Clarification from the agency

Current Federal employees; former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; well qualified displaced and surplus Federal employees in the local commuting area; individuals eligible for special hiring authorities and veterans who are eligible for special hiring authorities.

The positions are located in the Bureau of Consumer Protection, Division of Financial Practices, Division of Enforcement, Division of Privacy and Identity Protection.

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 leads and evidence from various databases and other sources, including consumers and businesses such as financial institutions, telecommunications services providers, and internet service providers, 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 financial records such as bank account statements, credit card statements, payment processor records, peer to peer and other payment system records, balance sheets, income statements, 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, location of assets, and determination of culpable parties. Draft reports and memoranda summarizing complex financial information from multiple sources.
• Analyze and synthesize non-financial records from such diverse sources as telecommunication service providers, internet service providers, utility providers, payroll service providers, mail service providers, government entities, among others.
• Draft declarations and other written materials that clearly and accurately describe investigational findings and analytical conclusions of the evidence obtained to prove allegations in court.
• Be deposed and testify in court regarding all aspects of an investigation.
• 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 investigative 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.
• If involved in Take It Down Act enforcement (Division of Privacy and Identity Protection only), investigate sensitive matters, including those involving the publishing of non-consensual intimate visual depictions, including Child Sexual Abuse Material.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship requirement must be met by the closing date of this vacancy.
• This position is subject to a background investigation.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must register with Selective Service.
• The position may be subject to completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods are an extension of the hiring process.
• If selected for this position, the agency will evaluate your fitness and whether continuation of employment advances the public interest before extending your appointment beyond the one-year probationary period.
• You must meet time-in-grade requirement by the closing date of this vacancy.
• You must submit a copy of your performance appraisal with your application.
• This position is in the bargaining unit. This position is represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Local 2211.

Qualifications

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.


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.

The Division of Enforcement monitors compliance with administrative and federal court orders entered in FTC consumer protection cases. These orders address a wide range of consumer protection issues, including advertising and financial practices, privacy, data security, high-tech fraud, business and impersonation scams, subscription billing and cancellation, and telemarketing. The Division conducts investigations of possible order violations; files civil contempt actions in federal court to enforce injunctions; and initiates court actions to obtain civil penalties for order violations. In addition, the Division leads the FTC's enforcement efforts for the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act, "Made in USA" program, Green Guides (environmental marketing), and several other consumer protection rules and guides. The Division also coordinates FTC actions with criminal law enforcement agencies through its Criminal Liaison Unit. Finally, the Division oversees the Bureau of Consumer Protection's bankruptcy and collections programs.

The Division of Financial Practices investigates and litigates cases involving unfair and deceptive acts or practices across a variety of critical financial areas, including mobile and financial technology, short-term lending, small business financing, auto sales and financing, debt collection, and debt relief. The Division also enforces statutes and rules to protect consumers in the financial marketplace, such as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Truth in Lending Act, and the Military Lending Act, and engages in outreach and education about developing financial products and services to help prevent consumer harm in these areas.

The Division of Privacy and Identity Protection oversees issues related to consumer privacy, credit reporting, identity theft, and information security. The Division enforces the statutes and rules within its jurisdiction, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Gramm-Leach-Bliley (GLB) Safeguards and Privacy Rules, and Protecting Americans' Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024 (PADFAA). The Division also leads the FTC's enforcement efforts of the Take it Down Act and the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The Division engages in outreach and policy development, and educates consumers and businesses about emerging privacy, credit reporting, and information security issues, as well as identity theft prevention and assistance. BCP enforces consumer protection laws through aggressive litigation in a fast-paced environment. Attorneys get the opportunity to lead cases, and take on primary responsibility for all aspects of the litigation. Candidates selected for a position in the Division of Privacy and Identity Protection will focus on Take it Down Act enforcement.

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, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are found qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Performance Appraisals: In the evaluation process, due weight will be given to job related experience, education, training, incentive awards and performance appraisals. Applicants must have a performance rating of at least the equivalent of fully successful to be eligible for promotion or placement. Applicants may provide a copy of a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months. If the applicant is unable to provide a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months, the applicant may provide a written explanation as to why.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):



Ability to apply laws and regulations to investigational work.
Knowledge of basic legal principles and concepts; Knowledge of wide variety of businesses 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.

In addition to the main competencies, to qualify for this position you must have:
Knowledge of standard investigational practices and procedure, particularly in the area of financial transactions, and the ability to apply such practices and procedures to real-life casework.
Knowledge of financial systems, financing, and lending practices.
Skill with analytical and investigative tools used for data research and evidence capture.
Skill in oral and written communications demonstrated through the ability to explain investigational findings in a clear and concise manner appropriate for a variety of audiences such as colleagues, managers, and courts.