Special Agent Responsibilities

The Office of Investigations conducts investigations of DOE personnel, contractors, and others receiving DOE funds concerning alleged violations of law that impact DOE programs, operations, facilities, and personnel.  Examples of issues investigated by the OIG include soliciting and/or accepting a bribe, overcharging the Government on contracts and grants, providing false data and information, supplying defective or inferior products, committing environmental violations, theft and/or destruction of government property, misuse of Government computers, serious employee misconduct, and ethical and conflict of interest violations. 

As a Special Agent, you will have authority to conduct criminal, civil, and administrative investigations, to apply for and execute search warrants, to make arrests, to carry firearms, and to utilize a range of specialized investigative techniques.  Special Agents in our Technology Crimes Section investigate malicious cyber attacks, intrusions into computer networks and systems, misuse of DOE computer systems for illegal gain, as well as provide support to other investigations.

Employment Opportunities

Entry level positions generally start at the GS-7 grade level, or GS-9 if you possess a graduate degree. Advancement to the GS-13 can generally be obtained within 3-4 years depending on performance.  Promotions to team leader and supervisory positions (above the GS-13 level) are achieved on a competitive basis.  Agents receive an additional 25% of pay based on a minimum annual average of a 50 hour work week.  For current federal salary rates, visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2017/general-schedule/.

The Federal Law Enforcement Officer Retirement System permits retirement at age 50 after 20 years of law enforcement service, or after 25 years of law enforcement service at any age.

Numerous training opportunities are available.  OIG Special Agents attend the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center criminal investigator training program in their first year, which includes courses of study in law enforcement concepts and techniques, legal issues, evidence, and firearms training.   

Qualification Requirements

To qualify, applicants must have:

  • GS-7:  one full year of graduate level education, or superior undergraduate academic achievement (GPA of 3.0 or higher), or one year of specialized experience equivalent to a GS-5 in the Federal service.
  •  GS-9:  a master’s or equivalent graduate degree, or two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to an LL.B. or J.D., or one year of specialized experience equivalent to a GS-7 in the Federal service.
  •  To qualify for higher grade levels, applicants must have a progressively higher graduate or professional degree or additional years of relevant work experience.