Job Title: Park Ranger (Visitor Services Specialist)

Department: Department Of The Interior

Agency: Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service

Job Announcement Number: R3-15-1337990-DD

JOB SUMMARY:

You too can make a difference in our world. The work of the US Fish and Wildlife Service is meaningful and varied. Want to know more about what it is like to work for us? Click here to watch short podcasts calledMeet Your New Boss! and Diversity is our Strength.

The incumbent serves as a Visitor Services Specialist at the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge located in Seymour, IN. assisting with the operations of the refuge’s visitor services program.  Incumbent will also support the Visitor Services program at the Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge in Madison IN.  The Stations are approximately within a 45 minute drive.  If expedient to the incumbent, they will be provided a government owned vehicle to travel from the Muscatatuck NWR to the Big Oaks NWR when assisting at the Big Oaks NWR.

An intermittent work schedule is when the nature of the work is sporadic and unpredictable so that a tour of duty cannot be regularly scheduled in advance.

This is a temporary position not-to-exceed 1 year.  This position may be extended or terminated at management’s discretion.

Temporary positions that work 1039 hours or less in a service year may be eligible for rehire in future seasons depending on work demands and budget.  Field season is approximately April through October.

TRAVEL REQUIRED

• Occasional Travel
• Incumbent will also support the Visitor Services program at the Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge in Madison IN.

RELOCATION AUTHORIZED

• No

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply to this position.
• A background investigation is required.
• A valid state driver’s license is required.
• Wearing a Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.

DUTIES:

Following are the major, though not all inclusive, duties of the position:

* Develops and presents a variety of interpretive programs including orientation talks, conducting walks, and demonstrations to a variety of general public audiences such as school groups,

* Initiates or assists with development or revisions on interpretive materials such as brochures, guidebooks, handouts, and exhibits.

* Prepares and conducts on-and off site environmental programs for a variety of audiences.

* Initiates or assists with development or revision of environmental education materials.

* Assists with recruitment and training of candidates for a volunteer program and assists in developing volunteer work projects and schedules for visitor services.

* Assists with the management of wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities such as hunting, fishing, wildlife observations, wildlife photography, environmental education and/or interpretation and with secondary recreation uses such as picnicking, berry picking, boating, mushroom picking and hiking in support of one or more of the primary uses.

* Assists with maintaining working relationships with Friends organizations and other partners by attending a variety of events and functions, giving informative talks, and asking for volunteer or other assistance.

* Drafts a variety of written materials including news releases, articles correspondence, and event flyers.

* Assists with issuing special permits for wildlife dependent recreation activities or other appropriate and compatible special events or activities.

* Assists with general maintenance and upkeep of Visitor Use facilities to include mowing, weed eating, painting, litter pick-up, cleaning, and trail clearing.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

By the closing date of this announcement, you must meet the minimum qualification requirements as outlined in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook and as identified in this announcement below.

Applicants must possess one of the following in order to qualify for this position at the GS-05 level:

Specialized Experience 52 weeks (1 year) of specialized experience that was equivalent to the next lower grade level, (GS-4), in the Federal service is required.  Specialized experience is experience which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of a Park Ranger (Visitor Services Specialist) at the GS-5 level.  Examples of specialized experience include: park guide or tour leader, conducting interpretive talks or demonstrations; assisting with managing wildlife dependent recreation activities such as hunting, observation, or photography; and drafting news releases or flyers to encourage attendance at special wildlife/park events.  Specialized experience may have been gained in technical, administrative, or scientific work, fish and wildlife management, recreation management, or other park related work.

OR

Education:  Successful completion of a 4 year course of study obtained in an accredited college or university, leading to a bachelor’s degree with the major field of study (at least 24 semester hours of related coursework) in a field that is directly related to the duties of a Park Ranger, Visitor Services Specialist  is required in order to qualify for the GS-05 level based on education.  Related fields of study include: natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. You must submit college transcripts if qualifying based on your education  (copies acceptable).  Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.

OR

Combination of Experience and Education:  Equivalent combinations of specialized experience and successfully completed education, as described above, are qualifying for this position at the GS-05 level.  Determine the percentage of qualifying experience you possess and determine the percentage of qualifying education you possess.  Add the two percentages together.  The total percentage must equal 100 percent or more in order to qualify for the GS-05 level based on a combination of experience and education.  NOTE:  Only education beyond the second year of college study, (i.e. that completed beyond the first 60 semester hours) is creditable. You must submit college transcripts if qualifying based on your education  (copies acceptable).  Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.

When submitting copies of college transcripts to qualify based on education, you may have to supplement the transcript with course descriptions and/or supporting statements from the school or faculty. This may be necessary if the course title is not sufficiently descriptive of course content. If the supporting documentation is required to determine qualifications and is not submitted, you may be determined not qualified for the position. Only college transcripts along with such supporting documentation will be accepted when required to evaluate your college course work.
You must submit a copy of your college transcripts to support your education claims if you are qualifying for the position based on education.  Unless otherwise stated, unofficial transcripts are acceptable.  If selected, you will be required to produce official transcripts.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.  It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

The work involves frequent on-site visits requiring some physical exertion such as walking over wet, rough, uneven or rocky terrain; bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, lifting, or similar activities.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Once the application process is complete, 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. Do not overstate or understate your level of experience and capability. You should be aware that your ratings are subject to evaluation and verification.

