The Land Acquisition Section directly assists land acquiring agencies on condemnation, title and appraisal matters, including for national parks, border security and immigration facilities, energy and transportation infrastructure, and military installations. As the primary administrative staffer for the Section, you will perform support functions in administrative management, human resources, and finance and serve as liaison with client agencies (Air Force, Army, DHS, DOE, DOI, DOT, Navy).
Summary
The Land Acquisition Section directly assists land acquiring agencies on condemnation, title and appraisal matters, including for national parks, border security and immigration facilities, energy and transportation infrastructure, and military installations. As the primary administrative staffer for the Section, you will perform support functions in administrative management, human resources, and finance and serve as liaison with client agencies (Air Force, Army, DHS, DOE, DOI, DOT, Navy).
This vacancy is also being announced concurrently with Ann# ENRD-26-004-MP for employees with Federal status or eligibility and applicants eligible for special appointment authorities. Please review that announcement to determine if you are eligible to apply.
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to building and retaining a workforce that reflects the varied experiences and perspectives of the American people we serve throughout our great nation. We welcome applications from all people who share our commitment to public service.
This is a fast-paced environment where accuracy and timeliness to tasks and customers is of critical importance. The position requires good judgment, high ethical standards, ability to prioritize, and to maintain confidentiality.
As an Administrative Specialist, duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
Provide high level administrative support to the Section Chief and other managers in the group; maintain Section calendars for meetings, leave, and travel; and handle all matters requiring knowledge of administrative procedures.
Liaise with all client agencies for condemnation matters, title matters, and appraisal reviews; track all referrals in the Case Management System for litigation and title matters, and for the Appraisal Management & Request System.
Maintain Case Management System (CMS) data after initiation including valuation demands, closings, appeals; generate reports from CMS for Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) submissions and verify accuracy; track results in cases assigned jointly or independently with U.S. Attorney's Offices through coordination and Electronic Case Filing (ECF) systems.
Coordinate Weekly Reports for the Section and Department leadership; utilize electronic tracking systems including the Correspondence Tracking System, other DOJ tracking systems, time and attendance systems and travel systems to accomplish work for the Section.
Serve as the Section's Timekeeper; perform leave audits; resolve or troubleshoot issues; track Time Data Integrity reports with managers; assist in sorting data and preparing reports for Section managers.
Manage travel for the Section from initial voucher approval through reimbursement and close out after trips in the travel management system.
Monitor the Section's award allocation, prepare on-the-spot and time-off award nominations for signature and submit for processing; assist both the Division and Department with execution of award ceremonies as needed.
Set up conference rooms for management and team meetings including video teleconference with assistance from the Office of Information Technology.
Assist with the attorney hiring; track metrics; coordinate candidate interview schedules; liaise with hiring committee members. Prepare new employee packets; coordinate office assignments; and provide office equipment and supplies.
Serve as the Section's purchase card holder; ensure that all invoices and requests for local reimbursement are properly executed and submitted for payment.
You must complete a background investigation to include pre-employment drug testing.
Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable.
You must complete or have completed a one-year probationary period.
You must maintain a bank account for direct deposit of salary.
If this is your first appointment in the Federal government, your pay will be set at Step 1 of the grade selected.
Qualifications
To qualify for GS-9, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-7 Federal grade level or above preparing reports, correspondence, and other written material in accordance with established regulations and guidelines; assisting in performing administrative tasks such as human resources, travel, supplies, procurement, equipment, office moves, or budget and finance; and assisting with time and attendance records; or
Two (2) full academic years of graduate level education or completion of all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree, or completion of all requirements for an LL.B. or J.D. degree. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work; or
A combination of experience and graduate education described above, which when combined, are equivalent to 100% of the qualification requirements for this position at the GS-9 Federal grade level. (Only graduate education in excess of the first full year may be used in this calculation).
To qualify for GS-11, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-9 Federal grade level or above preparing reports, correspondence, and other written material in accordance with established regulations and guidelines; coordinating administrative tasks related to human resources, travel, supplies, procurement, equipment, office moves, or budget and finance; serving as a timekeeper; and providing support for centralized administrative activities for an organization; or
A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education and experience leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work; or
A combination of specialized experience and relevant education that, when combined, is equivalent to 100% of the minimum qualification requirement. (Only graduate education in excess of the first full two years may be used in this calculation.)
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 skill and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
YOUR RESUMÉ MUST support your responses to the online questionnaire and provide specific details as to how your experience meets the specialized experience as described in the vacancy announcement if you are using experience to meet all or part of the qualification requirements. Please ensure that your resume includes the month and year that you began and ended each position held or that position will not be credited toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Failure to provide details will result in an ineligible rating. Your latest resume submitted for this vacancy announcement will be used to determine qualifications and supersedes previous submissions.
Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
Career Transition Programs: The Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in DOJ with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If you have received written notification of your eligibility for consideration under CTAP/ICTAP, you may receive special priority consideration for this position if you satisfy all qualification requirements and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria.
Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to or claim veteran preference (VP), you should indicate the type of veteran preference (5 or 10 points) you are claiming on your resume. In order to determine your eligibility, you can find additional information at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/vet-guide/
To verify your veteran preference entitlement, submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214; 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 shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions. If you are claiming 10-point preference, you must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 in addition to the supporting documentation required and identified on the reserve side of the SF-15, Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference. If you are claiming 10-point DERIVED PREFERENCE as a relative you must submit Member Copy 4 of the veteran's DD-214 and an SF-15 in addition to the supporting documentation required and identified on the reverse side of the SF-15. If you fail to do so, you will receive consideration as a non-veteran.
Benefits: DOJ offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.
