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NON-STATUS (DEU) VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: NRCS-04-729B
TYPE OF APPOINTMENT & WORK SCHEDULE: Permanent – Full Time
POSITION TITLE, SERIES AND GRADE: Civil Engineer
GS-0810-11
SALARY: $ 49,437 – 62,523
NOTE: (A 15 percent relocation/recruitment bonus may be
authorized to applicant. )
OPENING DATE: July 19, 2004
CLOSING DATE: August 19, 2004
APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE BY THE CLOSE OF
BUSINESS (5 p.m.) ON: August 19, 2004
THIS POSITION HAS PROMOTION POTENTIAL TO: None
THE DUTY LOCATION AND ORGANIZATION (Also include number of vacancies.):
One Position
USDA-NRCS, Elko, NV
“The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership
effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and
environment.” (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/).
WHO MAY APPLY: Applications will be accepted from all qualified U. S. citizens.
You need not be a current or former Federal employee to apply; however, you must
be a U. S. citizen. Status Applicants (Current or former Federal employees) must
apply under vacancy announcement number NRCS-04-729A.)
Please read the entire vacancy announcement and follow all application
instructions. Failure to submit all required documents will result in your
application not being considered.
NOTE: To receive preference, eligible veterans claiming 5-Point Preference must
submit a copy of their DD-14, all 10-Point Preference Eligibles must submit a
completed Standard Form 15 (SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference),
and a letter from the Veteran’s Administration (VA) dated within the last 12
months outlining the percentage of their service connected disability.
MAJOR DUTIES:
In support of this mission, your duties will include:
1. Provides professional engineering services for the Eastern Resource Area
in Nevada that includes seven counties and four offices. Provides engineering
services in the Western Resource Area as requested.
2. Conducts on-site investigations to obtain planning and design data for
engineering practices such as irrigation and drainage systems, diversions and
water control structures, livestock watering developments, animal waste systems,
streambank stabilization measures and erosion and sediment control structures.
Determines need and site selection.
3. Prepares or supervises engineering designs, plans and specifications for
structures and systems of practices of moderate to high engineering complexity.
Reviews and approved engineering designs in accordance with approval authority.
4. Supervises installation and checks completed practices for adherence to
standards and specifications.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
To be basically qualified for this job, candidates must meet the basic
eligibility requirements for the GS-0810 series as set forth in the Operating
Manual for Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions. Candidates
must have:
A) Degree: professional engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1)
be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional
engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and
courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the
following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics;
(b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics,
hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature
and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to
properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science
or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B) Combination of education and experience--college-level education, training,
and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the
physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a
good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences
and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The
adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
Professional registration--Current registration as a professional engineer by any
State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of
qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration
by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions)
are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the
specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains
registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing
engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering
positions. Evidence of current registration as a professional engineer in at
least one state must be submitted with your application. If selected, and not
registered in Nevada, the selectee must become registerd in Nevada within a
reasonable period of time (i.e., 6 months.)
Written Test- Evidence of having successfully passed the Engineer-in-Training
(EIT) examination, or the written test required for professional registration,
which is administered by the Boards of Engineering Examiners in the various
States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
Specified academic courses--Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours
of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in
engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements. The
courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a
professional engineering curriculum as described in paragraph A. Related
curriculum--Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree
in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field, e.g., physics,
chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology,
may be accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering, provided the applicant has
had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under
professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be
either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional
engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type
experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related
curricula are not all-inclusive.)
In addition to the basic requirements described above, you must also have at
least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level (GS-9).
Examples of specialized experience include non-routine engineering work that
required and was characterized by professional knowledge of civil engineering
principles: professional ability to apply such knowledge to solve conventional
engineering problems; and positive and continuing development of professional
ability. The engineer is expected to be well versed in the standard theory and
practices in the field and proceed without technical instruction. Examples of
work experience qualifying for this position include conducting field
investigations and developing information necessary for the planning design, and
construction of various engineering practices; determining engineering equipment
needs for field staff; and participating in program appraisals, conducting
engineering functional inspections, and performing annual quality reviews.
