Wage and Hour Investigator

Clarification from the agency

Current/former Federal employees with career/career-conditional competitive/reinstatement status; those eligible under an OPM Interchange Agreement Authority; Veterans eligible under VEOA and VRA; eligible military spouses; Individuals with Disabilities (Schedule A); Land/Base Management eligibles; present/former Peace Corps employees; Peace Corps/VISTA Volunteers; and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (I/CTAP) eligibles who are in the local commuting area

This is a developmental position with a full promotion level of GS-12. As a Wage and Hour Investigator at the grades GS-7 through the GS-11, you will receive on-the-job and other formal training related to the provisions of the laws enforced by the agency. You will develop human relations skills, investigation, and negotiation techniques. Under close observation/direction and with specific instructions, you will perform the following duties (which is not an all-inclusive list) and as you progress, the assignments will become more difficult and complex in preparation for the next grade level until you reach the GS-12 grade level.

As a Wage and Hour Investigator, duties will consist of, but not limited to the following:

• Gathers and analyzes facts obtained to determine status of compliance.
• Prepares case investigation files for submission to higher level staff.
• Conducts complete investigations involving familiar issues and situations to resolve a wide variety of minimum wage, overtime, child labor, coverage, exemption, employment eligibility and other compliance issues in agriculture, commercial, industrial, and other business establishments, public institutions, and domestic service in households.
• Provides routine information about services to customers.
• Resolves simple problems, questions or complaints.
• Conducts interviews.
• Effectively handles situations involving tension or discomfort with people who are demonstrating hostility or distress.
• Obtains compliance and correction of minor violations and negotiate for payment of back wages within prescribed monetary limitations.
• Produces spreadsheets, graphs, memorandum, and other documents for the purpose of communicating information.
• Prepares forms and narrative reports for submission to higher level staff.
• Composes clear and concise documents involving simple or routine investigations and complaints.

Conditions of employment

• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.

Qualifications

To qualify for GS-07, applicants must possess the experience and/or education as described below:

Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level, in the Federal Service, which includes meeting at least TWO (2) of the following THREE (3) specialized criteria requirements:

• General knowledge of Federal wage and hour labor laws, industrial occupations, wage scales, employment practices, or salary and wage administration practices.
• Skill in analyzing written/verbal information and numerical data and making decisions on issues based on interviews, records review, reconstruction of missing or fraudulent records and applying legal or regulatory provisions, precedents, and principles to specific investigative matters.
• Skill in personal contacts requiring the ability to explain requirements or rights and obtain information and cooperation from people with diverse backgrounds and levels of understanding, reconcile conflicting interests, and persuade others to comply voluntarily with requirements.

-OR-

Graduate Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: industrial relations, personnel administration, business administration, labor economics, law, or other fields related to the position.

-OR-

Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as: industrial relations, personnel administration, business administration, labor economics, law, or other fields related to the position. SAA is based on:

1. Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR,
2. Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (''B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (''B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR,
3. Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://honorsocietyfoundation.org/achs/).

-OR-

A combination of graduate education and experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages.

To qualify for GS-09, applicants must possess the experience and/or education as described below:

Applicants must meet at least two of the following three specialized criteria requirements:

• General knowledge of Federal wage and hour labor laws, industrial occupations, wage scales, employment practices, or salary and wage administration practices.
• Skill in analyzing written/verbal information and numerical data and making decisions on issues based on interviews, records review, reconstruction of missing or fraudulent records and applying legal or regulatory provisions, precedents, and principles to specific investigative matters.
• Skill in personal contacts requiring the ability to explain requirements or rights and obtain information and cooperation from people with diverse backgrounds and levels of understanding, reconcile conflicting interests, and persuade others to comply voluntarily with requirements.

In addition to the criteria specified above, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level, in Federal service, which includes the knowledge of and ability to apply the provisions of Federal wage and hour labor laws pertaining to wages, hours of work, or related conditions of employment.

Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

• Developing, interpreting, or applying policies, procedures, and operating standards in determining compliance for an organization or government-based program.
• Conducting interviews and providing information about laws and/or regulations.
• Industrial personnel or salary and wage administration or responsible work in a certified public accounting firm.
• Analyzing or applying labor legislation.
• Reviewing and evaluating operations and procedures through analysis, audits, or surveillance inspections.
• Federal, State, or self-regulatory agency work involving obtaining compliance with appropriate program requirements.
• Applying fact-finding techniques to gather clear-cut factual evidence of administrative related to labor statutes and Regulations, industrial pay practices, and regulations governing the issuance of FLSA certificates in order to apply guidelines to general types of certifications.
• Applying investigative and compliance review methods and using information sources and protocols to plan and assist with conducting program reviews and analyses to resolve complex problems, conflicts, and inadequacies.
• Gathering information and responding appropriately to general and specific program inquiries.

