Level 4-4:  Investigator, GS-1810

Nature of Assignment Work consists of investigating suspects who:

• obtained controlled substances by forging prescriptions; and
• sold the pharmaceuticals to others.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• use undercover operations to purchase medications;
• use technical equipment to monitor undercover activities; and
• use search warrants to search and seize drugs, computers, and prescriptions.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• developing some subjects as undercover operatives;
• conducting extensive interviews with several witnesses and all suspects;
• examining computer records; and
• analyzing prescription records to develop and sustain all violations.

Level 4-4:  Investigator, GS-1810

Nature of Assignment Work consists of investigations and financial examinations of employee benefit plans and service providers and includes such factors as:

• whether the plan or service provider has a complex set of financial systems and operations; or
• whether the plan has numerous functions and activities and/or complex interrelationships; and/or
• the necessity to safeguard the privacy of individual patient records.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• review medical and financial records;
• interview knowledgeable parties; and
• consult with such technical experts as physicians, pharmacists, or accountants to gain technical insight about transactions.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment and discretion since investigations are sensitive and could create embarrassing publicity if incorrectly pursued.

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

Nature of Assignment Work consists of:

• performing the complete cycle of factfinding, problem definition, and identification;
• developing legally supportable conclusions; and
• taking appropriate actions to resolve cases or to achieve objectives.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• make decisions such as planning the investigation or inquiry so that essential facts and issues are adequately covered and relevant facts are sorted from opinions, perceptions, and conditions; and
• encounter and solve problems that require modification of typical approaches used by the agency.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• making decisions at each stage of the investigation;
• defining the problem(s) in terms of the labor laws, policies, or regulations being enforced;
• interpreting and analyzing considerable data; and
• weighing facts or evidence to arrive at coverage or exemption determinations and appropriate resolution.

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

Nature of Assignment Work consists of conducting investigations that include:

• large amounts of information or records;
• several types of information collected for analysis; e.g., witness testimony, agency files, personnel records, employment and hiring policies, historical statistics, labor market census data and commuting patterns, and financial records;
• facts that are disputed by complainants, respondents, or witnesses;
• information that must be reconstructed from statements of witnesses and/or records;
• complaints that are vague and must be defined; and
• parties who are reluctant to cooperate.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• develop an investigative plan so that essential facts and issues are clear and complete;
• modify techniques or approaches to the specific complaint as conditions warrant; and
• sort relevant facts from sometimes conflicting information and opinions.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• identifying issues;
• defining the problem in realistic terms that are compatible with governing laws;
• weighing facts or evidence to arrive at correct cause and effect relationships, sound conclusions, and appropriate actions; and
• preparing case files for administrative or judicial proceedings when required.

Level 4-4:  Criminal Investigator, GS-1811

Nature of Assignment Work consists of developing, planning, and conducting multi-judicial district investigations including money laundering and financial fraud investigations, using a of range of criminal investigative techniques such as:

• physical surveillance;
• electronic surveillance;
• electronic and/or oral intercepts;
• undercover operations and purchases;
• source handling and operations; and
• evaluation and dissemination of intelligence, searches, seizures, interrogations, and arrests.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• resolve conflicts in the custody and handling of evidence;
• exploit prominent defendants; and
• coordinate and handle jurisdictional issues pertaining to the timing and feasibility of major joint investigations to include:
• prolonged multi-jurisdictional surveillance;
• purchasing evidence;
• conducting coordinated searches;
• planning seizures and arrests while protecting the ongoing investigation; and
• identifying when the investigation requires expansion and/or culmination.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in determining conflicting facts or evidence when:

• the subject does not cooperate;
• there is overt or subtle resistance;
• the subject's explanations and defenses are difficult to refute; and
• the subject's obstructive tactics and skill in obscuring relevant facts complicate gathering necessary evidence.

