Job Title: Staff Assistant

Department: Department Of Agriculture

Agency: Forest Service

Sub Agency: Forest Service

Job Announcement Number: ADS10-RMRS-0492DP (R-JJ)

 

SALARY RANGE:	50,923.00 – 66,195.00 USD /year
OPEN PERIOD:	Wednesday, April 28, 2010 to Monday, May 17, 2010
SERIES & GRADE:	GS-0301-09/09
POSITION INFORMATION:	Full TimePermanent – No time limit
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:	09
DUTY LOCATIONS:	1 vacancy – Ft. Collins, CO
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:	US citizens

 

JOB SUMMARY:

Applications for this position are being processed through an on-line applicant assessment system that has been specifically configured for USDA Forest Service applicants. Even if you have already developed a resume in USAJOBS, you will need to access this on-line system to complete the application process. To obtain information about this position and TO APPLY, please click on http://www.avuecentral.com/vacancy.html?ref=QDYAP.

KEY REQUIREMENTS: See Other Information.

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Duties

Additional Duty Location Info:

  1 vacancy – Ft. Collins, CO DUTIES: Coordinates the administrative and clerical work for the organization. Maintains a calendar for the supervisor, scheduling appointments, meetings, and conferences. Procures office supplies and services. Interacts with members of the staff, organization, and individuals outside of the agency ranging from other government agencies to the general public. Receives phone calls and visitors and refers them to an appropriate individual. Serves as the office liaison for groups associated with the organization. Performs liaison duties in support of an organizational program planning process. Participates in developing and implementing long- and short-range plans, procedures, and policies relating to the organization’s administrative needs. Plans and/or accomplishes special projects. Maintains a records management program for an agency organization or program. Back to top  

Qualifications and Evaluations

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

MINIMUM FEDERAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Qualifying experience for the GS-9 level includes one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-7 level which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Examples are researching and analyzing established administrative issues; acting as liaison with individuals and groups both inside and outside an organization regarding administrative and/or organizational matters; and preparing a variety of written documents, such as staff papers, status reports, or policy recommendations. SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE The experience requirement for the GS-9 level may be met by two (2) full academic years of graduate level education or completion of all requirements for a master’s or equivalent graduate degree, or completion of all requirements for an LL.B or J.D. degree. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet the experience requirements. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION Specialized experience directly related to this position should be documented in the Work History section of the online application. Applicants are encouraged to provide a narrative in the Work History section that describes the duties performed relative to the specialized experience defined for this position. Specialized experience is further defined as experience controlling and making complex arrangements involving the supervisor’s calendar that require no specific prior supervisory approval; arranging alternate representation by subordinate officials as circumstances dictate; making recommendations for minor procedural changes to establish procedures using clerical or administrative work processes, such as correspondence control methods, or office workflow improvements; determining the nature and purpose of each telephone call and personal visitor, handling procedural matters personally; coordinating with subordinate supervisors to gather responses to substantive inquiries in an organization with several subordinate levels that significantly affect outside conditions; and serving as liaison between the supervisor and organizational staff on administrative procedures, reports, and requirements necessary to implement the supervisor’s policies, directives, and instructions within an extensive organization with varying functions or an organization with subordinate units affected by outside conditions. See Other Information for further requirements.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

  You will be rated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education, experience and training you report relative to this position which shows that you possess the knowledges, skills and abilities required. Paid or unpaid experience will be considered. Back to top  

Benefits and Other Info

 

BENEFITS:

See Other Information.

OTHER INFORMATION:

