Job Listing: COMPLIANCE INVESTIGATOR, 1801-7

Duty Locations

 3 vacancies - Dallas, TX

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
RISK MANAGEMENT AGENCY

PLEASE READ ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS UNDER "HOW TO APPLY" BEFORE YOU BEGIN

The Risk Management Agency (RMA) promotes, supports, and regulates sound risk management solutions to preserve and strengthen the economic stability of America's agricultural producers by providing crop insurance to American producers, developing the premium rate, administering premium and expense subsidy, approving and supporting products, and reinsuring companies.

AREA OF CONSIDERATION:  All interested persons may apply.  You need not be a current or former Federal employee to apply.

NOTE: Applicants selected from this vacancy will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period. After 3 years of service, employees will be eligible for conversion to career status.

Major Duties

This position is located in a Compliance Field Office of the Risk Management Agency.  Assignments include conducting onsite investigations to assess crop insurance program compliance; performing investigations to substantiate alleged or suspected  instances or patterns of noncompliance; participating in negotiations with persons whose activities have been found to be at odds with Agency guidelines; conducting analysis of reports required of individuals and reinsured companies engaged in crop insurance activities to assess their compliance with mandatory guidelines; and explaining and promoting the regulatory/compliance program to those whose activities are subject to it, as well as to the general public.  This is the full performance level for this position.

How to Apply

Please read all the instructions before you begin.  You must submit a Complete Application Package, which includes all of the following:

Online Assessment Questionnaire
Online Resume
Other Required Documents if applicable (i.e., college transcripts, Veteran documents, etc).

ONLINE ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE:  Use Application Manager for convenience and quickest processing.  Track your progress to a Complete Application Package using the My Application Packages checklist and status displays in Application Manager.  Your Application Package status must be Complete by Monday, April 07, 2008

To begin, choose one of these two options:

Option 1.  If your resume is going to come from the USAJOBS Resume Builder, click the "Apply Online" button below.  Logon to USAJOBS Resume Builder and select the resume you wish to upload for this vacancy announcement.  Click "Apply to this Position Now" to attach your resume.  Your resume will only be attached to the Application Package you complete and submit immediately after you click on the Apply Online button, not to any other Application Packages you may already have created.  Once you have attached your resume, the system will take you to Application Manager to complete the Online Assessment Questionnaire and upload any other supporting documents that may be applicable.  If you do not have an account in Application Manager, you will need to establish an account to submit your Online Assessment Questionnaire.

Option 2.  If your resume is prepared outside of USAJOBS Resume Builder, click this link to begin the process: Online Questionnaire.  The system will automatically take you to Application Manager.  When you have completed the Online Assessment Questionnaire, proceed to "Upload Documents" to upload your resume or additional supporting documentation for this position:  1) Select the document type; 2) Click the "Browse" to locate a file and click "Open" to attach it; 3) Click "Upload" to upload documents for this job announcement.  When the message "Upload Successful" appears, repeat steps 1-3 to upload any other supporting documents.

Whether you have chosen Option 1 or 2, once you have completed the Online Assessment Questionnaire and uploaded your resume and any other supporting documents click "Next" to proceed to Submit My Answers.  Click "Submit My Answers".  Return to the "Main" screen to print your "Confirmation of your Submission to Application Manager powered by USA Staffing".  The Online Assessment Questionnaire must be completed and submitted by 11:59 p.m. EDT on  Monday, April 07, 2008.  If you have submitted all your application materials online you have completed the application process.

If you want to "Save" an INCOMPLETE  Assessment Questionnaire, you may return to Application Manager at any time using whichever one of the links you used to begin as described above, or go to http://ApplicationManager.org.

ONLINE RESUME:  Your resume must be submitted Online.  Please make sure your resume contains the basic information required in applying for a Federal job i.e., work experience applicable to this position (include dates [m/d/y] and the total number of hours worked per week for all employment; if the position had multiple duties include percentage of time spent on each duty.  Include series and grade for all Federal employment.  If this information is not included, the experience cannot be credited.  For additional information on what is needed in your resume click here.  (Applying for a Federal Job OF-510.)

NOTE:  Applications are not screened for required forms before determining minimum qualifications.  It is your responsibility to ensure that all required documents are received in the office by the close of business on or before the closing date of this announcement.  Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, etc.

Alternative Method for Submitting Your Application Materials: You are encouraged to scan and upload your application materials as described using Application Manager; however, if you are unable to do this, you may fax your assessment questionnaire, resume and/or other required documents directly into the electronic system using the official fax cover page. The information contained on the fax cover page must match the information you provided in your Assessment Questionnaire.  The Vacancy ID UK177389, your Name and SSN should be written accurately and neatly.  If the information is inaccurate or incomplete, you may not receive consideration for this position. The fax number is 1-478-757-3144.

