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LOCATION: Great Plains Region, Dakotas Area Office, Environmental Resource Division, Bismarck, North Dakota.
For living conditions go to: https://www.usbr.gov/gp/employment/living_conditions.pdf
Additional vacancies may be filled from this vacancy announcement.
01/14/2020 to 01/28/2020
$64,009 - $83,210 per year
GS 11
1 vacancy in the following location:
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - Occasional travel of up to 3 nights per month may be required for this position.
Yes—Relocation expenses are authorized with the exception of the Guaranteed Home Sale Provision. First-Post-of-Duty relocation expenses are authorized for new appointments and reinstatement eligibles.
Permanent
Full-Time
Competitive
11
No
No
BR-GP-DK-20-35
556614700
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
Current federal employees of this agency.
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.
Current Federal employees serving under career/career-conditional appointment in the competitive service; former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; CTAP/ICTAP eligibles; Veterans Employment Opportunities Act; Veterans Recruitment Appointment; 30% or More Disabled Veterans; Military Spouses under Executive Order 13473; Individuals with Disabilities; eligible Peace Corps or AmeriCorps volunteers; Public Land Corps eligibles & Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act eligibles.
-Provides technical analysis and expertise on National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Clean Water Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act relevant to the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 (RRA).
-Prepares and reviews NEPA environmental impact statements, records of decision, and biological assessments.
-Determines and assists other technical staff in determining the environmental effects of Reclamation actions, facilities, and project operations.
-Prepares memoranda, special technical reports, statements of work, or other documentation on environmental issues.
Position is being advertised concurrently under vacancy announcement BR-DEGP-DK-20-28. If you are interested in applying under both announcement numbers, you must submit application packages for each.
You must meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade restrictions and any selective placement factors, by the closing date of this announcement.
TIME-IN-GRADE: Current career or career-conditional employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b).
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must first meet the Basic Education Qualification Requirements listed below:
A. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a Bachelor's or higher degree in Biological Sciences, Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Chemistry, or related Biological Science disciplines appropriate to the position.
-OR-
B. Combination of directly related education and experience. Education must include courses that are equivalent to a major, as shown in (A) above (24 semester hours of progressive courses in the Biological Sciences field leading to a degree). Experience must demonstrate the applicant possesses the appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties of the position.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: In addition to meeting the Basic Education Qualification Requirements, applicants must have education and/or specialized experience as defined below.
GS-11: 3 years of directly related, progressively higher level graduate education, -OR- Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree -OR- 1 year of Specialized Experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal Service -OR- combination of education and experience.
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: Experience must include:
-Identify existing and potential problems associated with planning, construction, operation, management and maintenance activities of environmental projects.
-Review and interpret Federal regulations such as, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Clean Water Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Natural Resource documents, studies, and/or surveys to provide environmental expertise and advice in order to accomplish related duties.
and at least 1 of the following:
-Experience drafting technical reports or other documentation on environmental issues;
-Assisting in conserving and preserving natural and cultural resources;
-Assisting solving minor problems and performing scientific analysis in support of natural resource projects.
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 will result in you being rated not qualified for the position.
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. For further information visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
- Reclamation has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.
- Operation of a Government vehicle is required; therefore, a valid State driver's license is required. Driving record will be verified prior to final selection.
- This position is subject to pre-employment background investigation.
- Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. For more information visit: www.sss.gov
- Equal Employment Opportunity: The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability and genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.
- The selectee(s) for the vacancy, if otherwise eligible and qualified, may be offered a relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information on Relocation Incentives, visit:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/recruitment-relocation-retention-incentives/fact-sheets/relocation-incentives/
Additional incentives may be offered: Superior Qualifications Appointment and Creditable Service for Annual Leave. For more information please visit:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-administration/fact-sheets/superior-qualifications-and-special-needs-pay-setting-authority/
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/leave-administration/fact-sheets/creditable-service-for-annual-leave-accrual-for-non-federal-work-experience-and-experience-in-the-uniformed-service/
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. HR will evaluate each application that meets the basic qualifications on the information provided in the assessment questionnaire. The assessment questionnaire will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Applicants determined best qualified will be referred to the selecting official.
