Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs Logo
Position Title
Water Rights Specialist
Agency
Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Announcement Number
STIMP-23-12008597-CAWY-MK Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 to Tuesday, June 27, 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 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 theUSAJOBSHelp Center.

To verify your eligibility, you mustsubmit 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)
3. 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 mustsubmit 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)
4. 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, reviewUSAJOBSVeterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you mustsubmit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service, member 4) 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)
5. This position is subject to the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (25 U.S.C. 472), which affords employment preference to qualified Native American candidates. Proof of eligibility, in the form of a completed Verification of Indian Preference, BIA- 4432 Form, must be provided with your application by the closing date to be granted such preference.

Are you claiming Indian Preference, and submitting your BIA-4432 Form?
(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 theUSAJOBSHelp Center.

To verify your eligibility, you mustsubmit 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 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:
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 break in service of two or more years; and,
performed at an acceptable level of service 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 departed that position in good standing.

To verify your eligibility, you must provide a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) and performance appraisal that demonstrates you meet the requirements outlined in theLand Management Workforce Flexibility Act.
(limit characters)
8. Do you wish to be considered as a Military Spouse?

To be eligible for appointment under this authority, you must be the spouse of one of the following:

Active Duty Spouse

  • Includes all spouses of members of the armed forces on active duty
  • Spouses do not have to relocate with active duty spouse

Based on 100% Disability -As a military spouse, you may be eligible to be considered under this authority if:

  • The military member was retired under Chapter 61 of title 10, United States Code with a 100% disability rating from the military; or
  • Was released from active duty and has a disability rating of 100% from the Department of Veterans' Affairs or the military department.

Note:There is no geographic limitation under this category. You will be required to provide documentation of your spouse's disability.

Based on Service Member's Death -As the military spouse, you may be eligible if the military member was killed while on active duty (it does not have to be combat related), and you have not remarried.

Note:There is no geographic limitation in this category. You will be required to provide documentation on the death of the spouse and your marital status at the time of death.


In order to receive consideration, you must submit documentation showing proof of eligibility.For more information regarding Military Spouse, see here.

(limit characters)
9. Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service at the same grade level as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential?

-OR-

Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or have you obtained career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) and have you held the same grade as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential?

To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you mustsubmit 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)
10. Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?

For more information, reviewUSAJOBSIndividuals with Disabilities resources.

To verify your eligibility, you mustprovide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
(limit characters)
11. 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,

are entitled to veterans' preference?

For more information, reviewUSAJOBSVeterans 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)
Current of Former Federal Employees: Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and awards during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager. If referred, all relevant documents including performance appraisals and awards submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the hiring official for review. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal, please submit an explanation as to why it is unavailable and attach as a document. (limit characters)
2. My performance is at an acceptable level, and I am not serving under a Notice of Opportunity to Demonstrate Acceptable Performance (NODAP) or equivalent plan to improve my performance. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC, Section 472). Verification of Form BIA-4432 must be submitted with the application if claiming Indian Preference. Indian Preference eligibles that are not currently employed with the Federal service will be appointed under the Excepted Service Appointment Authority Schedule A, 213.3112(A)(7). (limit characters)
1. Are you submitting Form BIA-4432, Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to claim Indian Preference? Note: You must include your Form BIA-4432. As outlined in the vacancy announcement, this is the ONLY Indian Preference Verification Form that will be accepted.
(limit characters)
Incumbent will be required to operate a government-owned or leased motor vehicle in the performance of duties therefore; a valid driver's license will be required. Incumbent must have a safe driving record within the three-year period immediately preceding submittal of GSA Form 3607 and be able to meet the safe driving requirements of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. (limit characters)
2. Do you possess a valid Driver's License?
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You must meet the specialized experience requirements for GS-0301 comparable in scope and responsibility to the next lower level in the federal service. Please note that your answers may be verified against the information you provide in your resume/application and information your references provide. The quality, type, and scope of your experience and/or training must demonstrate that you are fully qualified to perform the duties of the position to be filled. Be sure you describe your background as it relates to the duties of this position since your application or resume must support the response you select. NOTE: If qualifying based on education, you must submit a complete, legible copy of your official college or university transcript(s) with your application to document academic achievements and receive credit). (limit characters)
3. Carefully read the following descriptions of experience. Select the one that best describes your qualifications for GS-12 WATER RIGHT SPECIALIST. Make sure your resume supports your response that you select.
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
4. Work with tribal governments to identify water uses and quantify water needs.
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5. Work with Indian Tribes, individual tribal landowners, or tribal communities to protect trust assets.
(limit characters)
6. Work with tribal governments to manage water resources (e.g., fish, wetlands, lakes, rivers, shellfish, groundwater).
(limit characters)
7. Apply the Prior Appropriation Doctrine of western water law ("first in time, first in right") to tribal water uses to identify tribal water rights claims.
(limit characters)
8. Use technical skills in natural resources management (e.g., agronomy, watershed management, economics of resource utilization, hydrology, fisheries management, etc.) to develop range of management alternatives.
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9. Evaluate a range of natural resource management alternatives to determine the economic, social, or political impacts.
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10. Assist individuals or groups with opposing interests to negotiate or settle matters involving controversial issues.
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11. Participate in negotiations, alternative dispute resolution activities, or consensus building processes of natural resources management to reach a legal binding solution.
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12. Develop budgets and statements of work for acquisition of commercial supplies and services.
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13. Interpret non-specific guidelines or policies and apply the intent of those guidelines or policies to specific actions, issues, or problems.
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14. Apply the regulations in Title 25 of the Code of Federal Regulations to natural resources management or real property management activities.
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15. Apply the requirements of federal environmental laws (e.g. Natural Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act) or regulations to natural resource management activities or to land or facilities development projects.
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16. Manage projects with multiple and diverse assignments to meet deadlines and stay within budget.
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17. Incorporate the principles of water resources management into land use activities within a watershed to protect the water resources.
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18. Evaluate engineering practices used in watershed restoration activities, consumptive water-use projects, or agricultural development projects to determine impacts to groundwater or surface waters.
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19. Utilize the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Standard Soil Survey publications to identify opportunities for water resources development projects.
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20. 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 that 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 that 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.
(limit characters)