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Position Title
FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGIST
Agency
Office of the Secretary of Defense
Announcement Number
ST-11213615-21-SB Opens in new window
Open Period
Monday, September 27, 2021 to Friday, October 1, 2021
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 current employee of the hiring agency who meets one of the categories listed below?

Civilian Employee Serving on a Permanent Competitive Service Appointment.  You must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (block 24 if your SF-50 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "1").

Civilian Employees Serving on a Permanent Excepted Service Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA).  If you are eligible in this category, you are required to submit an SF-50 showing current WHS-serviced Excepted Service VRA appointment (Block 24 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "2").

Civilian Employees Serving on a Temporary or TERM Appointment.  This category ONLY includes those who have a personal career or career-conditional status, earned with prior employment in the Competitive Service.  If you are eligible in this category, you are required to submit two SF-50s, (1) an SF-50 showing career or career-conditional employment in the Competitive Service (block 24 of your SF-50 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be "1").

NOTE:  If you are serviced by WHS you are not required to submit an SF-50.
 
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3.
  • Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
  •  
    • Position title;
    • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
    • Agency; and,
    • Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
  •  
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4. You are eligible for this hiring category if you are a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who has permanent change of station (PCS) orders (not for training).
  • Limited to the geographic area as specified in the PCS orders. This includes the surrounding area which people reasonably can be expected to travel daily to and from work.
  • Must relocate with the service member to be eligible.
  • Must be currently located in the commuting area to be authorized preference.
Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference which includes:

Documents required to be submitted with Application for Military Spouse Preference Eligible:
(NOTE: DoD agencies may require additional documentation. Please refer to the announcement to ensure that all required documentation is submitted with your application. It is highly recommended that you save all these documents to your USAJOBS account in order to facilitate applying to multiple positions.)

Military Spouses with prior Federal work experience:
  • Narrative resume
  • PCS orders
  • Marriage certificate or license
  • SF-50s, if applicable (e.g., LWOP, highest grade held, overseas appointments, etc.)
  • Documentation of performance rating of record (dated within the last 12 months), if applicable
  • Signed self-certification checklist
  • Veteran's preference documentation (e.g., DD-214, VA letter, Statement of Service), if applicable
  • Transcripts, if applicable
Military Spouses without prior Federal work experience:
  • Narrative resume
  • PCS orders
  • Marriage certificate or license
  • Signed self-certification checklist
  • Veterans' preference documentation (e.g. DD 214, VA letter, Statement of Service), if applicable
  • Transcripts, if applicable
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5. 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
• your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy and
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

You will be required to submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of ICTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.  For more information, review https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/
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6. Are you eligible under this authority for appointment?
• Current or former Land Management Agency employee (i.e. the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture; the Bureau of Land Management of the Department of the Interior; the National Park Service of the Department of the Interior; the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior; the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the Department of the Interior; or the Bureau of Reclamation of the Department of the Interior); and
• Who currently are or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies.

Current land management agency appointees:
must have initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to the time-limited appointment,
must have served under 1 or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years, and
must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service.

Former land management agency employees:
must have initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to the time-limited appointment,
must have served under 1 or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a total period of more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years,
must have performed at an acceptable level throughout the service period(s),
must apply for a position covered by these provisions within 2 years after their most recent date of separation, and
must have been separated, with respect to their most recent separation, for reasons other than misconduct or performance.

Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable proof of your appointment eligibility by submitting a copy of your most recent SF-50 (block 24 must be a "0" or "3" AND block 34 must be a"1"), Notification of Personnel Action, documenting your Land Management eligibility for a competitive service appointment AND performance rating showing you have performed at an acceptable level.
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7. The Washington Headquarters Service (WHS) is currently operating under an approved reengineered Priority Placement Program (PPP) pilot for all positions in its serviced workforce.  This pilot is application based and current PPP registrants who are registered for activity codes 293A and 295A are required to apply to the job announcement via USAJobs in order to exercise their priority placement status.  This pilot permits priority candidates to be assessed with other competitive applicants.  Anyone claiming priority status must provide a copy of their PPP registration and supporting documentation (e.g. RIF notice, Certification of Expected Separation) at the time of application to verify priority placement and eligibility. Are you claiming priority consideration under the WHS, PPP Pilot? (limit characters)
8. Are you a veteran whose 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
• a preference eligible veteran

If eligible, 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. If currently on active duty and within 120 days of separation, in lieu of a DD-214, submit certification from your military personnel office verifying retirement/separation date and type/character of discharge.