Level 4-4:  Criminal Investigator, GS-1811

Nature of Assignment Work consists conducting a site advance for:

• a high profile country that is considered a low risk;
• a medium profile protectee with a low risk profile;
• conducting critical on-site examinations and evaluations of proposed sites and facilities; and
• identifying environmental factors and physical conditions that may pose direct or indirect potential hazards to the protectee.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• make decisions on how to utilize manpower and technical devices;
• select and supervise the installation of mechanical and electronic detection devices at or near the security site to provide for inspection of suspicious objects;
• direct the establishment of controls, guard stations, check points, and other facilities necessary to ensure the safety of the protectee;
• gather and assess information to determine the proper course of action to prevent harm to the protectee; and
• develop multiple movement procedures and routes to avoid establishing predictable patterns.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• coordinating with local law enforcement agencies, juggling staff and protocol issues;
• addressing situations such as a large arrival ceremony in open spaces;
• preparing and directing alternate security plans for the various locations where the protectee must be moved;
• preparing contingency plans to be executed in response to reasonably anticipated security threats; and
• maintaining continuing and effective liaison with both Federal and local investigative and intelligence agencies to update security and movement plans as necessary.

Level 4-4:  Criminal Investigator, GS-1811

Nature of Assignment Work consists of conducting a multi-agency investigation that:

• traces criminal proceeds from drug smuggling through a money-laundering scheme; and
• investigates proceeds that are invested in business assets such as:
• automobile dealerships,
• restaurants,
• residential housing, or
• construction projects.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• conduct a financial investigation to link assets to the criminal activity;
• obtain subpoenas for tax, business, and bank loan records to trace money; and
• determine if the money was laundered through the operating accounts of the businesses.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• conducting surveillance on the business principals;
• researching databases and public records;
• identifying additional assets of the subjects;
• debriefing and developing informants who provide intelligence on the activities of the subjects and how the subjects attempt to hide assets; and
• coordinating the tactical operations of several seize-and-arrest teams comprised of different Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies at multiple locations to seize multiple properties simultaneously.

Level 4-4:  Criminal Investigator, GS-1811

Nature of Assignment Work consists of:

• conducting an investigation based on the receipt of information concerning a number of exotic birds being shipped and sold across the country at less than wholesale prices; and
• reviewing importation records to determine whether any shipments of the particular species were entered through Customs in the last several years.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• conduct interviews with pet dealers;
• research newspapers and trade publications for advertisements;
• contact wildlife dealers to try to identify suspects;
• conduct background checks, reviews of U.S. Customs' border crossing data and contact Mexican counterparts to track suspects at border crossings;
• contact the suspect covertly through an advertisement and purchase several birds; and
• conduct surveillance of the suspect to determine the extent of involvement in wildlife smuggling.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• coordinating with multiple State and Federal agencies that regulate importing, quarantining, transporting and the possession of wildlife; and
• identifying subjects using multiple sources of information, including informants, contacts in the wildlife trade industry, surveillance at suspected remote crossing sites, and the review of U.S. Customs' border crossing data.

Level 4-4:  Criminal Investigator, GS-1811

Nature of Assignment Work consists

• conducting investigations to locate and apprehend Federal, State and local fugitives and their criminal assets;
• developing facts and evidence by utilizing a range of investigative techniques to include:
• interviewing; and
• examining physical, documentary, and other types of evidence (e.g., business records, public documents, utility records, and information provided by informants).

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• gather information and intelligence from a variety of sources;
• analyze available facts, evidence, and intelligence; and
• determine the need for additional investigation or further factfinding.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment to plan and conduct investigations:

• using confidential sources and their cooperation;
• when the cases are characterized by fragmentary or cold evidence; and
• when:
• there is difficulty in establishing the interrelationships of fact and evidence;
• there are reluctant witnesses;
• suspects or fugitives are often subjects of major news media; and
• the assignment may take the employee into situations where the possibility of serious injury or death exists.

Level 4-4:  Criminal Investigator, GS-1811

Nature of Assignment Work consists of investigating the reemployment of retired railroad workers in the railroad industry.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• conduct queries of social security and railroad retirement data systems to identify retirees who may be participating in the scheme;
• conduct surveillance in the vicinity of railroad employer properties to identify working retirees;
• direct undercover operations that require establishing a credible fictitious business operation in the surrounding community;
• conduct consensual monitoring intercepts of telephone and non-telephone communications of several subjects;
• subpoena business records for retirees and various employers; and
• coordinate the service of simultaneous search warrants on both residence and business locations for suspects.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• going undercover as a railroad retiree wanting to go back to work;
• approaching the railroad employer;
• identifying a number of suspects participating in the scheme to include railroad officials and corporate executives; and
• planning and directing other law enforcement personnel in a nationwide investigation that involves questioning numerous subjects and serving subpoenas across the country.

