Supervisory Special Agent

Protect your homeland and defend your culture. Join USCIS, America's frontline defense against illegal foreign infiltration and fraud. This role offers up to $50,000 as a signing bonus (current federal employees are not eligible) OR as a relocation bonus (eligible current federal employees only); not both. If you're driven and ready to serve with pride, join USCIS and become a vital part of homeland security!

Major duties

• Lead a team of special agents engaged in performing criminal investigations and liaison activities with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
• Supervise, monitor, and mentor special agents as they develop and investigate complex criminal investigations related to immigration fraud, benefit fraud, and threats to public safety and national security.
• Supervise the use of a variety of investigative techniques and legal authorities to conduct criminal investigations, including the use of electronic and physical surveillance.
• Supervise the use of various databases to query and analyze information pertinent to detecting, investigating, apprehending, and assisting to prosecute individuals or groups involved in immigration benefit related crimes.
• Supervise the preparation of case files that include detailed investigative reports that are logical and clear which are used to support obtaining legal authority to support ongoing criminal investigations.

Qualifications

FOR LEE'S SUMMIT, MO DUTY STATION ONLY: THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SUPPORTS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW KANSAS CITY CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION OFFICE LOCATED IN KANSAS CITY, MO. YOU WILL REPORT TO A USCIS BUILDING IN LEES SUMMIT, MO WHILE THE NEW FACILITY IS BEING CONSTRUCTED. As a Supervisory Special Agent, you will supervise a team of Special Agents who conduct criminal investigations to ensure and protect the integrity of the benefits provided by the United States' lawful immigration system. The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 10/07/2026. Time in Grade does not apply to Delegated Examining Announcements, any reference to Time in Grade in the questionnaire will not apply to the rating and ranking of applicants. This announcement is issued under the Direct Hire Authority to recruit for positions for which the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, has a critical hiring need. This position is a secondary Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) position covered under 5 U.S.C. 8336 (6) Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), and General Provisions for Law Enforcement Officers 5 U.S.C. 8412(d), Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). The conditions for coverage of a secondary position are contained in 5 C.F.R. 831.902 (CSRS) and 5 C.F.R. 842.803 (FERS). Time served in a CBP Officer (O) position does not count toward the three-year primary service requirement for a secondary LEO (M) position. Prior experience in a primary/rigorous position or the equivalent outside the Federal government is a mandatory prerequisite. You MUST submit a copy of all SF-50s reflecting the beginning and end dates of creditable law enforcement civilian (not military) service under 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) for Secondary Law Enforcement Coverage to be determined. BENEFITS: Secondary Law Enforcement Officer Special Retirement Coverage: This is a secondary position subject to mandatory retirement under the special retirement provisions for law enforcement officers under CSRS and FERS 5 CFR 842.803, 5 CFR 831.903, 5 USC 8425(b), 5 USC 8335(b),5 USC 8412(d) and 5 USC 8336(c). Employees in secondary positions must meet the following conditions in order to be eligible for special retirement provisions: moved directly from a rigorous position to a secondary position without a break in service; complete 3 years of service in a rigorous position; and have been continuously employed in a secondary position(s) since moving from a rigorous position without a break in service exceeding 3 days. Prior experience in a primary/rigorous position or the equivalent outside the Federal government is a mandatory prerequisite. Application Limit: This vacancy is limited to the first 25 applications received. All applications received prior to midnight 11:59 PM (ET) of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered. If the application limit is not reached by the closing date of the announcement, all applications received during the open period will be considered. Any required documents must be submitted at the time that you apply as documents will not be accepted past the day the application limit is reached, if applicable. If you choose to edit your application after it has been submitted, it will be removed from consideration until you re-submit your application. The date your application is last submitted will be used to determine whether you meet the cut-off criteria. GS-14: You qualify at the GS-14 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the majority of the following duties: Developing reports for senior leaders that highlight emerging trends in immigration fraud investigations to guide policy and operational priorities; Prioritizing and assigning workload to subordinates, while monitoring case progress to maintain efficiency; Overseeing the investigative life cycle by planning and directing all activities from case open to case close; and Providing feedback on detailed investigative reports of investigative findings prepared by subordinates to ensure they are presented in accordance with policies. Please read the following important information to ensure you submit everything we need to consider your application: It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit your responses and appropriate documentation prior to 10/07/2026. You must upload your resume under the "Resume" category. Resumes submitted under the "Other Documents" category will not be considered. Your most recently submitted resume will be used to determine your qualifications for the position advertised in this announcement. Therefore, your resume must highlight your most relevant, significant experience related to the requirements found in the qualification section of this announcement, as well as any applicable education. Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. To help ensure your resume remains clear and easy to read, we recommend using margins of at least 0.8 inches and a font size of at least 11 point. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since human resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Your application will be rated and ranked based on your responses to the online questions. Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information: Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job) Duties (be specific in describing your duties) Employer's name and address Supervisor name and phone number Start and end dates including month, day and year (e.g. June 18 2007 to April 05 2008) Start and end dates for each grade/pay level if you've held a federal position. Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week) Salary Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide the above information may result in a finding of ineligible. Note: Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Federal Experience: If you are using current or prior federal experience as a basis for qualifying for this position, the grade levels and length of employment (mm/dd/year) at each grade level must be listed in your work history. This information will be further validated if selected for this position. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build criteria competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer service.

