Applications under this job opportunity will be considered under external competitive procedures only. This vacancy is also being advertised under merit promotion procedures as NPC-2021-0074, Supervisory Geographer, GG-0150-12, GB-JD-MAP-Internal, which can be accessed at http://jobsearch.USAJOBS.gov/ .
This is a Term Appointment, initial appointment is not to exceed 13 months. Term Appointments may be extended for a total of 4 years.
Summary
Applications under this job opportunity will be considered under external competitive procedures only. This vacancy is also being advertised under merit promotion procedures as NPC-2021-0074, Supervisory Geographer, GG-0150-12, GB-JD-MAP-Internal, which can be accessed at http://jobsearch.USAJOBS.gov/ .
This is a Term Appointment, initial appointment is not to exceed 13 months. Term Appointments may be extended for a total of 4 years.
This job opportunity is for a Supervisory Geographer position in the Geography Branch, at the National Processing Center (NPC), U.S. Bureau of the Census located in Jeffersonville, Indiana. This section is responsible for preparing a wide variety of geographic coding allocation and boundary delineation, and address review operations required in the enumeration, evaluation, and publication of data for various Census surveys, including Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS), Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA), frame projects, and Decennial Census operations. This position is not included in the bargaining unit.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
The individual selected for this position will:
Perform tasks related to developing, maintaining and providing information for all types of statistical and political areas.
Assist in preparing specifications/procedures for various branch projects.
Review and provide initial evaluation of specifications or procedures prepared by others to ensure clarity, consistency, technical accuracy, relevance, etc.
Maintain close contact with headquarters personnel, regional office/census center personnel, and persons whose services and/or expertise are used to resolve problems, to provide information, and to keep abreast of geographic developments.
Plan, direct, review and coordinate the work of up to 30 geographers and cartographic technicians.
Tour of Duty: Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. or 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Alternate Work Schedule. Alternate Work Schedule is an 80-hour biweekly basic work requirement that is scheduled in less than 10 days; i.e., eight 9-hour days/nights, one 8-hour day/night, and one day off.
Must be a U.S. Citizen and suitable for Federal employment.
If resume is incomplete, applicant may not be considered for this vacancy.
Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Candidates must clear the fingerprint process and initiate the required background investigation prior to final selection.
A one year probationary/trial period will be required.
This is a supervisory position. You must have demonstrated in your work experience or training that you possess or have the potential to develop the qualities of successful supervision. You may be required to serve a supervisory/managerial probationary period.
Qualifications
You qualify at the Grade 12 level if you possess one year of specialized experience that equips you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. This specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the grade 11 level to meet the qualification requirements in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is defined as work experience locating, examining, evaluating, and selecting textual and source material necessary for use in accurately depicting the location of features on a map or chart; using survey research, sampling, questionnaires, and data collection to conduct surveys or geographic operations; analyzing and interpreting geographic data to identify problems, plan investigative methods, initiate and carry out the investigation, obtain vital information, and interpret the findings and prepare final report; assisting with the development and planning of surveys or operations; and providing advice, guidance, or recommending solutions to managers and program management to clarify or obtain information and/or respond to policy and procedural questions.
Grade 12 Basic Education Requirements: (In addition to the specialized experience requirement)
Bachelors Degree: Geography, or related physical or social science such as geology, meteorology, economics, statistics, sociology, anthropology, political science, history, cartography, computer science, urban studies, or planning that included at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields, or
Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major in geography, or a related field that included at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
There is no educational substitution for the specialized experience requirement at the Grade 12.
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.
Qualification requirements contained in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Standards Handbook, which contains Federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on OPM’s website at General Schedule Qualification Standards (opm.gov).
Note to current NPC employees:
If you are a current NPC employee and are selected from this announcement, this selection will change your type of appointment to a Term Appointment. At the end of this Term Appointment, your employment with NPC will end. You will be required to re-compete for any permanent positions. In some cases, you may be eligible for reinstatement. Applying for Reinstatement may allow former federal employees to reenter the Federal competitive service workforce without competing with the general public.
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.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining a rating of at least 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/.
CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:
A copy of your Reduction In Force (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 latest SF-50 “Notification of Personnel Action”, - noting current position, grade/band level, and duty location;
A copy of your last performance appraisal including rating; and
Any documentation from your bureau/operating unit that shows your current promotion potential.
ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:
A copy of your Reduction In Force (RIF) separation notice; notice of proposed removal for declining a directed geographic relocation outside of the local commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination; certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a work-related compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement.
A copy of your SF-50 “Notification of Personnel Action”, documenting your RIF separation, noting your position, grade/band level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc.;
A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
Any documentation from your bureau/operating unit that shows your current promotion potential.
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, notify the Human Resources Branch. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. TTY users can contact the Human Resources Branch via the Federal Relay Service, 1-812-218-3610.
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or any other non-merit factor.
Employees who receive a buyout and subsequently return to positions in a Federal agency within 5 years after the date of separation, on which the payment is based, whether by reemployment or contracts for personal service, are generally obligated to repay the full amount of the buyout to the agency that paid it before the individual’s first day of reemployment.
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.