Level 4-4:  Criminal Investigator, GS-1811

Nature of Assignment Work consists of:

• conducting an investigation based on leads received from complainants, informers, and third-party contacts; and
• enlisting the assistance and cooperation of local, State, and Federal law enforcement officers for additional information and support.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• observe suspect(s) to determine habits and movements;
• determine rendezvous and transfer points or the source of supply of weapons, liquor, explosives, bombs, or component parts;
• determine whether a search warrant is necessary;
• obtain evidence sufficient to justify "probable cause" for issuing the warrant;
• prepare the case report and confer with U.S. Attorney officials regarding specific charge made in the indictment; and
• arrange for testimony of experts in fields such as ordnance, handwriting, explosives, and other technical areas that will support the Government's case.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in assuming an undercover role to:

• purchase contraband;
• observe illegal activities;
• obtain additional information;
• attempt to develop reliable informants; and
• organize raids, searches, seizures, and arrests for assigned investigations.

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

Nature of Assignment Work consists

• planning, organizing, and directing operations resulting from intelligence received from various sources;
• directing patrols in the field;
• shifting tracking operations;
• coordinating with other law enforcement agencies;
• requesting air support; and
• maintaining communication platforms to relay current situations using encrypted radios.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• gather information that may be incomplete and inconclusive as evidence and data to support proof of criminal misconduct; and
• evaluate intelligence received as to the nature of criminal activities, fraud, and smuggling.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• develop operational plans targeting smuggling activities from intelligence reports and activity from the prior shift, from local informant(s), and/or law enforcement agencies;
• shift operations and reallocate manpower and resources based on analysis;
• use and control informants; and
• conduct subtle and probing interrogations.

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

Nature of Assignment Work consists of:

• performing anti-smuggling activities (e.g., alien, narcotic, and controlled substance);
• gathering intelligence in the area of responsibility; and
• conducting subtle and probing interrogation or questioning in Spanish or another foreign language.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• evaluate and interpret information from various sources, such as:
  • responses to questioning;
  • documentation presented by the person questioned;
  • record checks; and
  • evidence of criminal misconduct;
• work undercover to collect information on smuggling rings and routes of transportation;
• develop own confidential informants for leads; and
• work with other Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in addressing:

• increasingly complex and sophisticated organized smuggling organizations;
• the use of technology, counterintelligence, and other countermeasures that require new techniques and methods to defeat smuggling activities;
• advances in counterfeit documents and the need to discern the validity of authorization documents, passports, and proof of legal residence; and
• the need to react and make sound decisions quickly in critical incidents such as an agent's shooting or a smuggler's abuse of aliens.

Level 4-4:  Wildlife Inspector, GS-1813

Nature of Assignment Work consists of examining many different types of documents to determine authenticity and relevancy to the legality of wildlife shipments.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to process travelers and shipments that:

• vary from routine to non-routine; and
• require immediate action due to the nature of the material and/or item(s).

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in addressing:

• wildlife trends;
• wildlife bans with varying tenures; and
• frequent changes in foreign and State laws and governments to process travelers and shipments and to provide accurate and timely information.

Level 4-4:  Wildlife Inspector, GS-1813

Nature of Assignment Work consists of conducting physical inspections to:

• identify exact species of wildlife involved;
• detect smuggling of wildlife or wildlife products from the entire animal kingdom ranging from minute shell products or tiny reptilian skin strips on wallets to several square meters of whale baleen.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• place seized live wildlife on the basis of available housing, species, quantity, and veterinary care;
• consider species rarity, potential hazard, scientific or educational use, and commercial applicability to determine lawful disposition of seized wildlife; and
• exercise discretion when authorizing veterinary care or necropsies and when negotiating housing and care costs.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in identifying:

• deception by importers;
• false records;
• the perishability of evidence;
• evidence volume;
• high quality, sophisticated fake and manmade products; and
• findings through laboratory analysis and testing.

