Level 5-4:  Investigator, GS-1810

Scope of the Work - Work involves investigating commercial drug distributors shipping chemicals to an unlicensed location when the distributor is authorized to handle drugs and chemicals, but not authorized to ship to individuals who are not licensed.

Effect of the Work - Work affects the ability of the investigator to:

• subpoena numerous business records;
• interview employees of the distributor and the receiving individuals to determine the amount of illegally shipped chemicals; and
• coordinate with two regional DEA offices and a foreign office where the chemicals were shipped illegally.

Level 5-4:  Wage and Hour Investigator, GS-1849

Scope of the Work - Work involves investigating complaints of violations and non-compliance with Federal wage and hour and labor laws in:

• industrial, commercial, agricultural, and other business establishments;
• public institutions; and
• domestic service in households.

Effect of the Work - Work affects:

• the employment practices of the establishment under review;
• the employment practices and pay policies of other like firms or industries in that area;
• potential financial compensation to employees such as back wage payments and future wage increases; and
• sanctions , including civil money penalties, debarment, and injunction.

Level 5-4:  Equal Opportunity Investigator, GS-1860

Scope of the Work - Work involves investigating particularly difficult and uncompromising employment practices of large regional or national corporations, unions, or other institutions; e.g., staffing agencies.

Effect of the Work - Work affects:

• complainants involved in large or class action discrimination complaints including those with allegations of systemic barriers and non-accessible practices;
• employers involved in substantial financial settlements;
• economic welfare of a large group or whole class of employees; and
• employees who may benefit from substantially improved opportunities.

Level 5-4:  Criminal Investigator, GS-1811

Scope of the Work - Work involves:

• developing an initiative using non-traditional methods to identify persons engaged in money laundering:
• developing a source in the real estate community who identifies a parcel that was purchased in a suspicious manner;
• obtaining grand jury subpoenas for the builder and title company;
• reviewing documents that identify secretarial services, mail drops, and sham corporations; and
• reviewing financial and corporation records and surveillance intelligence from video cameras.

Effect of the Work - Work affects surveillance initiated at mail drops that leads to identification of individuals and businesses engaged in financial schemes to defraud unwitting investors.

Level 5-4: Criminal Investigator, GS-1811

Scope of the Work - Work involves initiating a multi-agency task force to:

• conduct a stop and subsequent consent search of a residence (i.e., the stash house);
• seize a large amount of cash;
• uncover money laundering records that reflect the movement of several million dollars in narcotics proceeds;
• obtain agreement for the suspect to telephone and arrange undercover meetings with the money laundering and narcotics trafficking organizations; and
• picking up and/or dropping off narcotics proceeds during undercover meetings.

Effect of the Work - Work affects multiple agencies to curtail organized trafficking of narcotics and identify individuals and/or businesses involved in money laundering for subsequent prosecution.

Level 5-4: Criminal Investigator, GS-1811

Scope of the Work - Work involves:

• gathering information about security and intelligence issues;
• meeting with the security and diplomatic officials of a foreign government as well as United States Embassy officials to coordinate operational requirements;
• previewing all sites and routes and checking equipment;
• reviewing contingency and emergency plans; and
• overseeing the installation of mechanical and electronic detection devices at or near security sites to provide for the thorough inspection of suspect objects.

Effect of the Work - Work affects multiple agencies and governments to ensure compliance with security and operational requirements and to ensure smooth cooperation in completing the mission.

Level 5-4: Customs Patrol Agent, GS-1884

Scope of the Work - Work involves

• uncovering and/or anticipating large-scale smuggling and attempted violations;
• developing methods to eliminate or minimize activities;
• collecting advanced information on attempted violations through information received from other law enforcement agencies, intelligence sources, or investigations;
• analyzing and refining information in cooperation with officials of other local, State, and/or Federal agencies; and
• " developing hypotheses on patterns of smuggling, such as time of day, routes of travel, and methods used to counteract enforcement initiatives (lookouts, scout vehicles, or hidden compartments).

Effect of the Work - Information developed affects:

• assignment of personnel and resources, operations, and shifting areas of surveillance; and
• work schedules and preparing for anticipated activities.

Level 5-4: Border Patrol Agent, GS-1896

Scope of the Work - Work involves

• uncovering and/or anticipating large-scale smuggling and attempted violations;
• developing methods to eliminate or minimize activities;
• collecting advanced information on attempted violations through information received from other law enforcement agencies, intelligence sources, or investigations;
• analyzing and refining information in cooperation with officials of other local, State, and/or Federal agencies; and
• developing hypotheses on patterns of smuggling, such as time of day, routes of travel, and methods used to counteract enforcement initiatives (lookouts, scout vehicles, or hidden compartments).

