Compliance Investigator - (SME) (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

Compliance Investigator - (SME) (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

Department: Department of Transportation

Location(s): Los Angeles, California, Ontario, California, San Diego, California, Billings, Montana, Helena, Montana

Salary Range: $58244 - $156755 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is in the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety Field Operations, Associate Administrator for Hazardous Material Safety (OHMS), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). This position will serve in a developmental capacity receiving on-the-job and/or formal classroom training.

Major Duties:

• As a Compliance Investigator, you will: Be responsible for the receipt, review, and proper disposition of all reports involving noncompliance with the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) from all sources. Plan, coordinate, and conduct field surveillance and investigation of packaging manufacturers, re-testers, repairers, rebuilders, special permit and approval holders, shippers, and re-conditioners, domestically or internationally, to enhance public safety in the transportation of hazardous materials by air, rail, highway and water. Participate in DOT hazardous materials enforcement meetings and joint inspection activities with other DOT modal administrations, other federal agencies, and state and local governments. Participate in team activities administering fewer complex assignments in the program area; assists in discharge of investigative responsibilities; assists in the analysis and evaluation of data to identify safety concerns, and in deciding on appropriate measures to protect oneself and others working in conjunction with them; participates in meetings, briefings, and hearings; assists in the verification of data; Prepares less complex portions of findings and recommendations. Assist in the collection, safeguarding and evaluation of evidence (e.g., case files, reports of the lead investigator, statements, and photographs); violations; and Notices of Probable Violation. Participates in informal conferences with alleged violators and their legal counsel and safety representatives to hear arguments and review evidence on the violators cited. The Ideal Candidate is 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.

Qualifications: To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the GS-07 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-05 it must include: Experience assisting senior members of a team analyze information to identify safety concerns through research, data collection, interviews, and report development. To qualify for the GS-07 on Education alone, you must have at least 1 year of graduate-level education OR superior academic achievement. **Superior Academic Achievement is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. 1. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses. 2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. You can also qualify based on a combination of graduate level education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application. To qualify for the GS-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 analyze 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 GS-11 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include: Experience in hazardous materials regulations related to inspections, investigations, and enforcement activities in order to determine whether noncompliance with regulations occurred. Experience in manufacturing processes, methods, equipment and production factors involved in the hazardous materials industry. Experience performing research and analytical activities to identify alternatives and making recommendations related to the safe transportation of hazardous materials. 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. To qualify for the GS-12 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include: Experience in hazardous materials regulations related to inspections, investigations, and enforcement activities in order to determine whether noncompliance with regulations occurred. Experience in manufacturing processes, methods, equipment and production factors involved in the hazardous materials industry. Experience performing research and analytical activities to identify alternatives and making recommendations related to the safe transportation of hazardous materials. You cannot qualify on education at the GS-12 level; you must have experience. 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: 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. Oral Communication- Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, considering 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. Compliance- Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance. 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/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/ Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date. Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. PLEASE NOTE: TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED (For the GS-07, 09, 11 ONLY), if you are substituting education for experience. The transcripts need not be official, but must show that you meet the stated education requirements, including specific major or class requirements.

How to Apply: You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than 11:59 (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting. Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire. You may review your saved application(s) at https://help.usajobs.gov/ If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office via email at: Transjobs@dot.gov

Application Deadline: 2026-01-19