Credit will be given for appropriate qualifying unpaid experience or volunteer
work such as community, cultural, social service, and professional association
activities on the same basis as for unpaid experience. To receive proper credit
for unpaid experience or volunteer work, fully describe your responsibilities and
show the actual time (years, months, and hours per week) spent in such
activities.
OR
C) A Ph.D. or equivalent graduate degree in Civil Engineering or other directly
related field, which enables the candidate to perform the duties of the position.
Foreign Education: If you wish to have education acquired outside the United
States credited for the educational requirements of this position, you must prove
that it has been evaluated as equivalent to the education gained in accredited
United States colleges and universities. Submit documentation of your education
to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign
educational credentials for a determination. The Council on Postsecondary
Accreditation may be of assistance in providing information on these
organizations www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/accreditation/accredus.html). The
processing of this vacancy announcement will not be delayed pending receipt of
your evaluation materials.
See Operating Manual for Qualifications Standards or
http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/index.htm for details.
KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED (KSA’s):
KSA Responses are limited to two (2) pages per KSA (anything beyond two pages
will not be considered).
The following knowledges, skills and abilities (KSAs) are required for this job.
For each KSA, you must prepare a two page or less written statement that explains
how you meet the specific KSA.
A. KNOWLEDGE OF ENGINEERING THEORIES, PRINCIPLES, AND TECHNIQUES in order
to plan, design, and construct irrigation and drainage systems, diversions and
water control structures, livestock watering developments, animal waste systems,
streambank stabilization measures, and erosion and sediment control structures.
B. KNOWLEDGE OF THE PRINCIPLES AND METHODOLOGIES OF SOIL CONSERVATION in
order to integrate engineering principles and practices to develop, analyze,
interpret, and apply NRCS and industry standards and specifications to solve
resource problems.
C. ABILITY TO OPERATE ENGINEERING EQUIPMENT AND COMPUTER AIDED DRAFTING AND
DESIGN SYSTEMS in order to survey, design, draft and perform construction layout
and inspection on a variety of engineering practices.
D. ABILITY TO WORK WITH OTHERS in order to effectively work with field
office personnel, landowners, contractors, sponsors, and other units of
government in carrying out engineering operations and training activities.
NOTE: Please respond to only the KSA’s that are listed.
BASIS OF RATING:
Your rating will be based on an evaluation of your experience as it relates to
the qualification requirements and on the knowledge, skills, and abilities
(KSA's) listed. You should provide detailed evidence of your possession of the
KSA's in your application as well as in your KSA responses with clear concise
examples that include level of accomplishment, and degree of responsibility.
For CTAP and ICTAP, well-qualified means that the applicant meets the
qualification standard and eligibility requirements for the position, meets
minimum educational and experience requirements, meets all selective factors
where applicable, and is able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the
position upon entry.
PAY, BENEFITS, AND WORK SCHEDULE:
This is a permanent, career-conditional appointment. Selectee will be eligible
for health and life insurance, annual leave (vacation), sick leave and will be
covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System, Thrift Savings Plan or
Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS).
The work schedule is full time (40 hours per week).
All Federal employees are required by Public Law 104-134 to have federal payments
made by Direct Deposit.
Your pay grade and step will be set in accordance with Federal pay regulations.
Management has the prerogative to select at any grade level for which this
position has been advertised. If you are placed in this position at a grade lower
than the target grade (i.e. the promotion potential grade), you may be promoted
to the target grade without further competition. However, there is no commitment
or obligation on the part of management to promote you. Your promotion will
depend upon the continuing need for that level of work to be performed and your
ability to perform the higher level duties.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
If you are selected for this position you will be required to:
• complete a one year probationary period, and
• complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your
suitability for Federal employment, authorize a background investigation, and
certify the accuracy of all the information in your application (or resume).
