This position is located in the Department of Labor (DOL), Wage and Hour Division (WHD). The position is responsible for conducting investigations of employers across all industries within the geographical boundaries of the assigned District Office's jurisdiction to ensure compliance with all of the laws that WHD is responsible for enforcing.

Duties

This position is located in the Department of Labor (DOL), Wage and Hour Division (WHD) within the Midwest Region. As the Wage and Hour Specialist (Visa Certification and Labor Exploitation Coordinator), you will be responsible for the application process for U nonimmigrant status for victims of certain crimes and T nonimmigrant status for victims of human trafficking. The Wage and Hour Specialist will provide oversight of the T/U Visa certification and labor exploitation programs as well as serves as the principal specialist and advisor to the Regional Administrator, Deputy Regional Administrator, Director of Enforcement, and District Directors with the WHD regarding issues related to these programs. As a Wage and Hour Specialist (Visa Certification and Labor Exploitation Coordinator), duties will consist of, but not limited to the following: Reviews available investigative data and/or information, either criminal or civil, provided to or detected by WHD to determine appropriate action based on an analysis of whether an allegation of a violation of labor exploitation laws not enforced by WHD has merit. Conducts a review of all incoming labor exploitation cases, evaluates the sufficiency of information provided, ensuring that necessary follow-up actions have been initiated. Identifies cases with potential for either civil or criminal referral and works closely with representatives of the Solicitor's Office in assessing the viability of a case for such action Serves as a recognized expert in the T/U Visa Certification Process and as the regional point of contact for related compliance matters. Reviews requests for T/U Visa certification for victims of human trafficking and other related serious workplace issues in the area of labor exploitation. Gathers, document and review information concerning alleged Qualified Criminal Activities (QCAs) and interviews the T/U Visa petitioner. Coordinates processes with activities of other Department of Labor, federal , and state agencies, Coordinates referral of the underlying QCA to appropriate law enforcement agencies in accordance with its normal protocols for referral of criminal laws not enforced by WHD. Ensures that the appropriate level of documentation and analysis is written in a clear, relevant, accurate, objective, and concise manner and is consistent with WHD regulatory guidance to support recommendations. Serves as a project lead for national and regional initiatives with responsibility for planning complex work assignments, coordinating investigative and research activities, monitoring the status and progress of investigations and research, and identifying and resolving logistical and technical issues that arise. Guides and controls the field engagement strategy in cases involving workplace crimes, maintains liaison with the District Director, appropriate Regional or National Office program representatives, and/or other federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities, trains team members, and makes recommendations to the District Director(s) concerning assigning or removing personnel from the teams. Determines which cases should be recommended for further action including referral for criminal or civil investigation and prosecution. Explains and presents potential referral cases to the Regional Solicitor. Represents the Regional Office in communications with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners that flow from the referral of cases for investigation/prosecution. Resolves any relationship problems or conflicts between Government organizations, agencies, and/or personnel and the contractor that impedes progress to ensure that all of them work effectively toward meeting or exceeding the mandated program schedule. Serves as a liaison to and coordinates program activities with related activities of other Department of Labor, federal, state, and local agencies, e.g., DOL Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and other Inspector General offices, Department of Justice, state Attorney General offices, etc., in regard to cases involving both violations under the jurisdiction of labor exploitation statues enforced by the WHD, as well as violations under the jurisdiction of respective partner agencies. Plans, develops, and actively participates in outreach, information, and educational programs regarding WHD's role in combatting human trafficking and other serious workplace labor exploitation issues. NOTE: This is not a Law Enforcement position.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet time-in-grade (52 weeks at the GS-12 grade level), time-after-competitive-appointment (90 days, if applicable), and qualifications requirements within 30 days, 12/19/2024, of the closing date of this announcement to be eligible for consideration. You must meet the Occupational Requirements listed below and the Specialized Experience to qualify for Wage and Hour Specialist. 1.) Applicants must meet at least two of the following three specialized criteria requirements: General knowledge of Federal wage and hour labor laws, industrial occupations, wage scales, employment practices, or salary and wage administration practices. Skill in analyzing written/verbal information and numerical data and making decisions on issues based on interviews, records review, reconstruction of missing or fraudulent records and applying legal or regulatory provisions, precedents, and principles to specific investigative matters. 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. 2.) 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 applying 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. -AND- 3.) In addition to meeting the 1849 Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR)and the specialized criteria requirement listed above. Applicants must also possess one-year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, (i.e., GS-12 for a GS-13) in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is the experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. For this position, specialized experience is defined as having 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, fact-finding, analysis and coordination in workplace exploitation cases, T/U Visa Certification process and experience in areas of leadership, decision-making and victim advocacy. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Applying fact finding, analysis, and regulations to coordinate between Wage and Hour District, Regional, and National Offices for achieving effective collaboration with both civil and criminal law enforcement partners in matters involving serious workplace exploitation, and including the provision of assistance in the form of subject matter expertise, restitution computations, or providing witness testimony in both civil and criminal proceedings. Applying rules, regulations and guidelines pertaining to the T/U Visa certification process in order to coordinate activities and to make recommendations for the approval or denial of T/U Visa certification petitions. Providing dynamic leadership and make effective decisions. Adeptness and sensitivity when working with victims of crime and trauma, highly skilled in conducting victim-centered interviews. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Helpful resources for creating a federal resume - USAJobs Help Center and USAJobs Resume Writing.

Education

This position has no education requirement and there is no substitution of education for specialized experience at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address Wage and Hour Division 200 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC 20210 US
• Name: Tonya Griffin
• Phone: 617-788-2820
• Email: [email protected]