Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on his/her expertise as a Technical Writer-Editor. You can make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.
Here is an opportunity to join a great organization with excellent growth potential!
Summary
Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on his/her expertise as a Technical Writer-Editor. You can make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.
Here is an opportunity to join a great organization with excellent growth potential!
Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Relocation expenses are authorized with the exception of the Guaranteed Home Sale Provision or first-post-of-duty relocation expenses are authorized, as applicable. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), signed into law December 2017, suspends the moving expense deduction and the exclusion from income of qualified employer reimbursements of moving expenses that was allowed under previous tax laws. Employer reimbursements for moving costs are now generally taxed at the same rate as ordinary income.
Current Federal employees serving under competitive service career or career-conditional appointments, former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility, persons eligible under CTAP & ICTAP, current or former time-limited employees eligible under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, VEOA eligible veterans or persons eligible for non-competitive appointment under special appointing authorities (such as 30% Disabled Veterans, VRA, Schedule A, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA, etc.).
Writes and edits a variety of documents used in making water and natural resource management decisions.
Synthesizes information from research and data on engineering, hydrology, economic, environmental, biological, social, and natural resource aspects of investigations, to summarize into report presentations appropriate for the intended audience.
Prepares National Environmental Policy Act compliance documents either as part of a planning report or as an independent document.
Prepares Endangered Species Act compliance documents such as biological assessments.
Prepares speeches/talking points, information brochures, handouts, public meeting materials and special correspondence.
Drafts supporting documents including budget narrative justifications, status reports, and briefing documents; reviews technical appendices, supporting documents, and reports of other Federal/State agencies prior to preparing written comments.
You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
You must be suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation.
You must submit a resume and supporting documentation (See Required Documents).
You must meet specialized experience requirements (See Qualifications).
You must submit transcript(s), if applicable, to verify education requirements (See Qualifications).
You must submit eligibility documents for veterans consideration (See Required Documents).
You must meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade restrictions and any selective factors, by the closing date of this announcement.
TIME-IN-GRADE: Current career or career-conditional employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). Applicants eligible under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) are not required to meet time-in-grade restrictions in order to be considered.
Qualifications
In order to be rated as qualified for this position, the HR Office must be able to determine that the applicant meets the specialized experience requirement - this information must be included in the resume.
To qualify at the GS-09 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 in Federal service. Specialized experience at this level is defined as: drafting portions of environmental assessments; collecting and analyzing environmental data; drafting technical or professional publications using professional standards for structure, format, grammar and punctuation; editing and rewriting scientific or policy-oriented language; using publishing concepts, practices and standards; assisting with developing reports related to engineering, hydrology, economic, environmental, biological, social, and natural resource aspects; helping to review technical appendices, other supporting documents, and reports to prepare written comments; acquiring and presenting technical information through independent reading, interviews with subject-matter specialists, observation of tests and experiments, interpretation of blueprints or diagrams, or other appropriate methods; OR master's or equivalent graduate degree which included a total of 15 semester hours in an appropriate scientific, technical or social science field(s) related to this position and at least one course above the introductory level in the field(s) covered by this position; OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education, as described above, leading to such a degree; OR LL.B. or J.D., if related; OR a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience that together fully meet the requirement.
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. Applicants will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
If selected, the selectee will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify educational qualifications. An official transcript bears the University Seal and a signature certifying its authenticity and must be provided from the institution awarding the degree. Academic transcripts certified by notary publics are NOT official. Official transcripts must be submitted prior to reporting to work as a condition of employment. Failure to submit official transcripts may be grounds for dismissal or rescission of the job offer.
Education
This vacancy announcement allows substituting education for experience. Applicants must submit a copy of college transcript(s) (unofficial copy is acceptable) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include the name of the college or university and date the degree was conferred. Non-submission may result in being rated not-qualified for the position.
Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, applicants must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs.
Additional information
LOCATION: Columbia-Cascades Area Office, Technical Projects Office
Position is being advertised concurrently under BR-PN-DE-CCA-20-158 for all US Citizens and Nationals. Applicants interested in applying under both announcement numbers, must submit application packages for each.
Reclamation has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.
At the present time, we have one vacancy; however, this announcement may be used to fill additional, equivalent positions at this duty location.
Applicants initially appointed to a career-conditional position must serve a 1-year probationary period.
SELECTIVE SERVICE: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. For more information visit: http://www.sss.gov/.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: This position is designated as a NON-SENSITIVE position. It requires a fully completed and favorable adjudicated Low Risk Background Investigation (T1 (NACI)) that is current. This is a condition of employment.
DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
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.
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.
Human Resources (HR) will review resumes and transcripts, if applicable, to ensure applicants meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided in the assessment questionnaire. The assessment questionnaire will take approximately 45 minutes to complete. Applicants determined best qualified will be referred to the selecting official.
Applicants will be further evaluated on the following "Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)" through his/her resume and responses to the online questions.
KSA 1: Professional writing skills, to assimilate data, review, and edit another individuals' work. KSA 2: Knowledge of policies and procedures applicable to water resource management investigations to ensure compliance in document preparation. KSA 3: General familiarity with the fields of economics, engineering, hydrology, biological/social sciences, and public relations, and the relationship of each of these to the overall process of planning/managing water and natural resources.
Applicants will be further evaluated on the following Competencies:
Reasoning
Technical Competence
Writing
Applicants must make a fair and accurate assessment of their qualifications. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is apparent in your description of experience, competencies, skills, and/or education/training OR that your resume/application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible or your score may be lowered.
Applicant's answers to questions will be verified against information provided in their online resume. Be sure that the resume clearly supports the responses to all the questions by addressing experience, education, and/or training relevant to this position. Applicants must make a fair and accurate assessment of their qualifications. If a determination is made that an applicant has rated themselves higher than is apparent in his/her description of experience, competencies, skills, and/or education/training OR that his/her resume/application is incomplete, the applicant may be rated ineligible or his/her score may be lowered.
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.
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.
To be considered for this position, applicants are required to submit a resume (with dates of employment, i.e. years and months), an on-line assessment questionnaire, and the following supporting documents, as appropriate.
SF-50, NOTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL ACTION: Status applicants (transfer, reassignment, reinstatement, promotion, etc.) MUST submit a copy of their SF-50, verifying highest rate of pay and documenting career or career-conditional status in the competitive service (Tenure 1 or 2) for which the applicant is claiming eligibility. Do not submit award SF-50s. FAILURE TO SUBMIT AN SF-50 VERIFYING STATUS WILL RESULT IN THE APPLICANT NOT BEING CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION.
VEOA: For candidates eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA), he/she must submit the appropriate DD-214 (Member 4 Copy) documenting eligibility.
Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) Eligibles: If you are a current or former land management agency appointee - you must provide documentation to verify eligibility as follows:a) A copy of your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, that reflects having initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited (temporary/term) appointment;b) A copy of SF-50(s), Notification of Personnel Action(s), that reflect having served under one (1) or more time-limited (temporary/term) appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two (2) or more years; and(c) A copy of your Performance Appraisal Plan and/or Supervisor Memorandum that reflects having performed at an acceptable level during each period of service.For more information on LMWFA, visit: https://chcoc.gov/content/implementing-policy-guidance-land-management-workforce-flexibility-act.
DD-214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty: Applicants who are entitled to veterans' preference must submit a copy of his/her DD-214 (Member 4 Copy preferred), or an official statement of service from his/her command if he/she is currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves the applicants military service was performed under honorable conditions. If the applicant has a compensable service connected disability, submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and the required documentation requested by this form, in addition to the DD-214.For information on veteran's eligibility visit: https://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/vetguide/index.aspx
CTAP/ICTAP: CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including selective factors, education and experience requirements) and score at least 85.0 on the assessment questionnaire as established, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.
Transcripts: Applicants MUST furnish a copy of college transcripts, if applicable. If selected, the applicant will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify educational qualifications prior to reporting for work.
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.
Applications (resume and assessment questionnaire) for this vacancy MUST be received online BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington D.C. time) on 07/21/2020. When you're ready to apply, click the blue APPLY button on the right side of the page. This vacancy is being announced through Bureau of Reclamation's Hiring System - USA Staffing.
As part of the on-line application process, applicants may be required to submit supporting documents. Failure to submit the requested supporting documents may result in the applicant not being considered for this position. Options for submitting supporting documentation include:
-- Auto Requested Fax or uploading from the applicants USAJOBS profile - instructions provided during the online application process
-- E-mail to vvosquez@usbr.gov
-- Fax directly to the HR Office at (208) 378-5023
-- Mail to the Bureau of Reclamation, ATTN: CPN-1446, 1150 North Curtis Road, Suite 100, Boise, Idaho 83706-1234 - or -
-- Hand deliver to the Bureau of Reclamation, Human Resources - Room 109, 1150 North Curtis Road, Boise, Idaho.
Include the applicant name and vacancy number on supporting documents.
