National Park Service Logo
Position Title
PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER
Agency
National Park Service
Announcement Number
SE-1628-EVER-25-12727000-ST Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, April 25, 2025 to Friday, May 9, 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. 1. Are you the spouse of a member of the armed forces serving on active duty?

-OR-

2. Are you a spouse of a 100 percent disabled service member injured while on active duty?

-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 documentation verifying active duty status; and documentation verifying marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage certificate or other legal documentation verifying marriage).

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..
(limit characters)
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.
(limit characters)
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.
(limit characters)
6. 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)
7. 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)?For more information, review  on OPM.GOV.  
 
-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? For more information, review  on OPM.GOV.  
 
-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.
(limit characters)
8. 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)
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.
(limit characters)
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 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)
11. Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past twelve months?
 
-OR-
 
Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and are 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.
(limit characters)
12. 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)
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?
 
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)
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 stating your condition and restriction
(limit characters)
15. Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service 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)
16. 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)
17. 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)
18. 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)
2. My performance is at an acceptable level and I am not serving under a formal Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). (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)
Assessment 1
Minimum Qualification Requirements (limit characters)
1. From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the experience or education requirements for a Public Safety Dispatcher GS-2151-05 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 specialized experience requirements, you will not receive consideration for this position.
YOUR RESUME OR APPLICATION MATERIALS YOU SUBMIT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SUPPORT THE ANSWER YOU CLAIM UNDER THIS AND OTHER QUESTIONS. IF NOT, YOU WILL BE FOUND NOT QUALIFIED OR YOUR SCORE WILL BE LOWERED.
(limit characters)
2. From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the experience or education requirements for a Public Safety Dispatcher GS-2151-06 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 specialized experience requirements, you will not receive consideration for this position.
YOUR RESUME OR APPLICATION MATERIALS YOU SUBMIT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SUPPORT THE ANSWER YOU CLAIM UNDER THIS AND OTHER QUESTIONS. IF NOT, YOU WILL BE FOUND NOT QUALIFIED OR YOUR SCORE WILL BE LOWERED.
(limit characters)
3. From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the experience or education requirements for a Public Safety Dispatcher GS-2151-07 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 specialized experience requirements, you will not receive consideration for this position.
YOUR RESUME OR APPLICATION MATERIALS YOU SUBMIT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SUPPORT THE ANSWER YOU CLAIM UNDER THIS AND OTHER QUESTIONS. IF NOT, YOU WILL BE FOUND NOT QUALIFIED OR YOUR SCORE WILL BE LOWERED.
(limit characters)
For the questions below, please select from A through E 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. Be sure to describe your experience that supports your answers to the questions below, in your resume or application materials. It is important that your application package submitted, including a resume or application form, clearly shows how you possess the experience and skills levels you claim in this questionnaire. Each of your responses must be clearly supported by your education, training, and/or specific work experience 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)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
4. Perform dispatch and/or call taking services for public safety related incidents and operations by receiving and evaluating emergency calls for appropriate response, obtaining information through questioning to determine the priority of the call.
(limit characters)
5. Ensure personnel safety by maintaining status on responders who are responding to incidents in the field; anticipate responders' requests and needs.
(limit characters)
6. Coordinate responses to emergency incidents by initiating response of personnel and equipment according to agency protocols and providing communication and logistical support to responders.
(limit characters)
7. Query and relay information critical to law enforcement activities (wants, warrants, driver and vehicle status, Be on the Lookout, and Attempt to Locate) in order to assist law enforcement personnel with contacts and investigations.