Level 4-4:  Wildlife Inspector, GS-1813

Nature of Assignment Work consists of conducting inspections and investigations that involve examining documents associated with importation or exportation and may include dozens of wildlife species and multiple ports of entry.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• interview the principle parties involved, such as the broker, importer, and employees of the shipping company;
• interview informants and others involved who may have knowledge of the violation;
• interview wildlife and taxonomic experts; and
• research international correspondence, falsified documents, and extensive violation histories.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• identifying smuggling operations where facts and evidence may be difficult to discern based on conflicting testimony, documents, or facts;
• coordinating with several ports of entry and other agencies; and
• making decisions that are potentially precedent setting.

Level 4-4:  Immigration Inspector, GS-1816

Nature of Assignment Work consists of performing a wide range of inspection, advisory, and analytical duties involving complex and sensitive inspection and control issues.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• make on-the-spot independent decisions about matters of citizenship, right of entry, and/or fraudulent documents; and
• resolve the most difficult or problematic entry cases.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• reviewing suspect documents for authenticity and correctness;
• evaluating vague or questionable information;
• assessing mitigating factors of the case, such as age and previous record of the applicant; and
• determining the appropriate degree of severity of sanctions imposed on inadmissible persons ranging from being required to depart the United States to appearing before a Federal judge in a criminal prosecution case.

Level 4-4:  Immigration Inspector, GS-1816

Nature of Assignment Work consists of:

• applying precedent court decisions and procedures;
• interrogating suspects;
• taking sworn testimony; and
• making determinations for immediate or deferred action as each situation indicates.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• investigate complex cases concerning bad faith applicants;
• construct the required elements of a case from disparate bits of information collected such as verbal statements or material gleaned from documentation or belongings;
• complete casework and reports; and
• apply sanctions to violators such as removal, seizure, fines, or prosecutions.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• discerning fraudulent entry from well-meaning travelers using all evidence available, including information from a number of automated databases; and
• conducting complex investigations resulting from:
• regulatory and legal gray areas; and
• authority to process expedited removal and detainments for prosecution.

Level 4-4:  Customs Inspector, GS-1890

Nature of Assignment Work consists of:

• interviewing travelers, importers, and/or carriers involving inspection and enforcement issues;
• reviewing entry paperwork;
• searching various enforcement databases;
• reviewing a variety of documents that are incomplete, conflicting, or falsified; and
• determining what further review is necessary.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• make quick decisions based on evaluation of incomplete information and determination of intent of traveler, importer, broker, or other persons(s) involved; and
• plan, coordinate, and lead special initiatives.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• how far to go in sensitive or difficult situations;
• how important actions are;
• which actions will facilitate processing for travelers/cargo while ensuring enforcement and inspection requirements are met; and
• veracity of explanations to address suspicions.

Level 4-4:  Customs Inspector, GS-1890

Nature of Assignment Work consists of:

• performing analysis of intelligence from various sources on new smuggling techniques;
• reviewing enforcement reports and extracting pertinent data; and
• determining whether information is credible and significant enough to notify other Customs ports.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• send out enforcement alerts to notify other ports and networks with other agencies on similar trends and information;
• exchange intelligence data with local and Federal law enforcement agencies; and
• maintain a database of intelligence information.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in making decisions based upon analysis to determine appropriate distribution and level of intelligence information.

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

Nature of Assignment Work consists of:

• independently conducting health and safety inspections of a wide variety of mining and milling operations both underground and surface; and
• examining a broad spectrum of health and safety problems and issues, due to conditions that are continually changing, such as:
• opening, relocating, or closing mining operations;
• new or antiquated equipment; or
• new processing methods.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• conduct complete health and safety inspections;
• measure the presence and concentration of gas, dust, toxic chemicals, and other hazards such as electrical, roof and support, and ventilation hazards;
• investigate accidents to determine whether Federal laws and regulations were violated;
• suggest methods for correcting violations; and
• prepare written reports of inspections and investigations including citations and orders of withdrawal.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• inspecting a variety of mining operations ranging from small "mom and pop" operations; to large corporate mines that have several locations and affiliated processing plants;
• considering findings of violations and orders of withdrawal that could affect production and have an economic impact on the operator; and
• resolving problems independently using experience and sound judgment, except those requiring in-depth technical analysis by specialists or engineers.