-OR-

Graduate Education: A Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LLB. or J.D., if related. Education must be in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: industrial relations, personnel administration, business administration, labor economics, law, or other fields related to the position.

-OR-

A combination of graduate education and experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements of time-in-grade (52 weeks at the next lower grade), time-after-competitive-appointment (90 days), and minimum qualifications (52 weeks equivalent to the next lower grade in federal service). These requirements must be met within 30 days of 08/10/2026 the announcement closing date.

NOTE: In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We will not make any assumptions regarding your experience.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your evaluation will be based on how well you meet the qualifications outlined in this vacancy announcement, as demonstrated through your resume and supporting documentation.

You may preview application questions for this vacancy here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13020789

USA Hire

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

The information you provide may be verified by a review of your paid, unpaid, and volunteer, as it demonstrates the competencies or skills required for the position to be filled. Your evaluation may include an interview, reference checks, or other assessment conducted by HR specialists, subject matter experts, or panel members and may include other assessment tools (ex. interview, structured interview, written test, work sample, etc.).

INFORMATION FOR ICTAP/CTAP ELIGIBLE(S) ONLY: If you are eligible for special priority selection under ICTAP/CTAP, you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration. ICTAP/CTAP eligible(s) will be considered well-qualified if they attain at least a rating score of 85 in a numerical rating scheme. Be sure to review the eligibility questions to reflect that you are applying as an ICTAP or CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation.

The following documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the vacancy closing date.

The following documents are required:

• FEDERAL STATUS APPLICANTS: When applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal Service, please provide a copy of your last or most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action which shows your appointment eligibility for the position for which you are applying. Your SF-50 must identify the highest grade you held on a permanent basis, Pay Plan/Pay Schedule, Series, Grade/Pay Band, and career status. Multiple SF-50 may be submitted to demonstrate your highest previous rate and eligibility.

*WARNING: An award SF-50 (ex. cash or time off award) may not indicate grade, step, and competitive status. For current DOL employees, an award SF-50 DOES NOT indicate grade and step.

• Resumes are required - provide a resume either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one from your computer and USAJOBS profile. To receive full consideration for relevant and specialized experience, please list the month, year, and number of work hours worked for the experience listed on your resume.
• Most recent performance appraisal/evaluation signed and dated within 18 months is requested by the agency but will not disqualify candidates if not submitted. If not submitted during the application process, one may/will be requested at the time of the interview if the opportunity is extended. *In most cases, ICTAP/CTAP applicants must submit this document - please see ICTAP/CTAP links below for more details.

The following documents are required (if applicable):

• Displaced Employee Placement Documents - Only required if requesting priority consideration under Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) Eligibility. Click/Review these ICTAP/CTAP links to confirm what must be submitted as proof that the requirement has been met.
• DD-214 - verifying military service, eligibility for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA), and showing the character of discharge (ex. Member Copy 4 and 2 are acceptable vs. Copy 1 which is not acceptable to adjudicate veteran's preference)
• Special/Non-Competitive Appointing Authority Documents - Applicants who are eligible for consideration, and wish to be considered, under one of the following non-competitive hiring authorities must submit appropriate documentation (click on the links below to see the documentation requirements): (a) Persons with Severe Disabilities (SCHEDULE A) (b) 30% or More Compensable Disabled Veterans (DAV) (c) Former Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV) OR AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteers OR Current or Former Peace Corps Employees (PCE) (d) Military Spouses (MISP) (e) Veterans Recruitment Authority (VRA) (f) Other
• Land Management Eligible(s): a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent) proving your eligibility for appointment under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act. This service must have been performed in competitive service, under a time-limited appointment in a Land Management Agency, as defined by P.L. 114-328. For more information, click here.
• Unofficial Transcript(s) (in English) - If you are using education as a basis for qualifying for this position, you must submit all applicable academic transcripts demonstrating that you meet the qualifying educational requirements (ex. BA/BS, MA, JD, Ph.D., etc.). If specific coursework is required to qualify, you must supply an unofficial transcript from each academic institution in which the required courses were taken in order to receive credit. You may upload your unofficial transcript(s) as one document with a maximum size limit of 5 MB.

NOTE: The OFFICIAL Transcript(s) MUST BE RECEIVED, if you are selected, and prior to receiving the firm offer with a start date.

Reference the Education Section for College Transcript and Evaluation of Foreign Education.

Do not upload password-protected documents.

Applicants selected for employment who are not current DOL employees will be required to provide proof of citizenship, and the E-Verify system will be used to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year Probationary Period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Next steps

Additional locations