(limit characters)
8. Elicit critical information from reporting parties who are hysterical, hostile, uncooperative, traumatized and/or injured, or who have other communications impediments.
(limit characters)
9. Use judgement to initiate responses to incidents including dispatching personnel and/or equipment in situations where priorities are frequently shifting.
(limit characters)
10. Perform dispatch and call taking services for a wide variety of complex public safety related incidents and operations (complex is indicated by factors such as environment being highly urbanized, remote, serving multiple units, jurisdiction, or agencies, high visibility to the public, or of media interest) that requires applying an extensive body of dispatch procedures and knowledge.
(limit characters)
11. Coordinate a wide variety of emergency responses (rescue, ambulance, helicopter operations, or similar) that involve either coordination with multiple agencies, and/or that occur in complex environments (urbanized, remote, etc).
(limit characters)
12. Determine chief medical emergency complaint and determine if ALS or advanced levels of care is required.
(limit characters)
13. Operate a multi-frequency radio or multi-line phone console in a communications center to initiate responses to incidents including dispatching personnel and/or equipment.
(limit characters)
14. Coordinate the use of assigned radio frequencies, direct radio traffic to appropriate channels, and restrict channels to emergency use as needed to prioritize radio traffic and related communications.
(limit characters)
15. Serve as primary point of contact for law enforcement or other public safety responders monitoring radio traffic and assisting operations.
(limit characters)
16. Perform general clerical duties such as data entry, quality control, records management, inventories, and verification and maintenance of contact listings for a communications center or similar operation.
(limit characters)
17. Safeguard information ensuring appropriate dissemination of sensitive information (i.e. criminal histories, medical histories, or similar) only to appropriate personnel using judgement and initiative in interpreting information.
(limit characters)
18. Use computer systems such as National Criminal Information Network (NCIC), National Law Enforcements Communications System (NLETS), and State criminal information networks (i.e., ACCESS, TLETS, VCIN, etc.) to perform criminal history checks, access wanted files, motor vehicle department files, or stolen, lost or wanted items/subjects.
(limit characters)
19. Review internal operating procedures and systems related to public safety to make recommendations for improvement.
(limit characters)
20. Analyze current dispatch practices and devices for more efficient methods for incident coordination.
(limit characters)
21. Access, analyze, and utilize information from a variety of national, state, or local law enforcement related computer databases/systems/networks.
(limit characters)
22. As a senior dispatcher serving in a complex dispatch environment of multiple units, jurisdictions, and/or agencies, provide training to lower-graded and/or new dispatchers and informs on proper procedures.
(limit characters)
23. Provides training to new employees, and/or assistance on radio problems encountered by lower-level dispatch personnel.
(limit characters)
24. Provide technical guidance, orientation, and training to new employees or lower-level dispatchers regarding the operation of public safety computer networks.
(limit characters)
25. As an experienced dispatcher, work with dispatchers, technicians, and others on troubleshooting radio, computer network, or similar system outages and resolve problems referred by others.
(limit characters)
Questions That Measure Applicant's Technical Expertise (QTMATE). For each of the following questions, please select the one best answer to each question. (limit characters)
26. An "URGENT" hit confirmation for a warrant or stolen property item must be confirmed in what time frame?
(limit characters)
27. The Nlets system provides information to which of the following agencies?
(limit characters)
28. What is the purpose of an ORI number?
(limit characters)
29. A "Routine" hit confirmation for a warrant or stolen property item must be confirmed in what time frame?
(limit characters)
30. What is the name of the National system run by the FBI to store and share criminal justice related information?
(limit characters)
31. What type of information may be supplied by a CAD mapping system?
(limit characters)
32. When a dispatcher receives a "Hit confirmation request" for a person who is wanted by your agency, how many minutes do you have to respond to the hit confirmation when the request was sent as an urgent request?
(limit characters)
33. When a dispatcher receives a "Hit confirmation request" for a person who is wanted by your agency, how many minutes do you have to respond to the hit confirmation when the request was sent as a routine request?
(limit characters)
34. When entering a firearm into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), what information is mandatory to complete the entry?
(limit characters)
35. When flight following an aircraft on a mission flight, while using Automated Flight Following (AFF), what information should be recorded at the standard check in interval?
(limit characters)
Application Certification (limit characters)
36. 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)