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

Nature of Assignment Work consists of:

• conducting on-site evaluations of mine safety and health programs to assess requirements for developing training programs for specific situations;
• preparing reports on safety problems that resulted in injuries and mining hazards; and
• conducting research that identifies and details specific mining situations and may include statistical analysis.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• conduct studies on mine mishaps due to safety or health issues;
• review company's safety and health programs or critical incidence data;
• analyze incidence reports;
• determine the underlying factors and recommend training and safety procedures to prevent or minimize miner injury or exposure;
• review training plans developed by mine management; and
• compile inspection and investigation reports and prepare reports on special initiatives or hazard alerts, such as lost work time or mine injuries.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in considering such as factors as:

• the size and location of the mine;
• the history of problems such as methane or roof control;
• relationship of accidents due to the lack of or ineffectiveness of current safety and health programs;
• the accident frequency rate of a mine;
• the number of citations issued by inspectors; and
• "pattern trends" identified by inspectors.

Level 4-4:  Agriculture Compliance Examiner, GS-1850

Nature of Assignment Work consists of conducting the full range of examinations including those initiated because of alleged violations that may involve:

• the fraudulent manipulation of warehouse receipts;
• the conversion or loss of significant quantities of Government-owned commodities; or
• substantial losses due to fire, flood, storm, or other causes.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• conduct exceptionally critical examinations;
• determine accuracy and credibility of data from interviews and financial records;
• adapt techniques and methods to overcome obstacles; and
• develop, explore, and identify possible violations.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• conducting examinations of warehouses owned by major corporations dealing in agricultural commodities;
• verifying information regarding financial operations and existence and value of assets;
• identifying situations of willful noncompliance or fraud; and
• preparing findings that may be used to suspend or revoke licenses or contracts and may be used in prosecution actions, as appropriate.

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

Nature of Assignment Work consists of performing the full range of duties associated with the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearm's inspection program. Inspections typically:

• focus on the practices and operations of the alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives industries; and
• may be involved in inspection-related investigations in diversion and other illegal activities.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• determine accuracy and credibility of data from interviews and a variety of records; and
• adapt techniques and methods to overcome obstacles and develop, explore, and identify possible violations.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• reviewing records that are frequently incomplete or missing or have been destroyed, or falsified;
• linking information encountered to other information to establish trends in the alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives industries;
• tracking incomplete information to determine hidden ownership and changing regulatory guidelines and operating environments;
• identifying situations of willful regulatory violations; and
• preparing findings for use in prosecution actions.

Level 4-4:  Import Specialist, GS-1889

Nature of Assignment Work consists of performing varied duties requiring many different processes and methods applied to a broad range of activities requiring a substantial depth of analysis such as:

• managing an entire line of merchandise or
• developing authoritative and comprehensive recommendations on:
  • classifications and value of novel imports or trade practices reported by import specialists throughout the country;
  • the accuracy and administrative effects of the Tariff Schedules; and/or
  • systems and methods for administering special trade programs for particular commodities and product lines.

What Needs To Be Done The employee selects the appropriate method from many alternatives and resolves conflicting data to:

• manage the activities of an entire line of merchandise;
• establish criteria covering operational matters such as the intensity of review to be given various kinds of importation; and
• determine the approach to be taken in interpreting administrative and legal guidelines with respect to particular imported products.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Exercises judgment in:

• developing new information often requiring the coordination of factfinding by other geographically dispersed import specialists;
• developing new lines of reasoning to support tariff classification or novel imports;
• making decisions which may be complicated by:
• the need for expeditious but accurate administrative action on formal entries;
• rigorous classification and value issues that are national in scope and significance; and
• uncertainties in interpreting available guidelines because technological and economic developments have altered the kinds of products imported or the manner in which imported articles are produced, used, or traded.