Investigator/Inspector (1801) Specialized Experience

Examples of GS-5/FG-5 (Equivalent G Band) Specialized Experience

Serves in a developmental capacity, performing assignments designed to further develop applicable analytical skills; and evaluative and investigative techniques. Observes senior personnel and occasionally participates as they interact with managers, supervisors, and employees to develop a practical understanding of inspection/investigative programs, policies and objectives. Work is highly structured, under close supervision, and interspersed with training from senior personnel. For example: Specializations within this job series include:

Assists inspectors with investigations, inspections and/or evaluations of facilities, plans and design specifications and contracts to monitor compliance with policies, regulations and agreements to identify potential problem areas and deviations from prescribed standards (i.e. vehicle/pedestrian deviations at airports, airport signage plans, etc).
Assists with inspections relative to the shipment of hazardous materials and prepares information for enforcement reports.
Assists in the review of technical material for assigned air carriers including those that will or will not carry hazardous materials.
Assists with the development of procedures, used to conduct investigations, which successfully assess the reliability, loyalty, suitability and trustworthiness of personnel that could adversely affect national security and public welfare.

Examples of GS-7/FG-7 (Equivalent G Band) Specialized Experience

Serves in a developmental capacity, performing assignments designed to further develop applicable investigative, inspection and evaluative skills and techniques. Observes senior specialists and participates as they interact with managers, supervisors, and employees to develop a practical understanding of investigative/inspection programs, policies, and objectives. Works more independently, but is still subject to close review and specific guidelines. Work is highly structured and interspersed with training designed to develop broader skills in performing activities. Examples include:

Performs under the specific guidance of a higher-level specialist, develops less complex procedures used to conduct investigations, which successfully assess the reliability, loyalty, suitability and trustworthiness of personnel that could adversely affect national security and public welfare.
Under specific guidance of a higher level specialist, conducts inspections and/or evaluations of facilities, plans and design specifications and contracts to monitor compliance with policies, regulations and agreements to identify potential problem areas and deviations from prescribed standards (i.e. vehicle/pedestrian deviations at airports, airport signage plans).
Assists in the development of Airport Certification Manuals/Specifications, Airport Emergency Plans, Airport Rescue and Firefighting services, and development of wildlife control programs.
Examines witnesses and administers oaths or affirmations, receives evidence and secures material, documents or property in accordance with the laws of search and seizure and established rules of evidence.
Under specific guidance of a higher level specialist, conducts inspections relative to shipment of hazardous materials and prepares information for enforcement reports.
Assists in outreach efforts to improve compliance with Federal Air Regulations.
Assists in the review of technical material for assigned air carriers including those that will or will not carry hazardous materials.
Assists in the preparation of an inspection to include travel arrangements, contacting company officials to arrange inspection and reviewing assigned documents from the inspection.
Under specific guidance of a higher-level inspector, reviews specifically assigned documents pertaining to drug and alcohol regulations.

Examples of GS-9/FG-9 (Equivalent G Band) Specialized Experience

Works independently under general supervision with occasional assistance from senior investigators/inspectors. Examples of specialized experience include:

Administers and maintains the Airport Certification Program of low activity airports (primarily Limited and A index airports) in accordance with Federal Air Regulations, Part 139.
Conducts annual and surveillance inspections at certificated airports to ensure maintenance and adequacy of operating surfaces in relation to operational safety.
Conducts sensitive civil, administrative and regulatory investigations of low to moderate complexity.
Assists in outreach efforts to improve compliance with Federal Air Regulations.
Checks adequacy of airfield lighting, marking, pavement conditions and aircraft rescue and firefighting capability.
Reviews airport certification manuals/specifications and emergency plans to ensure compliance.
Provides technical guidance on regulatory requirements.
Conducts investigations, inspections, and/or evaluations of less complex programs, facilities, plans and design specifications and contracts to determine security posture.
Develops less complex procedures used to conduct investigations that successfully assess the reliability, loyalty, suitability and trustworthiness of personnel that could adversely affect national security and public welfare.
Conducts investigations of vehicle/pedestrian deviations at airports and provides comments to the credentialed inspector with recommendations for enforcement.
Conducts inspection relative to shipment of hazardous materials and prepares enforcement reports.
Reviews assigned documents during inspections.

Examples of GS-11/FG-11 (Equivalent H Band) Specialized Experience

Works independently with a broad scope of responsibility, more variety, and less clear guidelines. Supervisory oversight generally consists of review of completed projects to assure compliance with organization policies or regulations, for example:

Conducts inspections relative to shipment of hazardous materials and prepares enforcement reports.
Reviews technical material for assigned air carriers including those that will or will not carry hazardous materials.
Develops and implements moderate to complex procedures used to conduct investigations which successfully assess the reliability, loyalty, suitability and trustworthiness of personnel that could adversely affect national security and public welfare.
Conducts investigations, inspections, and/or evaluations of moderate to complex programs, facilities, plans and design specifications and contracts to determine security posture.
Designs, implements and conducts security risk management inspections at moderate to high risk facilities, by conducting surveys, investigations of operations, programs and facilities to assess vulnerability and risk to the agency’s critical infrastructure.
Conducts sensitive civil, administrative and regulatory investigations of moderate to difficult complexity.
Examines witnesses and administers oaths or affirmations, receives evidence and secures material, documents or property in accordance with the laws of search and seizure and established rules of evidence.
Responsible for inspection report and associated correspondence.

