Criminal Investigator - Desk Officer - 90413566 - Washington

Date:  Aug 4, 2026
Location: 

Washington, DC, US, 20002

Company:  Amtrak

*PLEASE NOTE: *

 

Amtrak OIG is not a Federal agency. Our employment opportunities are not federal jobs.

 

Join with the Inspector General to help make America’s railroad operate more efficiently and effectively. Our team provides independent oversight of Amtrak’s programs and operations and works diligently to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse by Amtrak employees, contractors, or vendors. This work not only helps to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Amtrak, but it also informs decision-making by Amtrak’s Board of Directors, Amtrak management, and Congress. We employ a team of auditors, special agents, analysts, forensic examiners, lawyers, and support staff to complete our exciting mission. Join us as we continue toward our goal of building a model OIG centered on independence, teamwork, work-life balance, and oversight that makes a difference!

 

SUMMARY OF DUTIES

 

Serves as the primary contact and liaison between the Office of Investigations field offices and headquarters, providing technical advice; coordinating and reviewing field office operations and investigative work; and advising leadership on significant investigative developments, field office performance, operational and policy issues, and matters requiring leadership review. The position supports investigative quality and consistency by monitoring complex and sensitive casework, assessing trends and deficiencies, coordinating headquarters actions, reviewing reports and case management data, and recommending improvements to policies, procedures, internal controls, and investigative practices.


Provides oversight and guidance to one or more field offices with large inventories of complex investigations involving criminal, contracting, personnel, ethics, and other matters, including sensitive cases that may draw Congressional or media attention. The incumbent remains informed of case developments and ensures that significant issues are elevated to OIG management as appropriate.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

 

  • Provides technical advice and recommendations on Amtrak OIG policies, procedures, operations, and Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.
  • Coordinates requests from the FO that require action or approval by the Inspector General (IG) or Office of Investigations leadership, such as requests for consensual monitoring, OIG subpoenas, etc.
  • Provides support to the field by querying specialized databases and sources of information and presenting the information to the field in usable formats.
  • Provides HQ coordination on such matters as Hotline referrals, training, Freedom of Information/Privacy Act requests, and referrals for administrative action.
  • Represents the OIG in conferences, meetings, and discussions with other law enforcement organizations and Amtrak corporate officials and employees.
  • Responds to inquiries from Congress, the public, and high-level Amtrak officials;  Prepares responses or reports and submits through the SAC-HQ Operations for the signature of the IG, DIG, or the AIG Investigations (AIGI).
  • Reviews investigative reports to identify management and/or operational problem areas where there is a need to establish, modify, or reverse policies, procedures, or techniques. Provides recommendations to senior management on appropriate changes.
  • Identifies investigative deficiencies and recommends or implements corrective actions to improve investigative quality, consistency and results.
  • Provides technical advice and recommendations through the SAC – HQ Operations to the DAIGI,  AIGI, Deputy IG, and IG on major developments, significant problems, and resolutions.
  • Assists with developing recurring or special reports that support the OI leadership, program oversight or external reporting needs.
  • Conducts sensitive criminal and administrative investigations ensuring that investigative activities are thorough, well-documented, and consistent with applicable policies and standards.
  • Participates in periodic reviews of the Office of Investigations FO to ensure adequate internal controls and compliance with applicable laws and regulations, established policies, procedures, and standards.
  • Analyzes trends and patterns across  investigative program, in management and individual investigations to identify risk, recurring issues, and opportunities to improve investigative management and execution.
  • Enters and reviews case management system data to ensure completeness, accuracy and conformance with policy guidelines.
  • Reviews investigative reports submitted by FO for adequacy of investigative efforts and  compliance with OIG and Council of Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE)  policies,  criminal investigator standards, and peer review protocols.

 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 

 

  • Must have satisfactorily completed the Basic and Advanced Criminal Investigator Course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia or an equivalent Criminal Investigative course.
  • Must have successfully completed firearms training and maintain qualifications to carry and use firearms.
  • Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Criminal Justice or other related field, or equivalent combination of education, training, and work experience.
  • Must have 10 or more years of criminal investigative experience.
  • Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Proven analytical, problem solving and project management skills.
  • Proven leadership and change agent skills.
  • Ability to multi-task with attention to detail.
  • Ability to cooperate across organizational boundaries to reach mutual goals.
  • Strong interpersonal skills to effectively interact with all levels of management, labor, external agencies, departments, or stakeholders.
  • Must be able to maintain composure in stressful situations and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
  • Proficiency in using data analysis and computer-based tools including Microsoft Office Suite and similar products.
  • Experience with automated case management systems.
  • Demonstrated leadership, teambuilding, training, and motivational skills.
  • Creativity, flexibility, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment with constantly changing priorities.
  • Extensive knowledge of Federal criminal and civil law, practice, and procedure.
  • Extensive experience and knowledge of criminal investigative techniques (e.g., handling confidential informants, undercover assignments, physical and electronic surveillance, etc.).

 

PREFERRED:

 

  • An advanced degree from an accredited university (in an appropriate discipline).
  • Familiarity with the accountability community (e.g., OIG, GAO).
  • Familiarity with passenger rail operations and/or transportation operations. 

 

Please Note:

  • The position requires weapon carrying and qualifications; carrying a weapon carries risks and responsibilities and the incumbent may be placed in dangerous situations including but not limited to work outside in the elements i.e. rain, heat, cold.  Nature of work can be hazardous due to the transportation environment and potentially life threatening.
  • Frequently works long hours and is required to be on-call and available on an emergency basis.
  • Pre-employment physicals and a drug screen are required, as well as successfully passing a background investigation. Must maintain the physical standards of health required of IG criminal investigators.

 

COMPENSATION:

 

The hiring salary range for the Criminal Investigator – Desk Officer  is $136,721 to $184,573 . This is the starting salary range and does not reflect the full salary range of the position. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, internal equity, etc.  In addition to your salary, Amtrak OIG offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes health, dental, and vision plans; health savings accounts; wellness programs; flexible spending accounts; 401K retirement plan with employer match; life insurance; short and long term disability insurance; paid time off; back-up care; adoption assistance; surrogacy assistance; reimbursement of education expenses; Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility; Railroad Retirement sickness and retirement benefits; and rail pass privileges. Learn more about our benefits offerings here.

 

 

Requisition ID:  166980
Posting Location(s):District of Columbia

Work Arrangement:06-Onsite 4/5 Days 
Relocation Offered:No 
Travel Requirements:Up to 25% 

 

You power our progress through your performance.


We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions. Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen.