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Program Specialist

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

*Announcement extended to 04/15/2021.
This position is located at the Pacific Northwest Research Station located in Portland, OR.

This position serves as a Coordinator for the Northwest Climate Hub (NWCH) and the Western Wildlands Environmental Threats Assessment Center (WWETAC).

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Jessica Halofsky at 360-753-7677 or jessica.halofsky@usda.gov.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
04/05/2021 to 04/15/2021
This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$82,694 to - $127,835 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Portland, OR
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - Travel is expected 25% or less. Travel expected once a month to other Forest Service offices or field locations and attend other professional meetings.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary Promotion
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
21-RES-11079432-FS-TC
Control number
597338600

Duties

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  • Duties are listed at the full performance level.
  • Analyze data and make recommendations to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of program operations.
  • Use sound management concepts to resolve complex problems and situations.
  • Work with senior leadership to create long and short-term goals and strategies.
  • Plan, organize and conduct updated business operations to address legislative or regulatory changes.
  • Create processes to enhance collaborative arrangements and relationships with stakeholders on related program issues.
  • Seek and build public and private sector partnerships to promote effective program opportunities.
  • Direct policy formulation and coordination to support programs and services, budget execution, program/project management responsibilities and operations.
  • Interpret grants and agreements program requirements, identify related problem areas, and provide advice to grantees on program improvements.
  • Analyze and support program activities to leverage partner resources.
  • Serve as a technical expert on partnerships for national and regional coordinators, leadership, and other collaborators.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
  • Obtain and use a government-issued charge card for business- related travel.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide university course descriptions as necessary.

Specialized Experience or Graduate Education Requirements for the GS-12 level:
At least one-year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in federal service. Graduate level education alone is not qualifying at this grade level. To qualify at this level your resume must reflect one year of experience in 3 out of 4 the following:

--Planning and conducting administrative and management studies, evaluations, and improvement projects and assisting with the administrative and operational aspects of programs and services related to natural resource conservation and/or climate change activities.

--Developing strategic plans, budget proposals and allocation, and/or grants and agreements proposals.

--Writing and compiling communication and briefing materials related to natural resource management related issues and concerns.

--Developing partnerships with and among stakeholders such as Federal and State government employees, local officials, private organizations, and landowners who are affected by, or have a shared interest in, climate adaption and mitigation of forest and agricultural lands.

Specialized Experience Requirements for the GS-13 level:
At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Graduate level education alone is not qualifying at this grade level. To qualify at this level your resume must reflect one year of experience in 3 out of 4 the following:

--Conducting program analysis, planning, and evaluation related to the administrative and operational aspects of a scientific research or natural resource management organization, specifically assessing productivity, effectiveness, and efficiency of operations, or to resolve a variety of unusual conditions, problems, or questions.

--Directing and assisting internal or external partners with development of strategic planning, budget proposals and allocation, grant and agreement development, and/or improvement projects.

--Preparing presentations to communicate impacts of climate change and other stressors on human and natural resources to internal and external entities including federal, state, tribal, and non-governmental organizations.

--Managing relationships and providing technical assistance on mutual resource problems among partners such as Federal and State government employees, local officials, private organizations, and landowners who are affected by, or have a shared interest in, climate adaptation and mitigation of forest and agricultural lands.

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.

TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

This is a Temporary Promotion/Detail, not-to-exceed 12 months and may be extended without further competition for up to 5 years or may end earlier due to lack of work or funds, or at the discretion of the Hiring Manager.

Temporary promotion/Detail may be made permanent without further competition. If the temporary promotion is not made permanent, the employee will be returned to a position that is comparable to his or her permanent position (i.e., same series, grade, and duty location).

This is not a bargaining unit designated position.

Government Housing is not available.

Daycare facilities are not available.

This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position.

This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is not guaranteed.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the competencies listed below:

  • Administration and Management
  • Financial Management
  • Oral Communication
  • Partnering
  • Planning and Evaluating


Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position.

If you meet the qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified, you will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities must meet minimum qualifications to be referred.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11079432

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