SELECTIVE SERVICE: Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
Your application will be evaluated and rated under our Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your qualifications will be reviewed based on your application materials (e.g., resumé, supporting documents) and the responses you provide on the application questionnaire. When addressing the education and/or specialized experience qualification statement, you must present evidence of that education and/or experience in your resumé. If the specialized experience statement is merely repeated in your resumé, you may be deemed ineligible.
If you meet the minimum qualifications, your application will then be compared to your responses to the online assessment questionnaire(s) that measure important competencies required to perform the job. If you self-rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.
You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
Attention to Detail
Customer Service
Decision Making
Flexibility
Integrity/Honesty
Interpersonal Skills
Learning
Reading Comprehension
Reasoning
Self-Management
Stress Tolerance
Teamwork
Based on your assessment responses, your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Within each category, Veteran Preference eligibles will be listed at the top of that category and will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Applicants in the Best Qualified category are referred to the hiring official for employment consideration.
*Note: Additional candidates may be selected if more positions become available within 90 days after the HR office issues the selection certificate.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire
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.
You must submit a detailed resumé containing the following information for each job entry listed in your employment history:
Official position title;
Employer name and contact information;
Start and end dates (month and year);
A detailed list of duties & accomplishments,
Your highest salary (or Federal grade/step) achieved; and
Indicate full-time or number of hours worked per week if part-time.
Additional required documents must be submitted by the closing date of the job announcement. Documentation requirements may vary from applicant to applicant based on your eligibility claims. It is your responsibility to carefully review the list below to determine which documents are required for your application.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
Resumé (not to exceed two pages)
Cover letter (optional)
Unofficial school transcripts if you are using education to qualify, in whole or in part
Documentation to support your claim for veteran preference, if applicable
CTAP/ICTAP documentation, if applicable
Your online responses to the Occupational Questionnaire.
If you are using education to qualify for this position, or if education is required:
You must submit a transcript, which may be unofficial, as long as it contains a full listing of courses, credit earned, grade and grade-point-average, subject area, degree(s) earned, and dates of award.
Your transcript must come from a nationally-accredited educational institution recognized by the Department of Education.
Please do not submit electronic transcripts with documentation security protection. These may prevent our application system from accepting and processing the document.
If submitting a foreign transcript, you must have the transcript reviewed by an approved foreign education review organization recognized by the Department of Education. Your transcript must also be in English or have an English translation included.
If you are a Veteran or a qualifying parent or spouse:
Submit all DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, Member-4 Copy) forms.
If you are a Veteran with a service-connected disability rating you will need to submit the SF-15 (Application for 10-point Veterans Preference) and a copy of your VA Letter stating your disability rating.
If you are the qualifying parent or spouse of a disabled, deceased, or deployed Veteran, and are seeking a derived preference eligibility, you must submit appropriate supporting documentation such as the Veterans DD-214, SF-15, VA Letter.
For more information on each type of Veterans Preference, and the documentation required for each, see FedsHireVets.
If you are a displaced Federal employee claiming eligibility under CTAP or ICTAP:
Submit your separation notice or agency RIF letter from your agency.
If you have not yet been separated, provide the letter of intent to separate you from the agency because of a RIF.
Also submit your most recent performance appraisal and SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential and duty location.
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.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments, and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
Click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.
Land Acquisition Section
150 M Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
US
Next steps
Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments. The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.
To be considered for the position, you must meet all qualification requirements. Based on your qualifications and assessment scores, you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the recruitment process has been completed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
You must submit a detailed resumé containing the following information for each job entry listed in your employment history:
Official position title;
Employer name and contact information;
Start and end dates (month and year);
A detailed list of duties & accomplishments,
Your highest salary (or Federal grade/step) achieved; and
Indicate full-time or number of hours worked per week if part-time.
Additional required documents must be submitted by the closing date of the job announcement. Documentation requirements may vary from applicant to applicant based on your eligibility claims. It is your responsibility to carefully review the list below to determine which documents are required for your application.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
Resumé (not to exceed two pages)
Cover letter (optional)
Unofficial school transcripts if you are using education to qualify, in whole or in part
Documentation to support your claim for veteran preference, if applicable
CTAP/ICTAP documentation, if applicable
Your online responses to the Occupational Questionnaire.
If you are using education to qualify for this position, or if education is required:
You must submit a transcript, which may be unofficial, as long as it contains a full listing of courses, credit earned, grade and grade-point-average, subject area, degree(s) earned, and dates of award.
Your transcript must come from a nationally-accredited educational institution recognized by the Department of Education.
Please do not submit electronic transcripts with documentation security protection. These may prevent our application system from accepting and processing the document.
If submitting a foreign transcript, you must have the transcript reviewed by an approved foreign education review organization recognized by the Department of Education. Your transcript must also be in English or have an English translation included.
If you are a Veteran or a qualifying parent or spouse:
Submit all DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, Member-4 Copy) forms.
If you are a Veteran with a service-connected disability rating you will need to submit the SF-15 (Application for 10-point Veterans Preference) and a copy of your VA Letter stating your disability rating.
If you are the qualifying parent or spouse of a disabled, deceased, or deployed Veteran, and are seeking a derived preference eligibility, you must submit appropriate supporting documentation such as the Veterans DD-214, SF-15, VA Letter.
For more information on each type of Veterans Preference, and the documentation required for each, see FedsHireVets.
If you are a displaced Federal employee claiming eligibility under CTAP or ICTAP:
Submit your separation notice or agency RIF letter from your agency.
If you have not yet been separated, provide the letter of intent to separate you from the agency because of a RIF.
Also submit your most recent performance appraisal and SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential and duty location.
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.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments, and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
Click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.
Land Acquisition Section
150 M Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
US
Next steps
Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments. The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.
To be considered for the position, you must meet all qualification requirements. Based on your qualifications and assessment scores, you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the recruitment process has been completed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
