Job Listing: SECRETARY (OA)

Duty Locations

 1 vacancy - Washington, DC

PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS UNDER "HOW TO APPLY" BEFORE YOU BEGIN. 

AREA OF CONSIDERATION:  All Sources

This position is located in: Deputy Administrator, Commodity Operations

 

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's principle agency charged with providing a stable and abundant American food supply. This objective is best met by supporting America's production agriculture community and helping protect the nation's food and natural resources.

FARM SERVICE AGENCY (FSA) COUNTY EMPLOYEES:  Permanent FSA County Employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period. 

Major Duties

This position serves as secretary and personal assistant to the Deputy Administrator, Commodity Operations.  The Deputy Administrator is responsible for formulating policies and programs pertaining to price support and merchandising functions and for the administration of the acquisition, storage, transportation, processing, management and disposition of CCC-owned commodities.

How to Apply

Please read and follow all instructions . You must submit a Complete Application Package, which includes all of the following:

-  Online Assessment Questionnaire
-  Online Resume
-  Other Required Documents if applicable (i.e., college transcripts, Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50/FSA-50, current annual performance appraisal (within 18 months), DD-214, etc).

ONLINE ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE:  Use Application Manager for convenience and quickest processing. Track your progress to a Complete Application Package using the My Application Packages checklist and status displays in Application Manager. Your Application Package status must be Complete by Wednesday, April 09, 2008.

To begin, choose one of these two options:

Option 1.  If your resume is going to come from the USAJOBS Resume Builder, click the "Apply Online" button below. Logon to USAJOBS Resume Builder and select the resume you wish to upload for this vacancy announcement. Click "Apply to this Position Now" to attach your resume. Your resume will only be attached to the Application Package you complete and submit immediately after you click on the Apply Online button, not to any other Application Packages you may already have created. Once you have attached your resume, the system will take you to Application Manager to complete the Online Assessment Questionnaire and upload any other supporting documents that may be applicable. If you do not have an account in Application Manager, you will need to establish an account to submit your Online Assessment Questionnaire.

Option 2.  If your resume is going to be one you prepared outside of USAJOBS Resume Builder, click this link to begin the process:  Online QuestionnaireThe system will automatically take you to Application Manager. When you have completed the Online Assessment Questionnaire, proceed to "Upload Documents" to upload your resume or additional supporting documentation for this position: 1) Select the document type; 2) Click the "Browse" to locate a file and click "Open" to attach it; 3) Click "Upload" to upload documents for this job announcement. When the message "Upload Successful" appears, repeat steps 1-3 to upload any other supporting documents.

Whether you have chosen Option 1 or 2, once you have completed the Online Assessment Questionnaire and uploaded your resume and any other supporting documents, click "Next" to proceed to Submit My Answers. Click "Submit My Answers". Return to the "Main" screen to print your "Confirmation of your Submission to Application Manager powered by USA Staffing". The Online Assessment Questionnaire must be completed and submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST on Wednesday, April 09, 2008. If you have submitted all your application materials online you have completed the application process.

If you want to "Save" an INCOMPLETE Online Assessment Questionnaire, you may return to Application Manager at any time using whichever one of the links you used to begin as described above, or simply go to http://ApplicationManager.org.

ONLINE RESUME: Your resume must be submitted online. Please make sure your resume contains the basic information required in applying for a Federal job i.e., work experience applicable to this position, include dates (m/d/y) and the total number of hours worked per week for all employment, and if the position had multiple duties include percentage of time spent on each duty. Include series and grade for all Federal employment. If this information is not included, the experience cannot be credited. For additional information on what is needed in your resume click here. (Applying for a Federal Job OF-510.)

NOTE:  Applications are not screened for required documents before determining minimum qualifications; therefore, it is your responsibility to ensure that all required documents are received in the office by the close of business on or before the closing date of this announcement. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, etc.

Alternative Method for Submitting Your Application Materials:  You are encouraged to scan and upload your application materials as described using Application Manager; however, if you are unable to do this, you may fax your assessment questionnaire, resume and/or other required documents directly into the electronic system using the official fax cover page. The information contained on the fax cover page must match the information you provided in your Assessment Questionnaire. The Vacancy ID UF179781, your name and SSN should be written accurately and neatly. If the information is inaccurate, illegible or incomplete, you may not receive consideration for this position. The fax number is 1-478-757-3144.

If applying online or any part of the application process poses a hardship, please contact our office during core business hours (8:00 am to 4:30 pm EST). Requests for hardship will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Make your requests in a timely manner to allow enough time to obtain documents and return the completed information to our office by the closing date.

This Agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities (i.e., alternative means of communication such as Braille, large print, audiotape, etc). If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact USDA Target Center at 202-720-2600, voice and TDD. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

Required Documents:

OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:  In addition to your Assessment Questionnaire and Online Resume, other documents may be required (i.e., college transcripts, Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50/FSA-50, current annual performance appraisal (within 18 months), DD-214, etc).

WHAT OTHER DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED?

1. If this vacancy announcement has a basic education requirement and/or you are substituting education for specialized experience, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts and/or course slips that lists college courses detailing each course by the number and department (i.e., BIO101, MATH 210, etc). This information should include course title, school name/location, date completed, grade, and number of credits earned. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating. You must submit evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution is equivalent to U.S. education standards with your resume. An official college transcript will be required before you can report to duty.

2. If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, provide a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal (at least "fully successful" or equivalent), and proof of eligibility, i.e., a RIF separation notice or Certification of Expected Separation, and Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50, noting current position, grade level, and duty location. CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well-qualified if they achieve a rating of 80 or above excluding veteran's preference points.

3. If you are applying for Veteran Preference, submit evidence of eligibility, such as DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or SF-15, Application for 10-point veteran preference, and the proof requested on the form.

4. Current or former Federal employees must provide the most current Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies career-conditional/career status, position title; series and grade. (do not submit an award SF-50.) FSA County employees must provide the most recent SF-50-B or FSA-50 that verifies permanent status. Also provide the SF-50 that reflects the highest grade level held on a permanent basis or the full performance level of their current position, whichever is higher. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.

5. Current Federal employees must submit their most recently completed annual performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) which identifies the employee's official rating of record, signed by the supervisor, or a statement advising why the performance appraisal is unavailable.  Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.  Do not submit a performance plan.

  

6. If you are eligible for appointment based on a disability, Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA), or 30% Disabled Veterans, service in the Peace Corps, Vista, Action Cooperative, or another special authority, submit proof of eligibility.

Assessment Questionnaire

Social Security Number


Vacancy Identification Number

The Vacancy Identification Number is UF179781ALO 
1. Title of Job

SECRETARY (OA)
2. Biographic Data

3. E-Mail Address


4. Work Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

5. Employment Availability

Are you currently a permanent (nontemporary) civilian competitive service employee in a Federal Agency?  (Farm Service Agency permanent County Office employees should answer "yes" to this question.)

Are you a former civilian Federal employee who achieved career status in the competitive service? (Generally, this means you have served three years in a permanent career-conditional appointment in the competitive service of the Federal Government.)

Are you a former civilian Federal employee who served in a career-conditional appointment and you were separated less than three years ago without achieving career status in the competitive service?

Are you eligible for a noncompetitive appointment to the Federal government under authorities for the severely disabled; certain Vietnam era and disabled veterans; returned volunteer from the Peace Corps or Vista, etc.?

Are you currently in or have you previously held a permanent Federal position at the same grade level, with the same or higher promotion potential as this vacancy?

I am a status candidate and want to be considered through merit promotion and also under the open competitive process.

6. Citizenship

Are you a citizen of the United States?
7. Background Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

8. Other Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

9. Languages

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

10. Lowest Grade


09
11. Miscellaneous Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

12. Special Knowledge

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

13. Test Location

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

14. Veteran Preference Claim

15. Dates of Active Duty - Military Service

16. Availability Date


17. Service Computation Date


18. Other Date Information





19. Job Preference

How did you hear about this vacancy announcement?  Please choose only one answer.
1 Advertisement2 Career Fair3 College/University Career Fair4 Local Job Service Center5 MANRRS6 Professional Association Conference7 USDA Agency Official8 www.usajobs.opm9 Other Source
If applicable, please indicate the specific conference, career fair, and/or other source.
20. Occupational Specialties

Required. Enter at least one occupational specialty.

Enter 001 to apply as a merit promotion applicant. Merit promotion refers to announcements open to current and former Federal employees, permanent Farm Service Agency (FSA) county employees, and certain other applicants eligible for placement under special hiring authorities such as disability, veterans, Postal Service employees, etc.

Enter 002 to apply as a competitive applicant. All interested persons may apply – you need not be a current or former Federal employee. If you are selected through this method, you may be subject to a new 1-year probationary period.

Enter 001 and 002 if you wish to apply both as a merit promotion and competitive applicant.

001 Merit002 Competitive
21. Geographic Availability


0675 Washington, DC
22. Transition Assistance Plan

23. Job Related Experience



24. Personal Background Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

25. Occupational/Assessment Questions:

Respond to the following questions. Mark only one response for each question. Any experience claimed in response to the following questions MUST be supported by information in your resume (OF-612, or other written format). This information must be SPECIFIC, (i.e., duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments). Failure to provide this supporting documentation may result in receipt of a lower or ineligible rating.

