National Park Service Logo
Position Title
Public Safety Dispatcher
Agency
National Park Service
Announcement Number
WO-1614-USPP-25-12657559-ST Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, March 14, 2025 to Friday, March 28, 2025
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 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.
(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. 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.
(limit characters)
5. 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.
(limit characters)
6. 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)
7. 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).
(limit characters)
8. Are you currently or have previously held a permanent Career or Career Conditional position in the Federal Government in the Competitive Service equivalent to the full performance level of the grade of the position being advertised?

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 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
  • status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
(limit characters)
9. 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?
 
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) reflecting your status.
(limit characters)
10. 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 restriction
(limit characters)
11. Were you formerly, but not currently, employed as a Federal civilian on a permanent competitive appointment at the same grade level as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential?
 
To verify your eligibility, 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.  Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
  • your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
(limit characters)
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,
  • 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.
(limit characters)
13. 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.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
Due Weight Performance
1. 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 Public Safety Dispatcher position. Please answer the following questions pertaining to your experience and qualifications. (limit characters)
Minimum Qualification Requirements for the Public Safety Dispatcher position (limit characters)
1. From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform Public Safety Dispatcher work at the GS-6 level or equivalent. Read all responses before making your selection. If you do not meet these minimum qualifications, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position.
(limit characters)
2. From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform Public Safety Dispatcher work at the GS-7 level or equivalent. Read all responses before making your selection. If you do not meet these minimum qualifications, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position.
(limit characters)
3. From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform Public Safety Dispatcher work at the GS-8 level or equivalent. Read all responses before making your selection. If you do not meet these minimum qualifications, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position.
(limit characters)
For the questions below, please select the best answer or answers to indicate the skill level that you possess for each task listed. The questions were developed based on the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies needed to perform the work of this position. Your responses will be used to determine minimum eligibility and qualification requirements. Be sure that your experience as listed in your application materials supports your responses to the questions below. Each of your responses must be clearly supported by your education, training, and/or specific work experience that you describe in your application packet submitted for this position (application form or resume, transcripts, list and description of training completed and/or other items you submit). If not, your score will be lowered, or you will be found not qualified. The information you provide will be verified. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for rating you ineligible, not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work. (limit characters)
Interpersonal Skills - Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
4. Provide professional safety assistance to individuals who are difficult, hostile or distressed and effectively extracting vital and necessary information from them to provide them with the assistance they require.
(limit characters)
5. Obtains information through precise questions and determines the priority of emergency calls.
(limit characters)
6. Communicates clearly and concisely with first responders over the telephone and radio.
(limit characters)
Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. (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. Obtained information through precise questions and determined the priority of an incident call.
(limit characters)
8. Monitored a variety of alarm systems including intrusion, fire, robbery, panic, and maintenance related systems; Analyzed alarms; Ensured appropriate response.
(limit characters)
9. Applied Communications Center operations handbook or guidelines to daily work activities.
(limit characters)
10. In a public safety dispatcher capacity, remained calm under the most urgent and frequently changing conditions.
(limit characters)
First Response - Knowledge of emergency management methods, such as first aid, rescue techniques, and threat assessments. (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. Performed dispatch and call taking services for a wide variety of complex public safety related incidents and operations.
(limit characters)
12. Coordinated responses to incidents; initiated appropriate response of personnel and apparatus in accordance with agency plans, guides, and protocols.
(limit characters)
13. Provided communications and logistical support to responders.
(limit characters)
14. Provided dispatch support to law enforcement activities, such as querying and relaying wants, warrants, driver and vehicle status, Be on the Lookout (BOL), and Attempt to Locate (ATL) information for law enforcement contacts and investigations.
(limit characters)
15. Served as a primary point of contact for law enforcement and other public safety responders monitoring traffic and assisting operations.
(limit characters)
Oral Communication - Expresses ideas and facts to individuals or groups effectively; makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others; facilitates an open exchange of ideas. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
16. Received and evaluated emergency calls for service.
(limit characters)
17. Provided for officer safety through maintaining status on officers, and maintained situational awareness during all contacts, and anticipates responders' requests and needs.
(limit characters)
18. Safeguarded information ensuring appropriate dissemination of sensitive information to appropriate personnel.
(limit characters)
19. Provided instructions on the telephone/radio using authorized protocols, providing life-saving treatment to victims of illness or injury until medical personnel arrive on scene.
(limit characters)
20. Communicated clearly and concisely with individuals over the telephone.
(limit characters)
Technical Competence - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on the job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
21. Provided training to lower-graded and/or new dispatchers and informed them on the proper procedures as required.
(limit characters)
22. Operated a multi-frequency radio console; Coordinated use of assigned radio frequencies, directed radio traffic to appropriate channels, and restricted channels to emergency use as necessary.
(limit characters)
23. Operated the following systems: National Criminal Information Network (NCIC); National Law Enforcements Telecommunications System (NLETS), and State criminal information networks (i.e. ACCESS, TLETS, VCIN, etc.); Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.
(limit characters)
24. Accessed, analyzed, and utilized information from a variety of national, state, or local law enforcement related computer databases/systems/networks.
(limit characters)
25. Provided emergency medical dispatching techniques, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, sufficient to maintain certification as an Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD) and to proficiently give instructions on the telephone/radio using authorized protocols, providing life-saving treatment to victims of illness or injury until medical personnel arrive on scene.
(limit characters)
26. Used organizational laws regulations, rules, and procedures, such as Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, applicable Federal, State, and local laws in applying public safety dispatch services.
(limit characters)
Verification Statement Competency: None (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 an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 CFR part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.
(limit characters)