- Position Title
- Community Program Specialist (Water and Environmental)
- Agency
- Agriculture, Rural Development
- Announcement Number
- MP-TBD-12477998-2024-MT Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Thursday, July 18, 2024 to Wednesday, July 24, 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 RESPONSES WILL AFFECT YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR THIS POSITION. The answers to the following questions will be used to determine your eligibility to apply to this job opportunity announcement. You will only be considered under the option(s) you select. You may qualify for and select more than one category. If you respond that you do not meet any of the following criteria, you will not be considered for this position under this announcement. NOTE: You must submit the required documentation to verify EACH type of eligibility you select. Failure to provide the required documents will result in an ineligible rating and your application will be excluded from consideration. See instructions under the "Required Documents" and "How to Apply" tabs for submitting documentation. If you have questions concerning your eligibility for consideration, please reach out to the contact in the announcement prior to the announcement's closing date. You must submit a complete application by the close of the announcement to be considered.
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
2.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions (this means an honorable or general discharge) AND you either:
• retired from active military service with a disability rating of 30 percent or more; OR
• rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) since 1991 or later to include disability determinations from a branch of the Armed Forces at any time, as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more.
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
• retired from active military service with a disability rating of 30 percent or more; OR
• rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) since 1991 or later to include disability determinations from a branch of the Armed Forces at any time, as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more.
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
3.
Are you a current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you 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.
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you 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.
4.
Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty?
-OR-
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-
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.
-OR-
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-
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.
5.
Are you a current or former permanent Farm Service Agency County employee?
6.
Are you a current Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment?
7.
Are you a Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment AND you have held or currently hold a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?
8.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than USDA? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area as 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.
• you are located in the same local commuting area as 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.
9.
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 is claiming eligibility under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act and:
• 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 single break in service of two or more years; and,
• performed at an acceptable level 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 whose most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
Note: Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status (such as LWOP) is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.
• 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 single break in service of two or more years; and,
• performed at an acceptable level 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 whose most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
Note: Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status (such as LWOP) is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.
10.
Do you have a severe intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
11.
Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below:
• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating?
OR
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating?
OR
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
12.
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,
• eligible for veterans' preference?
Note: If you are currently on active duty you may be considered under the two provisions above provided you submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
• 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,
• eligible for veterans' preference?
Note: If you are currently on active duty you may be considered under the two provisions above provided you submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
Preferences
1.
Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location.
2.
Are you a current or former Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee?
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in a Community Programs Specialist (Water and Environmental Programs) position with the Federal government. Please respond accordingly to the self-assessment questions below and ensure responses are consistent with experience and reflective within your application.
1.
Have you read the "Required Documents" section of the vacancy announcement and understand that your resume must include all specific information as outlined, such as 1) personal information that includes name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment (MM/YY); title, series, grade for each job on your resume (if applicable); 4) other qualifications and do you understand that failure to submit all required information or legible documents prior to the closing date of the announcement will result in loss of consideration?
2.
Select the following statement that is most applicable to your specialized experience qualifications for GS-13 as stated in this announcement.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
3.
Understand, implement and interpret direct loan, grant making/servicing policies and procedures for clarification and advising others.
4.
Review, analyze, and recommend approval or disapproval of group type loans (e.g., public entity loans, hospitals, public utilities, etc.).
5.
Conduct reviews and issue recommendations on credit and financial conditions affecting loan applicants or borrowers.
6.
Develop and recommend nationwide plans, policies, and procedures for administering loan and grant services throughout Rural America.
7.
Review new authorities and develop regulatory program changes affecting financing projects.
8.
Identify and evaluate weaknesses in program operations and recommend corrective actions.
9.
Identify actual or potential problems in loan/grant services and make formal recommendations to improve program effectiveness.
10.
Provide financial, technical, and educational resources and programs to develop rural communities.
11.
Oversee the work of the loan and/or grant processing or servicing activities of water and waste disposal systems and community facilities.
12.
Ensure organization financial actions are in compliance with governing regulations, laws, and policies.
13.
Monitor the execution of approved obligations to assure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
14.
Monitor direct loan/grant fund utilization and provide staff with recommendations for improved program services.
15.
Assist in preparing financial data for review and evaluation of program funding for senior level agency officials at the national level.
16.
Choose the statement that best describes the highest level of communication you have used working with community programs.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
17.
Communicate effectively with top management and organizations within the agency and with the public.
18.
Conduct training for program areas.
19.
Participate in program review and planning meetings.
20.
Conduct planning sessions evaluating innovative ways and means of carrying out programs.
21.
As a technical expert, prepare and present training to state, field staffs and employees on a variety of subjects related to nationwide administration of water and waste disposal, community facilities and loan/grants programs and services.
22.
Develop legislative proposals to address the financial needs (loan/grants programs) of rural communities.
23.
Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your resume and all supporting documentation are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Submitting false information or attempts to falsify information may be grounds for disqualifying you or for terminating you after you have been hired. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy.