New Job Passport Specialist, Gs-07 (Pathways Recent Graduate) In California
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| Passport Specialist, GS-07 (Pathways Recent Graduate) |
Passport Specialist, GS-07 (Pathways Recent Graduate)
Company : US Department of State - Agency Wide
Salary : $49,884 - $64,852 a year
Location : California
Full Description
Duties
The Bureau of Consular Affairs, Los Angeles Passport Agency (CA/PPT/LA), 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.
As a Passport Specialist, you will:
- Receive, examine, and adjudicate applications for the issuance, amendment, and replacement of passports forwarded by acceptance agents or presented by applicants or applicant representatives.
- Examine evidence of citizenship submitted with applications to determine and judge authenticity and adequacy in relation to laws, regulation, and procedures associated with the issuance of passports.
- Maintain of the possibility of fraudulent documentation or claims of identity.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- 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
Positions will be filled under the Pathways Recent Graduates Program. Recent Graduates who have completed a qualifying degree or certificate program within the previous two years may apply (Veterans precluded by their military service obligation, will have up to six years). *See provision in Qualification section below. Upon successful completion of the program requirements, the incumbent may be converted to a term, career or career-conditional position with promotion potential to the GS-11.
Telework Ineligible-This position is not eligible for telework.
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).
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 I meet the requirements under the superior academic achievement provision; or I 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.
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.
Additional information
Pathways Program Information: For additional information regarding Pathways, please click the following link:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/students-recent-graduates/
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER - Your Social Security Number is requested under the authority of Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may have the same name. As allowed by law or Presidential directive, your Social Security Number is used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others who may know you.
SELECTIVE SERVICE - If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify at the time of appointment that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION - This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Office of Employee Relations, Disability/Reasonable Accommodations Division, at (202) 261-8163 or [email protected]. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-Verify) – U.S. law requires organizations to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States - either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This agency utilizes E-Verify to compare information from the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) records to confirm employment eligibility. If the employee’s information does not match DHS and/or SSA records, the employee is given an opportunity to resolve the problem. If eligibility cannot be verified, employment will be terminated.
Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination for Federal Employees:
As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee’s duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021, or before appointment or onboarding with the Department of State, if after November 22. The Department of State will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement.
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.
The Department of State provides an array of benefits, financial incentives, and family friendly programs to its employees (e.g., health, life and long-term care insurance, counseling, employee consultation and referral services, retirement benefits, leave programs, child care centers, Student Loan Repayment Program, flexible work hours, Transit Subsidy Program, paid federal holidays, etc.). For additional information on DOS benefits click here.
Employees hired under the Pathways Programs on appointments for 90 days or more are eligible to earn annual and sick leave.As a Department of State employee, program participants are eligible to receive a transit subsidy each month to compensate for travel to and from work via certain types of public transportation.
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated and rated under the Category Rating and Selection procedures. Based on your responses to the job-specific self-assessment questions, eligible candidates are placed for selection consideration into one of three pre-defined quality categories as described below:
Highly-qualified Category - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications for the position, candidates must fully demonstrate proficiency in all major aspects of the position.
Well Qualified Category - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all of the major aspects of the position.
Qualified Category - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate a basic level of knowledge, skill and ability of the position.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs) and other characteristics that are relevant to the duties of this position and must be fully supported by information in your resume:
** Knowledge of the statutes, rules, and regulations
** Ability to identify inconsistencies in information/applications.
** Ability to work with people from different cultures/countries.
** Ability to communicate in writing.
** Ability to communicate orally.
Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. 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). Your resume should include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week. For assistance with creating a resume, please click
here.
Application of Veterans Preference: The Category Rating Method does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three," but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each pre-defined quality category. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent (i.e., CPS and CP) must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher.
Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements and submit any required supporting documentation by the closing date of this announcement. Your application package must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic/specialized experience requirements as stated in this job opportunity announcement for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. Applicants found to be among the top qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.
To preview questions please click here.
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.
The Department of State provides an array of benefits, financial incentives, and family friendly programs to its employees (e.g., health, life and long-term care insurance, counseling, employee consultation and referral services, retirement benefits, leave programs, child care centers, Student Loan Repayment Program, flexible work hours, Transit Subsidy Program, paid federal holidays, etc.). For additional information on DOS benefits click here.
