This vacancy is for a Respondent Advocate position located in the Office of Associate Director for Demographic Programs, U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce (DOC), headquaters in Suitland, MD. The Demographic Directorate directs programs on the United States population and its characteristics, income and poverty, and housing. The incumbent serves as a special assistant to the Associate Director with the primary responsibility of advocating for survey respondents with regard to the Census Bureau's standards for privacy and confidentiality, and minimizing respondent burden.
This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Respondent Advocate, GS-0301-14, (FPL-14) positions within the Census Bureau in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.
The Census Bureau is accessible from the Metro Rail Green Line – Suitland Station.
This position is ELIGIBLE for telework; additional criteria will be required (e.g., supervisory approval).
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
This is a NON-BARGAINING unit position.
Summary
This vacancy is for a Respondent Advocate position located in the Office of Associate Director for Demographic Programs, U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce (DOC), headquaters in Suitland, MD. The Demographic Directorate directs programs on the United States population and its characteristics, income and poverty, and housing. The incumbent serves as a special assistant to the Associate Director with the primary responsibility of advocating for survey respondents with regard to the Census Bureau's standards for privacy and confidentiality, and minimizing respondent burden.
This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Respondent Advocate, GS-0301-14, (FPL-14) positions within the Census Bureau in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.
The Census Bureau is accessible from the Metro Rail Green Line – Suitland Station.
This position is ELIGIBLE for telework; additional criteria will be required (e.g., supervisory approval).
Serve as lead representative and participant at internal and external meetings, and other forums to respond to the concerns regarding privacy, confidentiality, and burden of demographic surveys conducted by the Census Bureau.
Serve as a liaison with internal and external stakeholders and the public to ensure efficient, accurate, and timely responses to respondent concerns.
Work with Census staff on the development of new surveys to ensure compliance with respondent burden guidelines.
Serve as team lead on respondent burden related projects.
Maintain records of respondent complaints and advises Executive Staff on appropriate actions to minimize respondent burden.
Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the announcement closing date.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
Registered for Selective Service, if applicable. (www.sss.gov)
Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Qualifications
Specialized Experience: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal services. Qualifying specialized experience is work experience identifying and analyzing survey activities and data collection operations for censuses and surveys; developing reports and making presentations to executive level attendees; responsible for leading projects and teams; and experience identifying issues and resolving conflicts.
Education: Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level.
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.
Additional information
The following links provide information on various hiring authorities that may enable you to apply through merit assignment procedures, or be eligible for a non-competitive appointment.
The Department of Commerce provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Human Resources Office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. TTY users can contact the Human Resources Office via the Federal Relay Service, 1-800-877-8339.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Additional benefits available at Census Headquarters located in Suitland, MD, include: fitness center; child-care facility; credit union; free parking; convenient access to Metrorail and Metrobus transit services in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia communities; car pools/van pools; etc.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the job opportunity announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions). " Your resume and/or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered.
Due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR § 335.103(b)(3), during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager.
The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:
The following competencies are desirable at the full performance level of this position, GS-14.
Ability to work with internal and external stakeholders and the public.
Skill in communicating complex and technical information to executives, technical, and non-technical audiences.
Ability to evaluate surveys for compliance with respondent burden guidelines.
Skill in leading a team and applying project management tools and techniques to meet project deadlines.
Ability to establish working relationships with various levels of management and provide guidance.
We recommend that you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Additional benefits available at Census Headquarters located in Suitland, MD, include: fitness center; child-care facility; credit union; free parking; convenient access to Metrorail and Metrobus transit services in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia communities; car pools/van pools; etc.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional. Your resume should list your educational and work experience including the dates (mm/dd/yy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week. For work in the Federal service, please include the grade level for the position(s). Your resume may be used to validate your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire. Your resume should also indicate your citizenship and if you are registered with the Selective Service System if you are a male born after 12/31/59.
SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action," supporting your eligibility.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) documentation, if applicable (see other information).
Documentation supporting eligibility for non-competitive appointment. (Schedule A disability, 30 percent disabled veteran, certain military spouses, etc.)
Education Documentation: If you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses showing title, number of credits, grade, and date of completion.
CTAP Eligibles
CTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/
CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:
A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a directed geographic relocation outside of the local commuting area; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice of eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice);
A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", noting current position, grade/band level, and duty location;
A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
Any documentation from your bureau/operating unit that shows your current promotion potential.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
To apply on-line, you must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://www.usajobs.gov/. To begin, click the "Apply" button and follow the prompts to register into your USAJOBS account, answer the questions, and submit all required documents. (After registering in your USAJOBS account and clicking "Submit," you will automatically transition to the Department of Commerce's specific site where you will complete your application. You must click "Submit" at the end of the application process to send your application for consideration.)
To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account at http://www.usajobs.gov/ and click on "Applications." Click on the position title, and then select "Update Application."
If you have problems completing your on-line application, including problems submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Help Desk by e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or by phone at 866-656-6831. The Help Desk is available Monday—Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online; however, if you are unable to apply online, please contact: Warren K. Dixon, 301-763-3705.
BUREAU OF THE CENSUS
4600 Silver Hill Road
Room 2K038D
Attn: Human Resources Division
Washington, DC 20233
US
Next steps
You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://usajobs.gov and clicking on "Track Your Online Application." The four points of notification are:
Application Received or Application Incomplete;
Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Minimum Qualification Requirement Not Met;
Eligible (Application Referred to the Selecting Official) or Eligible (Application Not Referred to the Selecting Official); and
Selected or Not Selected
By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or, you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.).
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional. Your resume should list your educational and work experience including the dates (mm/dd/yy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week. For work in the Federal service, please include the grade level for the position(s). Your resume may be used to validate your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire. Your resume should also indicate your citizenship and if you are registered with the Selective Service System if you are a male born after 12/31/59.
SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action," supporting your eligibility.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) documentation, if applicable (see other information).
Documentation supporting eligibility for non-competitive appointment. (Schedule A disability, 30 percent disabled veteran, certain military spouses, etc.)
Education Documentation: If you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses showing title, number of credits, grade, and date of completion.
CTAP Eligibles
CTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/
CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:
A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a directed geographic relocation outside of the local commuting area; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice of eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice);
A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", noting current position, grade/band level, and duty location;
A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
Any documentation from your bureau/operating unit that shows your current promotion potential.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
To apply on-line, you must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://www.usajobs.gov/. To begin, click the "Apply" button and follow the prompts to register into your USAJOBS account, answer the questions, and submit all required documents. (After registering in your USAJOBS account and clicking "Submit," you will automatically transition to the Department of Commerce's specific site where you will complete your application. You must click "Submit" at the end of the application process to send your application for consideration.)
To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account at http://www.usajobs.gov/ and click on "Applications." Click on the position title, and then select "Update Application."
If you have problems completing your on-line application, including problems submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Help Desk by e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or by phone at 866-656-6831. The Help Desk is available Monday—Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online; however, if you are unable to apply online, please contact: Warren K. Dixon, 301-763-3705.
BUREAU OF THE CENSUS
4600 Silver Hill Road
Room 2K038D
Attn: Human Resources Division
Washington, DC 20233
US
Next steps
You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://usajobs.gov and clicking on "Track Your Online Application." The four points of notification are:
Application Received or Application Incomplete;
Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Minimum Qualification Requirement Not Met;
Eligible (Application Referred to the Selecting Official) or Eligible (Application Not Referred to the Selecting Official); and
Selected or Not Selected
By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or, you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.).
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
