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Position Title
Pathways Recent Graduate Program (UX Researcher - 12 Month Roster)
Agency
Internal Revenue Service
Announcement Number
23-11979909S-OSX-0301-09 Opens in new window
Open Period
Monday, June 12, 2023 to Wednesday, November 1, 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. Pathways Recent Graduate Candidate- Are you a recent graduate who has completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associate, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate? (Veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, have up to six years after degree completion to apply.)

If you indicate "Yes" for this question, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts to support your recent graduate eligibility. If you are a veteran, please 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.

For more information, review USAJOBS Student and Recent Graduate resources.
  (limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. (limit characters)
2. Employees of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) must demonstrate the highest level of ethics and integrity. Former employees will be subject to a screening of their prior performance and conduct with the Service, and all other applicants may be subject to reference checks of prior employment. Your responses to the following questions will be verified; Applicants providing false information may be made ineligible and will be subject to debarment for future employment opportunities with the IRS.

Please select the response that best describes your current or prior employment with the IRS. If you never worked for the Internal Revenue Service, you must select the last response "Not applicable." (limit characters)
3. Employees of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) must demonstrate the highest level of ethics and integrity, and must be in compliance with all Federal Tax requirements. Applicants being considered for employment with the IRS will be subject to a tax check. You can "Get Your Tax Record" at http://www.irs.gov/ (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript) and check the status of your account, balance owed, payment history, make a payment, or review answers to tax questions. Applicants not in compliance will be determined unsuitable for employment with IRS. Your responses to the following questions will be verified; Applicants providing false information may be made ineligible and will be subject to debarment for future employment opportunities with the IRS.

Please select the response that best describes your compliance with all Federal Tax requirements. You will be subject to a tax check that will verify your response to this question. (limit characters)
4. The following question is regarding your Selective Service status. If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, and are at least 18 years of age, civil service employment law (5 U.S.C. 3328) requires that you must be registered with the Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. If you are required to register but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for appointment by executive agencies of the Federal Government (5 CFR 300.704). Visit http://www.sss.gov/ for additional information. (limit characters)
5. If you are a current Federal employee, by what agency and organization are you employed? (limit characters)
6. If you selected "Other", please enter the agency and organization. (limit characters)
7. If you are a current Federal employee, what is your duty station? [City, State] (limit characters)
8. If you are a Federal employee, under what type of appointment are you currently serving? (limit characters)
9. If you are, or ever were a Federal civilian employee, please provide your current or last pay plan, series, and grade level or pay band. For example: GS-0303-05, IR-0343-02, WG-5400-04. (limit 250 characters)
10. If you are, or ever were a Federal civilian employee, indicate the pay plan and grade level or pay band of the highest graded position you have ever held. For example: GS-05, IR-02, WG-04. (limit characters)
11. Are you a current or former Federal employee with reinstatement eligibility? (limit characters)
12. Are you a retiree receiving a Federal annuity, either military or civilian?

Note: If you are an annuitant, your salary or annuity may be reduced upon employment. (limit characters)
13. Have you accepted a buyout from a Federal agency within the past 5 years? (limit characters)
14. Regarding the effectiveness of our recruitment strategies; how did you first hear about this job? (limit characters)
15. If you answered "Posting on a job board or search agent other than USAJOBS (Monster, CareerBuilder, Indeed, LinkUp, etc." please indicate the name of the job board or search agent other than USAJOBS you saw the advertisement.

If you answered "Social Media posting (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, on-line job fairs, etc.)" please indicate the name of the Social Media platform you saw the advertisement.

If you answered "Attended a recruitment event (Job/Career Fair, Open House, Meet & Greet, Meetup, etc.)" please indicate the name and state of the recruiting event.

If you answered "School/University announcement/career counselor" please indicate the name of the school/university of the announcement where you saw the advertisement.

If you answered "Third party referral, such as diversity or community organization, or employment office (Federal, state or local)" please indicate the name of the third party referral and the state you saw the advertisement.

If you answered "Newspaper (print/online)" please indicate the name of the newspaper and the state you saw the advertisement.

If you answered "Radio" please indicate the name of the radio station and state you heard the advertisement.

If you answered "Transit/Bus Advertisement" please indicate the city and state you saw the advertisement.

If you answered "Banner Advertisement - Major News Websites" please indicate the website.

If you answered "Banner Advertisement - Movie Theater Websites" please indicate the website.

If you answered "Classified Advertisement Website (Craigslist, Angie's List, etc.)" please indicate the name of the website, city and state.

If you answered "Other" please specify. (limit characters)
16. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently employed, or have been employed within the last 5 years, in any one of the categories below, you must disclose this information. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.

Are you a current or former political appointee as described under 5 U.S.C. sections 5312 through 5316 (relating to the Executive Schedule)?
-OR-
Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, or an individual who serves or served in a political capacity under agency-specific authority in the Executive Branch?
-OR-
Are you a current or former noncareer SES appointee, or an individual who serves or served in a political capacity under Limited Term SES or Limited Emergency SES appointment in the Executive Branch? (limit characters)
17. If yes, identify the position held, the employing agency/organization, and the dates of the appointment. Please provide SF-50s showing your political appointment and, if applicable, resignation/termination SF-50. (limit characters)
18. For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, are you aware that you must submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent as specified in this announcement? An official transcript will be required if you are selected. (limit characters)
19. Please indicate the date you met or will meet all requirements (graduation or intended graduation date) for your degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) (limit characters)
20. The Recent Graduates Program offers developmental opportunities in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals, who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs within the previous two (2) years OR who intend to successfully complete their educational requirements within nine (9) months of their application date OR are a veteran who, due to a military service obligation was precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during a portion of the two (2) year eligibility period and have completed a degree or certificate within the past (6) years. Education must be completed prior to appointment/Enter on Duty date.