A background security investigation will be required for all new appointments.
Your continued employment will be subject to your successful completion of a
background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to
successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
If you are a male over age l8 who was born after December 3l, l959, you must have
registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be
eligible for a Federal job.
You must be a United States Citizen or National (resident of American Samoa and
Swains Island) to be considered for this job.
Your Social Security Number is requested to uniquely identify your records from
those of other applicants who may have the same name. Failure to provide your SSN
in your application package will result in your application not being processed.
OTHER INFORMATION:
If you make a false statement in any part of your application (or resume), you
may not be hired, or you may be removed after being hired.
You will be contacted regarding the status of your application. Selections
normally take approximately eight weeks after the closing date of the
announcement.
Information on Special Hiring Authorities
Are you:
• a 30% compensably disabled Veteran
(http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.htm),
• a VRA eligible (http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.htm),
• a person with a severe physical handicap
(http://www.opm.gov/disability/), or
• a former Peace Corps or VISTA Volunteer?
If so, we may be able to consider you under a special hiring authority. You must
tell us in your application under which of these special hiring authorities you
wish to be considered. If you want to be considered under a special hiring
authority as well as the regular competitive process, you must submit two
complete applications and request the dual consideration. When only one
application is received from a special hiring authority eligible, it will be
considered under the appropriate special hiring authority only. You must submit
proof of your eligibility with your application or you will not be considered
under a special hiring authority. The VRA hiring authority is limited to
positions at the GS-11 level and below.
Information on Veterans’ Preference
(http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.htm)
If you served on active duty in the United States Military and were separated
under honorable conditions, you may be eligible for Veterans’ Preference. What
types of preference are there?
• 5-point preference is granted if you entered the military service prior
to October l4, l976, or if your service began after October l5, l976, and you
received a campaign badge or expeditionary medal. You must submit a copy of your
DD-2l4 with your application package, by the closing date of the announcement, or
you will not receive 5-point preference.
• l0-point preference is granted if you are a disabled Veteran; you
received a Purple Heart; you are the spouse or mother of a l00% disabled Veteran;
or you are the unremarried widow (or widower) or the mother of a deceased
Veteran. You must submit, with your application package by the closing date of
the announcement, a copy of your DD-214, SF-l5 Application for l0-point Veterans’
Preference, plus the required proof of eligibility as indicated on the back of
that form or you will not receive 10-point preference.
Information on ICTAP/CTAP-
Individuals who have special priority selection eligibility under the Agency
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition
Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive
consideration for special priority selection. See Basis for Rating for definition
of "well qualified". Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit
proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 30.605 (a) for CTAP and 5 CFR
330.704 for ICTAP. This includes proof of eligibility, a copy of their most
recent Performance Rating and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current
position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to
reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.
NRCS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you
need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring
process, please notify us. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will
be on a case-by-case basis.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications submitted by facsimile or other electronic means will not be
accepted.
Submit your application package directly to the Human Resources Office by close
of business (5 p.m.) on the closing date. Late applications will result in your
application not being considered. There will be no exceptions.
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE TO:
USDA-NRCS
Human Resources Office
5301 Longley Lane, Bldg. F, Suite 201
Reno, NV 89511-1805
Attn: Ruth Ann Reed
CONTACT PERSON FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Name: Ruth Ann Reed
Phone: 775-784-5868 ext: 172
Items 1 through 3 are required documents that must be submitted by every
applicant:
1. An OF-612 Application for Federal Employment, resume, or any other form
of application. You do not need to send both an OF-612 and a resume. If you use a
resume, it must include all of the information listed below under “Required
Information on Resume”. If your application or resume does not include the
required information, you may lose consideration for the job. OF-6l2 forms may be
obtained on the Internet at www.opm.gov/forms/html/of.htm, or by calling the
number listed under ‘Contact’.