Effect of the Work - Information developed affects:

• assignment of personnel and resources, operations, and shifting areas of surveillance; and
• work schedules and preparing for anticipated activities.

Level 5-4: Wildlife Inspector, GS-1813

Scope of the Work - Work involves:

• enforcing the protection of wildlife by utilizing advanced technical, identification, and operational expertise; and
• analyzing documents, trade histories, species identification, statutes, regulations, and policy.

Effect of the Work - The inspections and investigations directly impact:

• civil prosecutions assessing significant penalties;
• inspection and enforcement procedural changes throughout the organization;
• procedural changes in other Federal agencies;
• techniques to identify newly protected wildlife or species new to commercialization;
• development of scientific sampling and testing techniques;
• increased conservation and enforcement efforts in foreign countries;
• public awareness of wildlife protection efforts due to media interests.

Level 5-4: Immigration Inspector, GS-1816

Scope of the Work - Work involves

• using technical and operational expertise to enforce immigration, nationality, and other laws applicable to non-citizens applying for entry to the United States;
• applying detailed laws, prosecutions, removal from the United States, or other sanctions; and
• making decisions about complex sets of facts quickly.

Effect of the Work - Work directly affects:

• identification and disruption of organized smugglers and smuggling trends;
• national dissemination of intelligence information;
• special operations to promote compliance with Federal immigration laws;
• ease of international travel;
• productivity in businesses requiring cross-border transactions; and
• prevention of unauthorized workers from entering the United States.

Level 5-4: Customs Inspector, GS-1890

Scope of the Work - Work involves:

• analyzing or observing information or trends that seem ordinary or innocent such as analyzing a flight manifest and noticing passengers who paid cash from the same no-name travel agency in a foreign country;
• notifying the baggage lines to observe the three travelers for suspicious behavior patterns;
• searching suspicious luggage for narcotics hidden in them; and
• questioning suspects.

Effect of the Work - Work affects the identification of illegal operations and results in arrest and prosecution of those involved.

Level 5-4: Mine Safety and Health Inspector, GS-1822

Scope of the Work - Work involves:

• inspecting and investigating mines, quarries, and plants, particularly those with health and safety issues; and
• issuing Orders of Withdrawal on serious health and safety violations to halt mining operations.

Effect of the Work - Work affects mining operations and could result in a significant monetary fine. Findings can affect the mining industry programs and procedures, as well as the agency's policies and guidelines.:

Level 5-4:  Mine Safety and Health Inspector, GS-1822

Scope of the Work - Work involves investigating:

• complaints of discrimination by:
• miners;
• representatives of miners; or
• applicants for employment;
• willful violations of safety or health violations such as open holes and no secondary escape ways; and
• accidents and deaths which occur in and around mines or processing plants.

Effect of the Work - Work affects mining operations and could result in a significant monetary fine. Findings can affect the mining industry programs and procedures, as well as the agency's policies and guidelines.:

Level 5-4:  Mine Safety and Health Inspector, GS-1822

Scope of the Work - Work involves administrative review and adjustment of contested penalties proposed for assessment by operators charged with violating coal, metal, and/or nonmetal mine safety and health regulations; and hearing or reviewing new evidence and arguments on issues such as::

• the nature of violations;
• good faith of the operator;
• extenuating circumstances;
• the gravity of the offense; and
• the effect of the penalty on the operator's ability to conduct business.

Effect of the Work - Work affects:

• the effect of the penalty on the operator's ability to conduct business.
• advice to members of the mining industry on interpretation and application of standards and regulations, and ways of achieving compliance; and
• decisions on penalties that are binding on the agency and the operator unless contested before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission.

Level 5-4:  Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Inspector, GS-1854

Scope of the Work - Work involves:

• conducting very complex inspections, audits, and related investigations throughout the alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives industries within a geographical area; and
• analyzing complex and unusual conditions, problems, and questions identified during on-site reviews.

Effect of the Work - Work affects:

• ATF's mission to assure the collection of all alcohol, tobacco, and firearms tax revenue;
• the suppression of diversion, commercial bribery, consumer deception, and other prohibited practices in the beverage alcohol industry;
• reduction of criminal misuse and illegal trafficking of firearms and explosives; and
• public safety by removing safety hazards caused by improper and unsafe storage of explosive materials and contaminated alcohol beverages.

Level 5-4:  Import Specialist, GS-1889

Scope of the Work - Work involves analyzing a variety of unusual conditions or questions such as those associated with classifying, appraising, and making related decisions on importations that typically are wholly new to the port or vary significantly in terms of origin, physical characteristics, uses, or trade practices.

Effect of the Work - Work affects:

• the profits or anticipated profits on new ventures; and
• major decisions and activities of businesses ranging from individual entrepreneurs to multinational corporations importing or planning to import locally.