged in criminal drug activities.
Gather and analyze evidence through investigative leads, seizures, arrests, execution of search warrants, and other means.
Testify on behalf of the federal government in court or before grand juries.
Additional duties may be assigned based on individual knowledge, skills, or experience.
Basic Agent Training
Applicants without prior federal law‑enforcement training must attend a 16‑week residential training program at the DEA Training Academy, Quantico, Virginia.
Eligible 1811 applicants who have completed a federal criminal investigation training program may qualify for a 3‑week Special Agent Transition Program. FCIT transcripts must be attached.
Conditions of Employment
U.S. citizenship required.
Must obtain and maintain a Top‑Secret security clearance.
Must sign a mobility agreement allowing relocation to any DEA facility.
Must complete pre‑employment medical clearance, annual medical exams, and a full‑scope pre‑employment polygraph.
Eligible males born after 12/31/59 must register or be exempt from Selective Service.
Age: 21–36 (unless veteran or prior federal law‑enforcement retiree).
Pass E‑Verify employment verification.
Serve a 1‑ or 2‑year trial period to evaluate fitness and public interest advancement.
Maintain a valid state driver’s license; subject to random drug testing.
Meet the basic agent training requirement (16‑20 weeks at Quantico).
1811 applicants with prior federal training can qualify for the 3‑week transition program (see above).
Qualifications – GL‑07
One year of specialized experience equivalent to GL/GS‑05, including:
Assisting in investigations of alleged or suspected violations of law;
Writing reports of findings for law‑enforcement action;
Researching, collecting, and analyzing data from various sources.
Experience may be substituted by:
1 year of graduate‑level education
or
Superior Academic Achievement (SAA)
(bachelor’s degree plus SAA in a relevant field).
Up‑to‑date SAA requires a 3.0+ GPA (or higher for specific majors) and/or membership in an honor society, and must be maintained to graduate.
Combination of education and experience may be used if the computed percentage (experience months /12 + graduate semester hours/18) equals or exceeds 100 %.
Qualifications – GL‑09
One year of specialized experience equivalent to GL/GS‑07, including:
Assisting in investigations of alleged or suspected violations of law;
Collecting and analyzing investigative data;
Writing reports and conducting briefings;
Meeting or corresponding with court officials and law enforcement;
Assisting prosecutors in case preparation and testifying in proceedings.
Experience may be substituted by: a master’s degree, 2 years of graduate education, an LL.B./J.D., or equivalent.
Combination of education and experience may be used if the computed percentage (experience months /12 + graduate semester hours beyond 18 /18) equals or exceeds 100 %.
Qualifications – GS‑11
One year of specialized experience equivalent to GL/GS‑09, including:
Conducting or supporting federal criminal investigations with other agencies;
Developing operational plans and investigative priorities;
Operating undercover, conducting surveillance, and participating in raids, seizures, and arrests;
Developing and eliciting information from confidential sources;
Interviewing and interrogating suspects;
Organizing evidence for prosecution and testifying in court.
Experience may be substituted by: a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three years of graduate education toward a Ph.D. (or LL.M. if related).
Combination of education and experience may be used if the computed percentage (experience months /12 + graduate semester hours beyond 36 /18) equals or exceeds 100 %.
Additional Information
Appointments are per 5 CFR 213.3210; may transition to Career appointments after the third or fourth year.
Probationary/Trial period (1–2 years) evaluates performance, agency needs, and public‑interest contribution. Continuation requires written certification.
Special Agents may work substantial overtime and irregular schedules; Law Enforcement Availability Pay is awarded.
Medical requirements include moderate to arduous physical exertion; a pre‑employment medical examination is required.
Firearms proficiency and authorization are mandatory; applicants must not have convictions for domestic‑violence misdemeanors.
Drug policy requires disclosure of past/current drug use; eligibility assessed on a case‑by‑case basis.
Relocation: full expenses for transfers from other federal positions; limited coverage for new employees.
Recruitment incentives may be offered; multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
More details on eligibility, medical/physical requirements, and the hiring process are available on the DEA Special Agent careers site.
Benefits As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a comprehensive benefits package. Eligibility depends on position type and work status. Contact the hiring agency for specific benefits information.
How to Apply Applications will be accepted via the official ARPA portal for the announcement posted on USAJobs. Keep in mind the announcement closes when the announcement page is marked "closed," after which no further applications will be accepted.
#J-18808-Ljbffr