- Position Title
- Federal Trade Investigator
- Agency
- Federal Trade Commission
- Announcement Number
- DE-12201142-24-SERO Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Wednesday, November 22, 2023 to Tuesday, December 5, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
2.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
• have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR,
• are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans Resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
• have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR,
• are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans Resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
3.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
4.
Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
Preferences
1.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Federal Trade Investigator (GS-1801-12/13) position at our Agency. We will evaluate your resume and your responses to this Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are among the best qualified for this position. Your responses are subject to verification. Please review your responses for accuracy before you submit this questionnaire.
1.
Choose the one answer that best describes how you meet the basic qualifications requirements of a Federal Trade Investigator, GS-1801-12.
2.
Choose the one answer that best describes how you meet the basic qualifications requirements of a Federal Trade Investigator, GS-1801-13.
For the following questions, please indicate YES or NO to best describe your experience.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
3.
Do you have experience or education in consumer protection investigations?
For each task in the following group, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training.
A- I have not had education, training or experience in performing this task.
B- I have had education or training in performing the task, but have not yet performed it on the job.
C- I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.
D- I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.
E- I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise.
A- I have not had education, training or experience in performing this task.
B- I have had education or training in performing the task, but have not yet performed it on the job.
C- I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.
D- I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.
E- I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
4.
Conducts undercover transactions in person, via telephone, and remotely through internet-connected devices.
5.
Formulates and executes an investigative plan.
6.
Analyzes internet traffic.
7.
Experience with investigations that require undercover purchases or communications with third parties.
8.
Researches internet search engines.
9.
Investigates websites for deceptive practices.
10.
Preserves and captures websites.
11.
Formulates accurate findings and details them in a declaration as needed.
12.
Analyzes phone call records.
For the next group of responses, indicate all that apply to your experience. Your resume should reflect this experience.
13.
Identify your prior or current legal or law enforcement experience.
For each task in the following group, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training.
A- I have not had education, training or experience in performing this task.
B- I have had education or training in performing the task, but have not yet performed it on the job.
C- I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.
D- I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.
E- I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise.
A- I have not had education, training or experience in performing this task.
B- I have had education or training in performing the task, but have not yet performed it on the job.
C- I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.
D- I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.
E- I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
14.
Conducts investigations or research in support of civil (non-criminal or administrative litigation).
15.
After the filing of a complaint, continues to investigate as appropriate to support litigation goals.
16.
Gathers, reviews, and assesses documents in furtherance of an investigation or project.
17.
Analyzes data and presents it in a logical and useable manner.
18.
Arranges and executes all aspects of complex investigative actions and projects including travel, logistics, and coordination with experts, fact witnesses, and officials from multiple jurisdictions.
19.
Monitors trends in consumer-facing industries, including technological developments, and identifies new areas of possible investigation and enforcement.
20.
Prepares written work to support an investigation.
21.
Communicates effectively with individuals, consumers, trade associations and staff members to convey pertinent information.
22.
Prepares interviews or investigative reports.
23.
Testifies in court proceedings.
24.
Drafts declarations, including summaries of voluminous evidence, for court filings.
25.
Assists in drafting discovery requests and in preparing for depositions.
26.
Communicates with attorneys and tracks progress of investigations.
For the next group of responses, indicate all that apply to your experience. Your resume should reflect this experience.
27.
I am proficient in the following computer applications:
For the following questions, please indicate YES or NO to best describe your experience.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
28.
Are you fluent in Spanish?
For each task in the following group, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training.
A- I have not had education, training or experience in performing this task.
B- I have had education or training in performing the task, but have not yet performed it on the job.
C- I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.
D- I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.
E- I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise.
A- I have not had education, training or experience in performing this task.
B- I have had education or training in performing the task, but have not yet performed it on the job.
C- I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.
D- I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.
E- I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
29.
Uses Internet and computer programs during investigations and subsequent presentations and litigation.
30.
Reviews corporate financial documents.
31.
Analyzes corporate statements regarding profit and loss.
32.
Reviews cash flow statements.
33.
Analyzes financial balances sheets.
34.
Reviews and analyzes corporate records, including ownership and registration records.
35.
Uses database software, including MS Access, SQL, and Oracle, to create databases, capture data, perform queries, and export data for analysis.
36.
Receives, secures, and reviews voluminous evidence obtained through discovery.
37.
Uses best available technological tools to review relevant data and to preserve and present electronically stored information in admissible form.
38.
Performs records management in any format.
39.
Safeguards electronic records to ensure content, context and structure of records are preserved, protected, and stored properly.
40.
Uses the best available technological tools to identify and secure sensitive information.
41.
Guarantees security against identity theft, privacy, and data protection are preserved with handling information involving sensitive case matters.
42.
Uses the best available technological tools to identify and secure sensitive personally identifiable information.
43.
Uses the best available technological tools to identify and secure personal health information.
As previously explained, your responses in this Assessment Questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your responses. Deliberate attempts to falsify information will be grounds for disqualifying you or for dismissing you from employment following acceptance. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy. If you fail to answer this question, you will be disqualified from consideration for this position.
44.
I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.