U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Logo
Position Title
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT ASSISTANT
Agency
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Announcement Number
R5-23-12096807-SC-MP Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, August 18, 2023 to Tuesday, September 5, 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. You are eligible for this hiring category if you:

(1)  The spouse of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty for more than 180 days other than for training
-OR-

(2) The spouse of a 100 percent disabled service member injured while on active duty
-OR-

(3) The un-remarried widow or widower of a service member who was killed while performing active duty

Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your eligibility for E.O. 13473 which includes:

All military spouses must submit documentation verifying marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage)
AND

If you are married to an active-duty service member, documentation verifying active-duty status
OR

If you are a spouse of a 100% disabled service member, documentation showing the member of the armed forces retired, or was released or discharged from active duty, with a disability rating of 100 percent.
OR

If you are an un-remarried widow or widower of a service member killed while on active duty, documentation showing the member was released or discharged from active duty due to his or her death while on active duty; documentation verifying the member of the armed forces was killed while serving on active duty; documentation verifying the widow or widower's marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage); and a statement certifying that the individual seeking to use the authority is the un-remarried widow or widower of the service member.

For more information please see OPM's Questions and Answers for Noncompetitive Appointment of Certain Military Spouses
 
(limit characters)
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.
(limit characters)
4. Please select YES to this eligibility if you are ANY of the options below:
 
  1. A Current or Former Federal Employee who has held or currently holds a career or career conditional appointment in the competitive service and has never held the full performance level of the position being announced. OR
  2. Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) Eligible
(limit characters)
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; 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)
6. Are you a current or former employee of a Land Management Agency and are serving or served under a time-limited competitive service appointment?  You may be eligible to compete under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, P.L. 114-47.

Current land management agency appointees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling  more than 24 months without a break in service of two 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 procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; must have been separated (with respect to their most recent separation) for reasons other than misconduct or performance, and must apply for a position covered by these provisions within two years of their most recent date of separation.

You must provide documentation showing all required periods of service (All SF-50s) and acceptable performance (performance appraisal ratings or references from supervisors if employed for periods of time too short to require an appraisal.)
(limit characters)
7. Please select YES to this eligibility if you meet ANY of the eligibilities listed below: 
 
  1. A Current or Former Federal Employee who has held or currently holds a career or career conditional appointment in the competitive service and has held a permanent (non-temporary) position in the competitive service at the same or higher full performance level as the position being announced
  2. A Veteran who has a service connected disability of 30% or more
  3. Certain Overseas Family Members (A family member of a federal employee, or uniformed service member, who has completed 52 weeks of service in a federal position overseas.)
  4. Peace Corps/VISTA Eligible
  5. A Foreign Service Employee
  6. Miscellaneous Authorities not regulated by OPM (Postal Career Service Employee; Postal Rate Commission Employee; Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee)
  7. DOI or FWS Authorities not regulated by OPM (e.g. Directorate Fellowship Program)
  8. Interchange agreement with other merit systems Eligible 
 
(limit characters)
8. 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 restrictions.
(limit characters)
9. Please select YES to this eligibility if you are a former Public Land Corps (PLC) Member who meets all the requirements below for non-competitive eligibility:
  • Served as a qualified youth, ages 16 to 30 years inclusive, or a veteran age 35 or younger, on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours on a PLC project as defined in 16 USC 1723(d); and 
  • Completed the PLC service within the last two (2) years, and 
  • Possess a copy of the "Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Competitive Hiring Status (PLC)" signed by a bureau PLC Coordinator. 
To verify your eligibility, you must provide:  a copy of your "Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Competitive Hiring Status (PLC)".  
 
(limit characters)
10. Reasonable Accommodations for taking the online assessments are provided on a case-by-case basis only to qualified individuals with a disability covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

Do you have a disability (physical or mental) that you believe will interfere with completing the online assessments and require a Reasonable Accommodation?

(limit characters)
11. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
• recently separated (within the past 3 years); OR
• are a disabled veteran; OR
• served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition; OR,
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal?

NOTE:  Eligible veterans may be appointed without competition to positions at any grade level through General Schedule (GS) 11 or equivalent. (The promotion potential of the position is not a factor.) 

