PROJECT SPECIALIST

Clarification from the agency

This position is open to the following Categories (CAT): CAT 7 - Open to the public for U.S. Citizens (Veterans' Preference DOES apply.)

Coordinates, analyzes, directs, and evaluates one-of-a-kind and non-recurring projects/programs and operations. Administers and evaluates internal management plans, directions, and practices which require consideration and integration of specialized needs. Participates and provides significant input to the planning of program studies and organizational changes to the project/program. Makes recommendations on administrative practices. Performs work based on broad experience and familiarity to organizations, applicable policies, procedures and regulations, and pertinent precedent, as well as practical knowledge of guidelines associated with applicable laws, regulations and other official guidance. Conducts research, interviews subject matter experts and technical specialists, collects data, analyzes findings, prepares recommendations and writes reports regarding a variety of administrative issues and functions on the most economical methods of achieving project/program goals and objectives. Conducts fact-finding studies to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of internal work. Evaluates the impact for new or revised policies and procedures on existing projects/programs. Makes recommendations for courses of action, implementation, or revisions required. Measures work accomplishments against management goals. Identifies data required for use in the administration of business functions and develops reporting systems as required. Recommendations made by the incumbent often result in significant changes in project/program work. Explains necessity for changes to administrative personnel, clarifies new procedures, and provides guidance in the application of new administrative guidelines. Responds to key suspense items of high priority for completion of projects/programs.

Assembles background information, drafts portions of response as appropriate. Determines actions needed by other staff elements and follows-up to ensure responses are complete and timely, resolves conflicts, and refers only the most significant problems for resolution. Incumbent handles unusual or unprecedented problems independently, taking actions or recommending solution to the supervisor. On own initiative, resolves a variety of problems related to administrative process that support the project/program. Assists supervisor in identifying personnel requirements, resources, and services needed to ensure the effective use of manpower, money and materials to support the mission. Develops or assists in the development of graphs, charts, and drafts of narratives in coordination with Project Manager(s) for inclusion in project documents and reports. Assembles available information relating to programming and justification data for the budget submission process. Prepares and completes project plan presentations and public meetings with local sponsors, and leadership throughout the organization. Actively participates in staff and/or management level meetings/discussions pertaining to the activities encompassed in the project/program.

Implements procedures for the control, maintenance and disposition of records relating to projects/programs. Conducts inspection of project/program files to ensure compliance with regulations. Incumbent handles unusual or unprecedented problems independently, taking action or recommending solutions to the supervisor. Exercises initiative to resolves a variety of problems related to project/program processes and procedures. Carries out any additional special assignments characterized as unique one-time requirements or issues, involving research to gather, analyze and evaluate information, facts and data concerning administrative management processes used to complete the project/program. Maintains office files and ensures compliance with applicable regulatory guidance. Maintains relevant publications, guidelines and directives, ensuring they are current and updated periodically. Initiates actions and conducts follow-up on administrative issues, until final concurrence, disposition or resolution is obtained. Coordinates and arranges various meetings and training events held.

Composes and prepares a variety of correspondence, reports, records, briefing materials, and statistical and narrative material required to support the project/program. Uses office automation applications to produce a wide range of documents into final form from own composition brief instructions, or rough draft from other staff members. Uses database or spreadsheet applications to enter, revise, sort and retrieve data for reports; and uses graphic software to provider charts and graphs. Assures that the content of all outgoing correspondence is consistent with the organization's mission, goals and objectives. Ensures clarity, completeness of reply, grammatical and procedural correctness, and conformance to regulation and command standards.

Performs other duties as assigned.

(A Position Description can be obtained from HRO upon request.)

Conditions of employment

• Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a trial period.
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
• Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position.
• External applicants must be able to start within 6 months of selection.
• This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.
• Ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers, contributing to a cooperative working environment and successful accomplishment of the mission.
• May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours; overtime may be required.
• May be required to travel by car, in military and/or commercial aircraft, and by other means of transportation as appropriate to perform temporary duty assignments.

Qualifications

GENERAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Must have experience, education or training which provided a general knowledge of principles of organization, management, and administration. Compiling reports, letters, memoranda, etc., and required person-to-person contacts to convey information. Progressively responsible experience which demonstrates the ability to provide technical guidance and assistance in the type of work or in comparable work of the position to be filled. Experience using computer and automation systems. (MUST address these general experiences in detail on resume to be considered for this position)

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Must have one of the following:

A) 1 year specialized experience, education or training equivalent to at least the next lower grade level of GS-7. Must have experience providing technical guidance and assistance in the type of work or in comparable work of the position to be filled. Must have a thorough knowledge and understanding of administrative procedures and practices of management. Experience developing administrative procedures. (MUST address these experiences in detail on resume to be considered for this position.)

OR

B) A master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. (MUST provide copies of all relevant transcripts to be considered for this position, if using this option to qualify. Official transcripts may be required at a later date.)

OR

C) A combination of Specialized experience and Education equal to 100% of the requirements. (MUST address the specialized experiences in detail on resume AND provide copies of all relevant transcripts to be considered for this position, if using this option to qualify)




PLACEMENT STATUS/TENURE OF SELECTEE FOR A NON-PERMANENT T5 POSITION:

TEMPORARY PROMOTION/REASSIGNMENT/CHANGE TO LOWER GRADE - For Title 5 permanent current employee as selectees only: This is an obligated position. If a permanent employee in the Title 5 MT NG Excepted civil service employee accepts this position, he/she will retain their permanent status AND have rights to return to their previous or similar Title 5 position.

