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Refuge Water Supply Program Specialist

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Reclamation
Bay Delta Office
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Summary

Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a Refuge Water Supply Program Specialist. Make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.

Duty Location: Sacramento, California

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/12/2024 to 10/03/2024
Salary
$80,217 to - $124,988 per year

Salary Range for GS-11 is $80,217 thru $104,280; Pay Range for GS-12 is $96,148 thru $124,988

Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Sacramento, CA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
BOR-CGB-24-DE-12542284-CB
Control number
809178900

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Duties

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Pursuant to Section 3406(d) of Public Law 102-575 (Central Valley Project Improvement Act), the Secretary of the Interior is authorized and directed to develop and implement a program to convey water to wildlife refuges and wildlife management areas in the Central Valley of California. This program is known as the Refuge Water Supply Program.

-The Refuge Water Supply Program Specialist serves as the lead for program implementation and planning for the Refuge Water Supply Program.
-The incumbent will lead an Interagency Refuge Water Management Team, and coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies, and
stakeholders who have vested interests relative to the California Central Valley.
-Serves as the regional point of contact for refuge water supply issues and implements the Refuge Water Supply Program.
-Leads the Interagency Refuge Water Management Team, coordinates with area office staff, and provides technical leadership. Coordinates Refuge Water Supply Program activities with other CVPIA plans and programs including the Water Acquisition Program and the San Joaquin Action Basin Plan, as well as other relevant programs and activities of the involved agencies.
-Reviews, analyzes, evaluates, and incorporates appropriate public comments into Refuge Water Supply Program projects.
-Develops and tracks work and activity plans, budgets, resources, and work accomplishments to ensure successful implementation of the Refuge Water Supply Program.
-Recommends the allocation of funds to convey refuge water supplies; and reviews, verifies, and analyzes financial reports to ensure funds are being spent in accordance with annual work plans and Congressional appropriations.
-Serves as Grants Officer Technical Representative (GOTR), carrying out grant administration responsibilities associated with the Refuge Water Supply Program.
-Selects the appropriate contracting vehicle to accomplish exchanges, transfers, assignments, conveyance and storage facility leases, cost sharing, partnerships, etc. Prepares, coordinates, and implements agreements or contracts with Reclamation's Denver Technical Service Center, other agencies, or private contractors and consultants to obtain needed technical assistance for the Refuge Water Supply Program.
-Devises strategies and negotiates such contract terms and conditions as cost, payment methods, timing, delivery, schedules, monitoring, options, liability, etc. Ensures contracts are developed in compliance with management priorities and policies and pertinent
legal authorities.
-Tracks and accounts conveyed water and develops and implements Region-wide water accounting and reporting procedures.
-Coordinates with Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Game, Reclamation's Central Valley Operations Office (CVO), refuge managers, Reclamation's area offices, Reclamation's Water Acquisition Program, etc., to identify quantities of water to be conveyed and the appropriate delivery schedules consistent with water service, conveyance, and water acquisition agreements.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
You must be suitable for federal employment, determined by a background investigation.
You must submit a resume and supporting documentation (see Required Documents).
You must submit eligibility documents for veterans consideration (see Required Documents).
You must meet any minimum education and/or experience requirements (see Qualifications).
You must submit transcript(s) to verify education requirements (see Qualifications/Education).
You must maintain a valid State Driver's License at all times as the position requires operation of government vehicles on government and public roads. Failure to maintain a valid State Driver's License at all times will result in removal from the position.
Travel is occasionally required.
Incidental Motor Vehicle Operator - Noncritical
Must possess or obtain certification as a Grants Officer Technical Representative (GOTR).

Qualifications

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, the HR Office must be able to determine that you meet the education and/or specialized experience requirement - this information must be clearly supported in the resume.

To qualify at the GS-11, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-09 level in federal service having demonstrated experience assisting with the management and administration of water resources projects; reading and interpreting legal descriptions in contracts; drafting contracts and related administration correspondence concerning water contract matters and issues; assisting with negotiating agreements and persuading negotiating parties to accept proposed terms. These examples are not all inclusive.

OR

Education: Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.

To qualify at the GS-12, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-11 level in federal service having demonstrated experience which includes the management and administration of water resources projects; administering water contracts, financial assistance agreements or other related agreements; reading, writing and interpreting legal descriptions in contracts; drafting contracts and related administration correspondence concerning water contract matters and issues; applying environmental laws and regulations to water use activities; negotiating agreements and persuading negotiating parties to accept proposed terms; reviewing delivery schedules for compliance with water service, conveyance, and purchase agreements. These examples are not all inclusive.

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.

You must meet all Eligibility and Qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors if applicable, by 10/03/2024.

Education

This vacancy announcement allows substituting education for experience at the GS-11 grade level only. Applicants must submit a copy of college transcript(s) (unofficial copy is acceptable) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include the name of the college or university and date the degree was conferred. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not-qualified for the position.

You will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify educational qualifications, if selected. An official transcript must be sent directly from the University's Registrar's office and must be provided from the institution awarding the degree. Academic transcripts certified by notary publics are NOT official. Official transcripts must be submitted prior to reporting to work as a condition of employment. Failure to submit official transcripts may be grounds for dismissal or rescission of the job offer.

Accreditation: Only education from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education is acceptable to meet education requirements or to substitute for experience, if applicable. For additional info, refer to the Office of Personnel Management and U.S. Department of Education.

Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. For additional info, refer to the U.S. Network for Education Information.

Additional information

You may be required to serve an initial probationary period. Current, permanent Federal employees who are selected from this announcement may be required to serve a probationary period.

Reclamation has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and you may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.

If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) expenses are authorized with the exception of the Guaranteed Home Sale Provision or first-post-of-duty relocation expenses are authorized, as applicable. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), signed into law December 2017, suspends the moving expense deduction and the exclusion from income of qualified employer reimbursements of moving expenses that was allowed under previous tax laws. Employer reimbursements for moving costs are now generally taxed at the same rate as ordinary income.

If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may be offered a Student Loan Repayment Benefit (SLRB). The decision to offer an SLRB will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: SLRB Program.

If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may request consideration for a Superior Qualifications Appointment. For information, visit: OPM Fact Sheet.

Related non-Federal experience or related experience as retired members of the uniformed services may be credited towards computing entitlement to leave accrual, at managerial discretion, providing that experience meets certain criteria. This provision allows new employees to earn annual leave at a higher rate than would otherwise be allowed. (5 Code of Federal Regulations, 630). For additional information, please visit: Creditable Service for Annual Leave

DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including applicant rights and responsibilities, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/

This position is designated as a LOW RISK position. It requires a fully completed and favorably adjudicated SF85 Background Investigation (T1 or equivalent) that is current (within the last 5 years). This is a condition of employment.

Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must certify registration with the Selective Service System or that the applicant is exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Go to: https://www.sss.gov

This is a bargaining unit position represented by a Union.

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Additional Information Continued -

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.

Category rating and selection procedures will be used to evaluate applications from this announcement. If an applicant meets the basic qualification requirements, his/her on-line responses to the vacancy assessment questionnaire will be used to determine the quality and extent of his/her experience, education, training, etc., for placement in one of the following categories: 1) Best Qualified, 2) Well Qualified, and 3) Qualified. Qualified candidates will be assigned a numerical score on a scale of 70-100. The Category Rating Process 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 quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

The application questionnaire can be previewed here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12542284

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