National Park Service Logo
Position Title
Program Specialist
Agency
National Park Service
Announcement Number
NPS-IRA-24-12354192-MP Opens in new window
Open Period
Thursday, March 21, 2024 to Friday, April 5, 2024
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 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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3. Do you meet one of the following Competitive Merit Promotion Eligibilities:
  • Current Federal or former employees with career or career- conditional appointments in the competitive service that hold, or have held a career or career-conditional position at a lower grade level as the position being announced; or,
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) eligibles
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation.  For example, a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your competitive status or 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.  All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
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4. 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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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 (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 documentation for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligibility, which includes ALL Appointment AND Termination SF-50s for EACH appointment as well as ALL performance evaluations, for each qualifying period of temporary employment claimed.
For more information, review Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA).
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7. Do you meet one of the following Non-Competitive Merit Promotion Eligibilities:
  • Disabled veteran receiving 30% or more disability compensation from the VA;
  • Transfer, reassignment or reinstatement eligible:  current Federal or former employee with 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; or,
  • Individual eligible under other non-competitive appointment authorities such as: Veterans Recruitment Authority; Military spouses under E.O. 13473; Certain former overseas employees; Present and former Peace Corps, Vista or Action volunteers; Former White House staff; Present and former Foreign Service officers and employees; Certain National Guard technicians; Schedule A; OPM Interchange Agreement and Other Miscellaneous Authorities.
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation.  For example, 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; a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50); etc.  All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
(limit characters)
8. 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 lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (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)
2. My performance is at an acceptable level and I am not serving under a formal Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Program Specialist GS-0301-7/9 position. Your responses to this questionnaire in conjunction with other portions of your completed application will be evaluated to determine your qualifications. Please carefully read the instructions before submitting your responses. The resume or application materials you submit must support the answers you provide on the questionnaire. If they do not, you may be found not qualified, or you may be placed in a lower quality category. IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify you must document your course work and/or degree completed in your resume or other application materials you submit. You must submit a copy of your transcripts. If you are qualifying based on education and you do not submit specific course work information as described previously, your application will be rated not qualified for consideration. (A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected). (limit characters)
Specialized Experience (limit characters)
1. From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the basic experience or education requirements for a Program Specialist, GS-0301-07, position. Read all responses before making your selection. MARK ONLY ONE RESPONSE. If you select more than one response, or leave this question blank you will be rated ineligible. If you do not meet these minimum qualifications, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position.
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Qualifying Experience and Education, GS-09 (limit characters)
2. From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the basic experience or education requirements for a Program Specialist, GS-0301-09, position. Read all responses before making your selection. MARK ONLY ONE RESPONSE. If you select more than one response, or leave this question blank you will be rated ineligible. If you do not meet these minimum qualifications, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position. (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. Interprets regulations as they apply to special use permits, commercial activities, filming, and special events.
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4. Processes and prepares routine and complex permits for Special Events, First Amendment activities, Commercial Use Authorizations, and/or rights-of-way.
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5. Schedules and facilitates on-site monitoring for Special Events, First Amendment activities, Commercial Use Authorizations, Concession Contracts, and/or rights-of-way.
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6. Prepares monitoring reports and communicates findings to appropriate parties.
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7. Develops cost recovery analysis for a permit or similar program.
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8. Communicates with potential permittees, in person, electronically, and on the telephone to gather information about the activity they are proposing and to answer questions.
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9. Communicates permitting guidelines (e.g. policy, regulations, terms & conditions, and implementation) with staff, partners, permit holders, local, state and federal partners, and regional office.
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10. Demonstrates skill of tact and diplomacy while interacting with management, staff members and the public.
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11. Responds to inquiries in a timely manner.
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12. Writes clear and accurate permits and conditions for Special Use Permits and Commercial Use Authorizations.
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13. Develops internal and external correspondence relating to policy, regulations, and guidelines.
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14. Edits documents for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure.
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15. Develops and writes standard operating procedures, internal and external correspondence relating to policy, regulations, and guidelines.
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16. Researches, identifies, collects, and provides data for use in formulating proposals to enhance special park use program management.
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17. Researches and reviews rate administration data for rate approvals and comparability studies and analyzes data.
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18. Provides training and review of draft permits for new employees.
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19. Consults with compliance specialists to ensure cultural and natural resource compliance is completed for projects.
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20. Properly remit and/or reconcile payments.
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21. Prepares billing statements timely and accurately.
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22. Reviews Budget documents and properly account for spending.
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23. Tracks billable staff hours and prepare documentation for cost-recovery billing.
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24. Maintains clear, written records of all proceedings on application processes which may span multiple years and file all received documents where they can be easily located.
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25. As previously explained, 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 your or for dismissing you from the position/agency during the probation period. 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 the statement below will disqualify you from further consideration for the position.
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