Investigator (Occupational Safety and Health) - Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Andover, MA

Friday, August 05, 2011 to Thursday, August 18, 20111 vacancy - Andover, MA OR; 1 vacancy - Boston, MA OR; 1 vacancy - Braintree, MAU.S. Citizens; ICTAP eligibles in the local commuting area.
Opportunities are Open! Begin a challenging career with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and you will help shape the workforce of tomorrow.  DOL offers rewarding opportunities to contribute to a noble mission; to serve and protect American workers, prepare them for new and better jobs, and to ensure the safety and fairness of American workplaces.

This position is located in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the mission of which is to enforce laws and carry out policies and programs to assure safe and healthful working conditions for employees.

This ONE position will be located in one of the following area offices: Boston, MA; Andover, MA; Braintree, MA.

The primary purpose of this position is to investigate alleged
instances of discrimination on the part of employers arising from
the complaints made regarding possible safety and health violations.

This position has promotion potential to the grade of GS-12.

This position is inside the bargaining unit.

Applications for this vacancy will be accepted on-line by clicking
the Apply Online button below. Please carefully read an follow
the instructions described under the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" sections of the announcement to ensure submission of a complete application package.

U.S. Citizenship.Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.Appointment to this position will require a background investigation.Requires a valid drivers license.
1 vacancy - Andover, MA OR; 1 vacancy - Boston, MA OR; 1 vacancy - Braintree, MA
The investigators in the Whistleblower Program conduct
investigations to assure that individuals are not discharged or
discriminated against in any manner because the employee has
exercised their rights under 21 federal statutes which contain
Whistleblower protection. The laws apply to discrimination for
filing safety and health complaints, environmental complaints,
nuclear complaints, corporate fraud complaints and other matters
delegated to OSHA by the Secretary of Labor. The incumbent of this
position is required to be able to operate a motor vehicle to travel
to investigation sites. The position requires a high degree of self
motivation, independence and the ability to manage a high number of
concurrent investigations within strict time frames.

Responds to complaints of employer discrimination by conducting field investigations covered under these Whistleblower Statutes in the more complex cases where the number of issues and/or the nature of the issues require careful analysis and interpretation of evidence. Investigations occasionally involve unusual legal issues.

Develops case by, (1) reviewing case files in OSHA field offices or other business establishments to obtain background information concerning any proceeding which relates to the complaint, (2) interviewing complainant, witnesses, respondents and their representatives, and others necessary to obtain information and/or signed statements, relative to allegations, and (3) reviewing pertinent respondent records, and when appropriate, securing copies of the pertinent documentation.

Negotiates with respondents, in cases of merit, to obtain a legally enforceable agreement which will provide prompt remedy of the violation. Coordinates with complainant for acceptance of the settlement proposal. Where settlement negotiations prove unsuccessful, makes appropriate recommendations for legal remedies such as administrative hearings before an ALJ or litigation in U.S. District Court.

Further information on the Whistleblower Program is available at:
Http://www.whistleblowers.gov

Applicants must meet either the specialized experience or substitution of education for specialized experience described below in order to qualify for this position.

Specialized Experience Requirements: Applicants must have at lease one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal Service.

GS-9
1. knowledge of complex laws and regulations such as those involving employment discrimination; administrative procedures involved in assessing and assuring compliance; and skill in the use of techniques and methods for the identification correction of regulatory violations.  Such knowledge may have been gained from working as a criminal investigator, police detective, an attorney or in closely related occupations.
2. Experience which provided knowledge of the legal aspects of employment discrimination.
3. Experience in performing Whistleblower investigations, under supervision, or as a member of a team, which provides a knowledge of the law and procedures.

GS-11
1. Expert knowledge of complex laws and regulations such as those involving employment discrimination; administrative procedures involved in assessing and assuring compliance; and skill in the use of techniques and methods for the identification correction of regulatory violations.  Such knowledge may have been gained from working as a criminal investigator, police detective, an attorney or in closely related occupations.
2. Experience which provided knowledge of the legal aspects of employment discrimination, in which the candidate had to independently interpret and apply laws and regulations in an environment of unsettled case law, or limited guidance.
3. Experience in performing Whistleblower investigations, independently and with little or no supervision, which provides a knowledge of the law and procedures.

Or,
Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience: Applicants who do not meet the specialized experience described
above but possess a graduate education as described below may
substitute that education for the specialized experience:
For GS-9: a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full
years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree related to investigative work such as criminal justice, LLB, or J.D, Human Resources Management, industrial relations, labor relations management, Public Administration, etc.
For GS-11: a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full
years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field related to investigative work such as criminal justice, LLM, human resources management, industrial relations, labor relations management, Public Administration, etc.

If you apply based on education, you must submit your college transcripts - non-official copies are acceptable.

Applicants maybe required to provide a writing sample if invited for an interview.

Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements.  Please reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.



If you meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you will be evaluated against the evaluation factors (competencies) noted below and will be placed into one of the following quality categories based on your responses to the vacancy questions.