Applicants are expected to possess the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) listed below to qualify for this position. These KSAs are addressed in the self-assessment questionnaire that you will complete for this announcement. You do not need to respond separately to the KSAs listed below. Your answers to the on-line experience questions will serve as responses to the KSAs. Your application will be evaluated based on your ability to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies (KSAs):

Knowledge of the concepts, principles and practices of visitor services management in order to develop and present interpretive, environmental education and wildlife oriented recreation activities.

Ability to communicate in writing, including the use of computer software programs to create interpretive materials.

Ability to communicate orally on natural resource and science based curriculum to diverse audiences of varied backgrounds and age levels.

Qualified candidates will then be placed in one of three categories:

• BEST QUALIFIED
• WELL QUALIFIED
• QUALIFIED

Please make sure that your responses to the assessment questionnaire are supported in your resume.  Follow all instructions carefully as errors or omissions may affect your score.  Please note that if a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher in the self assessment than is apparent in your description of experience and/or education OR your application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible, not qualified, or your score may be lowered.

APPLICATION OF VETERAN’S PREFERENCE:  The Category Rating method does not add veteran’s preference points or apply the “rule of three” but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category.  Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade lever or higher.  An agency may not select a non-preference eligible over a preference eligible in the same category unless the agency receives approval to pass over the preference eligible in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3318.

To preview the Occupational Assessment Questionnaire, click here View Assessment Questions

BENEFITS:

The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

The following link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to most Federal employees: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits

 
OTHER INFORMATION:

1. If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) you may apply for special selection over other candidates for this position. For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible see http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85 or above on the rating criteria for this position. Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP.  This includes a copy of the agency notice, 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.

2. Category rating procedures will be used to rate and rank candidates. Under category rating, applicants who meet basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position and whose job-related competencies or knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) have been assessed are ranked by being placed in one of three predefined quality categories instead of being ranked in numeric score order. The Category Rating method does not add veteran’s preference points or apply the “rule of three” but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category.  Preference eligibles that meet minimum qualification requirements and have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade lever or higher.

3. If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review in our office, in other Federal agency personnel offices, and on OPM’s web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Friday, March 13, 2015 to receive consideration.
* To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
* Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
* It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
* To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login , select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application.  Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
* To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement.  You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents:

You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
NOTE:  If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.

If you completed the occupational questionnaire online and are unable to upload supporting document(s):
1. To fax your documents, you must use the following cover page http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf and provide the required information. The Vacancy ID is 1337990.
2. Fax your documents to 1-478-757-3144.

If you cannot complete the Application Package online, you may fax all of your materials. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Friday, March 13, 2015 to receive consideration. Keep a copy of your fax confirmation in the event verification is needed.

To complete the occupational questionnaire and submit via fax:

1. Click the following link to view and print the occupational questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire.
2. Print the 1203FX form, follow the instructions and provide your responses to the occupational questionnaire items http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/opm1203fx.pdf.
3. Fax the completed 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to 1-478-757-3144. Your 1203FX will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

In addition to your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire, the following documents are required:

• Resume (required)
• Transcripts (if qualifying based on education or if position has minimum education requirements)

The documents listed below must be submitted, if applicable, as they will be used to verify your stated eligibility to apply to this vacancy.

• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP):  Must submit a copy of the agency notice; a copy of his/her last Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50 noting current position, grade levels, and duty location; and their most recent annual performance appraisal.
• Veterans Preference documentation: A copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility, such such as an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veterans’ Preference, plus the proof required by that form.

If you fail to submit all of the required materials, we will not be able to fully process your application, and you may lose consideration for this position.

Your resume, curriculum vitae, the Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF 612), or any other written format you choose to describe your job-related qualifications can be submitted electronically using the document upload process or by fax. Please be sure to include all of the following information in your resume:

• Your full name, mailing address (with zip code) and day/evening telephone numbers; Country of Citizenship.  If ever employed by the Federal Government, please show the 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.  For any colleges and/or universities attended, include city, state, and zip code; major field(s) of study; type and year of degree(s) received.  If no degree was received, show total credit hours received in semester or quarter hours.
• Work Experience – List each paid or non-paid position held related to the job for which you are applying (do not provide copies of job descriptions).  Include job title; duties and accomplishments; number of hours worked per week; employer’s name and address; supervisor’s name and phone number; starting and ending dates of employment (month and year); and salary.  For seasonal employment, list starting and ending dates for each period of work.  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; and 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.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Deborah L. Daniel
Phone: (612)713-5228
TDD: (800)877-8339
Email: DEBORAH_DANIEL@FWS.GOV

Agency Information:
US Fish and Wildlife Service Minnesota
Division of Human Resources
5600 American Blvd West
Bloomington, MN
55437-1458

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.