USA Staffing

Position Title: Technical Writer, GS-1083-12 NF (Detail/Temporary Promotion)
Agency: National Science Foundation
Announcement Number: TIP-24-12443661 Opens in new window
Open Period: Wednesday, June 26, 2024 to Wednesday, July 10, 2024

For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.

Eligibilities

1.
Have you been laid off or received a letter stating that you will be laid off from the National Science Foundation? If so, you may be entitled to selection priority under the under the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP). You must submit the following documents with your application:

copy of your current (or last) performance rating of record; and,
proof of CTAP eligibility

Note: Your proof of eligibility MUST show the position, grade level and duty location of the position from which you were (or will be) separated and your full performance level or career ladder. To ensure you fulfil this requirement, submit an SF-50 (Notification of a Personnel Action) that contains this information along with your proof of CTAP eligibility. Visit OPM's CTAP page for more information on eligibility and required documentation.

Based on the above and the referenced web page, are you eligible for CTAP? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.

A. Yes

B. No

2.
Do you currently work at the National Science Foundation? If so, you may be eligible to apply to this vacancy announcement. To be eligible, you must:

Be a current permanent NSF employee on a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service. If you are unsure of your eligibility, access eOPF and open your latest Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50): Block 24 -Tenure must be "1 - Permanent" or "2 - Conditional" AND Block 34 - Position Occupied must be "1 -Competitive Service." If you are still unsure of your eligibility, contact the individual listed in the vacancy announcement for assistance.

Based on the above, are you eligible to apply as an NSF Employee? If you work at NSF, select "Yes", submit the required documentation, and we will make the determination for you.

A. Yes

B. No

3. Are you now, or have you been in the last 5 years, a political appointee?

A. Yes

B. No

4. 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?

A. Yes

B. No

Assessment 1

1. GS-12: Choose the statement that best describes your experience.

A. I possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the federal service performing technical writing and editing activities on behalf of an organization. Relevant experience MUST include: substantive editing services for a variety of documents, including those that were technical or complex in nature; working with document authors to provide editing, formatting, and styling advice; and ensuring the proper use of references and footnotes as required.

B. I do not possess the experience as described

2. Choose the responses that describe your experience analyzing written technical materials for conformity to required style, formant, and formatting guidelines. Select all that apply.

A. I have used my knowledge of correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling to review documents for clarity, consistency, and conciseness.

B. I have worked with content authors to ensure version control practices were standardized and followed.

C. I have ensured that relevant text, data tables, and formatting requirements are in compliant with organizational guidance and requirements.

D. I have used knowledge of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act to help my organization adhere to 508 compliance standards.

E. I have provided comprehensive quality assurance of technical publications, written products, deliverables, and other documents to include performing data checking, reference checking, fact and information checking, and proofreading.

F. None of the above.

3. Which response BEST describes your experience ensuring that proper referencing guidelines are followed.

A. I am considered an Expert with APA citation guidelines, and am often consulted by colleagues, document authors, and leadership regarding referencing support.

B. I have experience with APA citation and have been consulted to provide guidance while reviewing documents.

C. I have included APA citations in my own technical documents.

D. I have some experience with inserting citations into documents.

E. I do not have this type of experience.

4. Choose the statements that describe your experience creating, editing, and modifying documents using software and other content management tools. Select all that apply.

A. I have used Microsoft Office products suite, particularly MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, to draft and edit products, such as text, tables, and figures.

B. I have used Adobe Acrobat to create and mark up PDFs for review.

C. I have used online management tools (for example, SharePoint, Teams, Smartsheet, or similar software) to store, organize, access, and share content and information.

D. I have produced text, tables, figures, and other components using various software and combined them into a single document.

E. I have experience in 508-compliant MS Word and Excel templates and standardizing documents and spreadsheets to be parsed by an automated publishing system.

F. None of the above.

5. Which of the following describes your experience creating written products. Select all that apply.
I have created:

A. Technical reports

B. Standard Operating Procedures

C. Formatting and Style Guidelines

D. Manuscripts

E. Scientific articles

F. Technical solicitations

G. Statements of Work

H. None of the above.

6. Select those which describe your ability to interact with people at all levels to obtain or provide information necessary to effectively edit materials. Select all that apply.

A. I managed and coordinated written products from a variety of authors for an organization.

B. I edited written materials obtained from management and professional staff.

C. I served as an expert in developing technical written products based on input from subject matter experts.

D. I provided advice on the format and design of publications and reports to content authors.

E. I advise colleagues regarding organizational writing and editing guidelines and regulations.

F. None of the above.

7. Which response BEST describes your ability to coordinate multiple projects and to interact and respond to inquiries from internal and external customers?

A. I have considerable experience working within my organization to successfully collaborate on written products.

B. I have considerable experience working within and outside of my organization to collaborate on written products.

C. I have some experience working with others to prepare documents.

D. I have limited experience collaborating with others on the preparation of written products.

E. I have no experience working in this area.

8. Select the responses that describe your experience reviewing written products for clarity, accuracy, timeliness, completeness, and responsiveness? Select all that apply.

A. I have edited a variety of specialized subject matter materials such as materials written for a scientific program, engineering program, or research program.

B. I have worked as a technical writer-editor with extensive editing responsibilities on a wide variety of specialized subject matter functions.

C. I have drafted written materials or reports that were requested by Congress.

D. I have drafted editorial policies and practices such as developing style manuals or setting procedural standards to be followed by other staff in an organization.

E. I have completed formal course work related to technical writing and editing.

F. I do not have this type of experience.

9. What response BEST describes your experience editing written products for clarity of expression, accuracy, and completeness?

A. I have edited a variety of specialized subject-matter materials such scientific and technical program reports

B. I have edited non-technical documents prepared by others.

C. I have edited my own documents.

D. I have completed formal education related to writing and editing material.

E. None of the above.

10. Which of the following have you done on behalf of your organization as a regular and recurring function? Select all that apply.

A. I have created presentations about my organization, or organizational programs.

B. I have represented my organization's position to internal stakeholders.

C. I have represented my organization’s position to external stakeholders.

D. I am regularly called upon to answer questions regarding my organization for the general public.

E. None of the above.

11. Select the response that BEST reflects your overall organizational awareness. In my current organization,

A. I am considered an expert regarding my organization’s programs, functions, and mission. I am regularly consulted by senior leaders regarding organizational functions.

B. I am knowledgeable about my organization. I am familiar with the program and mission.

C. I have some knowledge about my organization. I am familiar with some aspects of the programs or mission.

D. I have limited knowledge about my organization.

E. I do not have this type of experience.

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