TEMPORARY PROMOTION/REASSIGNMENT/CHANGE TO LOWER GRADE - For Title 5 Term current employee as selectees only: This is an obligated position. If a Term employee in the Title 5 MT NG Excepted civil service employee accepts this position, he/she will retain their Term status AND may have rights to return to their previous Title 5 position (if still available).

INDEFINITE APPOINTMENT - For Current Title 32 selectees (any Status) or Title 5 NTE/VRA employees: This is an obligated position. If an on-board employee in the Title 32 or NTE T5 excepted civil service accepts this position, he/she will convert to a T5 Term appointment (tenure 3) with possible permanent status OR without possible permanent status. This employee will have NO reemployment rights to their previous T32 position; but may be reinstated to Title 5 NTE/VRA position if still available.

INDEFINITE APPOINTMENT - State National Guard Members not currently a MT NG federal employee: This is an obligated position. Selectee will be appointed as a TERM T5 Term employment with possible permanent status OR without possible permanent status (tenure 3).

Applicants who meet one of the DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP) categories below are eligible to apply with this preference.

• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Employees
• Priority Placement Program, Military Spouse Preference (MSP)

Documents for applicants who meet one of the DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP) categoriesApplicants claiming Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible must submit the following documentation:

• Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self Certification Checklist (DD 3145-3)
• Termination SF-50 Separation stating that the applicant has Priority Placement Eligibility
• Notice of Separation confirming of eligibility.

Applicants claiming Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement must submit the following documentation:

• Military Reserve and Technician Disability PPP Self Certification Checklist (DD 3145-2)
• Termination SF-50 Separation stating that the applicant has Priority Placement Eligibility
• Notice of Separation confirming of eligibility.

Applicant claiming Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Employees must submit the following documentation:

• DoD Retained Grade Self Certification Checklist (DD 3145-1)
• SF-50 effecting the placement in retained grade status
• Copy of the notification letter the employee received (RIF or classification downgrade)

Applicants claiming Priority Placement Program, Military Spouse Preference must submit the following documentation:

• DoD Military Spouse Preference Self Certification Checklist (DD 3145-4)
• Sponsor's PCS Orders
• Proof of Military member's current active duty status
• Marriage Certificate

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

To apply, you must submit a complete application package, if required items are missing, incomplete, and/or resume does not address the qualifications/experience requirements listed in the announcement and assessment, the applicant may be deemed unqualified and/or be found ineligible for Veterans' Preference (if applicable).

Required Documents:

1. Your resume MUST contain a DETAILED description (how, when, where, and at what level) in your own words, of civilian and/or military training/experience/education as it relates to the General and Specialized Experience.
2. List of other supporting documents in item 2a below.
3. Veterans' Preference documents:

• If claiming 5pt Veterans' Preference, MUST submit DD-214 (Member Copy 1 NOT accepted) or items listed in item 3a below.
• If claiming 10pt Veterans' Preference, MUST submit with resume, a (VA) Disability Verification Letter with DD-214 (Member Copy 1 NOT accepted). Those claiming Spousal or Parental Veterans' Preference must submit a completed SF-15 with packet; others may be requested to complete SF-15 later. See the documents listed below in items 3a and 3b.
• If claiming preference or hiring authority as a Military spouse, the documents listed in items 3a, 3b, and 3c.

NOTE: DD-214 Member Copy 1 WILL NOT be accepted for determination of Veterans' Preference eligibility.

More information:

2a. Other supporting documents: Items used to qualify applicant and those listed on announcement as required MUST be submitted; (i.e., copy of transcripts (IF USING EDUCATION AS A SUBSTITUTION FOR SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCES), Military membership documents (NGB 22/22A), certifications, SF-50s and other items).

3a. A DD-214 (Member Copy 1 not accepted) is REQUIRED if claiming any Veterans' Preference. Review 3b for 10pt requirements (MUST submit VA Disability Verification Letter with resume). It must be legible and shows dates of service, expedition/campaign medals (if using for Veterans' Preference), character of service (honorable, general, etc.). HRO prefers DD-214 Member Copy 4. If you are a current active duty military member who does not have a DD-214 and are claiming preference under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces indicating that you will be discharged or released under honorable conditions from active duty within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. Certifications must be on letterhead from the appropriate military branch and include the following information: military dates of service and expected discharge or release date, character of service, military rank, type of discharge and date when terminal leave will begin. Certifications must be signed by, or by direction of military member's military personnel offices, unit commanders or higher headquarters.

3b. If claiming 10pt preference (disability - XP, CP, CPS) or Sole Survivor Preference (SSP), you must submit a disability verification letter with DD-214. An SF-15 is required for Spousal or Parental Veterans' Preference; for all other must be submit SF-15 if requested. Forms must be completed and submitted with supporting documentation of claim listed on form and any listed disability documentation (if claiming disability preference) for claiming. Copy of marriage certificate is required for spouse's SSP or XP claims. You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center or online. For SF-15: http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf.

3c. If claiming preference or hiring authority as spouse of a veteran, a copy of the marriage certificate is also required in addition to item 4a documents, i.e., for DoD Priority Placement Program (must notify HRO rep on advertisement if claiming this status), and SSP or XP Veterans' Preference claims.

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for spouses claiming Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire/application. If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. Certification must reflect the dates of service, military rank, character of service (honorable, general under honorable, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.

***Documentation is required and applicant MUST claim veterans' preference within the assessment questionnaire to be awarded preference.***

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