Level 4-2:  Investigator, GS-1810

Nature of Assignment Work consists of assisting in the investigation of cases or portions of cases as assigned.

What Needs To Be Done The employee determines the appropriate process from a few easily recognizable alternatives to:

• assist senior investigators in planning and performing segments of investigations;
• participate in various phases of ongoing investigations;
• interview potential witnesses and take sworn testimonies; and
• obtain records and materials from subjects through search warrants.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in determining facts and evidence to prepare cases for indictment and subsequent trial.

Level 4-2:  Wage and Hour Investigator, GS-1849

Nature of Assignment Work consists of investigating complaints involving facts that are clear, straightforward, few in number, and obtainable from a few sources.

What Needs To Be Done The employee determines the appropriate process from a few easily recognizable alternatives to obtain, organize, and compare facts to clear-cut precedent cases or principles.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in determining the:

• appropriate sequencing of factfinding steps;
• most effective manner of presenting findings;
• application of the appropriate standard of proof to the fact pattern or allegation presented; and
• whether additional factfinding is necessary to resolve factual discrepancies.

Level 4-2:  Equal Opportunity Investigator, GS-1860

Nature of Assignment Work consists of investigating complaints involving facts that are clear, straightforward, few in number, and obtainable from a few sources.

What Needs To Be Done determines the appropriate process from a few easily recognizable alternatives to obtain, organize, and compare facts to clear-cut precedent cases or principles.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in determining the:

• appropriate sequencing of factfinding steps;
• most effective manner of presenting findings;
• application of the appropriate standard of proof to the fact pattern or allegation presented; and
• whether additional factfinding is necessary to resolve factual discrepancies.

Level 4-2:  Criminal Investigator, GS-1811

Nature of Assignment Work consists of routine, closely supervised assignments to learn different aspects of the work.

What Needs To Be Done The employee determines the appropriate process from a few easily recognizable alternatives to:

• interview witnesses;
• research pertinent statutes and laws; and
• carry out other selected segments of an overall investigation.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in determining:

• facts from incomplete, conflicting, or contradictory data; and
• investigative approach required based on the violation.

Level 4-2:  Customs Patrol Agent, GS-1884

Nature of Assignment Work consists of:

• field patrol;
• developing liaisons within the community;
• developing field experience; and
• basic radio procedures.

What Needs To Be Done The employee determines the appropriate process from a few easily recognizable alternatives in field patrol to determine appropriate procedures and methods to:

• track;
• conduct surveillance;
• apprehend and interrogate smugglers;
• collect, record, and document evidence; and
• prepare technical reports and case files.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment to:

• establish proof of illegal activities;
• sort through incomplete or conflicting information;
• determine points of origin and destination of traffickers and smugglers;
• keep other agents informed of on-going investigations; and
• report the type of tracks (human, livestock), evidence (shoe prints or fibers), and frequency of rest stops.

Level 4-2:  Border Patrol Agent, GS-1896

Nature of Assignment Work consists of developmental assignments in the enforcement and application of laws, regulations, and precedent court decisions, as well as participating in investigations and taking sworn testimony.

What Needs To Be Done The employee determines the appropriate process from a few easily recognizable alternatives to monitor border crossing and surveillance areas to:

• apprehend and detain aliens suspected of entering the United States illegally;
• apprehend and interrogate smugglers;
• collect, record, and document evidence; and
• prepare technical reports and case files.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercise judgment in planning and performing the following:

• making accurate on-the-spot decisions in remote areas concerning actions taken when encountering aliens, who may be hostile or engaged in illegal activities or attempting to enter the United States illegally,
• assessing incomplete or conflicting data to establish a violation;
• determining facts from contradictory information; and
• identifying fraudulent documents from aliens who do not have any or limited English language proficiency, and may be frightened or defensive.

Level 4-2:  Wildlife Inspector, GS-1813

Nature of Assignment Work consists of inspecting, documenting, reviewing, and applying national and international laws, treaties and regulations regarding the import and export of wildlife and products.

What Needs To Be Done The employee determines the appropriate process from a few easily recognizable alternatives to:

• conduct limited inspections in cargo, passenger, or mail facilities; and
• answer routine questions and refer other inquiries to the appropriate agency.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• identifying wildlife, parts and products;
• determining the validity of documents;
• interacting with other agencies; and
• determining the true intention of the traveling public and importers/exporters.

Level 4-2:  Fishery Patrol Inspector, GS-1813

Nature of Assignment Work consists of inspecting and reviewing documents and applying national and international laws, treaties and regulations regarding fishing rights and quotas.

