Visitor Services Information Assistant

Summary These position(s) are located on the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. These positions are responsible for dissemination of information and interpretative assistance to the public. Positions may be filled at one or more of the duty locations included in this announcement. Final determination of the duty location will be made at the time of the job offer. Responsibilities Duties described are at the target grade, GS-05. Disseminate information. Makes presentations on subjects such as fire safety, environmental awareness, recreation activities, and litter prevention. Meets visitors and independently replies, either verbally or in writing, to phone and mail inquiries requesting general information about Forest Service activities, programs, and policies. Inventories and prepares reports on the annual volumes of use, trends in public information needs, and public response to existing information output. Filing, typing, entering data, maintaining records, taking shorthand, and using and completing forms. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-04 level: You must have one year of progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work which provided the knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position being filled; OR an associate's degree or two years of successfully completed education above high school; OR combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. Examples of general experience includes greeting and assisting visitors, responding to phone and written inquiries, using word-processing and other automated software to produce routine documents, and handling customer service tasks such as collecting funds from sales. For the 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 are 1 or more of the following: Greet visitors, responding to visitor inquiries, and accounting for collected monies using computer programs and records. Plan and presenting interpretive talks and programs for visitors, local schools, and other groups; Perform 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. Education See above for education that may be qualifying for the specific grade level. Additional Information The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligible must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered. For additional information about the duties of this position: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area: Nathaniel Brodie - [email protected] Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands: Thomas Smeltzer - [email protected] for Cheyenne, OK Tina Cason - [email protected] for Magdalena, NM Ryan Washam - [email protected] for Grants, NM If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is not guaranteed. Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE. Salary wage as shown is for Rest of the U.S. Final salary will be determined at the time of selection dependent on the duty location for more information, refer to the Office of Personnel Management, Salary and Wages web page. Forest Service daycare facilities may be available. Housing may be available. We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.