Federal Trade Investigator

JobSummary

The open positions are located in the Western Region Los Angeles, and Western Region San Francisco. The FTC's Regional Offices investigate and litigate civil actions to enforce federal consumer protection laws. For more information visit, https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc.

LowGrade

13

HighGrade

13

PromotionPotential

13

SubAgencyName

Western Region Los Angeles/ Western Region San Francisco

OrganizationCodes

OT/FT00

Relocation

False

HiringPath

• fed-transition
• fed-competitive
• disability
• land
• mspouse
• nguard
• native
• peace
• special-authorities
• vet

MCOTags

AgencyMarketingStatement

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is a bipartisan federal agency with a unique dual mission to protect consumers and promote competition. For one hundred years, our collegial and consensus-driven agency has championed the interests of American consumers. We challenge anti-competitive mergers and business practices, and ensure that the market works according to consumer preferences. If you would like to become a part of an innovative, dynamic, team dedicated to advancing consumer interests while encouraging innovation and competition in our dynamic economy, then consider joining the FTC team! To learn more information about the FTC please visit https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc.

TravelCode

1

ApplyOnlineUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/Apply

DetailStatusUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/ApplicationStatus

MajorDuties

• The positions are located in the Western Region Los Angeles, and Western Region San Francisco. The Western Region Los Angeles ("WRLA") and the Western Region San Francisco (WRSF) play an integral role in fulfilling the FTC's consumer protection mission by bringing law enforcement actions to stop unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent business practices across a broad range of products and services in both the traditional and digital economy. Headquartered in Los Angeles, WRLA serves the residents of Southern California, Southern Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and Northern Mariana Islands. Headquartered in San Francisco, WRSF serves the residents of Colorado, Northern California, Northern Nevada, and Utah. 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. Perform other duties as assigned.

Education

There is no education substitution for specialized experience at this grade level.

Requirements

Evaluations

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.

HowToApply

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/. To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12895502.

WhatToExpectNext

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.

RequiredDocuments

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 - Most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" showing you are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade or promotion potential held (if applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal Service) - Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable - DD-214, SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from Veterans for consideration under Veteran hiring authorities - Noncompetitive appointment authority documentation, if applicable - 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/). FEDERAL APPLICANTS: You must submit SF-50(s) that verify your highest competitive grade, full performance level, and eligibility as a federal applicant. DO NOT submit an award SF-50 as these often do not verify grade or eligibility. For consideration for a promotion, Box 4 of the SF-50 must show a date that is at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing. We recommend submitting your last promotion SF-50 or within-grade increase SF-50. Pay adjustment raise SF-50s for the current year will not support the 52 weeks' time-in-grade requirements. https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/service/SF-50/

Benefits

BenefitsUrl

https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/careers-ftc/benefits-ftc

OtherInformation

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, you must be a preference eligible or a Veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. 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 Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 87 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: ICTAP/CTAP Non-competitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on non-competitive appointment authority eligibility requirements: - Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A - Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans - Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses - Other Special Appointment Authorities

KeyRequirements

WithinArea

False

CommuteDistance

0

ServiceType

01

AnnouncementClosingType

01

AgencyContactEmail

cpickeral@ftc.gov

AgencyContactPhone

202-326-3002

SecurityClearance

Not Required

DrugTestRequired

False

PositionSensitivitiy

Moderate Risk (MR)

AdjudicationType

• Suitability/Fitness