DOL Wage and Hour Division Looking to Hire 6 New Investigators for Tennessee

I like to follow local (Knoxville for me) openings for federal employees.  It is not tempting personally but I do a lot of business with the federal government and it is a good barometer of hiring activity. 

I was intrigued by the fact that the U.S. Department of Labor today announced openings for six new Wage and Hour investigators working out of Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville (here is a link to all six openings).  The position vacancy posting encouraged applicants (who pretty much must be federal employees already) to "Begin a challenging career with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and you will help shape the workforce of tomorrow." I thought Tennessee employers might benefit from seeing the minimum objective qualifications required for the position.

The job duties are described:

The incumbent conducts complete investigations and negotiations involving routine issues and situations to obtain the compliance of business enterprises and State and local governments with the provisions of Federal labor laws, regulations, and orders pertaining to minimum wage rates, overtime pay requirements, child labor provisions, wage garnishments, employment eligibility, domestic service in households, and similar matters pertaining to conditions of employment, wages, and hours worked.  Develops information required to resolve issues in cases requiring a full investigation through: interviews with employers and workers; analysis of pertinent business records; and review of laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division, related interpretive bulletins, and precedents to identify specific provisions that are applicable to the case peculiarities. Conducts negotiations with the firm owner or manager, attorney, or other firm representative at the appropriate authority level to: (1) advise the employer that there is a violation of the law; (2) fully explain requirements needed to achieve and maintenance compliance; (3) persuade the employer to accept computed back wages found due to employees; and (4) obtain agreement to pay the back wages due employees involved within prescribed monetary limitations.  Prepares case reports, including recommendations for closing the case or any further administrative actions that should be taken.  The above duties are developmental assignments, and as the incumbent progresses, the assignments will become more difficult and complex, leading to progression ultimately to the full performance level of GS-12.

 The qualifications (forgetting the ones unique to being a federal employee) are:

1. General knowledge of Federal wage and hour labor laws, industrial occupations, wage scales, employment practices, or salary and wage administration practices.
2. Skill in analyzing written/verbal information and numerical data and making decisions on issues based on interview, records review, reconstruction of missing or fraudulent records and applying legal or regulatory provisions, precedents, and principles to specific investigative matters.
3. Skill in personal contacts requiring the ability to explain requirements or rights and obtain information and cooperation from people with diverse backgrounds and levels of understanding, reconcile conflicting interests, and persuade others to comply voluntarily with requirements.
In addition to the criteria specified above, applicants must have knowledge of and ability to apply the provisions of Federal wage and hour labor laws pertaining to wages, hours of work, or related conditions of employment.  Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:   
Developing, interpreting, or applying policies, procedures, and operating standards in determining compliance for an organization or government based program.  Conducting interviews and providing information about laws and/or regulations.  Industrial personnel or salary and wage administration or responsible work in a certified public accounting firm.  Analyzing or apply labor legislation.  Reviewing and evaluating operations and procedures through analysis, audits, or surveillance inspections.  Federal, State, or self-regulatory agency work involving obtaining compliance with appropriate program requirements.

I have almost always gotten along with the DOL investigators with whom I have dealt.  I don't necessarily agree with them all but that is the nature of the business anyway.  Here is hoping the new hires are well-qualified for the job.