The Recent Graduates Program affords developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. Current students who are scheduled to graduate within nine months may also apply to these positions. However, these students cannot be appointed until after graduation and the official degree has been awarded and conferred.

Duties

As an advanced trainee, employee will perform assignments to determine type, amount and level of information required to develop and analyze ecosystem management alternatives. Under the guidance of a higher graded specialist, participates in developing data dictionaries, data models, and metadata for multi-disciplinary information and geospatial applications. Receives training in the conversion of geospatial information and remote sensing imagery into GIS databases; and in organization and maintenance of resource information and data. Receives training in more advanced skills, techniques and procedures by performing a variety of productive activities involving the use of geospatial analysis processes, protocols and solutions. As a trainee, participates in the manipulation and analysis of geospatial data linking a variety of resources such as socio-economics, land, air, water, timber, recreation, wildlife, fisheries, and/or special management areas. Performs progressively more difficult assignments involving multi-resource analysis. Works with higher graded specialists to create increasingly more complex thematic map products and presentation materials using established automated map and chart making processes. In a training capacity, collects and/or receives data for processing and compiling into datasets for producing cartographic models, maps and analysis. Applies basic geographic and cartographic principles to the resolution of more complicated issues in geospatial database construction and map compilation.

Requirements

• Must be at least 16 years of age and meet education requirements.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National or be lawfully permitted to the U.S. as a permanent resident or otherwise authorized to be employed.
• Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.
• The incumbents of Recent Graduate positions may be reassigned/relocated to any geographical location where the employee's services are needed as determined by management. Mobility agreement may be required.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period.
• A signed participant agreement is required for employment under Pathways.
• Announcements for bargaining unit positions: This is a bargaining unit position and is represented by either NFFE, AFGE, or NAGE.

Qualifications

You are required to meet the eligibility requirements of the Recent Graduate program, as described below in order to be considered for this position. You must meet all the eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. The minimum qualification requirements for each grade level of this vacancy announcement are described below: RECENT GRADUATES PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY To be eligible, you must meet one of the following requirements: Completed all requirements for an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two years; OR If you are a current student who is in the process of completing your degree, academic documentation must accompany your application package to validate your upcoming graduation date (you must complete all degree requirements within nine months of the application closing date to be considered a Recent Graduate); OR Due to military service obligation, you were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduate Program during any portion of the two-year eligibility period described above. This eligibility period cannot extend more than six years from the date on which the requirement for the academic degree or certificate was received. You must possess the qualifications requirements identified below to be considered qualified for this position. Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. 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. This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series listed below. Basic Requirement: GS-0101: Degree - Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelors or higher degree that included a major field of study in behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR Combination of education and experience: that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field; OR Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. GS-0401: Degree - Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelors or higher degree that included a major field of study that included 24 semester hours in course work in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR Combination of education and experience that included 24 semester hours in course work in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, AND experience sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field needed to perform the work of the occupation. GS-1301: Degree - Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelors or higher degree that included a major field of study in: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics; OR Combination of education and experience: education equivalent to one of the majors shown above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-07 level:Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level; OR one full year of graduate level education (18 semester hours); OR an appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience; OR Superior Academic Achievement (to determine if you are eligible, go to: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include meeting two or more of the following: Analyzed, compiled and synthesized technical data; Applied data principals to the development of maps or other technical or visual materials and the manipulation of geospatial data; Created simple thematic map products and presentation materials using established automated map and chart making processes; or applied basic geographic and cartographic principles to the resolution of simple issues in geospatial database construction and map compilation. Please note that Superior Academic Achievement cannot be applied unless you have graduated and have been awarded the degree (the final GPA is required). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. 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

This position has a positive education requirement, as outlined above under basic qualifications. The term positive education requirement refers to an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) determination that the duties of a scientific, technical, or professional position cannot be performed by an individual that does not have the prescribed minimum education. For additional information on the qualification standards for the 0101/0401/1301 series, visit the OPM Qualifications Standards found at:

GS-0101 Qualification Standards
GS-0401 Qualification Standards
GS-1301 Qualification Standards

Education completed in foreign colleges and universities may be used if it has been accredited or evaluated by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Note regarding certificate programs: A certificate program is defined as a post-secondary education, in a qualifying education institution, equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study that is part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum. While recently graduating from a certificate program may afford you Recent Graduate Program eligibility, it may not be sufficient in terms of qualification standards for the series and/or the grade level.

POSITION INFORMATION: This announcement is associated with the 2023 Women of Color in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) hiring event.

If you have questions regarding duty locations in this announcement please email [email protected]. Please include the announcement number and the exact location(s) for which you have questions in your email.

This position will be filled at the GS-07 grade level with promotion potential to the GS-09.

This position is being concurrently announced under Merit Promotion procedures as announcement number 24-NPT-ENG-GIS-57-FS-RS. Current federal employees may apply to both announcements. This position may be filled at the GS-05 or GS-07 grade level with promotion potential to the GS-09.

Contacts

• Address USDA Forest Service HRM Contact Center DO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT. Albuquerque, NM 87109 US
• Name: HRM Contact Center
• Phone: 1-877-372-7248 X2
• Email: [email protected]