Join the staff of the Bureau of Reclamation as a Natural Resources Specialist.
This position is located with the Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region, Division of Resources Management, Program Management Branch, in Sacramento, CA. For more information on the Sacramento area visit: http://www.saccounty.net/Pages/default.aspx
Additional vacancies may be filled from this vacancy announcement.
Join the staff of the Bureau of Reclamation as a Natural Resources Specialist.
This position is located with the Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region, Division of Resources Management, Program Management Branch, in Sacramento, CA. For more information on the Sacramento area visit: http://www.saccounty.net/Pages/default.aspx
Additional vacancies may be filled from this vacancy announcement.
Position may be filled at the GS-11 or GS-12 level. At the GS-11 level, the duties of this position are developmental in nature, leading to the full performance level of GS-12. The incumbent may be non-competitively promoted to the next level of the position upon meeting all regulatory requirements; certification by the supervisor of successful performance; completion of all training requirements; and the availability of work at the next higher grade level. Note: Promotion is not automatic.
At the full performance GS-12 level, the incumbent serves as a Natural Resources Specialist, overseeing the preparation of environmental compliance documents and providing advice and staff assistance in the formation of policies.
-Assembles, coordinates, and leads interdisciplinary teams to prepare and process environmental documents.
-Develops or reviews plans of action, work statements, cost estimates, and schedules.
-Formulates alternatives to be analyzed and determines scope of documents.
-Ensures the adequacy of environmental studies such as in-stream flow, special estuarine, recreation , special ecosystems, Fish and Wildlife Service planning aid, study plans and evaluations including habitat, human use and economic, flood plain management and wetland protection, rivers on the nationwide inventory consultation, and evaluations for effects to prime agricultural lands.
-Develops and recommends environmental commitments to mitigate project impacts.
-Serves as the Contracting Officer's Representative.
-Performs independent policy review and provides comments on environmental impact statements and other environmental documents prepared by other agencies.
-Represents Reclamation on interagency committees, task forces, and cooperative working groups involved in activities relating to the Region's environmental programs.
Applicants must meet all qualification, and as applicable, selective factor requirements, by the closing date of this announcement.
Minimum Education Requirement:
Applicants must meet the Basic Education Qualification Requirements listed below:
A. Degree: Biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position;
OR
B. A combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
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.
In addition to meeting Basic Education, applicants must have specialized experience or additional education as defined below:
GS-11: One year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service OR three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree OR Ph.D. in a field of biological sciences.
GS-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service. There is no education substitution for the GS-12.
Definition of Specialized Experience: To meet specialized experience, your resume must describe experience that demonstrates the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities as follows:
GS-11: Professional experience preparing portions of environmental documents to meet the requirements of National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act; collecting, synthesizing, and evaluating environmental data, and preparing preliminary findings and recommendations; applying biological facts, principles, methods, and techniques to develop conventional plans and/or studies involving natural resource activities. These examples are not all inclusive.
GS-12: Preparing environmental documents to meet the requirements of NEPA, CWA, and ESA; evaluating the impact of proposed projects and other activities that may result in potential effects on environmental resources; and determining, establishing, and applying biological facts, principles, methods, techniques, and procedures to the production and/or management of environmental resources, or within facilities and systems that have been constructed for their benefit and public use. These examples are not all inclusive.
Experience that would not normally be part of an applicant's position may be creditable when documented by satisfactory evidence (e.g., a memorandum from the manager or human resources director, SF-52, or similar documentation).
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.
This position has a mandatory education requirement; you must furnish a copy of your transcript of college work completed (unofficial copy is acceptable). Transcripts must include the name of the college or university and date the degree was conferred. Non-submission may result in you being rated not qualified for the position.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Human Resources (HR) will review resumes and transcript(s) 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 60 minutes. Applicants determined best-qualified will be referred to the selecting official.
Category rating and selection procedures will be used for evaluating this position. If you meet the basic qualification requirements, your on-line responses to the vacancy assessment questionnaire will be used to determine the quality and extent of your experience, education, training, etc., for placement in one of the following categories: 1) Best Qualified, 2) Well Qualified and 3) Qualified. Veterans with preference will be placed at the top of their respective category.
Best Qualified candidates are those who meet minimum qualifications, are highly proficient in the major requirement(s) of the position, and proficient in most of the remaining aspects of the position.
Well Qualified candidates are those who meet minimum qualifications and are proficient in most aspects of the position.
Qualified candidates are those who meet minimum qualifications and possess only a few aspects of the position.
Applicants will be further evaluated on the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) through their resume and responses to the online questions.
1. Knowledge of biological and environmental sciences sufficient to resolve endangered species, water quality, and NEPA compliance issues throughout all phases (planning, construction, and operations and maintenance) of Reclamation's programs.
2. Professional knowledge and skill to modify or adapt standard techniques, processes, and procedures, and to assess, select, apply precedents, and devise strategies and plans to overcome significant resource problems related to species production, protection, habitat restoration, construction, or program management and evaluation.
3. Ability to conduct and supervise biological surveys ranging from cursory, qualitative reconnaissance to detailed, quantitative investigations.
4. Knowledge of and skill in oral, written, and group communication to clearly explain and describe issues, problems, solutions, and to organize and present strategies and proposals involving diverse agencies, interests, and backgrounds.
Applicants must make a fair and accurate assessment of their qualifications. Applicants rating themselves higher than is apparent in their description of experience, competencies, skills, and/or education/training OR that copy vacancy announcement posting information verbatim into resume OR whose resume/application is incomplete may be removed from employment consideration.
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:
Transcript(s): All applicants must furnish a copy of their college transcript(s), if applicable. If selected, you will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify your educational qualifications prior to reporting for work.
DD-214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty: If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you must provide a copy of your DD-214, and you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.
-For 0-point sole survivorship preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 copy); the family member’s DD-214 (Member 4 copy) and documentation to support the family member was killed, died as a result of wounds, accident, or disease, is in a captured or missing in action status, or is permanently 100 percent disabled or hospitalized on a continuing basis (and is not employed gainfully because of the disability or hospitalization).
-For 5-point veterans' preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 Copy), or an official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
-For 10-point veterans' preference, please submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, DD-214, and the required documentation requested by this form.
For information on veteran's eligibility visit: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/vetguide/index.aspx
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 90 on the assessment questionnaire as established, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP/ICTAP, visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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 the closing date of this announcement. When you're ready to apply, click the blue APPLY ONLINE button at the side of any page. When you have finished with your application, click the SUBMIT APPLICATION button on the bottom of the REVIEW PAGE. Your application will not be received unless you click SUBMIT APPLICATION.
This vacancy is being announced through the Bureau of Reclamation's Hiring System--HireMe. For more information about the HireMe system and the registration process, visit: http://www.usbr.gov/hr/hireme.html
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 your application not being considered for this position.
Options for submitting supporting documentation include Auto Requested Fax or uploading from a USAJOBS profile (instructions are provided during the online application process.) In addition, applicants may e-mail their supporting documentation to mpjobs@usbr.gov, fax directly to the HR Office at 916-978-5563, or mail or hand-deliver to USBR/ATTN: HR, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825. Include your name and the vacancy number on the supporting document(s).
Applicants needing assistance in applying online should contact the HR Office at 916-978-5476 or Federal Relay at http://www.federalrelay.us/. The Federal Relay website contains information for TDD/TTY users to receive free needed service. If applying online poses a hardship, contact the HR Office prior to the closing date of the announcement for an alternative method of applying.
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 their USAJOBS profile.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
