Criminal Investigation

The 1811 series is the federal special agent occupation. These are law enforcement positions with their own retirement rules, medical and fitness standards and, in most announcements, a maximum entry age.

Recent listings have included criminal investigators and supervisory criminal investigators, special agents, a senior special agent, a special agent in charge of field operations, an entry-level criminal investigator, a Diplomatic Security Foreign Service special agent (a Foreign Service position grouped here with the 1811 jobs), a Shadow Wolves special agent, and a deputy assistant inspector general for investigations. Offices of Inspector General across several departments, the Environmental Protection Agency, the State Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been frequent sources.

Applying tip: read every condition of employment before applying, including the age limit and any exception it allows, the medical examination, the drug test, the background investigation and the firearms requirement. Prior investigative or law enforcement experience should be described in terms of cases worked and outcomes. Our veterans’ preference guide explains how preference interacts with law enforcement hiring.