Our Special Agents, be they Civil Service Criminal Investigators or Foreign Service Criminal Investigators, have full law enforcement officer authority and employ an array of investigative techniques including interviews, surveillance, electronic monitoring, undercover operations, subpoenas, and the execution of arrest and search warrants. Agents are assigned to either our Headquarters Office in Washington, D.C. or to one of eleven international offices located in:
- Frankfurt, Germany
- Cairo, Egypt
- Tel Aviv, Israel
- Kabul, Afghanistan
- Islamabad, Pakistan
- Manila, Philippines
- Pretoria, South Africa
- Dakar, Senegal
- Kampala, Uganda
- San Salvador, El Salvador
- Port-au-Prince, Haiti
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is an 1811?
An 1811 is the federal criminal investigator classification series established by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). OPM has defined this series to include positions that involve planning and conducting investigations relating to alleged or suspected violations of criminal laws.
2. What are the basic qualification standards for an 1811?
- Must a valid state driver's license
- Be between the age of 21-37
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
3. What are the working conditions for an 1811?
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) established specific physical requirements for criminal investigators. The duties of the position require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, carrying out searches, making arrests, and exposure to inclement weather.
4. What are the physical fitness requirements for 1811s?
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has established medical standards for its Special Agents and encourages all investigators to participate in a voluntary exercise program. All job series 1811, investigators, will be subject to periodic fitness assessment consisting of the Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB) developed by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). The PEB consists of the following elements: percentage of body fat, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, agility, and strength. Further the OIG will provide periodic refresher training to include physical conditioning/defensive tactics, and firearms training.
5. Is on-the-job training available?
Yes. All 1811s are required to complete basic criminal investigator training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Thereafter, agents are subject to annual physical fitness assessments, medical standard evaluations, and related skill certifications.
6. Do I have to accept every assignment that is offered?
Foreign Service personnel can express their preferences for postings, but must be willing to serve worldwide according to the needs of the Service.
7. What is the Foreign Service?
The United States Foreign Service, a commissioned service of the United States Government, represents the United States around the world. Members of the Foreign Service serve at any of the 265 American embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions around the world, as well as in Washington, DC and other domestic offices. They represent America abroad by implementing the foreign policy of the United States, representing U.S. interests, and protecting the interests of American citizens.
8. What are the benefits of living overseas?
- Non-taxable, comfortable housing while at post
- Non-taxable, cost-of-living allowances at designated posts
- Educational allowance for dependents
- Pay differential of 5% to 20% of basic salary at designated posts
- Paid travel to and from post for employees and authorized dependents
- Paid shipment of household goods
- Paid shipment of motor vehicles
- Paid foreign language training to obtain proficiency for some posts
9. Will I carry a weapon?
Yes. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296) provides that Special Agents employed in designated Offices of Inspector General (OIG), including USAID OIG, to have full statutory law enforcement authority. The Attorney General subsequently issued "Guidelines for Offices of Inspector General with Statutory Law Enforcement Authority." These guidelines authorize all Special Agents to carry firearms, make arrests, and conduct searches and seizures. An exception may be made when agents are posted overseas where authorization to carry firearms is given on a country by country basis. The Attorney General guidelines also permit Inspectors General to authorize Special Agents to carry their duty issued firearm while off-duty. USAID OIG Office of Investigations further allows agents to carry firearms while off-duty, as long as they comply with the standards set forth in internal policy.
10. Is there a service/tenure provision for retirement?
Yes. You will be subject to mandatory retirement at age 57 if you are occupying a law enforcement position and you have completed the necessary 20 years of service. If you have not completed the 20 years, you will be separated at the end of the month in which you complete 20 years of law enforcement service. You must be given a 60-day notice prior to mandatory separation.
11. How do I apply?
The OIG accepts applications with the required information for announced job vacancies. Requirements may differ from one vacancy to another so interested candidates should review the requirements carefully. All OIG vacancy announcements are posted on the USAJOBS website managed by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management as well as on the OIG Career Opportunities web page.
12. What is Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP)?
Availability pay is a type of premium pay that is paid to Federal law enforcement officers (LEO's) who are special agents in the Civil Service. Due to the nature of their work, special agents are required to work, or be available to work, substantial amounts of "unscheduled duty." Availability pay is generally an entitlement that an agency must provide if the required conditions are met, but is optional in Offices of Inspectors General that employ fewer than five special agents.
Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) ensures the law enforcement officer's availability for duty in excess of the 40-hour administrative workweek. To qualify, applicants must work an average of two extra hours per day. LEAP is fixed at 25% of basic pay.
13. How do Foreign Service Special Agents qualify for Special Differential Pay?
Special Differential Pay replaces LEAP Pay when a Foreign Service Special Agent is commissioned by Congress after serving a minimum of two years at an overseas post, within a five year period from their start date. Foreign Service Officers must be recommended for commissioning based on their performance reviews and other factors. The decision to tenure a candidate is made by the Foreign Service Officer Commissioning and Tenuring Board which reviews the candidate’s past performance as well as their potential to achieve what is required for the highest level of Foreign Service.
Foreign Service Special Agents must accrue the same amount of overtime as required for LEAP to earn Special Differential Pay.