Drug Enforcement Administration
PUBLIC NOTICE- DEA Criminal Investigators
Drug Enforcement Administration, Buffalo, New York, United States, 14266
Public Notice - DEA Criminal Investigators
Open to U.S. Citizens. This is a public notice for Drug Enforcement Administration Criminal Investigator GL-1811-7/9/11 positions. A formal job announcement will be posted on USAJobs on January 12 and April 6, 2026.
Duties At the DEA, our people are agents for change. A unique mission requires special talent. As a DEA Special Agent, you will work as part of an elite criminal investigative team that transforms the power of your talent into action.
Conduct complex criminal investigations targeting narcotics and drug-related activities
Prepare comprehensive and succinct criminal investigative reports and deliver briefings for senior personnel and other Federal, state, and local agencies
Identify, 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 an individual's unique knowledge, skills, and/or experience
Basic Agent Training Applicants who have not completed previous federal law enforcement training through another agency must attend and complete a 16‑week residential training program. Current or former 1811 applicants who have successfully completed a Federal Criminal Investigation training program through another federal agency may qualify for a 3‑week Special Agent Transition Program (FCIT transcripts must be attached).
Requirements
U.S. Citizenship required
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top‑Secret security clearance; additional clearance may be required after agency suitability review
Must sign a mobility agreement confirming willingness to relocate to any DEA facility as needed
Complete a pre‑employment medical clearance and annual medical examination
Full‑scope pre‑employment polygraph required; reciprocity possible for certain 1811 applicants
Selective Service registration or exemption required for qualifying males
Must be at least 21 years old and not older than 36 at appointment (unless veteran or former Federal civilian law‑enforcement employee)
Pass E‑Verify employment verification check
Serve a 1‑year or 2‑year trial period during which fitness and contribution to public interest are evaluated
Hold a valid state driver’s license; subject to random drug testing
Complete a 16‑to‑20‑week Basic Agent Training course at the DEA Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia, or a qualifying short‑term program for 1811 applicants
Qualifications Applicants must meet at least one of the qualification paths described below. Education must be accredited by a U.S. Department of Education‑recognized accrediting institution. Foreign education must be comparable.
GL‑07 Level
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; researching, collecting, and analyzing data; or equivalent graduate education for one year
Superior Academic Achievement: one‑semester or more of graduate education; GPA ≥ 3.0 (or 3.5 for specific courses) and/or membership in an honor society; or enrollment as a senior completing the degree within 9 months of closing
Combination of education and experience: percentages based on months of experience and semester hours of graduate education totaling ≥ 100 %
GL‑09 Level
One year of specialized experience equivalent to GL/GS‑07, including: assisting in investigations; collecting and analyzing data; writing reports and briefings; meeting with court officials; assisting prosecutors; testifying; or equivalent graduate education or professional degrees (master’s, law, etc.)
Combination of education and experience: percentages based on months of experience and graduate semester hours beyond the first year totaling ≥ 100 %
GS‑11 Level
One year of specialized experience equivalent to GL/GS‑09, including: conducting or supporting federal criminal investigations; developing operational plans; operating undercover; developing confidential sources; interviewing and interrogating suspects; organizing evidence; testifying; or equivalent graduate education or doctoral-level degrees
Combination of education and experience: percentages based on months of experience and graduate semester hours beyond the second year totaling ≥ 100 %
Additional Information
Appointments will be made under 5 CFR 213.3210 (Schedule B); potential transition to permanent Career appointments after 3‑4 years
Trial period evaluation criteria: performance, conduct, agency needs, organizational goals, and federal efficiency
Special Agents must be readily available for unscheduled work and may receive Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) at 25 % of base salary
Medical requirements: moderate to arduous exertion; firearms proficiency; must pass pre‑employment medical exam; disqualified if hazardous condition present
Firearms requirement: authorized to carry and maintain proficiency; must comply with Lautenberg Amendment
Employment drug policy: disclosure of past drug use; case‑by‑case assessment for eligible applicants with a history of substance use
Mobility agreement: reassignment to any domestic DEA facility; family support advised
Relocation expenses: full relocation for transfers from other Federal positions; limited coverage for new Federal employees
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Duties At the DEA, our people are agents for change. A unique mission requires special talent. As a DEA Special Agent, you will work as part of an elite criminal investigative team that transforms the power of your talent into action.