2. A separate, written response to each of the knowledges, skills, and
abilities listed in this vacancy announcement. Do not submit more than 2 pages
per KSA response. Responses to generic KSAs are not acceptable. See "Basis of
Rating" for more details. Failure to submit KSA responses as specifically
instructed may negatively impact your rating.
3. A legible copy of all college transcripts. If the qualification standard
for this position has specific educational requirements or permits the
substitution of education for experience (see the section entitled
“Qualifications Required”) and you wish to qualify based on this substitution,
you must submit a legible copy of your transcript(s) for your undergraduate and
graduate education. It is your responsibility to demonstrate that you possess the
required education. See “Qualifications Required”.
In addition, the following documentation must be submitted if applicable:
4. Documentation verifying Veterans status or Special Hiring Authority
eligibility. See “Other Information” for details.
5. Documentation verifying ICTAP/CTAP eligibility. See “Other Information”
for details.
What other important things do you need to know about submitting a successful
application package?
1. Do not send position descriptions, manuscripts, personal endorsements,
training certificates, publications, work samples, or any other unsolicited
material. They will be discarded. References to these items may be made in your
application, resume, or KSA responses.
2. Do not submit your application materials in a notebook, binder, or other
cumbersome covering. It will be discarded. Cover letters are acceptable.
3. You cannot use postage-paid government envelopes, messenger envelopes,
federal stamps, and federal postage meters to file your applications. It is a
violation of USDA regulations. Applications received directly or indirectly
through these means will not be considered.
4. Application packages will not be returned to you.
5. If you wish to have education acquired outside the United States
credited for the educational requirements of this position, you must prove that
it has been evaluated as equivalent to the education gained in accredited United
States colleges and universities. Submit documentation of your education to a
private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational
credentials for a determination. The Council on Postsecondary Accreditation may
be of assistance in providing information on these organizations
(www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/accreditation/accredus.html). The processing of this
vacancy announcement will not be delayed pending receipt of your evaluation
materials.
6. A professional application gives a positive impression to hiring
managers. It is recommended that you make the effort to assure your application
is neat, legible, error free, easy to read, and concise.
INFORMATION THAT IS REQUIRED IN A FEDERAL RESUME:
If you prepare a resume, be sure you provide all of the information listed below.
This is the same information that is identified on the OF-612 application form,
which can be found at www.opm.gov/forms/html/of.htm. You don’t need to send both
an OF-612 application form and a resume.
Tell us what job you are applying for, i.e.
- The announcement number, title and grade.
Provide all of the following.
- Full name, mailing address and day/evening telephone numbers
- Social Security Number.
- Country of Citizenship.
- Highest Federal civilian grade held, job series, and dates of employment in
grade.
Education:
- High School name, city, state and zip code, date of diploma or GED.
- Colleges and/or Universities attended, city, state and zip code
- Major field(s) of study.
- Type and year of degree(s) received.
Work experience related to the job for which you are applying:
- Job title.
- Duties and accomplishments.
- Number of hours per week.
- Employers name and address.
- Supervisor's name and phone number.
- Starting and ending dates of employment (month and year).
- Salary.
- Indicate if your current supervisor may be contacted.
Other Qualifications:
- Job-related training courses (title and year).
- Job-related skills (e.g., other languages, computer software/hardware, tools,
machinery, typing speed, etc.)
- Job-related certificates and licenses.
- Job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments (e.g. publications,
memberships in professional or honor societies,
leadership activities, public speaking, performance awards, etc.) Do not send
copies of documents unless specifically requested.
Veterans Preference:
- Indicate if you are claiming 5 points (attach DD 214) or 10 points (attach an
Application for 10 Point Veterans’ Preference (SF-15)
and proof required as indicated on the SF-15.)
USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of
race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political
beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. Not all prohibited
basis apply to all programs. Persons with disabilities who require alternative
means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape,
etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To
file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,
Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D. C.
20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD).
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