Education Program Specialist, GS-1720-13 FPL GS-13 (DE Indian Preference)

Summary This position is located in Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), Office of Indian Education (OIE) at the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The position performs professional work for an educationally related program (or group of programs) directed towards improving American education. Learn more about this agency Duties APPLICATION LIMIT: This vacancy announcement is limited to the first 200 applications received and will close at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the day that we receive the 200th application, or at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the listed closing date, whichever occurs first.  We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application.As a Education Program Specialist, GS-1720-13, you will be responsible for:•     Researching program criteria for selection, funding, evaluation and other grant processes, and where applicable, the selection of awardees. Develop, write, and obtain clearance for application review plans to be used for evaluation.  •     Initiating, planning, and participating in Federal, Tribal, State, and local meetings, workshops, seminars, consultations, and where applicable, conferences for the purpose of obtaining certification or providing training in the field. •     Interpreting program requirements, criteria, rules, regulations, and comments received on proposed regulations and policies. Consult with department staff, officials, contractors, and clients to obtain cooperative input and collaboration.•     Representing the OIE and gather data across various meetings, conferences, and consultations to maintain working relationships with Indian Tribes, Indian Organizations, and elected Tribal leaders and/or their designated proxies.  •     Handling the most complex features of the operational aspects of the program, providing coordination and leadership where necessary to other members of the staff and/or representatives from other organizations. Requirements Conditions of employment Relocation will not be paid. Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service. You may be subject to serve a one-year probationary period. Must be a US Citizen Must complete a Background Investigation and Fingerprint check. Condition of Employment: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a probationary period or trial 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 OR trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. 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. We will consider all qualifying experience, including any volunteer experience. Qualifications Minimum Qualification RequirementsYou may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-13, if you possess the specialize experience.Specialized Experience for the GS-13One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-12 performing two (2) out of  three (3) of the following duties or work assignments:1.  Experience administering, supporting, or participating in grant programs at the Federal, Tribal, State, local, or private level, including activities such as application review, performance monitoring, compliance, or technical assistance.2.  Experience working with, on behalf of, or in support of American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian communities, organizations, or governments in a professional, governmental, educational, or community capacity.3.  Experience researching, analyzing, or synthesizing information related to Education program, policy, regulatory, or legislative issues and communicating findings through written products such as reports, memoranda, briefs, summaries, or similar documents.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).1.  Knowledge of professional education principles and techniques.2.  Skill in oral and written communication around reporting requirements and providing technical assistance.3.  Ability to identify complex issues, conceptualize solutions, and execute strategies.4.  Knowledge of Tribal Sovereignty and the federal trust and treaty responsibilities between Indian Tribes and the U.S. government. Education Basic requirements:  Degree: that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in a field related to the work of the position to be filled, of which at least 9 semester hours must have been in education courses. OR Combination of education and experience -- at least 24 semester hours in a field related to the work of the position to be filled, of which at least 9 semester hours must have been in education courses, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The experience must reflect the level and kind described in C below. OR Four years of experience that demonstrated a thorough understanding of the principles and practices underlying the work of this series. This experience must have been of such character and diversity to demonstrate that the applicant possesses an understanding of the field comparable to that normally acquired through successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university. OR At least 1 full academic year of professional teaching experience. This experience is defined as full and primary responsibility, under general supervision, for instruction of assigned students in an accredited school or institution. This includes responsibility for preparing and presenting lessons and for evaluating students' progress, including a determination of the students' success or failure according to established criteria. Serving in an assistant capacity to a professor without the authority to determine the students' success or failure to meet course requirements does not meet this criterion. Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet education 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. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must submit a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.  For further information, please click Foreign Education. Additional information Veterans’ Career Counseling: If you are a veteran interested in receiving tips on preparing a Federal resume and/or how to prepare for an interview, you may email [email protected] to schedule a session with a career counselor (“Veterans Counseling Session” should be placed in the subject line of the email). Student Loan Default: If selected for this position, we will verify that you have not defaulted on any loan funded or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are found to be in default, we will contact you to make arrangements for repayment prior to making an official offer of employment. Suitability and Investigation: If selected for this position, you will be required to complete the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for federal employment and successfully complete a pre-appointment investigation/background check.Essential/Non-Essential: This position is considered non-essential for purposes of reporting to work during federal government closures.Financial Disclosure: This position does not require financial disclosure.Bargaining Unit:  This position is included in the bargaining unit (American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 252).  Selections: Agencies have broad authority under law to hire from any appropriate source of eligibles and may fill a vacancy in the competitive service by any method authorized. We may make additional selections from this vacancy announcement within 90 days from the date the selection certificates are issued, should vacancies occur. We may also share selection certificates amongst program offices across the agency. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. As an ED employee, you will also benefit from our family-friendly work environment. As part of our commitment to maintain a work life balance, we offer excused leave for Parent/Teacher Conferences (3 hours); excused leave for annual health screenings (4 hours); and matching leave for community volunteer service. Other flexibilities that may be available to you include alternative work schedules. You may be eligible to receive a recruitment incentive for this position. To receive this incentive payment, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon. You may be eligible to receive a relocation incentive for this position. To receive this incentive payment, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon. You may be eligible to participate in the Student Loan Repayment Program as a recruitment incentive for this position. To receive student loan repayments, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.