Forest Service Logo
Position Title
Interpretive Specialist
Agency
Forest Service
Announcement Number
20-R2-10849122-G-AC Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, June 30, 2020 to Monday, July 13, 2020
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)
2.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions (this means an honorable or general discharge) AND you either:
• retired from active military service with a disability rating of 30 percent or more; OR 
• rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) since 1991 or later to include disability determinations from a branch of the Armed Forces at any time, as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more. 

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
 
(limit characters)
3.
Are you a current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy;  AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you 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.
 
 
(limit characters)
4. Are you a current or former permanent Farm Service Agency County employee?  (limit characters)
5. Are you a current Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment?  (limit characters)
6. Are you a Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment AND you have held or currently hold a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised? (limit characters)
7.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than USDA? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as 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.
 
 
(limit characters)
8.
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 is claiming eligibility under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act and: 

• 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 single break in service of two or more years; and,
• performed at an acceptable level 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 whose most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
  
Note: Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better.  Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked.  Non-pay status (such as LWOP) is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited.  Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.
(limit characters)
9.
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?

For more information, review Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
 
 
(limit characters)
10.
Do you have a severe intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
 
 
(limit characters)
11. Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below: 

• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating? 
OR 
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
(limit characters)
12.
Are you a former Federal career or career-conditional employee AND

• has reinstatement eligibility; AND 
• has not held a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?
(limit characters)
13.
Are you a former Federal career or career-conditional employee AND  

• has reinstatement eligibility; AND 
• has held a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?
(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,
• eligible for veterans' preference?

Note: If you are currently on active duty you may be considered under the two provisions above provided you submit  a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. 

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
 
(limit characters)
15.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:

• recently separated (within the past 3 years); OR,
• are a disabled veteran; OR,
• served on active duty during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; OR,
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal (includes the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal)for participation in a military operation?

Note: If you are currently on active duty you may be considered under the two provisions above provided you submit  a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. 

 For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
 
(limit characters)
Assessment 1
This section will be used to determine if you possess the education and experience needed to qualify for this position. (limit characters)
1. From the statements below, select the one response that best describes your education and/or experience as it pertains to meeting the Basic Requirements for the Interpretive Specialist, GS-1001-11. Please select only one response.
(limit characters)
For each of the following questions, choose the response that best describes your experience and training. Mark only one response for each question. Please note that your answers will be verified against the information you provide in your resume or application and information provided by your references. FAILURE TO RESPOND TO THESE QUESTIONS WILL RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING. PLEASE PROVIDE A COPY OF YOUR OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS. (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)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
2. Provide oversite of a large natural resource programs such as education, tourism and conservation.
(limit characters)
3. Analyze Visitor Center operations to improve effectiveness, cost efficiencies and improve programs offered.
(limit characters)
4. Provide oversight and/or leadership for the interpretive and educational programming, special events and daily operations of the Visitors Center.
(limit characters)
5. Provide technical expertise and leadership to direct staff efforts in all areas of visitor center management.
(limit characters)
6. Supervise the overall fee collection/fee demonstrations for the center, including Point of Sale (POS) program, security of receipts and depots, bookkeeping and audits.
(limit characters)
7. Develop interpretive programs for public presentations to communicate resource information..
(limit characters)
8. Independently prepares and/or present interpretive and conservation education programs for organizations, schools, other groups, and the general public on a yearlong basis.
(limit characters)
9. Present audio-visual and spoken programs for both specific and broad presentations.
(limit characters)
10. Develop and/or maintain relationships with partner organizations to facilitate program support and delivery.
(limit characters)
11. Ensure training is provided to staff and volunteers to enable them to fully perform their duties.
(limit characters)
12. Develop written materials for the public to educate and inform including but not limited to articles, pamphlets, and education materials.
(limit characters)
13. Write job descriptions for volunteers.
(limit characters)
14. Coordinate grant writing for a variety programs or exhibits.
(limit characters)
15. Design materials that includes defining the audience needs and interests, theme development, subject research and text writing and editing.
(limit characters)
16. Participate in short/long-term strategic planning for the center's conservation education, interpretive and visitors center programs.
(limit characters)
17. Maintain management plans for permanent and temporary exhibits by monitoring the conditions and initiates repair, reconstruction and replacement if needed.
(limit characters)
18. Analyze effectiveness and appeal of program to programs offered at a public information office.
(limit characters)
19. Monitor and refine operations to improve effectiveness.
(limit characters)
20. Plans, design educational information to schools, tourist, and other outside parties.
(limit characters)
21. Oversee exhibit loan policy to endure professional standards are met for artifact storage, packing, shipping and security are being met.
(limit characters)
22. Plan the work to be accomplished by assigning work to employees and establishing production or quality standards for the unit's work.
(limit characters)
23. Establish and communicate guidelines and performance requirements to employees including conducting formal performance reviews and identifying developmental and training needs of employees.
(limit characters)
24. Promote equal opportunity and employs nondiscriminatory practices for merit promotion, recruitment and hiring of applicants.
(limit characters)
25. Perform administrative and human resources management functions for the unit such as providing advice, counsel or instruction on both administrative and work matters.
(limit characters)
26. Promote and support a positive work environment to create a climate of mutual respect and integrity.
(limit characters)
27. Reinforce to others that offensive, harassing, and intimidating behavior will not be tolerated.
(limit characters)
28. Foster an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual differences are leveraged to achieve the vision and mission of the organization.
(limit characters)
29. Demonstrate a commitment to fostering and promoting an equitable, inclusive, and safe work environment.
(limit characters)
30. I certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by me with my application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that I have truthfully and accurately represented my work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). I understand that the information provided may be investigated. I understand that misrepresenting my experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in or with my application may be grounds for not hiring me or for terminating me after I begin work. I also understand that false or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).
(limit characters)