Investigative Analyst Job in District of Columbia, DC

Vacancy No. 2025-04-DE Department Federal Maritime Commission
Salary $117,962.00 to $153,354.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/8/2024 Close Date 11/22/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
District of Columbia, DC


Summary

This position is located in the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), Bureau of Enforcement, Investigations, and Compliance (BEIC), Office of Compliance (OC). The incumbent's primary responsibilities include administering and monitoring the Vessel Operating Common Carrier (VOCC) Review Audit Program and the Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) - Ocean Freight Forwarder (OFF) Review Audit Program.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens; no prior Federal experience required.

Duties

Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate has experience administering and coordinating international ocean documentation relating to Ocean Transportation Intermediary transactions (i.e. a customs broker, direct importer or exporter, etc.) They have strong analytical skills and experience performing reviews and investigations to ensure compliance with program initiatives, particularly with the shipping industry. They also have the ability to administer and coordinate auditing programs that impact the mission of an organization or business, as related to the shipping industry.

As an Investigative Analyst,you will:

  • Collect, examine, and analyze data, evidence and other relevant information to develop detailed reports and to determine leads for further research and analysis.
  • Conduct research utilizing databases, systems (general and legal) such as Regulated Persons Index, FMC-1, and FMC-18 information, Lexis, Westlaw and affiliated databases.
  • Prepare correspondence and internal documents for BEIC management, Office of Transportation Intermediaries, Bureau of Trade Analysis or other government agencies to assist with more complex cases.
  • Communicate with representatives of regulated entities and legal counsel of OTIs to clarify information provided and to obtain more definitive data as well as respond to inquiries initiated by the public, regulated OTIs and tariff publishers.
  • Analyze and evaluate licensing, certification and/or practices regarding individuals or entities operating in international trade or transportation.
  • Utilize a wide range of analytical investigative techniques to provide recommendations or solutions to investigate issues and develop leads for further fact-finding/investigation.
  • Use analytical techniques or procedures to reconstruct complicated industry practices and find evidence to resolve issues of contradictory, missing or inconclusive data.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • A 1-year probationary period is required.
  • A 2-year supervisory or managerial probationary period is required.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a background investigation.
  • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
  • If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
  • Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
  • FMC participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.
  • Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
  • May be required to obtain and use a government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
  • May be required to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.

Qualifications

Selective Placement Factors:

This position requires special qualifications that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties of this position and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified:

  1. You must have a comprehensive understanding of international ocean import/export shipping operations essential to reviewing OTI related processes, activities, and documentation such as: booking of international ocean cargo transportation with OTIs/agents/ocean common carriers, negotiating rates, collecting/paying freight charges, reviewing international ocean master bills and house bills of lading along with shipper's letter of instruction, tariffs, invoices, cargo arrival/availability notices, VOCC service contracts, pickup/delivery orders, dock receipts, etc.

  2. You must have experience in resolving various types of OTI shipment issues such as with unlicensed/unregistered OTIs, improper tariffs, misuse of service contracts, OTI issued documentation as well as complaints relating to VOCC account holds, customs and other government agency holds, detention & demurrage, rolled cargo, container availability, freight accessorial/surcharges, general rate increases, free time, etc.

Specialized Experience:

You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position includes exercising discretion in conducting follow up actions, including obtaining additional documents directly from carriers or intermediaries; Facilitating communication with various contacts such as related businesses and/or other agencies, the maritime industry, and the general public; Conducting research utilizing tariff publishing websites to locate and review NVOCC & VOCC tariff publications and VOCC service contracts; Developing audits and compiling findings; Reviewing, scrutinizing, and analyzing audit responses and related documents, to detect inconsistencies or omissions in the information provided which could point to violations; Analyzing the full range of data received, preparing summaries and recommendations for enforcement action.

The experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector, or Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis.
It is your responsibility to ensure your resume states complete information for each job entry. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year (MM/YYYY), and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume. If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified and you will no longer be considered for this position.

To preview questions click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12595913.You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement:

Education

There is no substitute for education at this level.

Additional information

  • We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.
  • We may fill like positions within 12 months of the close of the announcement.
  • Federal employees are required to adhere to the 14 Principles of Ethical Conduct.
  • This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Benefits

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.

Review our 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.

Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume will result in a "not qualified" determination.

Rating:Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. Subject matter expert(s) may evaluate your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the specialized experience (under the qualifications section) and the competencies listed below:

  • Manages and Organizes Information
  • Communication
  • Reasoning
  • Technical Competence
  • Problem Solving
Category rating will be used to rank and select eligible candidates. If qualified, you will be assigned to one of three quality level categories, Highly Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. The category is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position and is based on your responses to the questionnaire(s)/assessment(s). Qualified: Does not exceed the basic qualifications requirements described in the Qualifications section. Well Qualified: Meets the basic qualifications requirements described in the Qualifications section and demonstrates proficiency in the competencies above. Highly Qualified: Meets the basic qualifications requirements described in the Qualifications section and substantially exceed in the competencies above.

Veterans' preference is applied after applicants are assessed. Preference-eligibles will be listed at the top of their assigned category and considered before non-preference-eligibles in that category. Qualified preference-eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest category.

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview. We will not reimburse costs related to the interview such as travel to and from the interview site.

If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)), you must be assigned to the Well Qualified category or better to receive special selection priority.

Required Documents

A complete application includes 1. A resume, 2. Vacancyquestion responses (eligibilities and assessment questionnaire(s)), and 3.Submission of any required documents (below). Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you will not be considered for this position (or will not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).

All applicants are required to submit a resume either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their own choosing. (Cover letters are optional.)

VETERANS' PREFERENCE DOCUMENTATION
If you are claiming veterans preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation (such as a statement of service) from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge. Ten-point preference eligibles must also submit an Application for 10-point Veteran Preference, SF-15, along with the required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15 form.

For more information on veterans' preference please visit FedsHireVets.

CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (CTAP) OR INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP) DOCUMENTATION
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. If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee, you must submit the following documents:

  • To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position based on the competencies listed above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility including:
    • Agency notice,
    • SF-50 that reflects current grade,
    • SF-50 that reflect full performance level of the position, and
    • Your performance appraisal which must reflect "fully successful" or equivalent).
  • Displaced District of Columbia Government, Department of Corrections employees will be eligible for priority consideration and competitive appointment (Public Law 105-274). Eligible candidates are not restricted by geographic location or grade level in jobs for which they apply. Documentary evidence is the same as stated above.
SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITIES DOCUMENTATION
If you are applying under a special hiring authority (i.e. Schedule A persons with disabilities authority), submit a copy of proof of your eligibility.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.

  • The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. EST, Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, please contact us by noon EST on the announcement's closing date.
  • To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  • Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
  • To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • To return to saved application at a later date, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

Cassie Hayden
Address
Bureau of Enforcement, Investigations, and Compliance
800 North Capitol Street, NW
Washington, DC 20573
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS My Account tab and clicking on Application Status. For a more detailed update of your application status, you may click on more information.

Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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