Vacancy Announcement: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Kern National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Delano, CA Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Crew Leader

OFFICIAL POSITION TITLE: SOCIAL SERVICES ASSISTANT, GS-0186-4/5

OPENING DATE: 03/22/2017 CLOSING DATE: 04/19/2017

Applications MUST BE RECEIVED on or before the closing date of the announcement in order to be considered.

SALARY:

GS-4: $15.85 per hour

GS-5: $17.73 per hour

WHO MAY APPLY: All applicants must be U.S. Citizens.

DUTY LOCATION:

U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE REGION 8 KERN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE COMPLEX DELANO, CALIFORNIA

DUTIES:

The incumbent serves as a Group Leader for the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) non-residential crew at Kern National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Leader is responsible for supervising a group of high school students (4) on assigned work projects, while giving instruction in usable work skills, good work habits, safety awareness, and sound environmental practices. Typical work projects will include using hand tools and weed eaters, facility enhancement projects, removal of invasive plant species, planting native species, fence removal and possibly trail work. Leader works alongside students and provides technical guidance and direction in all phases of field projects to ensure safety, ascertain proper performance, and to satisfactorily answer students' questions about projects. Most work will be outdoors, requiring physical exertion and average agility. Temperatures and weather extremes will likely be encountered while performing outdoor work. Leader will present the educational portion of the students' work schedule by discussions and demonstrations on an assigned project or subject focusing on environmentally sound work methods. Leader will provide direction and information to students at the work site for Environmental Awareness 'hands on' and participatory activities. Leader is responsible for the security and safety of students. Leader must remain alert for adverse social behavior and discipline problems. Leader will transport students in a government owned or leased motor vehicle to refuges, field trips, and back to Delano. Leader will also report YCC group time, project status, equipment supply needs, performance evaluations, overall paperwork related to projects and final summary reports, and counsels students on work related personal and/or group matters.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS:

Qualified applicants will be notified by email for a phone interview.

GS-4: Applicants must have six months of general experience plus six months of specialized experience -OR- Successful completion of two years of study that (a) included at least 12 semester hours of subjects directly related to the work of the position, or (b) was supplemented by experience in activities that afforded the opportunity to acquire and demonstrate the skills required by the position. (The supplementary experience may have been gained, for example, in part-time or summer employment, in volunteer social welfare or recreation programs, or in community organizations.)

GS-5: Applicants must have one year specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-4 level -OR-Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree that (a) included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of subjects directly related to the work of the position; (b) included a major in social behavior, human behavior, or health care or;(c) was supplemented by experience in activities that afforded the opportunity to acquire and demonstrate the skills required by the position.

Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

  • Group leader in community or residential recreation or training programs.
  • Counselor in a youth summer camp.
  • Instructor in a training program for the development of job skills.
  • Work that demonstrated the ability to be responsible for and to lead and train members of a job crew.
  • Group activities leader in the Armed Services.
  • Unit leader-monitor-proctor for a dormitory group in a boarding school or other residential facility.
  • Aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff in such fields as personnel (private or government), employment guidance in a vocational or academic institution, social service, or manpower development.
  • Aid or assistant to professional or associate staff engaged in work of a social services nature in private, public welfare, government program, or community organizations, or in voluntary activities.
  • Aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff working with individuals who are addicted to or abuse alcohol and/or drugs.
  • Education (post-high school) must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university. One full year of undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in a college or university or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business or technical school.

Combining Experience and Education: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and experience is qualifying.

Note: Because the requirements for specialized experience are based on Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's) of the position, it is important to address the KSA's which are listed below.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSA's):

  1. Ability to communicate orally with young adults.
  2. Skill in supervising or working in a leadership role.
  3. Knowledge of natural resource conservation/maintenance practices (e.g. trail construction and maintenance, habitat or stream improvement, landscaping, sign posting, carpentry, painting).
  4. Skill in training/teaching others.

BASIS FOR RATING:

If you meet minimum qualifications for the position, you will be rated based on your level of possession of the KSA's identified above. Accordingly, it is strongly recommended that you address the KSA's which are listed in the announcement.

PAY, BENEFITS, AND WORK SCHEDULE:

SALARY: GS-4: $15.85 per hour

GS-5: $17.73 per hour

Refuge housing is available at no cost, which is located at the Kern National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters.

OPPORTUNITIES:1 Vacancy

STATUS: This is a Temporary position, not-to-exceed 10 weeks. Anticipated start date is May290,y6 and ends August.ldlife Refuge Headquarters______, 2017.

TOUR OF DUTY: Full-Time - 40 Hours per Week, Monday through Friday.

Travel, transportation and relocation expenses will not be paid for temporary positions. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee. Housing may be available on the refuge.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Incumbent must be able to operate a government-owned or leased motor vehicle. A valid state driver's license is required.

Incumbent is required to wear a hard hat/helmet or other safety clothing, as prescribed by regulations.

The majority of the work is performed outdoors. Temperature and weather extremes may be encountered. The work requires physical exertion such as walking over wet, rough, uneven or rocky surfaces, bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, climbing or similar activities.

All new employees of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must identify a financial institution for direct deposit of pay prior to appointment.

A background security investigation MAY be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

This position is designated as non-sensitive for security purposes.

As a condition of employment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law.

