Clarification from the agency

This position is open to U.S. Citizens/Nationals who have completed a bachelor's or advanced degree from a qualifying education institution within the previous 2 years. Veterans unable to apply within 2 years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, have a full 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. The eligibility period for veterans must be within 6 years. Priority Reemployment List (PRL) candidates.

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The CDC Public Health Associate Program (PHAP) for Recent Graduates is a CDC workforce development program that provides opportunities for promising, future public health professionals to gain broad experience in day-to-day operations of public health programs. The goal of PHAP is to attract exceptional candidates, with a minimum of bachelor's degree into careers in public health.


As a (Pathways Public Health Associates Program) - Public Health Advisor, you will:

• Serve as a trainee receiving formal and on the job training designed to familiarize you with the functions and operations of basic public health concepts, principles, and techniques
• Work with selected public health projects or portions of a larger public health project that is typically of limited complexity
• Perform duties related to the development, extension, and improvement of health care systems
• Interview individuals to obtain information
• Disseminate materials and information

Conditions of employment

Due to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) process enhancement to use Shared Certificates throughout the Agency, some of the requirements below may differ:

• Must have completed a bachelors level or higher degree from an accredited institution.
• US Citizenship is required.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov).
• May be subject to a Background/Security Investigation. Security clearance level may differ from the position announced when certificates are shared.
• CDC participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
• Direct deposit is required.
• A two-year probationary/trial period may be required upon selection/placement.
• This position may be subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• This position may be subject to the OGE Financial Disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). CDC inspires public confidence in its trust responsibilities and mission by maintaining high ethical principles. If selected, you may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest and your prospective position with the agency. If identified, this will be an annual requirement.
• In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 1986, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is A Drug-Free Federal Workplace. This position may require a Drug Test and be subject to Random Drug Testing. The position may require the submission of a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring. If required to submit to urinalysis, the appointment to the position will be contingent upon a negative test result.

Qualifications

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Degree Requirements: This appointment will be made under the noncompetitive College Graduate hiring authority. To be eligible an applicant must have received a bachelor's or advanced degree within 2 years of applying for employment under this authority.

Applicants applying to this vacancy must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.95 or better. Grade point average must be identified on college transcripts or list of courses.

Note: For applicants who have completed a degree and served at least 4 years in the uniformed services, the 2-year eligibility period begins on the date of the applicant's discharge or release from the uniformed service.

AND

Basic Qualifications

Have completed undergraduate and/or graduate education any field of study.

OR

Have specialized experience that provides evidence of the following:

• Knowledge of organizational, operational, and programmatic concepts and practices applied by public, private, or nonprofit agencies and organizations engaged in public health or other health-related activities;
• Knowledge of the methods, processes, and techniques used to develop and deliver public health or health-related programs in State and local settings; Knowledge of a specialized public health program;
• Knowledge of, and skill in, the application of administrative or analytical methods and techniques necessary for working within the framework of a public health or related organization and carrying out specific program functions; and Skill in oral and written communications, gathering and conveying information, making oral presentations, and preparing reports, correspondence, and other written materials.

Minimum Qualification Requirements for GS-07:
Have at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-05 grade level, which must include the following experience:
1. Researching public health issues, policies, and guidelines to support routine assignments

2. Collaborating with partners or team members to assist in coordinating activities, sharing information, and identifying available resources;

3. Preparing agendas, presentations, and supplemental materials to support program discussions, and present information to diverse audiences.


OR

• Have completed 1 full year of graduate level education from an accredited college or university.

OR

• Have Superior Academic Achievement in one or more of the following:
  1. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
  2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.)-- Applicants must have a grade-point average of:
     • 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or
     • 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.
     • Grade-point averages are to be rounded to one decimal place. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9.
  3. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society -- Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision.

OR

Have combination of education and experience.


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.

Program completion requirements include but are not limited to:

• Complete two (2) full-time continuous years of work experience acquired through the PHAP Program
• Complete 40 hours of formal interactive training
• Meet any agency-specific requirements specified in the Participant's Agreement
• Demonstrate successful job performance that results in a rating of record of at least Fully Successful and a recommendation for conversion by the first-level supervisor.
• If selected for conversion, meet the qualification standards for the position selected.
• Promotion and Conversion eligibility:
  • Promotion to the next grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on meeting qualifications and time-in-grade requirements, demonstrated ability to perform the higher-level duties, the continuing need for the higher-level duties, and administrative approval.
  • Conversion to an entry-level career is not guaranteed and no promise of conversion is implied. The promotion potential for applicants is GS-11. Participants who complete the program and are selected for non-competitive conversion may convert to a position with promotion potential to the GS-09 and GS-11 or none at all depending upon the agency needs.

Following the completion of a two-year training program, Associates may be considered for non-competitive conversion to a career/career-conditional or term appointment as CDC Public Health Advisors. Associates may also be eligible to apply for positions in public health operations at the local and state levels.

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 how well you meet the qualifications listed in this announcement. Evaluation will be based on your application materials (such as your resume and supporting documents), your responses to the application questionnaire, and the results of all required assessments.

Resume Requirement
Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages in length.

Minimum Qualification Question
As part of the application process, you must answer a minimum qualification question addressing whether you meet the Specialized Experience required for this position, as described in this announcement.

Your response must be supported by the experience documented in your resume. If your resume does not demonstrate the required Specialized Experience, you may be found not qualified.

Assessment Process HR Resume Review
Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine whether you meet the required Specialized Experience.

SME Structured Interview
You may be invited to participate in a structured interview with one or more Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to assess the required competencies for the position.

Applicants who successfully pass the assessment(s) may be referred to the Hiring Manager for consideration.

You must complete all required steps in the process, including submitting an application and resume and participating in the structured interview, to be considered for this position.

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

The utilization of shared certificates for additional selections within the same geographical area can be made from multiple Centers of the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 1986, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is A Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The use of illegal drugs, on or off duty, by Federal employees is inconsistent not only with the law-abiding behavior expected of all citizens, but also with the special trust placed in such employees as servants of the public.

PHS Commissioned Corps (CC) Officers: PHS Commissioned Corps (CC) Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps may apply online to this announcement. Candidates will be referred as CC personnel and not as candidates for conversion to a permanent career or career-conditional appointment.

For Competitive Merit Promotion and Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) Applicants: The highest rated candidates will be referred to the hiring agency.

For Noncompetitive Applicants: All qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring agency.Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

• • Administrative Support
  • Partnering
  • Public Health