Summary
TOUGH WORK. VITAL MISSION. Challenge yourself! You have the power to help combat drug trafficking. Be a part of DEA! It's tough work, but a vital mission. Whatever your background or expertise, your work at DEA will be tremendously rewarding because it will have a daily impact on national security and the quality of life of all Americans. The salary listed is based on the 2026 Base Salary table and will be augmented by locality pay as authorized for the duty location of the position.
Duties
Diversion Investigators enforce the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and the Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act (CDTA) regarding the manufacture, distribution and dispensing of legally produced controlled substances and listed chemicals in order to prevent diversion of controlled substances and listed chemicals into the illicit market, while ensuring an adequate uninterrupted supply of pharmaceutical controlled substances and listed chemicals to meet the legitimate medical, commercial and scientific needs of the public. The incumbent will perform the following duties: Conducting investigations to ensure compliance with the CSA and its implementing regulations involving the procurement, manufacture, distribution, security, and record-keeping activities of the pharmaceutical and listed chemical regulated industry. Collecting and analyzing information and evidence; conduct interviews and prepare reports, and present findings and recommendations for regulatory, civil, and/or criminal actions. Researching and preparing a variety of written materials and reports which support possible administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings; answer both routine and technical correspondence and telephone inquiries; provide expertise and consultation to divisional personnel and provide guidance to other State, Local, and Federal Investigators. Developing and maintaining working relationships with Federal, State and Local agencies in order to promote information and intelligence collection exchanges. Planning, implementing, and participating in multi-jurisdictional special programs impacting the diversion of pharmaceutical controlled substances and listed chemicals from legitimate distribution; evaluate the results of investigations and the registrant's input and prepare corresponding statements setting forth the alleged violations.
Education
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/). PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One year of graduate education in considered to be the number of credit hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, click here. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How you will be evaluated
There are four evaluation phases used to determine the applicants who are Best Qualified for the position: Diversion Investigator (DI) Assessments Phase 1: Diversion Investigator (DI) Assessments Candidates who meet minimum qualifications based on the initial online questionnaire responses from Phase 1 will receive an email invitation to complete the DI Assessments. The DI Assessments will be completed online and include the Realistic Job Preview and DEA Talent Inventory (DTI). These assessments measure the following competencies: Accountability, Achievement Motivation, Attention to Detail, Collaboration, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Self-Confidence, and Stress Tolerance. Phase 2: Proctored Testing The best qualified candidates from Phase 1 will receive an email invitation to schedule an appointment to complete Phase 2 of the recruitment process. Phase 2 requires candidates to complete the Mathematics Assessment, and the Recall and Documentation Assessment at a proctored testing center. Applicants will select their proctored testing center location from over 600 available locations across the United States. These assessments measure the following competencies: Arithmetic, Problem Solving, Attention to Detail, Memory and Writing. Phase 3: Minimum Qualifications and Conditions of Employment The best qualified candidates from Phase 2, will have their resume and supporting documents reviewed to determine whether they meet the minimum qualification and eligibility requirements. You may excluded from consideration if your self-ratings are higher than supported by the application materials. Errors or omissions may impact eligibility. Phase 4: Structured Interview Candidates who pass Phase 3, will be contacted to schedule an appointment to complete Phase 4 of the recruitment process. Phase 4 requires candidates to complete a virtual Structured Interview. A panel of interviewers will evaluate candidates on each of the following competencies: Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Decision-Making, Self-Management; Stress Tolerance; and Teamwork. Candidates must complete and pass the oral assessment to receive consideration. NOTE: Declining to be interviewed or failure to report for a scheduled interview will be considered as a withdrawal from further consideration for employment regarding this vacancy. You must complete the DI Assessments within the allotted timeframe to be eligible for this position. If a DI assessment is passed, your results will be kept on record for use when applying for future jobs that require the same DI Assessments. If an assessment is failed, you are eligible to reapply and retest 90 days after failed assessment. Please note that if there are any changes to the hiring assessments, any passing scores from previous assessments may not be carried over to the new evaluation and you may be required to take the new assessment. If you accidentally deleted the invitation to the DI Assessments or otherwise need the information re-sent (e.g., you feel you have not received it due to a SPAM filter), you should contact [email protected] to request the invitation to be re-sent. Requests to re-send invitations to the DI Assessments must be received by [email protected] BEFORE the end of the 72 hour testing window. If you require an extension due to an extenuating circumstance, please contact [email protected]. POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION: You must successfully pass a pre-employment polygraph examination.