Investigative Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This position serves as Investigative Analyst with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Hazardous Materials Safety, (OHMS), Operations System Division, PHH-60. This position will report to and represent the PHH-62 Chief, Program Management Branch, in performing investigative research, analysis, training, outreach, administrative support, and other OHMS related duties as assigned.

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. 

To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include:

• Experience and understanding of Hazardous Materials Regulations, including new, and pending rules to effectively carry out investigations, inspections, data analyses, and enforcement actions.
• Experience in providing responses to stakeholders and the public.
• Experience in preparing training, informational, educational, and outreach activities on hazardous materials transportation for staff, external government agencies, and industry groups with or without assistance from other staff members.

To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have:

3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

You can also qualify based on a combination of higher-level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application. 

To qualify for the GS-12 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include:

• Experience and understanding of Hazardous Materials Regulations, including new and pending rules to effectively lead investigations, inspections, data analysis, and enforcement actions.
• Experience in preparing training, informational, educational, and outreach activities on hazardous materials transportation for staff, external government agencies, and industry groups with or without assistance from other staff members.
• Experience in supporting field investigators in conducting investigations by providing information and supporting documentation obtained through records research and analysis from agency databases.

You cannot qualify on education at the GS-12 level; you must have experience.

To qualify for the GS-13 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12 it must include:

• Experience and understanding of Hazardous Materials Regulations, including new and pending rules to effectively lead investigations, inspections, data analysis, and enforcement actions.
• Experience in preparing training, informational, educational, and outreach activities on hazardous materials transportation for staff, external government agencies, and industry groups with or without assistance from other staff members.
• Experience in leading field investigators in conducting investigations by providing information and supporting documentation obtained through records research and analysis from agency databases.

You cannot qualify on education at the GS-13 level; you must have experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Hazardous Materials - Knowledge of hazardous materials and waste and their uses, interactions, dangers, production, handling, storage, and disposal.
2. Oral Communication - Express information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, considering the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); make clear and convincing oral presentations; listen to others, attend to nonverbal cues, and respond appropriately.
3. Research - Knowledge of the scientific principles, methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.
4. Customer Service - Work with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; know about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services. 

For all types of consideration, experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).  Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.  You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience
For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date. 
Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

TRANSCRIPTS are REQUIRED if you are substituting education for experience (Grade 11 only). The transcripts need not be official, but must show that you meet the stated education requirements, including specific major or class requirements.