This position is located in the FTC's Western Region Los Angeles (WRLA) office, which investigates violations of our nation's consumer protection laws and enforces these laws through civil and administrative litigation. WRLA is currently seeking an investigator to support this important work. The Western Region Los Angeles office works to ensure that the FTC is responsive to the needs of historically underserved communities, and we encourage bilingual candidates to apply.
Summary
This position is located in the FTC's Western Region Los Angeles (WRLA) office, which investigates violations of our nation's consumer protection laws and enforces these laws through civil and administrative litigation. WRLA is currently seeking an investigator to support this important work. The Western Region Los Angeles office works to ensure that the FTC is responsive to the needs of historically underserved communities, and we encourage bilingual candidates to apply.
At the full performance level of the Federal Trade Investigator position, the incumbent will perform the following duties:
Conduct and direct the full range of functions for investigations and projects of the greatest scope and complexity concerning enforcement of consumer protection statutes and rules under FTC jurisdiction, and make recommendations whether investigations should be initiated.
Gather and objectively review and evaluate evidence and information from various sources, including consumers, businesses and financial institutions, to identify potential targets for law enforcement action and support litigation.
Conduct undercover investigations and purchases online, via telephone or in-person. Utilize and master a variety of software and hardware tools to capture and preserve evidence from a variety of internet-connected or other devices for use in litigation.
Interview consumers and draft declarations summarizing consumer experiences to use in litigation.
Analyze and synthesize bank records, balance sheets, income statements, regulatory filings, annual reports, tax returns, ledgers, statements of cash flow and other financial documents and reports. Utilize financial documents and reports to assist in identifying the extent of ill-gotten gains and consumer harm, and location of assets. Draft reports and memoranda summarizing complex financial information from multiple sources.
Be deposed and testify in court regarding all aspects of an investigation.
Analyze voluminous business records and other documentary evidence.
Identify software and hardware tools as well as new techniques to assist with the research and investigation of deceptive and unfair practices that involve all facets of the FTC's consumer protection mission. Train and offer assistance to attorneys and other staff on the use of these tools and techniques.
Plan, arrange and execute all aspects of highly complex investigate actions, including locating witnesses, interviewing witnesses, and coordinating with appropriate officials from multiple jurisdictions.
Provide investigative support to plan, coordinate, and participate in hearings and trials. Draft and assist in drafting questions to ask during the hearing/trial. Testify at hearings, trials and depositions. Provide substantive ideas for material or evidence to subpoena.
Conduct discreet, confidential, formal and informal fact-finding examinations. Provide expert technical advice and recommendations to agency officials.
Analyze investigative reports for the presence of critical and sensitive issues that may warrant special handling and provide advice to agency officials for subsequent action needed. Present conclusions and recommendations in writing in investigative declarations; prepare case summaries and brief appropriate persons.
Analyze and synthesize voluminous consumer complaint data. Utilize databases to locate potential law enforcement targets and complaint trends.
U.S. citizenship requirement must be met by the closing date of this vacancy.
Position is subject to a background investigation.
Males born after December 31, 1959 must register with Selective Service.
You may serve a one-year probationary period under this appointment.
Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply).
This position is in the bargaining unit.
Qualifications
To qualify for a Federal Trade Investigator at the GS-11 level, you must meet the following requirements:
You must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related.
OR
You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: conducting consumer protection investigations with supervision, including interviewing consumers and business representatives and obtaining their declarations to determine if a business has misrepresented its products or services; analyzing financial records, company records, and consumer complaint data; capturing, tracking, and preserving evidence; interviewing witnesses, and writing reports and summaries of investigative work.
OR
You have a combination of education and experience, which qualify you for this position.
To qualify for a Federal Trade Investigator at the GS-12 level, you must meet the following requirements:
You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: conducting complex consumer protection investigations with limited supervision, including interviewing witnesses; reviewing financial records, company records and documents, and consumer complaint data; drafting investigative affidavits or declarations; implementing investigative steps based on the nature of the investigation and following leads developed from the information obtained; and testifying at depositions, trials, hearings, or before grand juries.
To qualify for a Federal Trade Investigator at the GS-13 level, you must meet the following requirements:
You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: conducting and directing the full range of functions for highly complex consumer protection investigations, including, but not limited to, planning, arranging and executing investigations with minimal supervision, including interviewing witnesses; obtaining and analyzing financial, company records and documents, and consumer complaint data; drafting investigative affidavits or declarations; and planning and implementing investigative steps based on the nature of the investigation and following leads developed from the information obtained; testifying at depositions, trials, hearings, or before grand juries; and generating case leads and developing new investigations.
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.
Education
If you qualify on the basis of education in lieu of experience, you must submit a copy of your transcripts . Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be required prior to receiving an official offer.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: FOREIGN EDUCATION
Additional information
If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference visit: VETERANS GUIDE
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see SELECTIVE SERVICE).
Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: CAREER TRANSITION.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category.
Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies.
Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies.
Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies.
Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference.
The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
Administrative Law, Compliance Inspection, Planning and Evaluating, Technical Competence, and Technology Application
Ability to apply laws and regulations to investigational work.
Knowledge of basic legal principles and concepts.
Knowledge of wide variety of business that interact with consumers. Skill in oral and written communication. Skill with analytical and investigative tools used for capturing and preserving electronically stored information, including evidence-capturing software and open-source tools. Ability to monitor and manage electronic administration of investigative and legal records.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
2. Other supporting documents:
- Cover Letter, optional
- College Transcript(s), if qualifying based on education
- Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
- Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) - Schedule A- In order to receive consideration under the Schedule A authority, you must provide a certification of job readiness printed on a medical professional's letterhead and signed. For more information, please visit USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities (https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/individuals-with-disabilities/)
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.
A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
- To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
- Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
- You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Federal Trade Commission
10990 Wilshire Blvd
Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90024
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
2. Other supporting documents:
- Cover Letter, optional
- College Transcript(s), if qualifying based on education
- Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
- Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) - Schedule A- In order to receive consideration under the Schedule A authority, you must provide a certification of job readiness printed on a medical professional's letterhead and signed. For more information, please visit USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities (https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/individuals-with-disabilities/)
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.
A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
- To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
- Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
- You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Federal Trade Commission
10990 Wilshire Blvd
Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90024
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