If applying online, faxing or hand delivering application materials poses a hardship, please contact the servicing human resources office during core business hours (8:00am to 4:30 pm central time) prior to the closing date.  Requests for hardship will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  Make requests in a timely manner to allow enough time to obtain documents and return the completed information to our office. 

This Agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities (i.e., alternative means of communication such as Braille, large print, audiotape, etc). If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact USDA Target Center at 202-720-2600, voice and TDD. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

In accordance with 39 U.S.C. Section 415, use of postage-paid government agency envelopes to file job applications or application materials is a violation of federal law and regulations. Applications submitted in postage-paid government envelopes will not be accepted.

Required Documents:

OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:  In addition to your Assessment Questionnaire and Online Resume, other documents may be required. 

WHAT OTHER DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED?

1. If this vacancy announcement has a basic education requirement, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts that lists college courses detailing each course by the number and department (i.e., BIO101, MATH 210, etc.). This information should include course title, school name/location, date completed, grade, and number of credits earned.  Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.  You must submit evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution is equivalent to U.S. education standards with your resume.  An official college transcript may be required before you can report to duty.

2.  If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, provide a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal (at least "fully successful" or equivalent), and proof of eligibility, i.e., a RIF separation notice or Certification of Expected Separation, and SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.  CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well-qualified if achieving a rating of 80 or above excluding veteran's preference points.

3. If you are claiming Veteran Preference, submit evidence of eligibility, such as DD-214 (Member 4 copy), Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or Standard Form 15, Application for 10-point veteran preference, and the proof requested on the form. 

4. If you are a current or former federal employee please provide the most current Notification of Personnel Action (Form SF-50) that verifies career-conditional/career status, position title, series and grade.  

Assessment Questionnaire

Social Security Number

Required.  Enter your Social Security Number in the space indicated.

Vacancy Identification Number

The Vacancy Identification Number is:  UK177389
This field does not appear on the online application.  You would only need to enter it if using an alternative application method.  See Item 2 under Alternative Methods for Completing FORM C.

 

1. Title of Job

COMPLIANCE INVESTIGATOR, 1801-7

2. Biographic Data

All biographic information is required except for your telephone number and contact time.

3. E-Mail Address


4. Work Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

5. Employment Availability

6. Citizenship

Are you a citizen of the United States?
7. Background Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

8. Other Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

9. Languages

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

10. Lowest Grade

Required.  Enter the lowest grade level you will accept, i.e.,07

07
11. Miscellaneous Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

12. Special Knowledge

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

13. Test Location

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

14. Veteran Preference Claim

Required.  Enter your claim for Veterans' Preference.  To receive credit for veterans' preference, you must provide documentation (DD-214 or SF-15 and proof requested).

For items 15, 16, 17 and 18 enter date information in this format:  MM/DD/YYYY

15. Dates of Active Duty - Military Service

Please enter your dates of active military service, unless you have claimed derived preference (i.e., widows, spouse, etc.)  Please use this format: (mm/dd/yyyy)

16. Availability Date

You may omit the availability date if you can begin work immediately.  Otherwise, you must provide the date that you will be available for employment.

17. Service Computation Date

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

18. Other Date Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

19. Job Preference

How did you hear about this vacancy announcement, please choose only one answer. 

1 Advertisement2 Career Fair3 College/University Career Center4 Local Job Service Center5 MANRRS6 Professional Association Conference7 USDA Agency Official8 www.usajobs.opm.gov9 Other Source

If applicable, please indicate the specific conference, career fair, and/or other source.

20. Occupational Specialties

Required. 

001 Compliance Investigator
21. Geographic Availability

Required.  Enter at least one geographic availability code.  The location code(s) for this position is:

0417 Dallas, TX
22. Transition Assistance Plan

If you are not a displaced federal employee leave Section 22 blank.

Note:  To receive consideration for CTAP or ICTAP, you must submit the necessary supporting documentation.  Refer to the vacancy announcement for additional information and instructions.

23. Job Related Experience

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

24. Personal Background Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

25. Occupational/Assessment Questions:

Respond to the following questions. Mark only one response for each question. Any experience claimed in response to the following questions MUST be supported by information in your written application or resume. This information must be SPECIFIC, (i.e., duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments). Failure to provide this supporting documentation may result in receipt of a lower or ineligible rating.

1. From the descriptions below, select the letter that describes the education or experience you have that demonstrates your ability to perform GS-7, Investigative work. Select only one letter. (Note: One year of specialized experience is based on a 40-hour workweek. If you have worked less that 40 hours per week, you must prorate your experience.)