Applicants will be further evaluated on the following “Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)” through your resume and responses to the online questions.
1. Ability to effectively communicate (written and orally) and collaborate with co-workers, team members, outside organizations, etc. under a variety of circumstances.
2. Knowledge of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and a broad range of principles, practices, and techniques related to environmental planning and protection. Knowledge analyzing complex environmental issues and recommend alternative environmental protection strategies.
3. Ability to interact with individuals and organizations in a professional manner to successfully resolve problems, negotiate solutions and accomplish necessary work items.
Applicants’ answers to questions will be verified against information provided in their online resumes. Be sure that the resume clearly supports the response to all the questions by addressing experience, education and/or training relevant to this position. Applicants must make a fair and accurate assessment of their qualifications. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is apparent in your description of experience, competencies, skills, and/or education/training OR that your resume/application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible or your score may be lowered.
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 your college transcript(s). If you have foreign education you must also submit evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution is equivalent to U.S. educational standards. If selected, you will be required to provide official transcripts to verify your educational qualifications prior to reporting for work.
-SF-50, NOTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL ACTION: Status applicants (transfer, reassignment, reinstatement, promotion, etc.) MUST submit a copy of their SF-50, verifying all of the following: highest rate of pay held, the full performance grade level obtained, and documenting career or career-conditional status in the competitive service (Tenure 1 or 2) for which you are claiming eligibility. This could result in more than one SF-50 to be submitted.DO NOT SUBMIT AN AWARD SF-50. FAILURE TO SUBMIT AN SF-50 VERIFYING STATUS WILL RESULT IN THE APPLICANT NOT BEING CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION.
-DD-214: For candidates eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) you must submit the appropriate DD-214 documenting service under honorable conditions 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 notates service under honorable conditions.
-SPECIAL NON-COMPETITIVE APPOINTING AUTHORITIES: For more information on special non-competitive appointing authorities visit: https://www.opm.gov/faq/employment/What-are-the-special-appointing-authorities-some-agencies-include-in.ashx
-Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) Eligibles: If you are a current or former land management agency appointee eligible for this special appointing authority– you must provide documentation to verify eligibility as follows:
a) A copy of your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, that reflects having initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited (temporary/term) appointment;
b) A copy of SF-50(s), Notification of Personnel Action(s), that reflect having served under one (1) or more time-limited (temporary/term) appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two (2) or more years; and
c) A copy of your Performance Appraisal Plan and/or Supervisor Memorandum that reflects having performed at an acceptable level during each period of service.
For more information on LMWFA, visit: https://chcoc.gov/content/implementing-policy-guidance-land-management-workforce-flexibility-act.
-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, documentation 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 placement factors, education and experience requirements and score at least 85 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/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp
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, assessment questionnaire, and supporting documents) 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 on the right side of any page.
This vacancy is being announced through Bureau of Reclamation's Hiring System--HireMe. For more information about the HireMe system and the registration process, visit: https://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 not being considered for this position.
Options for submitting supporting documentation include Auto Requested Fax or uploading from your USAJOBS profile - instructions provided during the online application process. In addition, you may E-mail your supporting documentation to gphireme@usbr.gov; fax directly to the HR Office at 406-247-7875; mail to P.O. Box 36900, Billings, MT 59107-6900; OR hand-deliver to 2021 4th Avenue North, Room 109, Billings, MT. Include your name and the vacancy number on the supporting document(s).
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us at the phone number shown at the bottom of this page. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis
After application packages have been received, resumes and transcript(s) will be reviewed to ensure applicants meet the basic qualification requirements. Applicants who meet 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.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/556614700. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
Reclamation is a contemporary water management agency. Reclamation is best known for Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River and Folsom Dam on the American River. Today we are the largest wholesaler of water in the country and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the western United States. Visit: https://www.usbr.gov
View our DVD titled "Traditions, Talent, and Teamwork" at: https://www.usbr.gov/hr/Video/
Reclamation is seeking a Natural Resource Specialist. You can make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.