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. If claiming disability preference, 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)
Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Minimum Qualfication GS-6 (limit characters)
For each question, choose the response that best describes your experience and training. Mark only one response for each question. Please note that your answers will be verified against the information you provided in your resume or application and information provided by your references. (limit characters)
1. Select the one response (A or B), that best describes your experience as it pertains to the specialized experience requirement for the GS-06 grade level. Read all responses before making your selection. (limit characters)
Minimum Qualifications GS-07 (limit characters)
2. Select the one response (A or B), that best describes your experience as it pertains to the specialized experience requirement for the GS-07 grade level. Read all responses before making your selection (limit characters)
Knowledge of fund accounting, methods, procedures and techniques used in maintaining, balancing, and reconciling multiple natural resource accounts with extensive sub-activity accounts, including an understanding of interrelationships between appropriations and subsidiary accounts in order to analyze and determine need for adjustment to balance accounts. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
3. Review a variety of budget and financial data reports and compare them to office records to ensure, appropriate cost structure, availability of funds, or the status of sub-activities.
(limit characters)
4. Use accounting methods and procedures to maintain, balance, and reconcile multiple accounts, adjust discrepancies, verify accuracy of data, and prepare reports.
(limit characters)
5. Create monthly financial reports to reflect current status of funds authorized, obligated, expended and balance remaining.
(limit characters)
6. Track expenditures and obligations, allocate and monitor status of funds, and report on status monthly, or as requested.
(limit characters)
Ability to use an automated financial accounting and budget tracking system. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
7. Perform finance or budget work that involved both entering and retrieving financial data using Financial and Business Management System (FBMS) or similar related financial system.
(limit characters)
8. Submit and research payment vouchers/billing invoices in an automated system.
(limit characters)
9. Use computer systems or software to analyze financial data.
(limit characters)
10. Enter financial data into an automated accounting system or spreadsheets and retrieve reports on account and sub-account balances.
(limit characters)
Ability to communicate effectively. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
11. Prepare, review, and edit outgoing correspondence for procedural accuracy, clarity, general policy, conformity, and factual correctness using a computer and word processing software program.
(limit characters)
12. Work closely with individuals and groups to resolve problems or and make improvements on work-related activities.
(limit characters)
13. Communicate in writing with a variety of individuals to explain technical administrative procedures, regulations and processes.
(limit characters)
14. Resolve internal and external customer problems, along with team members as needed, to achieve customer satisfaction using listening, communication, and problem-solving skills.
(limit characters)
Thorough knowledge and understanding of governmental procurement, and contracting regulations, policy, and procedures. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
15. Prepare procurement documents for open market, mandatory source purchases, and other contracts and agreements.
(limit characters)
16. Monitor open obligations and contracts, and assist with required paperwork for modifications of open contracts, and recovery of unused funding.
(limit characters)
17. Complete micro-purchase transactions for supplies, equipment, repairs and services using government purchase card in compliance with federal acquisition regulations and delegated authority.
(limit characters)
18. Interpret and apply federal procurement regulations and small purchase guidelines.
(limit characters)
Knowledge of human resources support functions to provide information, process payroll records, initiate personnel actions, and enter information into an automated system. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
19. Perform timekeeping duties using automated payroll system to include entry and coding of time and attendance information according to standard operating procedures and policies.
(limit characters)
20. Communicate time and attendance/leave and human resources information to a variety of individuals within an office.
(limit characters)
21. Initiate requests for personnel actions using an automated personnel system, such as the Federal Personnel and Payroll System (FPPS) or other federal or private sector staffing systems.
(limit characters)
22. Provide advice to office staff concerning payroll matters (time and attendance, overtime entitlements, hours of work etc.).
(limit characters)
23. Organize and coordinate work on payroll/time and attendance/leave and human resources activities where numerous tasks are involved.
(limit characters)
Knowledge of Federal travel regulations to review travel vouchers for adherence to regulations and advise staff on preparing travel vouchers and authorizations. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
24. Advise personnel on travel requirements/procedures/complexities related to temporary duty travel, vouchers and documentation.
(limit characters)
25. Make travel arrangements for office staff and modify travel arrangements as necessary to accomplish mission.
(limit characters)
26. Use automated software to make travel arrangements, prepare authorizations and vouchers.
(limit characters)
Certification Statement (limit characters)
27. 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 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 me not being considered for this position. (limit characters)