Wage and Hour Investigator (Recent Graduate

Wage and Hour Investigator (Recent Graduate)

Recruitment began on August 3, 2026

and the job listing Expires on September 3, 2026

Salary $43,106 - $56,039 per year based on location

Open to applicants who have graduated, within the past two years, (with an associate, bachelor, master, professional, doctorate, diploma, vocational, technical degree, or certificate, etc.) from a qualifying educational institution or career or technical education program (including registered Apprenticeship Programs, Peace Corps, Ameri Corps, Job Corps, Climate Corps).

This is a developmental position with a full promotion level of GS-12. As a Wage and Hour Investigator at the grades GS-7 through the GS-11, you will receive on-the-job and other formal training related to the provisions of the laws enforced by the agency. You will develop human relations skills, investigation, and negotiation techniques. Under close observation/direction and with specific instructions, you will perform the following duties (which is not an all-inclusive list) and as you progress, the assignments will become more difficult and complex in preparation for the next grade level until you reach the GS-12 grade level.

As a Wage and Hour Investigator, duties will consist of, but not limited to the following:

• Gathers and analyzes facts obtained to determine status of compliance.
• Prepares case investigation files for submission to higher level staff.
• Conducts complete investigations involving familiar issues and situations to resolve a wide variety of minimum wage, overtime, child labor, coverage, exemption, employment eligibility and other compliance issues in agriculture, commercial, industrial, and other business establishments, public institutions, and domestic service in households.
• Provides routine information about services to customers.
• Resolves simple problems, questions or complaints.
• Conducts interviews.
• Effectively handles situations involving tension or discomfort with people who are demonstrating hostility or distress.
• Obtains compliance and correction of minor violations and negotiate for payment of back wages within prescribed monetary limitations.
• Produces spreadsheets, graphs, memorandum, and other documents for the purpose of communicating information.
• Prepares forms and narrative reports for submission to higher level staff.
• Composes clear and concise documents involving simple or routine investigations and complaints.

Conditions of employment

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

Qualifications

To qualify for GS-07, applicants must possess the experience and/or education as described below:

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.

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level, in the Federal Service, which includes meeting at least TWO (2) of the following THREE (3) 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.

-OR-

Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: industrial relations, personnel administration, business administration, labor economics, law, or other fields related to the position.

-OR-

Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): Completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree (in any field). (

Note:

You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) Superior Academic Achievement is based on:

• Class Standing
  - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR,
• Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as…