Natural Resources Conservation Service Logo
Position Title
Civil Engineer
Agency
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Announcement Number
MP-10608358-SF Opens in new window
Open Period
Thursday, November 21, 2019 to Monday, December 2, 2019
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans' Preference? (limit characters)
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. YOUR RESPONSES WILL AFFECT YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR THIS POSITION.
The following questions address if you are eligible to apply to this job opportunity announcement through Merit Promotion procedures. You will only be considered under the options you have selected. You may qualify for more than one eligibility, so please choose carefully.
If you respond that you do not meet any of the following criteria, you will not be considered for this position under this announcement.
Please refer to the announcement for additional information. If you still have questions concerning your eligibility for consideration, you may reach out to the contact in the announcement prior to the announcement closing. You must submit a complete application by the close of the announcement to be considered.
(limit characters)
2. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
  • have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR
  • are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
(limit characters)
3. (1) Are you the spouse of an active duty member of the Armed Forces?

-OR-

(2) Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating of 100 percent at the time of retirement or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?

-OR-

(3) Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility for option 1 identified above, you must submit a copy of your spouse's active military orders and documentation verifying marriage, for example a marriage certificate.

To verify your eligibility for options 2 and 3 identified above, you must submit the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15 and all supporting documentation identified on that document (e.g., Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service; death certificate and documentation identifying marital status at the time of death; disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, etc.
(limit characters)
4. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
(limit characters)
5. Were you employed overseas as an Appropriated Fund employee AND did you:
  • complete 52 weeks of creditable overseas service in an appropriated fund position(s) as a family member during the time you accompanied a sponsor officially assigned to an overseas area; AND
  • receive a fully successful or better (or equivalent) performance rating; AND
  • return to the United States to resume residence less than 3 years ago?
For more information, review USAJOBS Former Overseas Employees resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50, and performance appraisal.
(limit characters)
6. Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or did you obtain career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) AND can you respond "yes" to at least one of the two below statements?
  • The grade level or at least one of the grade levels I am applying for is higher than I have previously held? 
  • The stated full performance level of this position is at a higher grade level than any of my previous position's stated full performance level(s)?
OR

Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service AND can you respond "yes" to at least one of the two below statements?
  • The grade level or at least one of the grade levels I am applying for is higher than I have previously held or currently hold? 
  • The stated full performance level of this position is at a higher grade level than any of my previous or current position's stated full performance level(s)? 
To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 should document how you meet the above requirements including grade levels and full performance levels of current/past positions. You may need to submit more than one SF-50. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must also reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND
  • status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
(limit characters)
7. Have you completed at least 1 year of continuous service immediately before separation from one or more nontemporary Foreign Service appointments; AND, your separation from a Foreign Service career-type appointment occurred in the last 3 years (individuals entitled to veteran's preference do not need to meet this 3-year requirement)?
 
-OR-
 
Have you completed at least 3 years of substantially continuous service under one or more nontemporary appointments in the Foreign Service immediately before separation from an unlimited, career-type appointment in that Service?
 
-OR-
 
Are you a current or former limited non-career appointee with the Foreign Service and have at least 48 months of continuous service, a performance rating of satisfactory or better, and if a former employee, no more than a one year break in service since your qualifying appointment?
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) reflecting your nontemporary status. If you are outside of the 3-year requirement but are entitled to veteran's preference, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service.
(limit characters)
8. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position?

If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
(limit characters)
9. Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) who:
  • was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; AND,
  • served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; AND,
  • performed at an acceptable level of service during each period of service; AND,
  • if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and departed that position in good standing.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide a copy of all your Notification of Personnel Actions, Standard Form 50s (SF-50) and performance appraisals that demonstrates you meet the requirements outlined in the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act.
(limit characters)
10. Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past twelve months?

-OR-

Are you former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student or other experience related to this position?

-OR-

Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility. If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request.
(limit characters)
11. Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service and you have held a position at the same or higher grade level as this position with the same or higher promotion potential?

OR

Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or have you obtained career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) and have you held the same or higher grade as this position with the same or higher promotion potential?

To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 should document how you meet the above requirements including grade levels and full performance levels of current/past positions. You may need to submit more than one SF-50.Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must also reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND
  • status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
(limit characters)
12. Are you a current Excepted Service employee of a Federal Agency that has a valid interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management?
 
For more information, review Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems

-OR-

Are you a current
  • Postal Career Service Employee;
  • Postal Rate Commission Employee;
  • Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; or,
  • Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee? 
-OR-

Are you eligible under another Miscellaneous Authority Not Regulated by U.S. Office of Personnel Management?

For more information, review Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) and/or other documentation reflecting your status and eligibility.
(limit characters)
13. Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist showing proof of intellectual, severe physical, or psychiatric disability.
(limit characters)
14. Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:
  • served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
  • are entitled to veterans' preference?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in Civil Engineer position with the Federal government. The following questions are designed to measure your education and experience in relation to the minimum qualifications for this position. All applicants must supply transcripts or other supporting documentation that demonstrates how they meet the educational and experience requirements for the position. Failure to do so will result in your disqualification. (limit characters)
1. A Professional Engineering (PE) License is required for this position. Please select the answer that best describes your possession of a PE Licences. You must submit submit a copy of your License with your application package, or you will be considered ineligible. (limit characters)
2. From the descriptions below, please select the response that BEST describes how you meet the basic requirement for the Civil Engineer position. (limit characters)
3. From the descriptions below, please select the one response that best describes how your experience meets the requirements for the Civil Engineer, GS-14 position. (limit characters)
4. From the descriptions below, please select the one response that best describes how your experience meets the requirements for the Civil Engineer, GS-15 position. (limit characters)
For each task in the following group, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training. Please select only one letter for each item. (limit characters)
For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below. (limit characters)
5. Recommend the development or improvement of engineering standards to meet efficient and sound formulation of engineering work in plan formulation.
(limit characters)
6. Advise on existing and future civil engineering needs for resource conservation impacting the nation, major resource areas, and/or international interests.
(limit characters)
7. Recommend service policies and procedures for utilizing and coordinating engineering standards, methods and procedures in the development of watershed plans, resources conservation and development area plans and project plans.
(limit characters)
8. Formulate new theories and concepts that extend the parameters of existing methods and procedures.
(limit characters)
9. Serve on internal and external committees as an authoritative source for an organization on policies and procedures related to water resources engineering.
(limit characters)
10. Serve as a Subject Matter Expert on the entire range of civil engineering for resource conservation work involving dams, waterways, flood control measures, irrigation, streambank stabilization, and erosion control.
(limit characters)
11. Represent an organization through various professional groups such as committees to learn and share information relative to engineering research and technology. (limit characters)
12. Maintain liaison with Federal, State, professional, and/or technical organizations involved with the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of water resource systems and components.
(limit characters)
13. Collaborate with Specialists and external personnel on the formulation, development, and implementation of national water resources policies and objectives to assure that agency engineering principles, policies, and standards are addressed.
(limit characters)
14. Collaborate with national discipline leaders of institutes and centers, regional and state conservationists and their staffs to ensure that national policies, procedures and technical guidelines to the nation's water resources needs are met.
(limit characters)
15. Collaborate with respective Engineering staff members in resolving technical matters.
(limit characters)