• Researches, writes, and critically analyzes relevant data into a well-organized, written, and reasoned repatriation report. This requires the researcher to independently research information using the best scientific and historical documentation available based on the legal criteria for repatriation as defined in the NMAI Repatriation Policy.
• Tracks the history of each case report using legal case management software system and keen time management skills to ensure that case review process and critical deadlines are met.
• Assists and participates in repatriation consultations with tribal nations, indigenous communities, and Native individuals.
• Applies broad knowledge of Native American culture, history, and protocols to each case research report, consultation, and outreach effort by being aware of the socio-political climate relative to the specific tribal claim or community they are addressing.

Conditions of employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• May need to complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on the web at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.

Qualifications

Experience:

You qualify for this position if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system.  For this position Specialized experience is defined as repatriation research and drafting of documents with close oversight by a superior using information sources (e.g., archives, library, internet, database systems, personal contacts) to access information about Native American histories, governments, protocols, cultures, contemporary issues, communities and organizations; and conducting scholarly library and interview research on culture and history (in libraries, archives, and via the Internet) in a cultural institution or museum setting.

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.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

Or Education:

Master's or equivalent graduate degree

or

2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree

or

LL.B. or J.D., if related

Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement.

Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.

Or a Combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications. For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

• Skill to independently conduct research, critically analyze results, and write fully documented scholarly research reports relating to human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony that are eligible for repatriation under both the National Museum of the American Indian Act and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
• Knowledge of legal case management software.
• Ability to use diplomacy using interpersonal communication skills to deal effectively with tribal representatives and museum professionals when conducting repatriation consultations with tribal nations, indigenous communities, and Native individuals in order to better understand their culture, customs, history and protocols as it relates to human remains and certain cultural object eligible for repatriation under the National Museum of the American Indian Act and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
• Ability to apply broad knowledge of Native American culture, protocols, and history as it relates to Indigenous Peoples of the Western Hemisphere to exercise a great deal of cultural sensitivity when working with sensitive materials or ancestral remains related to indigenous communities.

Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria:

Best Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most of the job related competencies above.

Better Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job related competencies above.

Good Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not satisfy most of the job related competencies above to a substantive degree.

This category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three", but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher. Applicants who have not submitted a resume in the USAjobs system and/or have not answered all of the vacancy questions will not be considered for this position.

Important Note: Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.

To preview questions please click here.