Senior Compliance Investigator

Summary

Serving within PHMSA/OHMS Field Operations (DOT), this position acts as the regional focal point for operational plans, policies, training, and program management. Reporting to the Regional Director, the incumbent aligns regional enforcement with national priorities, standardizes field activities, and ensures operational readiness. They direct Multiagency Strike Force Operations (MASFO) and provide expert guidance to protect the public from hazardous materials transportation risks.

Duties

The Senior Compliance Investigator:

• Serves as the Regional Coordinator for operational planning and execution. Exercises oversight and direction over regional compliance programs, ensuring the effective implementation of national policies and standardization initiatives.
• Develops and directs Multiagency Strike Force Operations (MASFO) within the regional area of responsibility. Coordinates with Federal, state, and local partners to identify, plan, and execute high-impact enforcement operations, maximizing the utilization of assets and cross-functional cooperation.
• Plans and executes comprehensive training programs for regional investigators to ensure
  technical proficiency and operational consistency. Serves as a liaison and provides direct training support to the National Training and Qualification Branch (NTQB) in Oklahoma City, ensuring field-level needs are integrated into national curriculum development.
• Facilitates internal, and external meetings, ensuring clear communication of regional priorities, trends, and operational goals. Assists with report processing, quality control, and the dissemination of lessons learned to ensure regional and national alignment.
• Plans and executes System Integrity Safety endeavors, leveraging data-driven approaches to identify and mitigate high-risk transportation trends. Utilizes Hazardous Materials Safety data systems to perform trend analysis and develops systematic approaches to address emerging safety challenges.
• Participates in the development of national program policy and initiatives. Advises the Region Director on the operational impact of policies, identifies performance gaps, and recommends modifications to regional or national procedures.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with alliance partners, including other Federal, State, and local agencies and industry trade associations. Serves as a primary point of contact for complex compliance issues, advising management on priorities and resource allocation.

The ideal candidate for this position will have a mastery of broad and complex transportation principles and PHMSA's compliance and enforcement programs. Extensive technical knowledge in all regulated areas, including scientific principles, test and measurement techniques, and the potential risks involved in transporting hazardous materials. Expert knowledge of transportation concepts, principles, and methodologies to serve as a primary advisor to the Director and management team. Demonstrated mastery in leading and managing complex operational activities, including the ability to plan, organize, and conduct inspections and training. Exceptional skill in communicating effectively, orally and in writing, with high-level audiences.

Requirements

• Must meet specialized experience stated in Qualifications section
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

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 the 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.

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• TRAINING: You must successfully complete a residential 12-week formal training course including any pre- and/or post-course training requirements. Travel to and from this residential training will be paid as allowed by government travel regulations. Individuals who do not successfully complete the training academy may be separated from employment with the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration.
• DRUG TEST: If selected for the position you will be required to submit to a pre-employment/pre-appointment drug test, you will also be subject to Random Drug Testing.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
• TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

Please see Other information for additional instructions.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience requirements.

To qualify for the Grade 14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include:

• Experience providing technical expertise, advice, and guidance on national and multi-region enforcement activities.
• Experienced in field investigations and conducting operational monitoring and managerial integration of enforcement functions to ensure transportation enforcement is executed.
• Experience with technical knowledge in hazardous materials specialties, including scientific principles, test and measurement techniques and effects of conditions normally incident to transportation of hazardous materials.
• Experience in OHMS, PHMSA and DOT activities, policies, and regulations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Compliance Inspection: Knowledge of the guidelines, regulations, and procedures associated with compliance inquiries, including application of compliance rules and criteria and ability to make appropriate decisions and issue citations, fines, or orders.
• Risk Management: Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools used for risk assessment and mitigation, including assessment of failures and their consequences.
• Oral Communication (*): Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, considering the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

For all types of consideration, 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.

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4

All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Positions are available in the following locations:

• Central Region: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
• Southwest Region: Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas.

Due to the remote work nature of this position, you must have access to high speed internet meeting current Agency standards from chosen work location and sign a remote work agreement.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code a7 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R a7 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, [redacted]. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions is similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate(s).

Expand Hide additional information

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

Help

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.