This position is located with the U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Deputy Station Director’s Office. Applications may be reviewed to verify qualifications and eligibility prior to issuing lists to a selecting official. Work history should contain sufficient information to validate qualifications and the specialized experience claimed in the questionnaire. Please read the vacancy announcement thoroughly and follow all instructions to ensure proper consideration. If you are unable to apply on-line or have questions about the meaning of items in the vacancy announcement, please contact Human Resources Management at 1-877-372-7248. Questions regarding the duties of this position should be directed to Alison Hill by e:mail at ahill01@fs.fed.us or by telephone at 970-498-1365. The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply. Please check Job Posting Information, Summary, for the area of consideration (i.e., Who May Apply), and time limit information. Bargaining Unit Status: Not eligible. BASIS OF RATING: The category rating procedure is used to rank and select eligible candidates. Under category rating, applicants who meet basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position and whose job related competencies have been assessed are ranked by being placed in one of the following categories: Quality, Well Qualified, and Eligible. Candidates placed in the Quality category will be assessed based on Education, High Ability, or Experience. Well Qualified candidates are those who clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements but do not necessarily meet the criteria for the Quality category. Candidates in the eligible category meet basic minimum qualification requirements but do not meet the criteria for the Well Qualified category. Preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Drug testing is a requirement for certain positions. See “Other Significant Facts” portion of this announcement for information specific to position being filled. To receive consideration for this position, you must meet all qualification requirements as of the closing date of the announcement or on the date a referral list is generated from an Open Continuous announcement. Applicants are strongly encouraged to ensure the work history portion thoroughly documents the duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments that are directly related to this position in order to verify specialized experience. To ensure that you receive consideration, the scannable application package must be postmarked on or before the closing date stated in the announcement and must be received at the correct address within 7 days. Applications submitted in postage-paid Government envelopes will not be accepted. Applications received become the property of the USDA Forest Service and will not be returned. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: The USDA Forest Service provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the point of contact listed on the vacancy announcement. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Forest Service affiliated child/day care facilities are not available. Government housing is not available. BENEFITS: A variety of health insurance plans; retirement system with investment options; paid holiday; paid sick and annual (vacation) leave; life insurance; incentive systems; subsidized transportation, flexible work schedule, training and development opportunities, family/worklife program, etc. Transfer of Station/Relocation expenses will not be paid except for current, permanent federal employees. As a condition of employment, all male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must have registered for the selective service. If selected for this position, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law. DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing. This position is being advertised under both merit promotion (internal) and demonstration project (external) procedures under separate announcements. Applicants who wish to be considered under both procedures must apply to each announcement and follow the specific instructions applicable to each method.  Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals. VETERANS’ PREFERENCE: Generally, preference is granted to veterans who entered the military service prior to October 14, 1976; or served on active duty during the period from August 2, 1990, through January 2, 1992, and who are otherwise eligible; or who served on active duty during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom; or who have served in a military action for which they received a Campaign Badge or Expeditionary Medal. This includes the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) awarded to those who participated in Operation Joint Endeavor or Operation Joint Guard. Also, you may be entitled to veterans’ preference if you are a disabled veteran; you have received a Purple Heart; you are the spouse or mother of a disabled veteran; or you are the widow, widower, or mother of a deceased veteran. Applicants will be required to provide proof prior to appointment to validate their claim for preference. More detailed information is available on the Main Menu screen under the selection entitled, “Veteran Information.” Completion of a probationary or trial period may be required, depending on the type of appointment. During this time period, employee’s conduct and performance will be monitored in order to determine if employee will be retained. OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Check our website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/fsjobs for general information on the Forest Service. Applications must be certified online by 11:59 PM Eastern time on the closing date indicated on the Vacancy Announcement. Applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications early in the opening period. The Forest Service is not responsible for nonreceipt of online applications. You will be notified of successful receipt of your application via the e-mail indicated on your application. HOW TO APPLY: In order to determine if you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for this position, please submit the following information: 1. Experience/Employment Information: a. Apply On-Line at www.avuedigitalservices.com/usfs/applicant.html. This online application process allows applicants to submit employment information that can be printed for personal use and saved and/or edited on the website for future use. The application process contains all the data elements that are required for resumes submitted for federal employment and may be submitted electronically. OR b. Apply by Scannable Questionnaire: This Questionnaire requires completion of a scannable form. You must request the instructions and form and submit the scannable application form and supporting documentation by mail. Locations and their codes will be listed in the application package. A facsimile of the scannable form cannot be accepted. 2. Eligibility Information: The following documents must be electronically attached to your application to verify your eligibility and basic qualifications. Failure to provide this documentation may result in disqualification. a. If you are claiming 5-point veteran’s preference, you must submit a DD-214, Member 4 copy. If you are claiming 10-point preference you must submit a DD214, Member 4 copy, an SF-15 (Application for 10-Point preference) and a letter (dated 1991 to present) from the VA or military department indicating your disability rating. Applicants claiming preference based on service performed after October 14, 1976, must specify on the application the Campaign Badge upon which they are basing their claim. If you are still on active duty and claim veteran’s preference, then you must submit documentation such as a: (1) official orders or citation entitling you to a campaign badge; (2) statement of service from a commanding officer or someone else in authority attesting to your active duty which identifies dates of entry and anticipated separation; rank at time of discharge; and anticipated character of discharge; or (3) in the case of someone claiming service during the first Gulf War or since 9/11/01, any official document attesting to your presence on active duty during the appropriate calendar periods. Veterans who fail to submit the supporting documentation with their application will not be granted veterans preference. If you are not able to attach the forms to your application, you may fax to 253-573-9869, please include name on all documents. b. Transcripts (official or unofficial) are required if education is used to meet basic qualifications requirements or meet education criteria in the quality category. Transcripts should be attached to the Avue profile or faxed to 253-573-9869; please include name on all documents. 3. CURRENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: Notice of Expected Separation, performance appraisal information for current Federal employees or other proof documents are required if requesting priority placement consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). CTAP and ICTAP candidates must be well qualified. Submit SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action or equivalent document to verify current or former federal employment status should also be submitted. TO REQUEST A SCANNABLE FORM: Please refer to the contact name and phone number listed in this vacancy announcement. Back to top  

How To Apply

 

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications for this position are being processed through an on-line applicant assessment system that has been specifically configured for USDA Forest Service applicants. Even if you have already developed a resume in USAJOBS, you will need to access this on-line system to complete the application process. To obtain information about this position and TO APPLY, please click on http://www.avuecentral.com/vacancy.html?ref=QDYAP. If you are unable to apply online, you may contact the employing office for alternate application procedures. Please call ASC HRM Staffing at 1-877-372-7248 or email at fsjobs@fs.fed.us.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

See Other Information.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

ASC HRM Staffing Phone: 1-877-372-7248 Fax: 1-866-339-1634 Email: fsjobs@fs.fed.us

Agency Information: USDA Do not send mail. Refer to announcement Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109 US Fax: 1-866-339-1634

 

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

You will be rated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education, experience and training you report relative to this position which shows that you possess the knowledges, skills and abilities required. Paid or unpaid experience will be considered. – ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————- Join AFS or renew for 2010 at www.fisheries.org/afs/membership.html “Merging Our Deeper Currents” AFS 140st ANNUAL MEETING Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 12-16 September 2010 www.fisheries.org/afs10