The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is actively recruiting criminal investigators across various cities nationwide, including Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville in Florida.
These positions offer annual salaries up to $177,767 and are targeted at a specific group of candidates with prior federal government experience.
This Sunday, the agency announced the recruitment drive on its official X account, detailing openings within Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), its division dedicated to criminal investigations.
Identified by the number HSI-13085040-RHA-AA, the announcement is available on the official federal jobs portal, USAJOBS.
The job offers are full-time, temporary contracts with a maximum initial duration of one year and one day, subject to extension based on institutional needs. These roles fall under the federal pay grade GS-13.
Compensation ranges from $109,383 to $177,767 annually, contingent on the investigator's assigned location due to federal geographic pay adjustments.
Eligibility Criteria for Prospective Applicants
While the announcement encompasses numerous U.S. cities, it is not an open call for anyone interested in working for ICE.
Eligible candidates include retired federal criminal investigators who previously held positions in the 1811 professional series, and who meet the criteria for federal service reentry.
The offer also extends to those eligible under federal programs CTAP, ICTAP, and RPL, designed for public employees affected by job cuts, reorganizations, or transition processes.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens with at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level.
This experience may involve investigations into drug trafficking, money laundering, fraud, human trafficking, financial crimes, terrorism, or immigration violations.
Applicants must also pass a background check, drug screening, possess a valid driver's license, and meet the requirements for a Top Secret security clearance.
The role requires firearm proficiency, travel readiness, and the ability to perform physically demanding tasks.
Selected candidates must reside within 50 miles (approximately 80 kilometers) of their place of work.
Florida's Available Locations
The official list includes Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Homestead, Key West, Fort Myers, Fort Pierce, Gainesville, Lauderhill, Pensacola, Tallahassee, Bradenton, Rockledge, and Panama City Beach.
Additionally, positions are available in Texas, New York, California, Georgia, North Carolina, and other states, including Puerto Rico and U.S. territories.
However, just because a city is listed doesn't guarantee a candidate can choose it. ICE notes that assignments depend on operational needs, and declining an offered location may result in exclusion from the selection process.
Responsibilities of New Investigators
HSI special agents are involved in intricate investigations concerning international trade, travel, finance, immigration, and criminal organizations. They may also delve into cybercrime, smuggling, human trafficking, and money laundering operations.
Responsibilities include gathering evidence, conducting interviews, analyzing information, preparing reports, and coordinating operations with national and international law enforcement agencies.
The recruitment is aimed at criminal investigators and should not be confused with deportation officer roles, which primarily focus on detaining and removing immigrants.
Application Process
Interested candidates who meet the requirements should visit USAJOBS and locate announcement HSI-13085040-RHA-AA.
The application involves completing an evaluation questionnaire and submitting a resume of no more than two pages, along with documents verifying professional experience and eligibility. Retired federal investigators must also provide SF-50 forms to demonstrate their service and retirement history.
The deadline for application submissions is December 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The agency emphasizes that applications sent by postal mail or email will not be accepted.
The recruitment operates under a continuous hiring system, allowing ICE to review candidate batches every two weeks and make job offers before the closing date.
Retired investigators rehired under certain authorizations may receive both their pension and federal salary, provided they meet the conditions for this reemployment modality.
ICE's Ongoing Hiring Expansion
This recruitment comes as the agency is expanding its workforce. In late September, it was reported that ICE plans to hire an additional 5,000 employees by the end of 2026, primarily deportation officers, according to The New York Times.
This hiring wave faced criticism for the speed of new hires and delays in background checks for thousands of new employees.
Frequently Asked Questions About ICE's Hiring Process
Who is eligible to apply for the ICE investigator positions?
Eligible candidates include retired federal criminal investigators and those eligible under federal programs like CTAP, ICTAP, and RPL. Applicants must be U.S. citizens with relevant experience and meet additional security and background requirements.
What kind of experience is required for these positions?
Applicants need at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level, which can include investigations related to drug trafficking, money laundering, fraud, human trafficking, financial crimes, terrorism, or immigration violations.
How can candidates apply for these positions?
Candidates must apply through USAJOBS, completing an evaluation questionnaire and submitting a resume and supporting documents. The deadline for applications is December 31, 2026.