An official website of the United States government
This vacancy is for two Associate Ombuds positions in the Office of the Ombuds at the U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters in Suitland, Maryland and in Jeffersonville, Indiana. The Census Bureau is accessible from the Metro Rail Green Line - Suitland Station.
This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Associate Ombuds, GS-0301-14, FPL 14 positions within the Census Bureau in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.
11/12/2020 to 11/25/2020
$107,807 - $157,709 per year
GS 14
FEW vacancies in the following locations:
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required.
No
Permanent - Full Time
Full-time - Competitive Service
Competitive
14 - Position is at the full performance level of GS-14.
No
No
DEPDIR-2021-0002
584080100
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
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 a career/career-conditional appointment in the competitive service; Former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; CTAP/ICTAP eligibles; Applicants eligible under special hiring authorities; Veterans who are preference eligible, or separated from the U.S. Armed Forces under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous active service may apply under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act.
Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
A probationary period may be required.
This position is ELIGIBLE for telework; additional criteria will be required (e.g., supervisory approval).
This is a NON-BARGAINING unit position.
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and individual states being in different phases of reopening, once the selectee becomes an employee, it is possible that the report date to the official duty station/facility may be delayed until such time that management notifies the employee of their requirement to report. Until it is safe to relocate, the employee may be approved to telework to the maximum extent possible, up to and including full-time.
Specialized Experience: For the GS-14, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes: Resolving complex conflicts as a neutral party between management and staff; analyzing and evaluating issues to make unbiased recommendations; advising senior leadership on implementing processes and procedures designed to assure a systematic approach for dealing with problems and issues affecting employees and the interests of the agency; advising heads of agencies on effective policy changes; and/or experience collaborating with staff, supervisors/managers, senior leadership, and other supporting resource programs to resolve complex and sensitive workplace conflicts.
Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level.
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.
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 appointments:
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, please notify the Human Resources Office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. TTY users can contact the Human Resources Office via the Federal Relay Service, 1-800-877-8339.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the job opportunity announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions). Your resume and/or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. The best-qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.
If you are invited for an interview, you will be asked to bring a copy of your most recent performance appraisal.
Due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR § 335.103(b)(3).
The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:
Knowledge in conflict management and the ability to use relevant alternative dispute resolution techniques to address problems and complaints.
Ability to develop compromises and to influence others as to the necessity, validity, or feasibility of available options to resolve conflicts.
Skill in leadership, management, supervision, conflict coaching, and negotiating practices in order to communicate effectively with employees, supervisors/managers, and executives on a wide variety of complex issues that are highly sensitive or emotional in nature.
Knowledge of problem solving/organizational management principles and practices in order to identify complex, difficult problems and recommend practical, effective solutions and approaches for dealing with issues.
Ability to analyze complex data regarding policy and issues and provide recommendations for improvement.
We recommend that you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process.
Do NOT include the following types of information in your application:
A complete application consists of the following:
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/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. 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 when requested will result in lost consideration.
CTAP and ICTAP candidates:
CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ctap_guideline.pdf.
CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:
ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:
NOTE: You will not be considered if you fail to provide all required documents.
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.
Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
To apply online, you must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://www.usajobs.gov/. To begin, click the "Apply" button 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 application for consideration.)
To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account at http://www.usajobs.gov/ and click on "Applications." Click on the position title, and then select "Update Application."
If you have problems completing your online application, including problems submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Help Desk by email at mgshelp@monster.com or by phone at 866.656.6831. The help desk is available Monday—Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online; however, if you are unable to apply online, please contact:
Rafael E. Abreu at 301-763-3705 or Rafael.Edward.Abreu@census.gov
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:
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 you begin work; or, you 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.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/584080100. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
The U.S. Census Bureau serves as the nation’s leading provider of quality data about its people and economy. We are guided on this mission by scientific objectivity, strong capable workforce, devotion to research-based innovation, and abiding commitment. We offer competitive salaries, flexible hours/work arrangements, developmental opportunities, a variety of benefits/health insurance plans, and incentives. If working in an environment that values your individuality, diversity and allows you to achieve your professional goals appeals to you, then the U.S. Census Bureau is the place for you.