We will review your resume, optional cover letter, supporting documentation, and dates of employment (mm/dd/yyyy) on the resume to determine if you meet the qualifications for the position. If you meet the qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to the responses on the scored occupational questionnaire that you completed as part of the application and place you in one of three pre-defined categories. These categories are “gold”, “silver”, and “bronze”. The resume and/or optional cover letter must support your responses to the occupational questions or the score on the questionnaire will be lowered. The best-qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.
How applicants will be evaluated for preference eligibility: Within each category, those entitled to veterans' preference will be listed at the top of the pre-defined category for which they are placed. Preference eligibles with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category (gold) for all positions (except Professional and Scientific positions at the grade 9 and above.)
The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate the applicant on the following competencies; do not provide a separate written response:
Extensive knowledge of geographic concepts and a broad understanding of geographic relationships throughout all of the United States.
Skill necessary to create, edit and review geographic specifications and procedures.
Ability to understand geographic principles, concepts, and processing techniques to meet program requirements.
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.
Resume showing relevant experience, optional cover letter, and the online questionnaire. Your resume must indicate country of citizenship and if you are registered for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/59. Your resume should also list your educational and work experience including the dates (mm/dd/yy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week, annual salary, and specify the job duties related to the advertised position. For work in the Federal service, include the grade level of the position(s). Your resume will be used to validate your responses to the occupational questionnaire.
Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable. Indicate on resume the type of veterans' preference claiming and provide the appropriate supporting documentation (DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service to validate claim of veterans’ preference and, if applicable, VA letter). If a compensable veteran is selected, an SF-15 will be required prior to appointment. Active duty service members must submit certification from the armed forces that the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. For more information regarding eligibility requirements, go to: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/index.aspx . For a fillable copy of the SF-15, go to: http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf .
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation, if applicable. See the "Other Information" section.
Education: If using education substitution, a combination of experience and education, or the position requires higher education, you must submit a transcript (official or unofficial) or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Refer to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=General-Policies for more information.
You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education’s website - http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/us/workrecog.doc. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation will result in lost consideration.
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.
To apply online, you must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://www.usajobs.gov . Enter the job announcement number in the left hand box titled “Keywords” and then click on the SEARCH button. To begin, click the “Apply” button in the middle of this screen 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 applications for consideration.)
To return to a saved application, log into your USAJOBS account at http://www.usajobs.gov and click on "Applications". Click on the position title and then select “UPDATE APPLICATION” to continue.
If you have problems completing the online application, including problems submitting the supporting documents, contact the Help Desk by e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or phone at 866-656-6831. The Help Desk is available Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (ET), excluding Federal holidays.
All online applications and supplemental materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the closing date of the vacancy. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications online using the application process outlined at www.usajobs.gov. While electronic applications are strongly encouraged, paper applications will also be accepted. Please contact the Human Resources Specialist identified in the job opportunity announcement for details and instructions on the process for submitting your paper application. Paper applications and supplemental materials must be received by 4:30 p.m. (ET) on the closing date of the vacancy.
BUREAU OF THE CENSUS
1201 East 10th Street
Building 64-G
Attn: Human Resources Branch
Jeffersonville, Indiana 47132
United States
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 “Applications.” The status will be visible next to the corresponding position. 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 beginning work; or, 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, optional cover letter, and the online questionnaire. Your resume must indicate country of citizenship and if you are registered for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/59. Your resume should also list your educational and work experience including the dates (mm/dd/yy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week, annual salary, and specify the job duties related to the advertised position. For work in the Federal service, include the grade level of the position(s). Your resume will be used to validate your responses to the occupational questionnaire.
Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable. Indicate on resume the type of veterans' preference claiming and provide the appropriate supporting documentation (DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service to validate claim of veterans’ preference and, if applicable, VA letter). If a compensable veteran is selected, an SF-15 will be required prior to appointment. Active duty service members must submit certification from the armed forces that the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. For more information regarding eligibility requirements, go to: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/index.aspx . For a fillable copy of the SF-15, go to: http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf .
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation, if applicable. See the "Other Information" section.
Education: If using education substitution, a combination of experience and education, or the position requires higher education, you must submit a transcript (official or unofficial) or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Refer to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=General-Policies for more information.
You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education’s website - http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/us/workrecog.doc. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation will result in lost consideration.
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.
To apply online, you must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://www.usajobs.gov . Enter the job announcement number in the left hand box titled “Keywords” and then click on the SEARCH button. To begin, click the “Apply” button in the middle of this screen 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 applications for consideration.)
To return to a saved application, log into your USAJOBS account at http://www.usajobs.gov and click on "Applications". Click on the position title and then select “UPDATE APPLICATION” to continue.
If you have problems completing the online application, including problems submitting the supporting documents, contact the Help Desk by e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or phone at 866-656-6831. The Help Desk is available Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (ET), excluding Federal holidays.
All online applications and supplemental materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the closing date of the vacancy. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications online using the application process outlined at www.usajobs.gov. While electronic applications are strongly encouraged, paper applications will also be accepted. Please contact the Human Resources Specialist identified in the job opportunity announcement for details and instructions on the process for submitting your paper application. Paper applications and supplemental materials must be received by 4:30 p.m. (ET) on the closing date of the vacancy.
BUREAU OF THE CENSUS
1201 East 10th Street
Building 64-G
Attn: Human Resources Branch
Jeffersonville, Indiana 47132
United States
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 “Applications.” The status will be visible next to the corresponding position. 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 beginning work; or, 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.
