National Park Service Logo
Position Title
Visual Information Specialist
Agency
National Park Service
Announcement Number
IRA-NPS-23-11976847-IMP Opens in new window
Open Period
Thursday, June 1, 2023 to Thursday, June 15, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. 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.
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2. 1. Are you the spouse of a member of the armed forces serving on active duty?

-OR-

2. Are you a spouse of a 100 percent disabled service member injured while on active duty?

-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 documentation verifying active duty status; and documentation verifying marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage certificate or other legal documentation verifying marriage).

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..
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3. 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.
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4. 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.
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5. 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)?For more information, review  on OPM.GOV.  
 
-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? For more information, review  on OPM.GOV.  
 
-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.
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6. Are you a former member of the Public Lands Corps (PLC) who has served the time required for completing a PLC project carried out on Federal land within the preceding 2 years (an individuals eligibility for NCE under this authority shall not exceed 2 years after completion of his/her last PLC project), and:

• Served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC (individuals must provide a copy of the "Certificate of Eligibility for NCE Hiring Based on PLC Service" and the complete PLC Participant Work Hours Verification Form with your application package in order to be considered under this hiring authority), and

• Meet OPM qualification standards and any other qualification requirement(s) stated in this vacancy announcement for the position in which you are applying.
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7. 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.
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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.
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9. Are you a current career/career-conditional National Park Service Federal employee and meet the following Non-competitive Merit Promotion Eligibility:
 
Current National Park Service Federal employee with a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service that hold, or have 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.
 
To verify your eligibility as a National Park Service Federal employee, you must provide a copy of your current Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) reflecting your competitive status showing that you are a current National Park Service employee. All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
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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. 
 
-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.
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) reflecting your status.
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11. 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 stating your condition and restriction
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12. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions and you:
  • recently separated (within the past 3 years)
  • are a disabled veteran
  • served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition OR
  • received an Armed Forces Service Medal
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 claiming disability preference, provide the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
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Preferences
1. Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. (limit characters)
2. Would you accept a term appointment? (limit characters)
You will not be considered for any eligibility you do not select. For all eligibilities selected, you must provide supporting documentation defined in the required documents section of the vacancy announcement to receive consideration. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions will affect your eligibility. (limit characters)
A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating. (limit characters)
3. My performance is at an acceptable level and I am not serving under a formal Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). (limit characters)
Assessment 1
1. From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the experience and/or education requirements for a Visual Information Specialist, GS-1084-09 position. If you select more than one response or leave this question blank, you will be rated ineligible.
THE RESUME OR APPLICATION MATERIALS YOU SUBMIT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SUPPORT THE ANSWERS YOU CLAIM UNDER THIS AND OTHER QUESTIONS. IF NOT, YOU WILL BE FOUND NOT QUALIFIED OR YOUR SCORE WILL BE LOWERED.
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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)
2. Assist with planning of visual aspects of interpretive publications (i.e., books, pamphlets, magazines, newsletters, posters, handouts, technical reports, etc.) to be printed.
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3. Search for and extract relevant information from files, documents, reports, publications, recordings, or other materials to support development of written, oral and digital media.
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4. Develop and produce complex design products, such as publications, maps, signs, fabric banners, and/or exhibits using Adobe Creative Suite software for installation that contribute to satisfactory and safe visitor experiences.
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5. Work to support collaboration with stakeholders from multiple disciplines to create graphic elements that help ensure a greater understanding of the resources by the general public.
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6. With guidance and assistance, plan, and produce complex multi-media programs in a variety of ways to achieve interpretive goals.
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7. Apply knowledge of audiences and appropriate interpretive techniques to determine the best genre for messages.
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8. Write articles and interpretive media content for upper-level review, matching content with appropriate media in order to connect messaging with intended audience.
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9. Assists in drafting Scope of Work statements for exhibit and digital media plans.
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10. Communicate effectively using social media and other emerging technologies
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11. Write interpretive text for a variety of products according to NPS Interpretive Standards
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12. Follows NPS editorial guidelines and Plain Language in writing text.
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13. Write communication plans and public outreach materials.
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14. Incorporate the principles of universal design methods as applied to interpretive media.
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15. Use photos, slides, charts, posters and other appropriate means to communicate the visual aspects of speeches, briefings and training materials.
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16. Design original two and three-dimensional models, artifacts, specimens, dioramas, murals, audio-visual presentations.
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17. Assist with design and development of websites, interactive exhibits, new media products and smart phone applications (limit characters)
18. Organize, maintain, and expand a website and app that contain many diverse, but related individual pages.
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19. Use knowledge of accessibility design standards to ensure web and non-web products meet compliance standards.
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20. Collaborate with stakeholders to maintain and develop web pages and social media sites.
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21. Apply knowledge of federal laws and agency policies related to accessibility standards in the production of web content and digital communications.
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22. Collaborates with team members and staff to propose content and visual information products in a variety of formats, including exhibits, materials to be used by front line staff, specialized web-based features
(e.g., eHikes, eTours), database driven web-features, podcasts, webcams, video production, and apps.
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23. Utilize Content Management Systems to effectively communicate messages appropriate for the web.
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24. Assist with developing and editing multimedia content including video, motion graphics, images, text, and audio.
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25. Use emerging technology to communicate with the public, using products such as, virtual web-based activities, podcasts, video production and apps to meet an agency's mission.
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26. Incorporate accessibility standards such as captioning and audio description into multimedia content.
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27. Utilize the full spectrum of design, imaging and production software such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Bridge.
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28. Demonstrate proficiency in the following industry standard products: Adobe Creative Suite, Canon and Nikon DSLR camera and applicable lenses, Zoom audio, wireless lavaliers and other microphones.
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29. Articulate the interpretive value of emerging technologies and train others to utilize them appropriately to accomplish interpretive goals.
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30. Work on a team to create short and long-term strategic plans for implementing emerging technologies to accomplish park goals.
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31. Participate productively in a variety of workgroups and disciplines to plan and implement multi-media solutions
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32. Your ratings in this Occupational Questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification based on the documents and references you submit. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your ratings. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position/agency.

Please take this opportunity to review your ratings 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) verify that your responses accurately describe your current level of experience and capability.

Failure to agree to this statement will disqualify you from further consideration for the position.
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