Conduct complex criminal investigations targeting narcotics and drug-related activities
Prepare comprehensive and succinct criminal investigative reports and deliver briefings for senior personnel and other Federal, state, and local agencies
Identify, 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 an individual's unique knowledge, skills, and/or experience
Basic Agent Training Applicants who have not completed previous federal law enforcement training through another agency must attend and complete a 16‑week residential training program. Current or former 1811 applicants who have successfully completed a Federal Criminal Investigation training program through another federal agency may qualify for a 3‑week Special Agent Transition Program (FCIT transcripts must be attached).
Requirements
U.S. Citizenship required
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top‑Secret security clearance; additional clearance may be required after agency suitability review
Must sign a mobility agreement confirming willingness to relocate to any DEA facility as needed
Complete a pre‑employment medical clearance and annual medical examination
Full‑scope pre‑employment polygraph required; reciprocity possible for certain 1811 applicants
Selective Service registration or exemption required for qualifying males
Must be at least 21 years old and not older than 36 at appointment (unless veteran or former Federal civilian law‑enforcement employee)
Pass E‑Verify employment verification check
Serve a 1‑year or 2‑year trial period during which fitness and contribution to public interest are evaluated
Hold a valid state driver’s license; subject to random drug testing
Complete a 16‑to‑20‑week Basic Agent Training course at the DEA Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia, or a qualifying short‑term program for 1811 applicants
Qualifications Applicants must meet at least one of the qualification paths described below. Education must be accredited by a U.S. Department of Education‑recognized accrediting institution. Foreign education must be comparable.
GL‑07 Level
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; researching, collecting, and analyzing data; or equivalent graduate education for one year
Superior Academic Achievement: one‑semester or more of graduate education; GPA ≥ 3.0 (or 3.5 for specific courses) and/or membership in an honor society; or enrollment as a senior completing the degree within 9 months of closing
Combination of education and experience: percentages based on months of experience and semester hours of graduate education totaling ≥ 100 %
GL‑09 Level
One year of specialized experience equivalent to GL/GS‑07, including: assisting in investigations; collecting and analyzing data; writing reports and briefings; meeting with court officials; assisting prosecutors; testifying; or equivalent graduate education or professional degrees (master’s, law, etc.)
Combination of education and experience: percentages based on months of experience and graduate semester hours beyond the first year totaling ≥ 100 %
GS‑11 Level
One year of specialized experience equivalent to GL/GS‑09, including: conducting or supporting federal criminal investigations; developing operational plans; operating undercover; developing confidential sources; interviewing and interrogating suspects; organizing evidence; testifying; or equivalent graduate education or doctoral-level degrees
Combination of education and experience: percentages based on months of experience and graduate semester hours beyond the second year totaling ≥ 100 %
Additional Information
Appointments will be made under 5 CFR 213.3210 (Schedule B); potential transition to permanent Career appointments after 3‑4 years
Trial period evaluation criteria: performance, conduct, agency needs, organizational goals, and federal efficiency
Special Agents must be readily available for unscheduled work and may receive Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) at 25 % of base salary
Medical requirements: moderate to arduous exertion; firearms proficiency; must pass pre‑employment medical exam; disqualified if hazardous condition present
Firearms requirement: authorized to carry and maintain proficiency; must comply with Lautenberg Amendment
Employment drug policy: disclosure of past drug use; case‑by‑case assessment for eligible applicants with a history of substance use
Mobility agreement: reassignment to any domestic DEA facility; family support advised
Relocation expenses: full relocation for transfers from other Federal positions; limited coverage for new Federal employees
#J-18808-Ljbffr