Summary
The Department of the Interior is devoted to protecting and preserving the natural resources of this great nation, including National Parks, Landmarks, and the well-being of communities, including those of Native American, Alaska Natives and affiliated Islanders.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
All U.S. Citizens
Duties
This position is located within the Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, Probate Hearings Division of the Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA). These positions will be located in Albuquerque, NM; Billings, MT; Bloomington, MN; and/or Rapid City, SD.
At the full performance level GS-7 the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:
- Receive and transfer phone calls, take and timely communicate phone messages in a professional manner; answer basic and routine questions and inquiries from interested parties; prepare and send faxes and emails; prepare and review time and attendance records.
- Process all incoming mail, including correspondence from parties or attorneys, returned mail from notices and decisions, additional document submissions from agencies or other parties. Copy, mail, and scan documents.
- Review incoming probate case material to ensure it is current and complete; maintain case files from initial filing to completion, correctly input data into docketing system on a timely basis, and search various system records when additional information is required. Maintain complete and orderly files in a manner that expedites retrieval; understand and ensure record and privacy requirements are followed.
- Use online legal, tracking, or other resources and databases to obtain information. Retrieve and input data into electronic docketing systems; perform administrative duties using electronic databases, systems, and software.
- Review outgoing decisions, notices, and other documents for grammatical and spelling errors.
- Coordinate travel arrangements, prepare travel authorizations, and prepare vouchers in a timely manner.
- Arrange facilities for conferences and hearings and prepare presentation material or background documentation.
- Responsible for ordering and maintaining adequate supply inventories, tracking property, and ensuring equipment such as copiers, faxes, and shredders are maintained in good working order and in accordance with requirements.
The Office of the Secretary has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.
Salary Information:
GS-5:
$39,993 - $51,988 per annum (Albuquerque, NM)
$39,576 - $51,446 per annum (Billings, MT & Rapid City, MT)
$43,076 - $55,996 per annum (Bloomington, MN)
GS-6:
$44,582 - $57,958 per annum (Albuquerque, NM)
$44,117 - $57,354 per annum (Billings, MT & Rapid City, MT)
$48,018 - $62,426 (Bloomington, MN)
First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the lower salary range of the grade level.
This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available.
This vacancy is also announced as OS-6082-24-AW-127(MP) for those applicants who wish to apply and be considered under Merit Promotion procedures.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen.
- You will be subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination.
- You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit.
- You must submit ALL required documents and a completed questionnaire.
- Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service system, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See http://www.sss.gov/.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualification Requirements:
To qualify for this position you must meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements for the grade to which you are applying.
GS-5
To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level you must meet the (A) Specialized Experience OR (B) Educational Requirement OR (C) Combination of Education and Experience for the grade to which you are applying.
NOTE: Applicants qualifying based in whole or part on education are required to provide transcripts (unofficial) as proof of meeting the requirements. Failure to provide the documents will result in you receiving an INELIGIBLE rating.
A. Specialized Experience:
To qualify for the GS-05, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.
Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: (MUST MEET ALL THREE)
1. Sorting, categorizing and distributing mail;
2. Using a paper AND electronic filing system; AND
3. Utilizing basic computer software skills to produce reports, correspondence, spreadsheets; and keeping calendars.
In addition, to meeting ALL THREE statements defined above, applicants MUST MEET AT LEAST 2 of the following 5 specialized experience statements:
1. Performing data entry duties using a database, access or excel;
2. Utilizing customer service skills and phone etiquette;
3. Copying, mailing, and scanning;
4. Preparing travel authorizations, vouchers or making travel arrangements utilizing a computer online reservation system;
5. Acting as timekeeper for time and attendance purposes or in another payroll processing capacity.
-OR-
B. Education: Four full academic years (120 semester hours) beyond high school at an accredited institution.
-OR-
C. Combination of Education and Experience: a combination of specialized experience and education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) that totals 100% of the requirement. For example, one full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience.
NOTE: If qualifying in whole or in part on education you are required to submit a copy of your unofficial or official transcript to verify education.
GS-06
To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level you must meet the Specialized Experience described below. NOTE: You may not substitute education for Specialized Experience at the GS-06 grade level.
Specialized Experience:
To qualify for the GS-06, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.
Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: (MUST MEET ALL FOUR)
1. Sorting, categorizing and distributing mail;
2. Using a paper AND electronic filing system;
3. Copying, mailing, and scanning; AND
4. Utilizing basic computer software skills to produce reports, correspondence, spreadsheets; and keep calendars.
In addition, to meeting ALL FOUR statements defined above applicants MUST MEET AT LEAST 2 of the following 4 specialized experience statements:
1. Performing data entry duties using a database, access or excel;
2. Utilizing customer service skills and phone etiquette;
3. Preparing travel authorizations, vouchers or making travel arrangements utilizing a computer online reservation system;
4. Acting as timekeeper for time and attendance purposes or in another payroll processing capacity.
NOTE: A current and valid State Driver's License is required for both grade levels. Incumbent must be able to rent a car, and be available to travel periodically, by air or car, to remote locations within the United States.
Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
Education: If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide transcripts as proof of meeting the requirements.
Foreign Education: Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the specific educational requirements as stated above. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume, supporting documentation and responses to the online questionnaire will be made. Your responses to the online assessment will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for this position. You are being evaluated under the Category Rating method, which means, if you are determined to be qualified you will be placed in one of three pre-defined categories. These categories are "Platinum", "Gold", and "Silver". However, your resume must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. Candidates placed in the "Platinum" category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview. Veterans' preference rules for category rating will be applied.
Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:
- Clerical - Ensures successful business operations by performing a variety of administrative and clerical duties on a daily basis.
- Interpersonal Skills - Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, cooperation, concern, and politeness to others; relates well to different people from varied backgrounds and different situations.
- Technical Competence - Knowledge of a profession's legal standards, generally accepted principles, theory, and best practices. Knowledge is typically used to determine the best approach to solving an issue or problem.
- Technology Application - Knowledge of word processing and electronic storage and accessing of information; Uses machines, tools, or equipment effectively; uses computers and computer applications to analyze and communicate information in the appropriate format.
If you are a status applicant (current career or career-conditional Federal employee or former permanent Federal employee with reinstatement eligibility in the competitive service), or are eligible under a special appointing authority and you are selected under this vacancy, you may be subject to serving a new one-year probationary period.
To preview the assessment questionnaire click: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12447184
Required Documents
Your resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements as stated in this vacancy announcement and OPM qualification standards for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. It is strongly recommended that you use the USAJobs Resume Builder as it was designed to ensure that your resume includes the standard information needed. The Resume Builder is available at https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/How_to_create_your_resume
Your application package must include: (1) Resume showing relevant experience as written in your own words; (2) Completed online Assessment Questionnaire; (3) College transcript (if applicable) for verification of qualifying education. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; (4) Certificates, license, etc. (if applicable); (5) Form DD-214 OR VA letter and Standard Form 15 (if applicable).
NOTE: Applicants claiming veterans preference (TP, CP, CPS) must submit a copy of your DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," (Member 4 copy is preferred), showing the dates of active duty, type of discharge, and character of service (must be honorable); OR acceptable proof of verification of your preference (i.e., official document, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying that the veterans total combined serviced-connected disability rating is 10% or more).
You will find additional information on the following topics: (1) e-Verify; (2) Selective Service; (3) CTAP/ICTAP; (4) Education - accreditation; (5) Foreign education; (6) Veterans preference; (7) Special appointing authority documentation; and more can be found on our web site: https://www.bsee.gov/careers/usajobs-assistance OR https://www.boem.gov/about-boem/boem-employment .
If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must submit proof by the closing date of the announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. The proof includes a copy of the agency notice, your most recent Performance Rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty station. To be considered well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, you must earn a minimum score of 85 or above (prior to the assignment of veteran's preference) on the rating criteria for this position.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
To apply on-line, you must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at www.usajobs.gov. To begin, click the Apply Online button near the bottom of this screen and follow the prompts to register into your USAJOBS account, answer the questions, and submit all required documents.
To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account at www.usajobs.gov and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select Apply Online to continue.
Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) that have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, promotion potential and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.
Next steps
You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJobs account. You will receive an acknowledgment from USAJobs that your submission was successful, once we have received your on-line assessment questionnaire, resume and any supporting documentation. You will be notified of the status of your application via your USAJobs account after we conduct a qualification review of your complete application package. You will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background checks, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the Human Resources Office posting this announcement.
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