Natural Resources Conservation Service Logo
Position Title
REALTY SPECIALIST
Agency
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Announcement Number
24-ST-12434740-AS Opens in new window
Open Period
Thursday, July 11, 2024 to Wednesday, July 17, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. Your answers will be used to determine your eligibility to apply to this job opportunity announcement. You will be considered under the eligibility option(s) to which you answer YES. Select YES to all eligibility options for which you want to be considered. If you respond NO to meeting the criteria for all the eligibilities, you will not be considered for the position(s) under this announcement.

NOTE: You must submit the required supporting documentation to receive consideration for EACH selected eligibility. Failure to provide the required documents will result in an ineligible rating and your application will be excluded from consideration. Please refer to the announcement for additional information. If you still have questions concerning your eligibility for consideration, you may reach out to the contact in the announcement prior to the announcement closing. You must submit a complete application by the close of the announcement to be considered.
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1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. 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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3. (1) Are you the spouse of an active duty member of the Armed Forces?

-OR-

(2) Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating of 100 percent at the time of retirement or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?

-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 a copy of your spouse's active military orders and documentation verifying marriage, for example a marriage certificate.

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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4. 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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5. 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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6. 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 can you respond "yes" to at least one of the two below statements?
  • The grade level or at least one of the grade levels I am applying for is higher than I have previously held? 
  • The stated full performance level of this position is at a higher grade level than any of my previous position's stated full performance level(s)?
OR

Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service AND can you respond "yes" to at least one of the two below statements?
  • The grade level or at least one of the grade levels I am applying for is higher than I have previously held or currently hold? 
  • The stated full performance level of this position is at a higher grade level than any of my previous or current position's stated full performance level(s)? 
To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit 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 should document how you meet the above requirements including grade levels and full performance levels of current/past positions. You may need to submit more than one SF-50. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must also reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND
  • status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
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7. Are you a current or former permanent Farm Service Agency County employee? 

To verify your eligibility as a current or former permanent Farm Service Agency County employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your status.
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8. 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)?
 
-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?
 
-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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9. 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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10. 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 all your Notification of Personnel Actions, Standard Form 50s (SF-50) and performance appraisals that demonstrates you meet the requirements outlined in the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act.
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11. Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past twelve months?

-OR-

Are you former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and is 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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12. 1. Are you a current Federal civilian employee who holds or has previously held a permanent, career or career-conditional position, in the Competitive Service at an equal or higher grade level with equal or higher promotion potential as the position being announced?

OR

2. Are you a former Federal civilian employee who previously held a permanent, career or career-conditional position, in the Competitive Service at an equal or higher grade level with equal or higher promotion potential as the position being announced? (Those that were on a career-conditional appointment when separated must be within 3 years of the date of separation or a preference eligible.)

OR

3. Are you a former Federal civilian employee who previously held a career or career-conditional position in the competitive service, separated from the Federal Government over a year ago, and your last performance rating on record as a Federal employee was at least Fully Successful (or equivalent)? (Those that were on a career-conditional appointment when separated must be within 3 years of the date of separation or a preference eligible.)

To verify your eligibility for items 1 or 2 above, you must submit 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 should document how you meet the above requirements including grade levels and full performance levels of current/past positions. You may need to submit more than one SF-50. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must also reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND
  • status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
To verify your eligibility for item 3 above, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status AND your last Federal performance appraisal plan.

Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
  • your status is in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
Your last Federal performance appraisal plan must reflect:
  • Rating of Fully Successful (or equivalent)
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13. 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?
-OR-

Are you eligible under another Miscellaneous Authority Not Regulated by U.S. Office of Personnel Management?

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) and/or other documentation reflecting your status and eligibility.
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14. 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 showing proof of intellectual, severe physical, or psychiatric disability.
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15. 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, 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 service which includes character of service.
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16. 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 in the Armed Forces during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; OR,
  • received an Armed Forces Service Medal
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. Note: VRA applies to any grade level up to and including a GS-11 or equivalent.
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Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
2. In the last five years, based on the closing date of this announcement, have you served or are you currently serving as an Executive Branch political, Schedule C, or Non-career SES appointee? You can find out if you have held one of these appointment types by looking at your Standard Form 50s in your Electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF), in Section 5 where the legal authorities are listed.
  • A political appointee is an appointment made by the President without confirmation by the Senate (5 CFR 213.3102(c)) OR an assistant position to a top-level federal official if filled by a person designated by the President as a White House Fellow (5 CFR 213.3102(z)).
  • A Schedule C appointee occupies a position excepted from the competitive service by the President, or by the Director of OPM, because of the confidential or policy-determining nature of the position duties (5 CFR 213.3301 and 5 CFR 213.3302).
  • A Non-career SES appointee is approved by the White House and serves at the pleasure of the appointing official without time limitations (5 CFR 317 Subpart F).
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Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Realty Specialist position with the Federal government. Note: Your application materials must support your responses to the following questionnaire. (limit characters)
1. From the descriptions below, please select the one response that best describes how your experience meets the requirements for the Realty Specialist, GS-1170-09 position.
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2. From the descriptions below, please select the one response that best describes how your experience meets the requirements for the Realty Specialist, GS-1170-11 position.
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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)
3. Provide technical support and guidance on real estate laws, concepts, and principles relating to the easement acquisition, administration, and enforcement of conservation easements.
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4. Develop specific procedures to ensure compliance with a wide variety of Federal acquisition statutes, real estate principles, and guidelines to protect the Government's real property interests while ensuring fair and equitable treatment of the affected public.
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5. Carry out real property activities pertaining to easement deeds for a variety of programs, including developing/reviewing modifications to easement deeds and other related legal documents.
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6. Review and summarize title reports, title commitments, title policies and associated documents to evaluate limitations and risks associated with acquisition of subject property and brief non realty staff on potential impact to agency mission.
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7. Assist with developing specific case procedures to ensure compliance with a variety of acquisition statues or regulations, real estate principles and guidelines.
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8. Perform research and analysis on property issues in order to provide support and guidance in real estate laws, concepts, and principles relating to the acquisition, administration, and due diligence of conservation easements
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9. Implement contracting requirements for support of the programs following policy and procedures.
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10. Analyze communications on controversial and sensitive matters to assure conformance with policy.
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11. Conduct real property activities such as working with title companies to close easement deeds for programs.
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12. Conduct easement closings.
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13. Represent the organization in meetings and on committees or work-groups concerned with various aspects of real property programs, services, and policies.
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14. Brief field staff on conservation easement deeds terms on an annual basis to ensure familiarity with prohibitions and reserved rights.
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15. Prepare documents and transmit to title insurance companies, entities, office of general council and landowners as appropriate.
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16. Review easement deeds for compliance with program purposes and policy.
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17. Manage land acquisition transactions and projects that involve in-depth analysis and application of established realty practices and methods.
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18. Draft closing instructions for closing agent or attorney and prepare documents required to successfully execute a conservation easement transaction.
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