If selected, you will be placed in a position as indicated in the vacancy announcement. In order to successfully complete the Recent Graduates Program, you must complete a one (1) year training program, a minimum of at least 40 hours of interactive training, and demonstrate successful job performance. Following the completion of the program requirements, you may be considered for non-competitive conversion/placement. All program requirements will be identified in the Participant Agreement.

Please indicate which of the following best describes your eligibility for the Recent Graduate Program? (limit characters)
21. All applicants are required to submit college transcripts, by the closing date of this announcement, that support the education required for this position.

Do you understand that you will not be considered for this announcement if you do not provide the transcripts necessary to verify the education claimed during the application process? (limit characters)
Assessment 1
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
The IRS Pathways Recent Graduates Program offers developmental opportunities in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals, who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs within the previous 2 years, or who intend to successfully complete their educational requirements within 9 months of their application date. If selected, you will be placed in a position as indicated in the vacancy announcement. In order to successfully complete the IRS Pathways Recent Graduates Program, you must complete a 1 year training program, a minimum of at least 40 hours of interactive training, and demonstrate successful job performance. All conversion requirements will be identified in the Participant Agreement. Following the completion of program requirements, you may be considered for non-competitive conversion to a career-conditional or term appointment.

To be eligible for the IRS Pathways Recent Graduates Program, you must have, within the previous 2 years, completed all educational requirements for qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying institution; or you are a veteran, who, due to a military service obligation was precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during a portion of the 2-year eligibility period; or expect to graduate within 9 months of the date of your application. Education must be completed prior to appointment/Enter on Duty date.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-9
You must have 1 year ofspecialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibilityequivalent to the GS-7 gradelevel in the Federal service.Specialized experience for this positionincludes: Experience analyzing, evaluating and planning processes and techniques to research the design, content creation and development strategies for the Web, mobile devices, and other digital taxpayer experiences. Experience usingcurrent UX based research solutions to provide improved user experience in navigating websites. Experience using new and emerging UX technologies to make recommendations and to present a consistent branded and user-centric digital experience. Experience Preparing draft reports and other substantive guidelines and materials; Conducting studies using journey mapping, service blueprints, user stories, eco system maps and persona development to help improve customer experience.

OR You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:a Master's or equivalent graduate degree ina relatedfield of studyat an accredited college or university.

OR 2full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in a relatedfield of study. ORLL.B. or J.D., if related. (limit characters)
Thank you for your interest in applying for this position. Your responses to the following questions supplement the information provided in your resume. (limit characters)
1. PATHWAYS RECENT GRADUATE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The IRS Pathways Recent Graduates Program offers developmental opportunities in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals, who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs within the previous 2 years, or who intend to successfully complete their educational requirements within 9 months of their application date. If selected, you will be placed in a position as indicated in the vacancy announcement. In order to successfully complete the IRS Pathways Recent Graduates Program, you must complete a 1 year training program, a minimum of at least 40 hours of interactive training, and demonstrate successful job performance. All conversion requirements will be identified in the Participant Agreement. Following the completion of program requirements, you may be considered for non-competitive conversion to a career-conditional or term appointment.

To be eligible for the IRS Pathways Recent Graduates Program, you must have, within the previous 2 years, completed all educational requirements for qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying institution; or you are a veteran, who, due to a military service obligation was precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during a portion of the 2-year eligibility period; or expect to graduate within 9 months of the date of your application. Education must be completed prior to appointment/Enter on Duty date

Please indicate which of the following best describes your eligibility for the Pathways Recent Graduate Program? (limit characters)
2. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-9
You must have 1 year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: Experience analyzing, evaluating and planning processes and techniques to research the design, content creation and development strategies for the Web, mobile devices, and other digital taxpayer experiences. Experience using current UX based research solutions to provide improved user experience in navigating websites. Experience using new and emerging UX technologies to make recommendations and to present a consistent branded and user-centric digital experience. Experience Preparing draft reports and other substantive guidelines and materials; Conducting studies using journey mapping, service blueprints, user stories, eco system maps and persona development to help improve customer experience.

OR You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: a Master's or equivalent graduate degree in a related field of study at an accredited college or university.

OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in a related field of study. OR LL.B. or J.D., if related.


Which of the following is true about your education and/or experience?
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3. Which of the following is your highest level of experience working on a team? (limit characters)
4. Please select the following that supports your experience in the workplace (limit characters)
5. What is your experience assisting co-workers? (limit characters)
6. What is your experience preparing written technical documents? (limit characters)
7. Which of the following tasks describe your experience managing time and workload? (limit characters)
8. Which best describes how you have managed your workload? (limit characters)
9. Which of the following sources have you reviewed to conduct research and make decisions? (limit characters)
10. Which of the following analytical methods have you used and explained to others either verbally or in writing? (limit characters)
11. Which of the following have you used to ensure an accurate, quality product? (limit characters)
12. Which of the following tasks have you performed while working with internal and/or external stakeholders/customers? (limit characters)
13. Select all of the following tasks that you have performed in User Experience (UX) Research (limit characters)
14. To qualify for this position and receive full credit for your relevant experience you must list the month/year and number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. Your resume must support your responses to the questions. Do you understand that failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a "not qualified" determination?
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15. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.

Failure to agree or respond to the statement below will disqualify you from further consideration for the position. Select the most appropriate response below. (limit characters)
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