Examples of GS-12/FG-12 (Equivalent H Band) Specialized Experience

Work at this level involves a wide range of assignments or a few highly complex assignments, and requires planning and organizing, setting priorities, and working without clear or specific guidelines. Work is typically reviewed only to assess impact on overall organizational objectives, for example:

Conducts annual and surveillance inspections at certificated airports to ensure maintenance and adequacy of operating surfaces in relation to operational safety.
Checks adequacy of airfield lighting, marking, pavement conditions and aircraft rescue and firefighting capability as well as other requirements.
Investigates known or alleged violations of the regulations.
Initiates enforcement action in cases of noncompliance.
Performs and follows-up with compliance and airport master record inspections.
Conducts investigations of vehicle/pedestrian deviations at airports and evaluates results for closure or enforcement (administrative or legal).
Recommends approval or denial of applications for Airport Operating Certificate.
Initiates revocation or suspension of certificates.
Conducts inspections and responds to questions from management regarding the drug and alcohol regulations.
Examines witnesses and administers oaths or affirmations, receives evidence and secures material, documents or property in accordance with the laws of search and seizure and established rules of evidence.

Examples of GS-13/FG-13 (Equivalent I Band) Specialized Experience

Performs multiple, varying and complex assignments requiring advanced knowledge of investigative principles and techniques. Established guidelines exist, but require considerable discretion to select the most appropriate approach. Works independently with a broad scope of responsibility. Work is typically reviewed at major milestones and at completion for technical compliance and alignment with the requirements of the project. Examples of such work include:

Conducts complex inspections of assigned organizations relative to shipment of hazardous materials and prepares enforcement reports.
Develops and implements complex procedures used to conduct investigations which successfully assess the reliability, loyalty, suitability and trustworthiness of personnel that could adversely affect national security and public welfare.
Conducts investigations, inspections, and/or evaluations of complex programs, facilities, plans and design specifications and contracts to determine security posture.
Designs, implements and conducts security risk management inspections at high risk facilities, by conducting surveys, investigations of operations, programs and facilities to assess vulnerability and risk to the agency’s critical infrastructure.
Conducts highly sensitive civil, administrative and regulatory investigations of difficult complexity.
Serves as inspection team lead responsible for the inspection report, associated correspondence and responding to management regarding questions about drug and alcohol regulations.
Critically reviews and analyzes assessment reports and testing results with special attention given to identifying unusual trends or airport/air carrier actions which appear to have potential for developing a security/safety problem.

Examples of GS-14/FG-14 (Equivalent J Band) Specialized Experience

Work typically involves highly complex and challenging activities under the minimal direction of a manager or executive. Assignments typically involve expert knowledge to develop new and innovative approaches to problems or issues that often cross-organizational boundaries and impact the accomplishment of strategic objectives. Guidance is in the form of broad policies and work is typically reviewed only at completion for success in achieving planned results. Examples of such work includes:

Determines propriety of requests for exemptions to hazardous materials regulations from air carriers and shippers and coordinates with the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) and other competent authorities as necessary.
Initiates outreach efforts to improve compliance with Federal Air Regulations, and provides technical advice to industry personnel and to the general public.
Conducts extensive reviews of technical material for assigned air carriers including those that will or will not carry hazardous materials.
Develops and implements highly complex procedures used to conduct investigations which successfully assess the reliability, loyalty, suitability and trustworthiness of personnel that could adversely affect national security and public welfare.
Conducts comprehensive investigations, inspections, and/or evaluations of highly complex programs, facilities, plans and design specifications and contracts to determine security posture.
Designs, implements and conducts security risk management inspections at high risk facilities, by conducting surveys, investigations of operations, programs and facilities to assess vulnerability and risk to the agency’s critical infrastructure.
Develops national level policies, standards, and procedures used to conduct investigations and inspections in accordance with law or policy.
Conducts highly sensitive civil, administrative and regulatory investigations of major complexity.
Serves as a subject matter expert regarding compliance and enforcement proceedings and may be required to appear before grand juries or other judicial and administrative proceedings. Providing testimony on behalf of the organization.
Examines witnesses and administers oaths or affirmations, on highly sensitive investigations, receives evidence and secures material, documents or property in accordance with the laws of search and seizure and established rules of evidence.
Monitors compliance with applicable civil aviation security policies, regulations and agreements.