This vacancy announcement will be open from December 26th, 2023 to January 2nd, 2024 or when 100 applications have been received. The vacancy will close on whichever day the first of these conditions are met. If the application limit is reached on the same day the announcement opened, the open and close date will be the same.  Candidates are encouraged to read the entire announcement before submitting their application packages.

Duties

The Bureau of Consular Affairs, Chicago Passport Agency (CA/PPT/CG), serves U.S. citizens intending international travel through passport issuance, while protecting the integrity of the U.S. passport as proof of U.S. citizenship at home and around the world.  

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Meet Recent Graduate Eligibility Requirements
• Must complete a Pathways participant agreement
• This position requires a Secret Security clearance
• Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required.
• Drug Test

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements, including education and any selective placement factors described below by the closing date of this announcement. Education may only be substituted in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order to be credited towards qualifications.To qualify for this Passport Specialist under the Pathways Program you must have recently graduated within the previous two years (Veterans precluded by their military service obligation will have up to six years).  You MUST include transcripts that show a graduation date (Conferred Date) within the last two years.  Including current transcripts that do not show a graduation date within the last two years will not meet the requirement Certificate Requirements: Undergraduate Certificates must contain a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours. Graduate certificates must contain a minimum of 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours. For study at a business or technical school, 36 weeks of study (20+ classroom hours per week) is comparable to 1 academic year above high school. The Department of State no longer accepts certificates that are credited with Continuing Education Units (CEUs). In addition to the recent graduation within the previous two years, you must also possess the following: GS-07: At least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-05 level or higher in the Federal service, that included examining, adjudicating, or authorizing applications i.e. claims; identifying gaps or inconsistencies in fraudulent applications or counterfeit documents; and presenting information regarding applications; or have at least one full year of graduate level education in law or a field that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work; or meet the requirements under the superior academic achievement provision; or have a combination of education and specialized experience.  Applicants must possess a percentage of the required specialized experience and a percentage of the required graduate level education such that, when the percentages of the required graduate level education and specialized experience are added together, they equal 100%. (You MUST submit transcripts or proof of education to support your claim) TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION.  You must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.  They must also show award and/or conferred dates. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.Foreign Education:  Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the 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.  Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials. If you are qualifying based on education, you must submit a copy of your college transcript with your application, and if selected, an official college transcript will be required to verify education prior to employment.

Education

See the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements, if applicable. 

Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.) is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. You must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university AND meet one of the following provisions of the superior academic achievement. 

1. A grade-point average of "B" (3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale) for all completed undergraduate courses or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study, or

2. A grade-point average of "B" (3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of your undergraduate study. Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university or major subdivision.  Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.

Grade point average should be rounded to one decimal point. For example, 2.95 is rounded to 3.0, and 2.94 is rounded to 2.9. NOTE: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) was taken on a pass/fail or similar basis, your claim must be based on class standing or membership in an honor society.

Contacts

• Address U.S. Department of State 1999 Dyess Avenue (Charleston Reg. Ctr.) Charleston, South Carolina 29405 United States
• Name: Pathways
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]