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Posted: January 13, 2026 (2 days ago)

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Senior Compliance Investigator - SME

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

Department of Transportation

Fresh

Location

Location not specified

Salary

$106,382 - $138,296

per year

Closes

January 27, 2026

GS-13 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $88,520 - $115,079

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-12. Expert-level knowledge in field.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This role involves leading investigations and inspections to ensure companies follow rules for safely handling and transporting hazardous materials, like chemicals and fuels, across the country.

You'll manage teams, develop policies, and provide expert advice to prevent accidents and enforce regulations.

It's a great fit for someone with years of experience in safety compliance and project management who enjoys coordinating large-scale programs in transportation safety.

Key Requirements

  • At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13, including technical expertise in hazardous materials enforcement
  • Experience managing multiple complex programs using structured project management methods like planning, scheduling, and risk management
  • Knowledge of conducting inspections at facilities manufacturing hazardous materials packaging regulated by DOT, ISO, or UN
  • Proficiency in field investigations, operational monitoring, and integrating enforcement functions for transportation compliance
  • Strong understanding of scientific principles, testing techniques, and effects of hazardous materials in transportation
  • Familiarity with OHMS, PHMSA, and DOT policies, regulations, and activities
  • Excellent oral communication skills for presenting technical information and leading teams

Full Job Description

This position requires extensive experience managing multiple complex programs simultaneously using structured project management methodologies such as planning, scheduling, risk management, and performance tracking.

Experience conducting inspections at facilities that manufacture hazardous materials packaging regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), or the United Nations (UN).

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the Grade 14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include: Experience providing technical expertise, advice, and guidance on national and multi-region enforcement activities.

Experienced in field investigations and conducting operational monitoring and managerial integration of enforcement functions to ensure transportation enforcement is executed.

Experience with technical knowledge in hazardous materials specialties, including scientific principles, test and measurement techniques and effects of conditions normally incident to transportation of hazardous materials.

Experience in OHMS, PHMSA and DOT activities, policies, and regulations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Compliance Inspection - Knowledge of the guidelines, regulations, and procedures associated with compliance inquiries, including application of compliance rules and criteria and ability to make appropriate decisions and issue citations, fines, or orders.

Risk Management - Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools used for risk assessment and mitigation, including assessment of failures and their consequences.

Oral Communication - Express information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); make clear and convincing oral presentations; listen to others, attend to nonverbal cues, and respond appropriately.

For all types of consideration, experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Major Duties:

As a Senior Compliance Investigator, you will: Coordinate work of investigative staff and the national inspection teams and activities to enhance compliance with hazardous materials regulations.

Lead the hazardous materials packaging inspection program, this includes validation of on-site inspections by investigators consistent with its mission.

Exercise executive direction over the national package testing/inspection program.

Serve to assess, identify, establish, coordinate, implement and document regional and national standardization policies and programs related to hazardous material regulations.

Develop guides, manages, and measures the methods, procedures and protocols for national policy, extensive and in-depth investigations and system analysis of broad and complex transportation, manufacturing and testing segments or operations of eligible stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will have comprehensive knowledge of the rules and regulations governed by the 49 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations), experience in conducting in-depth stakeholder inspections and furthering the safe transport of hazardous materials, to include the manufacturing of UN specification packaging and DOT pressure vessels.

The incumbent must possess excellent listening and strong written/verbal communication.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/13/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/13/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: PHMSA.HMRG-2026-0001