Categories

Category A - Meets the basic qualification requirements for the vacancy announcement and has successful experience in the same or similar job that has demonstrated superior proficiency in applying knowledge, skill, and ability in the critical competencies for this position to work of increased levels of difficulty and complexity.  Applicants who score between 95 and 100 qualify for this category.
Category B - Meets the basic qualification requirements for the vacancy announcement and demonstrates satisfactory proficiency in the critical competencies for this position.  Applicants who score between 85 and 94.99 qualify for this category.
Category C - Meets the specialized experience outlined in the minimum qualifications requirements section of the vacancy announcement and demonstrates proficiency in the basic competencies required for this position.  Applicants who score between 70 and 84.99 qualify for this category.

Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies (click Evaluation Tools for information):

1.  Whistleblower technical competence: Uses knowledge of the whistleblower statutes 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.

2.  Conducting investigations: knowledge of the investigative techniques and experience in conducting criminal, civil and/or administrative investigations.

3.  Reasoning: Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.

4.  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.  Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material that is appropriate for the intended audience.  

5.  Interpersonal skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.

The information you provide may be verified by a review of your work experience and/or education, by checking references and through other means, such as the interview process.  The examining Human Resources Office (HRO) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings.  It is essential that your resume provide sufficient information to substantiate your responses in the self-assessment vacancy questions.  If your responses are not adequately substantiated by your resume, the HRO will amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency that is indicated by the content of your resume.  Your evaluation may also include a review by a Human Resources Specialist or panel and may include other assessments such as an interview, a panel review, written test, writing sample, etc.

INFORMATION FOR ICTAP/CTAP ELIGIBLES ONLY: If you meet the eligibility requirements for special priority selection under ICTAP/CTAP you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection.  ICTAP/CTAP eligibles who are placed into Category B or higher will be considered "well-qualified" for priority selection purposes.

Click Application of Veterans Preference for Category Rating Jobs for more information.
To preview questions please click here.


The Department of Labor (DOL) offers a great benefit package to eligible employees.  The benefit package includes but is not limited to health benefits, supplemental dental and vision plans, flexible spending accounts, 13 days paid sick leave per year, vacation leave and 10 paid holidays per year.  We offer a variety of employee benefit options, a family-friendly work environment, a child care subsidy program, transit subsidy program, career assistance program, health services and fitness programs, access to LifeCare, a resource and referral service and more.  Employees on Part-Time work schedules receive all of these benefits on a prorated basis.  For a comprehensive site about all federal benefits, please refer to OPM.  For specific DOL benefits information, please refer to DOL BENEFITS.
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.  Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, SELECTIVE SERVICE REGISTRATION, PROBATIONARY PERIOD, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
Follow the 5 steps below to apply online to a Department of Labor (DOL) vacancy.  Your application and ALL required supplemental documents must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET) on the vacancy closing date to be considered.  Paper applications and supplemental documents submitted in any other manner without prior approval from the vacancy contact will not be considered.

For more details, reference How To Apply Detailed Instructions.  For help, refer to the Vacancy Contact on the announcement in the "Questions about this job" section.  Save your information before the 60 MINUTE TIMEOUT or risk losing your information!

STEP 1 - Create USAJOBS Account, including Resume and Saved Documents
It is essential that your resume provide sufficient information to substantiate your responses in the self-assessment vacancy questions.  If your responses are not adequately substantiated by your resume, the HRO will amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency that is indicated by the content of your resume.

STEP 2 - Answer Vacancy Questions (DOORS)
Click the Apply Online button, which is available when you search for a job on www.usajobs.gov, click on the title and proceed.

STEP 3 - Submit Supplemental Documents
Submit the required documents (only if applicable to you) specified in the "Required Documents" section of this vacancy by the close date.  For details: click How to Submit Supplemental Documentation.  If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission. To avoid this, submit documents (ex. undergraduate and graduate degree transcripts) as one document.  

STEP 4 - Review Application and click Finish  Click here to submit an updated resume after initial application.

STEP 5 - Edit Application as needed by 11:59 pm ET of Close Date


The following documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the vacancy closing date. Submit your documents by following the instructions provided in the "How to Apply" section or go to www.jobs.dol.gov and click on "How To Submit Supplemental Documentation".  You are not required to submit a document if it does not apply to you.

- Veterans Documents (if applicable): In order to be considered as a 5-point preference eligible, you must submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD214. Your DD-214 must show the type of discharge and dates of active duty.  If you are claiming 10-point preference eligible, you must submit a copy of your DD214; an Application for 10-point Veteran's Preference, SF15; and the proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally an official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference.  Additional information on veterans' preference is available in the Vet's  Guide at: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/vetguide/index.aspx

- Displaced Employee Placement Documents - Only required if requesting priority consideration under ICTAP/CTAP Eligibility.

- Cover Letters are not mandatory and will not be used to verify experience, but may be submitted

Applicants selected for employment who are not current DOL employees will be required to provide proof of citizenship, and the E-Verify system will be used to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.


Lauren Decesar
Phone: 617-788-2845
Fax: 000-000-0000
TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: decesar.lauren@dol.gov Agency Information:
U.S. Department of Labor
JFK Federal building
Room E-215
Boston, MA 02203
Fax: 000-000-0000

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking.  The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.  You will be notified of the outcome. A selection is expected to be made within 30 calendar days from the issuance date of the certificate.

To check the status of your application: Click here.  To sign up for Application Status Updates via email: Click Here.


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