Education

EDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTION: There is no educational substitution at this grade level. The Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS) was established within USCIS to strengthen national security and the integrity of the country's legal immigration system by closely aligning the adjudication of immigration benefits and services with the identification of potential threats to national security and/or public safety, the detection and deterrence of fraud, and the use of law enforcement and intelligence information to ensure optimal security for U.S. communities. FDNS systematically identifies updates, and records indicators of fraudulent activities; manages fraud cases; identifies vulnerabilities and other weaknesses that compromise the integrity of the legal immigration system; and coordinates and provides logistical support in law enforcement and national security matters. FDNS is the primary conduit for information sharing and collaboration with law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Training: Selected candidates will report to their duty location and will later be required to attend and successfully complete the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) and the FDNS Special Agent Training (FDNS SAT) located at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. These trainings are approximately 21 weeks in total and located in multiple locations. Failure to meet the minimum course requirements for any of the training programs is grounds for removal from the position or separation by appropriate procedures. Certificate of successful completion of CITP or another approved program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, or a substantially similar program as approved by the Secretary or the Secretary's designee to being authorized to exercise the powers set forth in 40 U.S.C. 1315 (b)(2). After successful completion of training you may be assigned to another location based on the Agency's need. Applicant Physical Abilities Test (APAT): A pre-employment Physical Fitness Test (PFT) may be administered. A passing score is required. If you have failed a PFT, you are not eligible for consideration for 12 months from the closing date of the announcement in which you applied that required the PFT. Additionally, a PFT will also be administered at FLETC during training. Every trainee must pass the PFT during training. Medical Requirements: You may be required to complete a pre-employment medical examination and be found to meet the medical standards for this position. Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): This position may require substantial amounts of irregular or occasional overtime. You will be required to work on an unscheduled basis in excess of the 40-hour workweek. You must be readily available to perform this unscheduled overtime on a continual basis. Firearms Requirement: You will be required to carry a firearm while performing duties of this position. Maintaining firearm proficiency is also mandatory. You must satisfactorily complete (or have previously completed) the firearms component of the Criminal Investigation Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Any person who has been convicted of a crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition. Candidates under consideration will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of such an offense. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment. Work Conditions: This job requires physical strength and stamina to perform such activities as conducting long periods of surveillance, pursuing and restraining suspects, and carrying heavy equipment to be uses in investigative efforts. These activities require considerable physical exertion, such as running, stooping, bending, climbing, lifting and carrying heavy objects. The environment involves work indoors and outdoors in a variety of potentially dangerous and stressful situations, as well as exposure to physical attack, including the use of lethal weapons. Recruitment Incentive: A Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for newly appointed employees (i.e., individuals who have never been employed by the federal government or individuals who have had break in service of at least 90 days from their previous appointment as an employee of the Federal Government). Eligible applicants will be required to sign a service agreement prior to receiving the incentive. Relocation Incentive: A Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a current employee with an official performance appraisal or evaluation of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent who must relocate to accept a position in a different geographic area. Eligible applicants will be required to sign a service agreement prior to receiving the incentive. Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP): Per 5 CFR 576.202, An employee who receives a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) and later accepts employment for compensation with the Government of the United States within 5 years of the date of the separation on which the VSIP is based, including work under a personal services contract or other direct contract, must repay the entire amount of the VSIP to the agency that paid it (proof of payment is required) before the individual's first day of reemployment.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment: You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National to apply for this position. Successfully pass a Background Investigation which may include a financial disclosure. You must pass a drug screening. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service. Political appointees may require OPM approval before on-boarding. USCIS applies the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 to its telework program. You will be required to travel frequently and on short notice. You may be required to complete a pre-employment medical examination which may include a psychological evaluation and be found to meet the medical standards for the position. You may be required to successfully complete a pre-employment Physical Fitness Test (PFT) or Applicant Physical Abilities Test (APAT). You will be required to maintain the ability to perform the rigorous physical requirements of the job. You will be required to live within 50 miles of your duty station. You will be required to testify at court, Law enforcement officers and agents must be able to testify without concern of impeachment. Possess a current valid driver's license. Must be REAL ID compliant. You will be required to sign a Mobility Agreement. This position requires the selectee to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, U.S.C. Section 022 (g)(9)). USCIS Criminal Investigators may use deadly force when necessary, in accordance with the law and agency policy. A mandatory component of continued employment is the requirement to successfully complete the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) and the FDNS Special Agent Training (FDNS SAT) located at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. This position IS considered "essential" for purposes of reporting to work when the facility might otherwise be closed.