A. I have superior academic achievement (refer to the instructions for Superior Academic Achievement in this announcement) with a baccalaureate degree with a major in any filed.
B. I have at least one full-time year (12-months) of specialized work experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-5 level in the Federal service, performing basic investigative assignments requiring the skill to apply standard investigative principles and techniques performing compliance assignments, receiving guidance and detailed instructions from higher grade investigators.

C. I have successfully completed at least one full year of graduate level study (18 hours) or I possess a masters or higher degree, e.g., LLB. JD, LLM, Ph.D., etc. with a major in agriculture, agricultural economics, farm management, business administration, economics, law. or any other field directly related to the position to be filled.

D. I have less than the full amount of graduate education listed above and less than the amount of experience described, but I have a combination of the type of graduate education and the type of specialized experience.

E. My education and/or experience are not reflected in any of the above statements.

You are to choose one answer to each question from among the alternatives presented. Do not mark more than one answer for each question. Multiple answers will not be counted.

2. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your ability of investigative concepts.

A. I have experience as an investigator conducting reviews and evaluations.

B. I have experience serving on an investigative team with responsibility for a specific portion of the project.

C. I have experience interpreting regulations, policy, or directives, in order to resolve problems.

D. I have experience interviewing individuals to gather facts and/or information for an investigation.

E. None of the above.

3. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your investigative assignments.

A. I have conducted interviews and interrogations

B. I understand and analyze business, commercial, and/or industrial records.

C. I am able to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information.

D. I use specialized investigative techniques, devices and procedures.

E. None of the above.

In the answer box provided, please describe your knowledge of investigative techniques. You are encouraged to include specific accomplishments in your response.

4. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your ability and/or knowledge of agriculture or agricultural practices.

A. I have experience or knowledge with current developments in agricultural technology.

B. I have agricultural experience which requires awareness of soils, plant diseases, insects, farming methods and practices.

C. I have experience managing a farm operation that involves the planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops.

D. I have an agricultural college degree.

E. None of the above.

5. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your ability to communicate in writing.

A. I compose recurring reports using established guidelines.

B. I compose letters, memoranda, and correspondence.

C. I type specialized narrative and tabular material, memoranda, reports, and forms in accordance with established guidelines.

D. I respond in writing to inquiries or request for investigative information.

E. None of the above.

6. From the answer choices below, choose the response that best reflects your ability to communicate information orally.

A. I have provided on-the-job training to co-workers concerning work assignments.

B. I answer routine questions or inquiries concerning on-going investigations.

C. I answer non-technical inquiries regarding policies and procedures of the office.

D. I answer technical inquiries regarding policies and procedures, regarding investigative functions.

E. None of the above.

7. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your ability to perform tasks and set priorities.

A. I establish work priorities and follows up on action items to ensure timely completion.

B. I perform routine or recurring task without supervision and meet deadlines.

C. I process incoming inquiries concerning on-going investigations from records or other documents.

D. I prepare and maintain investigative status reports.

E. None of the above.

Please answer YES or NO to the following questions.

A- Yes
B- No

8. I have reviewed problems and contacted appropriate staff with special or unusual situations?

9. I have compiled, reviewed, and analyzed information to prepare status reports.

10. I have researched, analyzed and evaluated written material to determine compliance with regulations and policies.

11. I have participated in program, compliance, or internal control reviews.

12. I have reviewed a variety of data, verifying and analyzing the issues presented and developing recommendations.

13. I have coordinated and reviewed written information and consolidating into final investigative reports.

14. I have developed findings and recommendations for corrective actions in written reports.

15. I have provided written information on completed investigations/assignments.

16. I have compiled and summarized information for status reports.

Contact Information:
Karen A. Mansker

Phone: (816)926-6781

Fax: (816)448-5752

TDD: 800-735-2966

Email: exam1@kcc.usda.gov


Or write:
Farm Service Agency
Beacon Facility - Mail Stop 8398
PO Box 419205
Kansas City, MO 64141-6205

Fax: (816)448-5752


What To Expect Next:

Once your online assessment questionnaire and resume has been received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful.  After a qualification review of your complete application package has been made, you will be notified as to the status of your application.  If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.  

You can track the progress of your application package in Application Manager,  http://ApplicationManager.org. 

After selection, applicants may be required to submit the official college transcript, OF-306 "Declaration for Federal Employment", original social security card, birth certificate, state driver's license or state issued identification card with photograph.  In addition, to be eligible for federal employment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify at the time of appointment that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service Law.