What Needs To Be Done The employee determines the appropriate process from a few easily recognizable alternatives to conduct uniformed inspections and related investigations.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in determining the best course of action considering a variety of factors such as:

• type of fishery;
• location;
• mitigating factors;
• the severity of the violation; and

Level 4-2:  Game Law Enforcement Inspector, GS-1813

Nature of Assignment Work consists of conducting patrols in assigned areas on foot, in watercraft, and in motor vehicles such as 4-wheel drive trucks and all terrain vehicles.

What Needs To Be Done The employee determines the appropriate process from a few easily recognizable alternatives to take action based on enforcement and application of laws and regulations, precedent court decisions, and local policy.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• making accurate on-the-spot decisions in remote areas;
• assessing incomplete; or conflicting data; and
• determining facts from frequently contradictory information.

Level 4-2:  Immigration Inspector, GS-1816

Nature of Assignment Work consists of:

• the primary inspection processing of U.S. citizens;
• sorting and tallying entry forms completed at the port for routing; and
• providing general information to applicants regarding entry into the United States.

What Needs To Be Done The employee determines the appropriate process from a few easily recognizable alternatives to:

• conduct primary inspection of returning U.S. citizens; and
• review entry forms and documents.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• distinguishing a wide range of documents from different countries;
• detecting document alterations that are typical and not done with great skill; and
• determining intentions from applicants who communicate poorly or attempt to conceal actual intentions.

Level 4-2:  Customs Inspector, GS-1890

Nature of Assignment Work consists of:

• a combination of classroom instruction and on-the-job training; and
• performing developmental assignments in the procedures and practices of inspecting baggage, cargo, and carriers (vehicles, vessels, trains, and aircraft) entering or leaving the United States at designated ports of entry or stations.

What Needs To Be Done The employee determines the appropriate process from a few easily recognizable alternatives to determine:

• entry requirements;
• tariff classifications;
• rates of duty; and
• custody and control procedures for goods imported and exported through U.S. ports.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• effectively working with various types of travelers;
• conducting baggage and vehicle inspection work;
• recognizing when a detailed inspection of baggage, vehicles, and personal searches should be done; and
• performing inspections that involve unloading, verifying, or releasing cargo.

Level 4-2:  Mine Safety and Health Inspector, GS-1822

Nature of Assignment Work consists of assisting in:

• mine inspections; and
• audits of mines, mills; and processing plants for compliance with health and safety
regulations.

What Needs To Be Done The employee determines the appropriate process from a few easily recognizable alternatives to:

• collect samples;
• measure air velocity, noise levels, and humidity;
• observe work habits of miners;
• inspect the condition and use of safety equipment; and
• review mine safety records.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• using precise technical equipment and procedures; and
• making factual observations.

Level 4-2:  Agricultural Compliance Examiner, GS-1850

Nature of Assignment Work consists of assisting in the:

• inspection and audit of agriculture warehouses;
• examination of agriculture products for rot and mold; and
• interviewing warehouse workers, employees, and business owners.

What Needs To Be Done The employee determines the appropriate process from a few easily recognizable alternatives to:

• assess incomplete or conflicting data; and
• research facts from information that is often contradictory.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in making accurate decisions independently on-site.

Level 4-2:  Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Inspector, GS-1854

Nature of Assignment Work consists of basic inspections and involves straightforward application of guidelines and accounting procedures.

What Needs To Be Done The employee determines the appropriate process from a few easily recognizable alternatives to inspect businesses that:

• are small to moderate in size;
• have a simple organization structure; and/or
• do not have a record of poor compliance with current laws and regulations.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• applying the laws and regulations for compliance; and
• the preparation of the inspection report under the guidance of a higher level employee.

Level 4-2:  Import Specialist, GS-1889

Nature of Assignment Work consists of specific duties intended to:

• orient new employees; and
• relieve experienced import specialists of detailed and routine work.

• pre-entry document screening;
• verification of prescribed trade statistical items;
• telephoning or corresponding with brokers, importers, or others to request needed documents or additional information;
• answering general questions on the classification and value process or the import related requirements of other Government agencies;
• classifying routinely received items provided for by name in the tariff schedules; and
• assessing duty on items having specific rates.

What Needs To Be Done The employee determines the appropriate process from a few easily recognizable alternatives to determine entry status, classification of items, and duty by:

• accepting, rejecting, or holding entry summary packages;
• reviewing packages for the presence of required documents; and
• determining the completeness and consistency of information provided in those documents.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in actions taken based on factual differences such as the:

• kind of article or product being imported;
• country-of-origin;
• type of formal entry made, such as consumption, warehouse, or Temporary Importation under Bond; or
• special provisions claimed by the importer.