OTHER INFORMATION:

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

Selection for this position will be made without regard to political, religious, or labor organization affiliation, marital status, race, color, sex, national origin, non-disqualifying handicapping condition or age.

HOW TO APPLY:

All application material MUST BE RECEIVED on or before the closing date on the announcement in order to be considered.

Applications must be complete. All information requested in the 'How to Apply' section MUST be included. Failure to do so may result in your losing consideration for this position.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE CORRECT ADDRESS. Failure to do so may result in your losing consideration for this position.

WHAT IS NEEDED TO APPLY (items 1 through 3 below):

1. Submit a RESUME, Optional APPLICATION for Federal Employment (OF-612), or other written application format of your choice. Although we do not require a specific format, certain information is REQUIRED to determine if you are qualified. Your application must include all of the information specified in the vacancy announcement to which you are responding AND the following:

Job Information:

* Title and grade(s) for which you are applying.

Personal Information:

* Full name, mailing address, day and evening telephone number(s)

* Social security number

* Citizenship information

Educational Information:

* Name, city, state, of high school, college, and/or graduate school

* Date of diploma or GED, or expected date of completion of degree

* Type and year of degree received. If no degree received, show total credits earned and indicate if semester or quarter hours.

* Graduates of foreign universities must include proof of foreign education equivalency to an accredited U.S. college/university *Copy of college transcripts (if required by the QUALIFICATIONS or if applicable to the position)

Paid and Non-Paid Work Experience: For each work experience include:

* Job title (include series/grade if Federal employment)

* Duties and accomplishments

* Employer's name and address

* Starting and ending dates (MONTH / YEAR)

* Number of hours worked per week (REQUIRED in order to credit your experience)

* Salary

* Supervisor's name and telephone number

* Indicate whether current supervisor/employer may be contacted

2. NARRATIVE ASSESSMENT OF YOUR QUALIFICATIONS in terms of the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's) identified within the announcement. Describe experience (paid or unpaid), education, training, and self-development as related to each of the KSA's. Your rating will be based on your level of possession of these KSA's. Also please fill out the Kern NWRC Local Hire Program Supplemental Questionnaire, if you are from the local area.

3. COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS (quality photocopies and Unofficial Transcripts are acceptable) MUST be submitted, in order to qualify based on your education.

Form OF-612 may be obtained on the United States Office of Personnel Management web site at

SEND OR EMAIL ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS TO:

U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Kern National Wildlife Refuge Complex ATTN: Miguel Jimenez P.O. Box 670, Delano, CA 93216

CONTACT PHONE: 661-725-2767ex.208 Fax: 661-725-6041 Email:

NAME______Date: ______

(Optional) KERN NWRC LOCAL HIRE PROGRAM SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE

YCC Crew Leader (Social Services Assistant)

GS-0186-04/05

Please respond to the following questions so we can determine your level of knowledge and skills for this position.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

  1. Do you now, or have you ever, lived or worked in or near the public lands in California?
  2. Yes (This answer needs to be supported on your application/resume)
  3. No
  1. Have you lived in the vicinity of Kern National Wildlife Refuge Complex? If so for how long?
  2. Less than one (1) year.
  3. One (1) to five (5) years.
  4. Over five (5) years.
  5. I have not lived in the vicinity.
  1. While working or living in or near the public lands of Delano, Ca, have you held a job with duties involving natural or cultural resources?
  2. Yes
  3. No
  1. How would you describe the type of natural/ cultural resources knowledge and experience you have obtained? Please circle all that apply.
  2. Community history such as: specific dates, important events, seasonal observations, customs, etc.
  3. Geographic features and/or unique land markers such as: mountain or river names/locations, types of landscapes, or other geographic information.
  4. Wildlife (including identification of): mammals, birds, insects, big game, fish, or other animals specific to the area.
  5. General knowledge of safety precautions, weather conditions, recreation options, and important information about the local community.
  6. Other unique information not listed above (you may be asked to elaborate at a later time).
  7. I do not have knowledge or experience as listed above.
  1. What methods have you used to share this knowledge and/or experience with others? Please circle all that apply.
  2. Materials such as brochures, pamphlets, books, or written documents.
  3. Media such as websites, Twitter, Facebook, podcasts, etc.
  4. Formal and/or informal presentations.
  5. Hands-on activities and/or games.
  6. Other methods not listed above (you may be asked to elaborate at a later time).
  7. I do not have skill or experience with the methods listed above.
  1. Do you have knowledge of the local area, resources, habitats, wildlife?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  1. What types of tools have you used for personal or professional use? (Please circle all that apply).
  2. Hand tools: Hammer tape measure, screw driver, wrench, pliers, etc.
  3. Grounds Maintenance: shovel, wheel barrow, hacksaw, cutters/shears, etc.
  4. Safety equipment: goggles, gloves, safety belt, dolly, etc.
  5. I have not used the tools listed above.
  6. Have you been involved with environmental education programs? (Please circle all that apply).
  7. I have independently developed a program.
  8. I have personally delivered a program.
  9. I have assisted others with a program.
  10. I have attended a program.
  11. I have not been involved with environmental education programs.
  1. Have you had any leadership experience in a group setting?
  2. Yes
  3. No

I certify that the statements made on this application are true, correct and complete to the best of my knowledge.

______

Applicant signatureDate