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Visitor Services Information Assistant

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The primary purpose of the position is the dissemination of information and interpretative assistance to the public through various means.

Information on specific locations where jobs are being filled and the dates when applications are due for these locations can be found at https://fsoutreach.gdcii.com/Outreach.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
08/19/2022 to 01/31/2023
Salary
$32,283 to - $36,118 per year

Salary wage as shown is for Rest of the U.S. For more information, refer to the Office of Personnel Management, Salary and Wages web page.

Pay scale & grade
GS 4 - 5
Locations
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Harrisburg, IL
Jonesboro, IL
Vienna, IL
Wilmington, IL
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Travel may be required for meetings, training, or site visits.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - or permanent seasonal 13/13 or 18/8 based on location.
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
5 - Full performance level (target grade) will vary based on location of position.
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
22-R9OCR2-1001-VS-4-5DP
Control number
672349400

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Duties

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  • Duties are listed at the full performance GS-05 level.
  • Ensure the information desk at a reception area and/or visitor center is covered at all times by answering phones and greeting visitors.
  • Respond to a variety of inquiries in order to provide the most appropriate information including security and/or safety procedures.
  • Serve as collection officer through sales and collection of monies for permits, maps, and/or passes in accordance with manual and handbook requirements.
  • Provide accurate, descriptive information to the public about trails, campgrounds, roads, and/or other areas on the unit.
  • Provide guidance to the public on rules and regulations regarding on-unit activities.
  • Coordinate with staff specialists and public affairs office to provide the latest, most accurate and appropriate information to the public.
  • Work with public affairs or other staff specialist to ensure current and accurate information is available on the agency?s external website.
  • Use a variety of office and computer equipment to accomplish project and unit goals.
  • Respond to and/or direct web and email inquiries to the appropriate personnel.
  • Design and prepare informational exhibits and flyers and other public relations media.
  • Monitor and report statistics such as visitor numbers and activities, for project planning.
  • Responsible for submitting and accounting for collected monies using approved computer programs and records.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
  • Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.
  • This is a bargaining unit position represented by the National Federation of Federal Employees, IAMAW (does not apply to West Virginia locations).
  • All locations in the following states are part of the bargaining unit: Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
  • All locations in Illinois are part of the bargaining unit, except Wilmington, IL. All locations in Minnesota are part of the bargaining unit, except Cass Lake, Blackduck, Walker and Deer River.
  • All other locations listed in this announcement are not part of a bargaining unit.

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 course descriptions as necessary.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

For the GS-04: You must have one year of progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work which provided the knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position being filled. Examples of specialized experience include one or more of the following: Greeted visitors and provided basic information such as directions, prices, activities, and programs; Assisted in the opening and closing of a facility and maintaining a reception desk; Assisted in the development of written materials such as handouts and flyers using a computer; Assisted in clerical duties such as filing, and internal mail and package delivery;

OR an associate's degree or two years of successfully completed education above high school from an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college, or university;

OR a combination of successfully completed post-high school education and experience as described above.

For the GS-05: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include one or more of the following: Greeted visitors, responded to inquiries about a variety of programs/areas, and accounted for collected monies using computer programs and records; Planned and presented interpretive talks and programs for visitors, local schools, and other groups; Performed clerical duties, including assisting with scheduling for conference rooms, and operating audio/visual equipment;

OR a bachelor's degree or 4 years of successfully completed education above high school from an accredited college or university;

OR a combination of successfully completed post-high school education (in excess of the first 60 semester hours) and specialized experience as described above. The education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university.

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.

Education

See "Qualifications" section.

Additional information

THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. This type of announcement provides the Forest Service with a readily available source of applicants when vacancies occur. Eligibility and qualifications will be verified when there is a vacancy for the location and grade for which you applied.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered.

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.

Government housing may be available in some locations/Forest Service daycare is not available.

This announcement may be used to fill positions with a seasonal work schedule where full-time work is guaranteed for 13 pay periods or 18 pay periods and when not working, you will be placed in non-pay/non-duty status.

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.

The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional information is available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-and-leave-flexibilities-for-recruitment-and-retention/

The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply.

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 for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications.

You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. You will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Individuals with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. 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 up to including removal from the Federal service.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11611359

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