Visitor Services Information Assistant

• Assists in developing specific objectives for interpretive programs and displays, providing input to the annual plan of work.
• Inventories and prepares reports on the annual volumes of use, trends in public information needs, and public response to existing information output.
• Makes regular visits to the various public schools and social groups. Makes presentations on subjects such as fire safety, environmental awareness, recreation activities, and litter prevention.
• Maintains inventory of existing publications for public use. Prepares or assists in the preparation of informational exhibits which include photos, maps, etc. Maintains the Forest video, film, and slide library and audio-visual equipment.
• Ensures that the information desk at a reception area or visitor center is covered at all times and answers the phone and radio.
• Greets visitors and responds to a variety of inquiries regarding Forest Service activities, programs, exhibits, facilities, policies, and functions.
• Provides guidance to the public on rules and regulations regarding on-unit activities and attempts to gain public cooperation in protecting resources from damage and pollution.
• Assists visitors and callers with informational searches, and with use of the reference library.
• Monitors and reports statistics such as visitor numbers and activities, for project planning. Keeps abreast of unit issues and acts as lead to other information desk co-workers as needed.
• Serves as Collection Officer to sell forest timber permits and other items, such as maps and passes, in accordance with manual and handbook requirements.
• Is held responsible for submitting and accounting for collected monies using approved computer programs and records.
• Performs regular daily activities for the reception area or visitor center, including but not limited to, daily opening and closing of the facility, raising and lowering the flag, and maintaining the front desk.
• Provides visitors with effective instructions on security and safety procedures and informs the supervisor of visitor needs. Maintains a lost and found for visitors and staff.
• Coordinates Interpretive Association book sales, including ordering, stocking, sales, quarterly inventory and reporting.
• Coordinates with staff specialists and public affairs office to provide the latest, most accurate and appropriate information to the public.
• Researches and maintains an inventory of timely publications, brochures, posters, and informational handouts for the public. Creates and posts informational handouts and flyers concerning safety, events and other items of importance.
• Works with the public affairs unit to ensure that current and accurate information is available on the external Forest Service website. Updates information such as road and recreation closures.
• Responds to and directs web and email inquiries to the appropriate personnel. Acts as liaison to other information centers such as other Forest Service offices or the local Chamber of Commerce.
• Arranges informational interpretive displays in the reception area or visitor center. Varies or changes the displays to coincide with seasonal changes and unit program emphases.
• Handles clerical duties, such as mail and package delivery, personnel updates to phone lists and sign-out board.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Direct Deposit Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing.
• Must be 18 years of age.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

GS-05: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-4 grade level; OR a bachelor's degree or 4 years of successfully completed education above high school; OR combinations of successfully completed post-high school education (in excess of the first 60 semester hours) and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university.

Examples of specialized experience include: Greeting visitors, responding to visitor inquiries, and accounting for collected monies using computer programs and records. Planning and presenting interpretive talks and programs for visitors, local schools, and other groups. Performing clerical duties, including mail and package delivery, assisting with scheduling for conference rooms, and operating audio/visual equipment

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. Eligible applicants will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Applicants with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be referred to the selecting official.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

• Resume that includes: Personal Information: name, address, contact information; Education; Work Experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); other qualifications. Resume cannot exceed 2 pages.
• If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
• Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), current performance appraisal with rating of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.

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