Major Occupation Categories

The Department of Labor has unique career opportunities that will challenge your mind and reward your skills and talents. As a Labor employee, you will foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States, improve working conditions, advance opportunities for profitable employment, and assure work-related benefits and rights, and much more.

Economists - You will work in a challenging and professional atmosphere. Among the tasks an economist may perform are planning and conducting surveys to collect economic data through the use of such technologies as the Internet, client-server computer systems, and wide-area networking; collecting, reviewing, and analyzing economic data utilizing specialized methods and techniques; preparing technical reports, press releases and articles on economic phenomena; briefing the media, industry, labor and governments on economic data.

Mathematical Statisticians - You will work in the areas of survey design and estimation. The work will include sample frame development, sample selection, non-response adjustment, estimation and measuring, both sampling and non-sampling error.

Computer Programmers - You will write programs using event-driven object orientated languages and tools.

Investigators (Pension) - You will conduct civil and criminal investigations of private pension, health care, and other employee benefit plans to ensure compliance with the fiduciary responsibility standards of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA), the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 (MHPA), the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA), the Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act of 1996 (Newborns' Act), the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 (WHCRA), the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA), Michelle's Law, and the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) as amended by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), and other laws and regulations. You will coordinate and provide support in civil litigation and criminal prosecutions involving ERISA with various federal agencies (i.e., IRS, Department of Justice, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation) and state insurance departments.

Benefits Advisors - You will provide direct technical assistance to plan participants and their beneficiaries, administrators, fiduciaries, service providers and other interested parties regarding their rights and obligations under the statutory and regulatory provisions of the ERISA, HIPPA, GINA, MHPA/MHPAEA, Newborns' Act, WHCRA, Michelle's Law, COBRA and related legislation.

Accountants/Auditors - You will use the latest in accounting and auditing techniques to review financial information contained in annual reports filed by pension, health and other employee benefit plans for compliance with ERISA. In addition, you will conduct specific audits of thrift investment system funds under the Federal Employees' Retirement System Act (FERSA). You will also provide advice to plan administrators and the employee benefits field as a whole.

Employee Benefit Law Specialists - You will be called upon to provide expert counsel on technical aspects of ERISA, FERSA, HIPAA, GINA, MHPA/MHPAEA, Newborns' Act, WHCRA, Michelle's Law and policy, legislation and research pertinent to employee benefits and health plans. You will deal with government officials, private sector financial services executives, employee benefit plan attorneys, consultants, and administrators to provide crucial information about EBSA's operations and ongoing policy initiatives.

Workforce Development Specialists - You will perform a range of work tasks involving grants monitoring, research and analysis, policy development, data analysis, interpretations, and reporting for employment and training programs.

Program Analysts - In this position, you will compile data and information, and assist senior staff specialists with review and preparation of regulatory documents. You will also work with the analysis of these regulatory documents to ensure consistency and that all significant issues are addressed.

Engineers (Mining, Chemical, Electrical) - You will conduct studies, surveys, and evaluations regarding the safety of mines and related facilities and equipment from a mining engineer’s point of view.

Mine Safety and Health Inspectors/Specialists - You will review and cite violations in underground and/or surface mines and closely related facilities using a variety of instruments, equipment, and techniques.

Industrial Hygienists - You will develop, review, revise, or enforce Federal safety and health standards and provide technical assistance and consultation in the development of industrial hygiene programs in both the public and private sector.

Industrial Hygienist - You will conduct inspections and perform other related duties to enforce Federal safety and health standards, and provide technical assistance and consultation in the development of industrial hygiene programs in both the public and private sector.

Safety Engineers - You will conduct inspections and perform other related duties to enforce Federal safety and health standards, and evaluate proposed methods, designs, and procedures for technical compliance with engineering criteria.

Safety and Occupational Health Specialists - You will conduct inspections and perform other related duties to enforce Federal safety and health standards, utilizing a practical knowledge of engineering and scientific principles.

Accountants - You will design, install and operate the Department's accounting systems, prepare and analyze financial statements, records and reports, and examine accounts to attest that the financial statement fairly present the activities financial position.

Budget Analysts - You will work in any or all phases of the budget review and approval process, including analyzing existing or proposed legislation for fiscal implications. You may also study work programs to suggest changes for more effective and economical operation.

Computer Programmers/ System Analysts - You will analyze problems and processes as well as design and implement computerized systems.

Contract/ Procurement Specialists - You will procure the materials required to accomplish the Departments' programs and negotiate and administer contractor in connection with grants or services. You will also review contract activities to assure compliance.

Personnel Management Specialists - You will recruit, place, counsel, and train employees, classify and evaluate positions as well as formulate and implement personnel policies which enable the Department to carry out its mission most effectively.

Equal Opportunity Specialists - You will ensure compliance with applicable civil rights laws and regulations by conducting compliance reviews and investigating complaints of DOL assisted and administered programs.

Accountants - You will prepare and analyze the Department's financial statements, records, and reports.

Computer Specialists - You will design, install, operate and maintain the Department's accounting and payroll systems.

Equal Opportunity Specialists - You will perform compliance evaluations and conduct complaint investigations of Federal contractors and subcontractors personnel policies and procedures. You will also perform a variety of work tasks involved in monitoring and obtaining voluntary compliance of Federal contractors and subcontractors in fulfilling equal employment opportunity regulatory requirements. Duties also include public contact with a variety of individuals, employers, and constituent groups.

Auditors - You will plan and conduct audits of the Department's programs and operations to give an opinion on the Department's financial statements, review claimed costs of grantees and contractors, determine program results and efficiency of operations.

Investigators (Criminal) - You will plan and conduct criminal investigations relating to the programs, operations, and employees of the Department of Labor, as well as, conduct criminal investigations involving labor racketeering and organized crime influence and control in unions and the workplace.

Program Analysts (Evaluators) - You will review and analyze management processes, programs and functions to identify and recommend improvements in the areas of effectiveness and efficiency.

Investigators - You will conduct a variety of investigations requiring the use of analytical and investigative techniques to determine whether individuals or organizations that fall under the jurisdiction of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, as amended, have complied with the laws, rules, and regulations. You will audit union records, interview witnesses, investigate and oversee union elections, and advise union officers and members on their rights and responsibilities under the law.

Workers' Compensation Claims Examiners - You will administer, supervise, and perform quasi-legal work involved in developing, examining, adjusting, and authorizing the settlement of claims involving unemployment, disability, or death compensation.

Attorneys - You will provide legal services for Departmental organizations such as: preparing and arguing cases, rendering legal advice and opinions, preparing regulations, and developing proposed legislation.

Law Clerks - You will perform a variety of legal assistance duties including analyzing the legal impact of legislative developments, administrative and court decisions, rulings and opinions on Departmental programs, researching legal opinions, and providing substantive legal analysis of requests for information.

Veterans Program Specialists - You will develop and monitor grants to states and non-profit organizations providing a variety of job training, counseling, and placement services to veterans with service connected disabilities or other employment barriers. You will review and assess performance goals, make sure that provisions of the grant are carried out, and ensure that reports are filed accurately and in a timely manner.

Wage and Hour Compliance Specialists - You will conduct investigations and gather data about wages, hours, and other employment conditions or practices in order to determine compliance with the various Federal Employee protection laws administered and enforced by the Wage and Hour Division. Where violations are found, you may also recommend changes in employment practices to bring an employer into compliance. Duties also include providing outreach and education to assist employers to comply with labor standards.