U.S. Census Bureau Logo
Position Title
Associate Ombuds
Agency
U.S. Census Bureau
Announcement Number
23-DEP DIR-11865688-ST-SP Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, March 21, 2023 to Thursday, April 6, 2023
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 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:  https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/.

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. Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who has been issued orders for a permanent change of station (PCS)? If yes, confirm that you are indicated on the PCS orders; and you

• have been married to the military member on or prior to the date of your spouse's PCS orders
• are relocating with your spouse to the new duty location AND
• have not previously been appointed using this authority under these orders.

-OR-

Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating at the time of retirement of 100 percent 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-

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.
(limit characters)
4. Are you a current employee of the Department of Commerce (DOC) who meets the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service? If yes, confirm you meet all of the following requirements:

• 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;
• 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. Are you a current Department of Commerce employee in the competitive service?  

Current Department of Commerce employee (includes any Bureau under Commerce) on a term, temporary or excepted service appointment with reinstatement eligibility.  If eligible, submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect career or career-conditional (Tenure 1 or 2) and Your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied is 1). Please note: Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, with-in grade/range increases. While a General Adjustment and/or Award SF-50 may be your most recent SF-50 it typically DOES NOT show proof of Time in Grade. Thus, you may have to submit more than one SF-50 as proof of Time in Grade.  Current Census Bureau employees need not submit SF-50.
(limit characters)
6. 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)
7. Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service and have you never held the full performance level of this position?

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 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
  • status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
(limit characters)
8. Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past twelve months? 

- OR - 

Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and are 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)
9. Are you a current or former Federal employee (transfer or reinstatement eligible) who holds or has previously held a career or career-conditional position at the same or higher grade level with the same or higher promotion potential as the position being announced?  

If eligible, submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. 

• Your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect career or career-conditional (Tenure 1 or 2) AND
• Your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied is 1).
(limit characters)
10. 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.  https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=InterchangeAgreementsWithOtherMeritSystems

-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.  https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=MiscellaneousAuthoritiesNotRegulated .  

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

If eligible, provide proof of disability with appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
(limit characters)
12. 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 have you never held the full performance level of this position?

-OR-

Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service and have you never held the full performance level of this position?

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 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
  • status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
(limit characters)
13. Are you eligible for consideration under VEOA?  This includes:
  • preference eligible (defined in title 5 U.S.C. 2108(3)), OR
  • veterans who substantially completed 3 or more years of active service under honorable conditions.

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources. 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 location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. (limit characters)
2. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
3. Have you held a political appointment within the previous five-year period? (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
1. Do you have at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-13, or do you otherwise meet the Minimum Qualifications requirements for this
position? (See the "Qualifications" section of this announcement for the definition of specialized experience.)
(limit characters)
2. Do you have at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-14, or do you otherwise meet the Minimum Qualifications requirements for this
position? (See the "Qualifications" section of this announcement for the definition of specialized experience.)
(limit characters)
3. Will you have one year of time-in-grade at the grade GS-13 level as of the closing date of this announcement? (limit characters)
4. Will you have one year of time-in-grade at the grade GS-14 level as of the closing date of this announcement? (limit characters)
5. Select all of the types of resolution processes with which you have expertise.
(limit characters)
6. Which of the following best describes your experience with solving problems and assisting in the decision-making process?
(limit characters)
7. I have experience informing the workforce including senior leadership on the following programs, policies and/or processes.
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8. I have extensive experience informing the workforce on the following:
(limit characters)
9. Choose the statement(s) that describes the verbal communication skills you have effectively used as a regular part of your job.
(limit characters)
10. Have you functioned in one or more of the following roles on a full or part time basis? (part-time experience must be equivalent to one full year) Please check all that apply.
(limit characters)
11. Please select the response that best describes your experience influencing changes to programs and policies based on client concerns.
(limit characters)
12. I have extensive experience collaborating with the following:
(limit characters)
13. Please select the statement that best describes your experience with alternative dispute resolution.
(limit characters)
14. Please select the response below that best describes your experience with formally mediating highly sensitive complex workplace problems.
(limit characters)
15. Choose the statement(s) that describes the conflict resolution skills you have used as a regular part of your job.
(limit characters)
16. As a third party neutral, I have successfully participated in the following activities.
(limit characters)
17. Select the statement(s) that best describe your experience in identifying systemic issues, data analysis or problem solving in relation to dispute resolution.
(limit characters)
18. Which of the following choices best describes your experience gathering and analyzing information relevant to the resolution process?
(limit characters)
19. Which of the following choices best describes your experience in developing a preliminary resolution strategy by analyzing data, other publicly available information, and confidential information and reports?
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20. Please select the response below that best describes your experience establishing effective working, collaborative relationships with senior management to resolve conflicts.
(limit characters)
21. Please certify that you have accurately and truthfully represented your level of work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and/or education when completing this questionnaire as your responses, resume and supporting documents will be reviewed for accuracy and completeness as appropriate. Deliberate attempts to falsify information are grounds for non-selection and for termination. Failure to agree to the statement below will disqualify you from further consideration for the position.
(limit characters)