Summary This position provides direct support and assistance to higher level investigators and managers and conducts research on policy, program, and case related issues and questions, and gathers and evaluates data relevant to specific cases. This position is also responsible for planning, directing, and administering a program of enforcement to ensure maximum compliance with ERISA and criminal provisions of the United States Code as they relate to employee benefit plans. Responsibilities Major duties include but are not limited to: Plans, leads, and conducts complex and, often, multifaceted civil and criminal investigations of large and varied employee benefit plans, service providers, trust departments, and other financial entities having relationships and conducting transactions with the plans. Investigations conducted require extensive planning and coordination and the development of innovative approaches. They are typically complicated by the scope of the investigation, the complex organizational and financial relationships and systems of the multiple entities involved, economic and/or political sensitivities, incomplete or complex accounting and financial management records, the presence of multiple violations, and complex and unresolved legal issues, and the involvement of several jurisdictions or states. Plans and assigns work, coordinates investigations and related activities/projects, monitors project status and progress, identities, and solves problems that arise. Determines areas of coverage for each investigation and the general investigative approaches to be taken. This includes delineating: objectives and scope of the investigation, resources and time required for completion, issues to be investigated, and statutory sections believed to be violated, references to relevant interpretations and regulations, required elements of proof, records to be reviewed, interviews to be conducted, information and documentation to be collected, and, as necessary, subpoenas to be prepared. Ensures review of plan administrative operations and financial control systems, financial data, and appropriate records, reports, and other documents. Conducts, or oversees the conduct of interviews to determine the fiduciary conduct of officials associated with the plan, the prudence of financial investments, and the propriety of specific transactions. Determines if the plan is administered and operated solely in the interest of the participants and accordance with the provisions of ERISA. Analyzes and determines the impact of identified transactions or situations on plan operations and the present and future financial status of the plan. Develops and prepares, or coordinates the preparation of, comprehensive and well-documented reports, work papers, and analyses, that present findings, cite applicable ERISA violations and related statutes/regulations, and substantiate conclusions. Develops recommendations for voluntary compliance, referral for litigation, case-closing, or other courses of agency action. Works closely with other EBSA investigators, auditors, and managers within the immediate off ice and across the Agency. Initiates and conducts conferences and meetings with plan officials and/or their legal and financial representatives. Provides litigation support to, and works closely with, legal staff. Establishes and maintains relationships with other agencies and organizations, coordinates with OEA and independently plans and conducts outreach events to help ensure the region fully succeeds in meeting its targeted outreach for the fiscal year. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications You must meet the Specialized Experience to qualify for this Employee Benefits Investigator, as described below. GS-13 level: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized Experience is the experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform the duties of the position successfully, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Specialized experience for this position includes: Experience with duties and responsibilities that are related to the field of employee benefit plans and/or complex Federal and/or complex state financial regulatory statutes. Experience with civil and criminal provisions of ERISA and related Federal and state civil/criminal statutes, regulations, judgments and rules of evidence in order to analyze plan regulatory compliance and develop recommendations for corrective actions, litigation, or prosecution. Education There is no substitution of education for the required specialized experience for this position at the GS-13 level. Additional Information This position is inside the bargaining unit. If the duty location is within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the Local 12, AFGE bargaining unit. If the duty location is outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the NCFLL bargaining unit. The mission of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to protect the welfare of workers and job seekers, improve working conditions, expand high-quality employment opportunities, and assure work-related benefits and rights for all workers. As such, the Department is committed to fostering a workplace and workforce that promote equal employment opportunity, reflects the diversity of the people we seek to serve, and models a culture of respect, equity, inclusion, and accessibility where every employee feels heard, supported, and empowered. Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES As a condition of employment, all personnel must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities, systems, information and/or classified materials before they can enter on duty: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION This job is not 100% telework; it requires employees to report on a regular basis to their assigned office location. Click here for Telework Position Information Based on agency needs, additional positions may be filled using this vacancy. The Fair Chance Act (FCA) prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOL employee has violated your rights under the FCA, you may file a complaint of the alleged violation following our agency's complaint process Guidelines for Reporting Violations of the Fair Chance Act. Note: The FCA does not apply to some positions specified under the Act, such as law enforcement or national security positions. All Department of Labor employees are subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Program under Executive Order 12564 and Public Law 100-71.