Note: Current or former Federal employees (i.e., an individual who within the previous 52 weeks held a GS position under nontemporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch) applying under VEOA eligibility will be subject to time-in-grade restrictions IAW 5 CFR 300.604. If applying to a GS position in the competitive service, you are required to provide a SF-50 or SF-50s that show that you have held the next lower grade level of the position to which you are applying for at least one year OR held the same or higher grade level. 

For more information, review https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/ 
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Assessment 1
Thank you for applying to the Forensic Anthropologist position, GS-0190-13, with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. (limit characters)
1. BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

The Forensic Anthropologist occupation series has specific Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) which apply to all positions. From the options below, select the one response which describes your educational background. Education above the high school level must have been completed in a U.S. college, university, or other educational institution that has been accredited by one of the accrediting agencies or associations recognized by the Secretary, U.S. Department of Education. Transcripts are required at the time of application
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2. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to the IOR requirements, you must also meet the one year of specialized experience requirement. Select the one statement that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Forensic Anthropologist at the GS-13 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.
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This position has Conditions of Employment that must be obtained prior to your start date and maintained for the duration of this employment. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
3. This position requires you to pass screening for illegal drug use prior to appointment and subsequent periodic drug screening thereafter. Are you willing to meet the drug testing requirements? (limit characters)
4. This position requires you to obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance. Are you willing to meet the security clearance requirements? (limit characters)
5. This position may require you to work other than normal hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays and/or overtime. Are you willing to work other than normal hours? (limit characters)
6. This position may require travel away from your normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft. Are you willing to meet the travel requirements? (limit characters)
7. This position requires you to take and pass an initial and annual physical fitness examinations. Are you willing to take and pass an annual medical and physical examination? (limit characters)
8. This position requires you to pass a series of laboratory competency tests in the area of forensic anthropology within 90 days of employment IAW DPAA Laboratory manual and accreditation standards. Are you willing to meet the laboratory competency test requirement? (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
9. Writes official forensic anthropology reports which synthesize/interpret analytical findings in accordance with all rules, regulations and guidelines. (limit characters)
10. Conducts assessments to aid in the medico-legal identification of human remains. (limit characters)
11. Provides scientific expertise/guidance to achieve casualty resolution. (limit characters)
12. Conducts peer reviews of colleague's forensic anthropological casework in order to minimize errors. (limit characters)
13. Provides analysis (ie., testing of skeletal, decomposed, burned, fragmented, commingled, or otherwise unidentified remains) to aid in the medico-legal identification of human remains. (limit characters)
14. Tests evidence to distinguish human from non-human remains and osseous from non-osseous material. (limit characters)
15. Tests remains to generate the biological profile (i.e., age, sex, ancestry, stature) from morphologic and metric analysis of skeletal remains to aid in the medico-legal identification of human remains. (limit characters)
16. Conducts trauma analysis to aid in the medico-legal identification of human remains. (limit characters)
17. Develops evidence-based archeological excavation strategies in austere environments and remote locations to systematically collect data/evidence. (limit characters)
18. Processes human skeletal remains and material evidence in the field to facilitate their stabilization and the support forensic identification process. (limit characters)
19. Prepares executive summaries, formal assessments, and reports to inform the intended audience. (limit characters)
20. Prepares reports of inspections findings to ensure statutory and regulatory requirements are met. (limit characters)
21. Develops correspondence and other documents (i.e., position papers, reports, staff studies and summary packages) to effectively convey a variety of information. (limit characters)
22. Develops positions in response to sensitive inquiries relating to the mission or functions of the employing organization.
 
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23. Represents the office at meetings and/or conferences as a subject matter expert to communicate information related to organizational matters. (limit characters)
24. Communicates across multiple disciplines to plan, coordinate or advise. (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)
25. Liaisons with counterparts to ensure planning is consistent and integrated.
 
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Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
26. Uses 'non-technical' language skillfully to ensure effective communication with customers from all levels of understanding. (limit characters)
27. Participates in meetings and conferences in the formulation of plans for the completion of programs, projects and activities. (limit characters)
28. Provides advice and guidance on the most appropriate method or procedure of analysis and evaluation to accomplish the mission and ensure optimum management strategies. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
29. INTEGRITY CERTIFICATION:
Your ratings in this questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification based on the documents you submitted. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy. By agreeing to the statement below, you are confirming that you: 1) understand this warning; 2) have reviewed your responses to this questionnaire for accuracy; and 3) have verified that your responses accurately describe your current level of experience and capability as reflected in your resume. Do you certify the accuracy of your responses?
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