Compliance Investigator

The purpose of this position is to develop the experience and skills necessary to perform compliance inspections; evaluate intrastate and interstate hazardous materials operators subject to Federal authority; investigate hazardous materials incidents and failures; and represent the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety in matters related to hazardous materials safety before federal, state, and industry authorities.

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

As a Compliance Investigator, you will:

• Under the guidance of a Journeyman or Supervisory Compliance Investigator plan, coordinate and conduct compliance inspections and investigations of Hazardous Materials shippers, carriers, packaging manufacturers, re-testers, repairers, rebuilders, special permit and approval holders to enhance public safety by air, rail, highway, and water.
• Assist in collecting evidence (e.g., case files, reports of the lead investigator, statements, and photographs); violations; and Notices of Probable Violation.)
• Assist in preparing reports involving Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) violations.
• Participate in meetings and join activities with DOT modal partners, other federal agencies, state and local governments providing information on the HMR.
• Participate in informal conferences with alleged violators and their legal counsel and safety representatives to hear arguments and review evidence on the cited violators.

The ideal candidate an entry level Investigator/Enforcement Professional who is seeking to obtain a Compliance Investigator career ladder position within the Office of Hazardous Materials Enforcement's regional offices. As an entry level position, all duties will be under the advice and guidance of senior level Investigators to guide individuals in obtaining the skills and expertise to advance to the next grade level.

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the Grade 09 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-07 it must include:

• Experience assisting senior members of a team analyzing information to identify safety concerns through research, data collection, interviews, and report development.
• Experience interpreting, explaining, and applying technical requirements and specifications to compliance problems encountered in field inspections or investigations.

To qualify for the GS-09 on Education alone, you must have:

• 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or have been awarded a master's or equivalent graduate degree.

You can also qualify based on a combination of graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

To qualify for the Grade 11 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09, it must include:

• Experience applying transportation principles; compliance and enforcement concepts; operating principles; as well as chemical and physical properties of hazardous materials.
• Experience in hazardous materials transportation safety, such as the transportation of compressed gases, explosives, radioactive materials, inter-modal shipments, and the manufacturing and testing processes for various industry operations.

To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have:

• 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
2. Compliance - Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
3. Technical Competence - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

For all types of consideration, experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4

All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.