Columbia-Cascades Area Office
Bureau of Reclamation
Columbia-Cascades Area Office
1917 Marsh Road
Yakima, WA 98901
US
Next steps
Upon successful submission of the application packet, applicants will receive a confirmation email from USAJOBS. If this email confirmation is not received by the applicant, the application has not yet been accepted by the system.
After all application packages have been received, resumes and transcripts will be reviewed to ensure applicants meet the basic qualification requirements. Each applicant who meets the basic qualifications will be further evaluated on the information provided in the Assessment Questionnaire. Best-qualified applicants will be referred to the selecting official. After making a tentative job offer, a suitability and/or security background investigation will be conducted. A final job offer is typically made within 40 days after the deadline for applications. Applicants should monitor their status for positions with the Bureau of Reclamation by regularly checking their public status notifications in the USAJOBS profile.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To be considered for this position, applicants are required to submit a resume (with dates of employment, i.e. years and months), an on-line assessment questionnaire, and the following supporting documents, as appropriate.
SF-50, NOTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL ACTION: Status applicants (transfer, reassignment, reinstatement, promotion, etc.) MUST submit a copy of their SF-50, verifying highest rate of pay and documenting career or career-conditional status in the competitive service (Tenure 1 or 2) for which the applicant is claiming eligibility. Do not submit award SF-50s. FAILURE TO SUBMIT AN SF-50 VERIFYING STATUS WILL RESULT IN THE APPLICANT NOT BEING CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION.
VEOA: For candidates eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA), he/she must submit the appropriate DD-214 (Member 4 Copy) documenting eligibility.
Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) Eligibles: If you are a current or former land management agency appointee - you must provide documentation to verify eligibility as follows:a) A copy of your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, that reflects having initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited (temporary/term) appointment;b) A copy of SF-50(s), Notification of Personnel Action(s), that reflect having served under one (1) or more time-limited (temporary/term) appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two (2) or more years; and(c) A copy of your Performance Appraisal Plan and/or Supervisor Memorandum that reflects having performed at an acceptable level during each period of service.For more information on LMWFA, visit: https://chcoc.gov/content/implementing-policy-guidance-land-management-workforce-flexibility-act.
DD-214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty: Applicants who are entitled to veterans' preference must submit a copy of his/her DD-214 (Member 4 Copy preferred), or an official statement of service from his/her command if he/she is currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves the applicants military service was performed under honorable conditions. If the applicant has a compensable service connected disability, submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and the required documentation requested by this form, in addition to the DD-214.For information on veteran's eligibility visit: https://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/vetguide/index.aspx
CTAP/ICTAP: CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including selective factors, education and experience requirements) and score at least 85.0 on the assessment questionnaire as established, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.
Transcripts: Applicants MUST furnish a copy of college transcripts, if applicable. If selected, the applicant will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify educational qualifications prior to reporting for work.
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.
Applications (resume and assessment questionnaire) for this vacancy MUST be received online BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington D.C. time) on 07/21/2020. When you're ready to apply, click the blue APPLY button on the right side of the page. This vacancy is being announced through Bureau of Reclamation's Hiring System - USA Staffing.
As part of the on-line application process, applicants may be required to submit supporting documents. Failure to submit the requested supporting documents may result in the applicant not being considered for this position. Options for submitting supporting documentation include:
-- Auto Requested Fax or uploading from the applicants USAJOBS profile - instructions provided during the online application process
-- E-mail to vvosquez@usbr.gov
-- Fax directly to the HR Office at (208) 378-5023
-- Mail to the Bureau of Reclamation, ATTN: CPN-1446, 1150 North Curtis Road, Suite 100, Boise, Idaho 83706-1234 - or -
-- Hand deliver to the Bureau of Reclamation, Human Resources - Room 109, 1150 North Curtis Road, Boise, Idaho.
Include the applicant name and vacancy number on supporting documents.
Columbia-Cascades Area Office
Bureau of Reclamation
Columbia-Cascades Area Office
1917 Marsh Road
Yakima, WA 98901
US
Next steps
Upon successful submission of the application packet, applicants will receive a confirmation email from USAJOBS. If this email confirmation is not received by the applicant, the application has not yet been accepted by the system.
After all application packages have been received, resumes and transcripts will be reviewed to ensure applicants meet the basic qualification requirements. Each applicant who meets the basic qualifications will be further evaluated on the information provided in the Assessment Questionnaire. Best-qualified applicants will be referred to the selecting official. After making a tentative job offer, a suitability and/or security background investigation will be conducted. A final job offer is typically made within 40 days after the deadline for applications. Applicants should monitor their status for positions with the Bureau of Reclamation by regularly checking their public status notifications in the USAJOBS profile.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