Employees hired under the Pathways Programs on appointments for 90 days or more are eligible to earn annual and sick leave.As a Department of State employee, program participants are eligible to receive a transit subsidy each month to compensate for travel to and from work via certain types of public transportation.
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.
Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted to our automated system "Gateway to State" by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement.
1. Resume - your resume or any other written format you choose should contain the required information as specified in the “How You Will Be Evaluated” section. Insufficient information will result in an ineligible rating.
2. A completed online job specific self-assessment questionnaire through the Department’s automated system “Gateway to State”.
3. Transcripts - if you are qualifying based on education OR if there are mandatory education requirements listed under the Qualifications and Evaluations section, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript(s) with your application. If selected, an official/sealed college transcript(s) will be required to verify education prior to employment. NOTE: Qualifying Transcript(s)** (showing graduation within the past two years)
4. Veterans Preference - If claiming veteran’s preference, you must indicate the type of veteran's preference you are claiming on your resume.
For 5-point veteran’s preference, you must provide a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member Copy 4 is preferable) which must show the type of discharge and dates of active duty. If you are currently on active duty, you must provide a certification on letterhead from your military branch which contains your military service dates, expected date of discharge or release, and the character of service to show that your military service was performed under honorable conditions. The expected date of discharge or release must be no later than 120 days after the certification is submitted for consideration for this vacancy announcement. If the appropriate information is not submitted to confirm your current or expected discharge status, dates of service, etc., you will not receive credit for the claimed active duty military service.
For 10-point veteran's preference, in addition to the DD-214 or certification, you must also submit a current version of the SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference), dated October 2013, and any documentation required by this form to support your claim. Previous editions of the SF-15 will not be accepted. If we cannot verify your 10-point preference status, you will receive 5-point preference if veterans' preference requirements have been met. For further information regarding Veterans, click here.
For Sole Survivorship preference, you must provide a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4 is preferable) or another form of official documentation which shows your discharge or release from active duty occurred on or after August 29, 2008 and was based on a sole survivorship discharge.
To gain access to your DD214 online, please visit: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/get-service-records.html
5. If you are qualifying based on other criteria listed under the Qualification Section of this announcement, you MUST submit the required supporting documentation (certificates, certifications, etc.) with your application.All supporting documentation, applicable to you, must be attached to your online application via upload or by fax using the cover sheet and phone number generated in the application.
If the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility or you fail to submit any of the required documents, it will disqualify you from being considered for this job opportunity.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Please carefully read all the instructions before you begin the application process.
To apply for this job opportunity, you must submit a resume and an on-line application through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) application system, USAJOBS. This information will be transferred to the Department of State's Gateway to State Automated Application System.
You will have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the following four-step application process:
STEP 1: Select the "Apply On-line" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS.
STEP 2: Submit a detailed resume or any other written format you choose documenting your job-related qualifications, experience, and education (if applicable). Cover letter is optional. If you submit a cover letter, you must also submit a resume. Please see the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume.
STEP 3: Answer the job-specific self-assessment questions on-line through the Gateway to State automated application system. These questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications and experience for this job opportunity.
STEP 4: Submit all required documentation, applicable to you, listed in the Required Documents section of this job opportunity to the Department’s automated application system "Gateway to State" prior to the closing date of this announcement. For instructions on how to view the status of your supporting documentation, please click here.
Technical assistance with your on-line application can be obtained by contacting the Help Desk at [email protected] OR by calling (866) 656-6830 or (703) 269-4944 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET
STEP 5: Your application package will be reviewed to verify that you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements for the position. If determined qualified and eligible, you may be called or emailed for an interview.
There is a maximum number of 100 applications for this vacancy announcement. The vacancy will close on the closing date listed above or when the maximum number of applications is received. The vacancy will close when 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.
This job is open to
Recent graduates
Individuals who have graduated from an accredited educational institute or certificate program within the last 2 years or 6 years for Veterans.
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
At the successful conclusion of the program, Recent Graduates may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a Federal career or career-conditional position in the competitive service. Conversions to the competitive service are not guaranteed.