1. From the description below choose the response that best describes the highest level of experience and/or education you have that demonstrates your ability to perform GS-9 secretarial work. SELECT ONLY ONE LETTER. (Note: One year of specialized experience is based on a 40-hour workweek. If you have worked less than 40 hours per week, you must prorate your experience.)

A. I possess one or more years of secretarial experience equivalent to at least the GS-8 level in the Federal service. This experience is in or related to the line of work of this position and has equipped me with specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to independently coordinate, monitor and perform all the clerical and administrative functions, duties, priorities, commitments, policies and program goals of an office. Experience which demonstrates the knowledge of grammar, punctuation, format and style to prepare correspondence, memorandums, and other documents utilizing word processing and other automated systems, involving various duties requiring different and unrelated processes and methods. Coordinates the work of others and independently sets procedures and guidelines for others to follow; and an in-depth understanding of the interrelationships between organizations, office, people and issues; and a comprehensive knowledge of the supervisor's policies and view on all significant matters affecting the organization to perform these duties.

B. I do not possess the required experience to qualify for this position.

2. From the description below, choose the response that best describes your typing skill. Please self-certify your typing speed on your application.

A. I type at least 50 or more words per minute.
B. I type at least 40 to 49 words per minute.
C. I type at least 30 to 39 words per minute.
D. I type less than 30 words per minute.

Please answer YES or NO to the questions below. Do not mark more than one answer for each question. If you are nearing completion of the required education, please answer YES.

A- Yes.
B- No.

3. Knowledge of software capabilities and monitoring systems to track documents and projects.

4. Knowledge of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and document format in order to serve as final arbiter on format, standards and necessary changes.

5. Experience operating personal computer with standard keyboard and function keys and associated peripherals including printers and disk drives.

6. Experience composing or preparing correspondence, memoranda, and reports requesting or furnishing information regarding various agency or organizational activities.

7. Experience arranging conferences and meetings notifying all participants, preparing agendas and briefing materials in advance, and obtaining necessary equipment.

8. Ability to recommend or make changes in administrative policies, devise and install procedures and offices practices affecting the organization.

9. Have you reviewed letters or documents for punctuation, format, completeness, correctness and consistency with policies and procedures?

10. Have you provided technical advice and assistance on preparation and handling of correspondence and format?

11. Have you provided technical advice and assistance to individuals and groups on issues concerning the agency?

12. Have you prepared budget requests or justification for funding?

You are to choose one answer to each question from among the alternatives presented. Do not mark more than one answer for each question. Multiple answers will not be counted.

13. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your ability to make decisions.

A. Exercises independent judgment and takes actions on commitments with little or no guidance.

B. Exercises judgment and takes actions on commitments based on guidance or information provided by supervisor.

C. Makes decisions or takes action after consulting with supervisor or senior level staff.

D. None of the above.

14. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your ability to set priorities.

A. Processes incoming correspondence, forms, records or other documents and screens out items to personally handle, forwards remaining items to appropriate individual and follows up on action items to ensure timely completion.

B. Establishes work priorities and follows up on action items to ensure timely completion.

C. Establishes control systems to monitor completion of special assignments, projects and reports.

D. None of the above.

15. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your ability to plan, coordinate and execute office activities.

A. Anticipates, assembles, and prepares materials for supervisor in advance.

B. Collects individuals input/comments on an assignment and organizes them into a single response.

C. Arranges and coordinates meetings and conferences for management officials.

D. None of the above.

16. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your knowledge of the functions, organizations and programs of an office.

A. Recognizes areas of non-compliance with operating procedures and takes corrective action.

B. Recommends solutions to resolve routine administrative problems.

C. Recognizes areas of non-compliance with operating procedures and notifies supervisor.

D. None of the above.

In the answer box provided, please describe examples of your experience making decisions, exercising initiative, organizing work and setting priorities.

17. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your ability to communicate orally with public and peers.

A. Communicates with high level management officials on matters of a confidential or sensitive nature.

B. Provides guidance and assistance to lower level clerical staff on policies and procedures.

C. Serves as technical expert on all clerical and administrative regulations and procedures, correspondence and reports.

D. None of the above.

18. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your ability to communicate in writing with public and peer.

A. Composes and reviews written information to and from all levels of management, outside agencies, private companies and organizations.

B. Composes complex correspondence, memorandums and technical reports.

C. Composes written responses to inquiries or requests for information.

D. None of the above.

19. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your experience presenting training on new clerical and administrative processes and procedures.

A. Organizes and participates in oral presentations, talks/discussions within an organization.

B. Provides short working presentations to peers/lower level employees on topics such as time and attendance, travel and clerical desk procedures.

C. Conducts formal training classes to peers/lower level employees on clerical and administrative policies and regulations (i.e., Travel, T&A or payroll, procurement, etc.)

D. None of the above.

20. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your ability to research administrative regulations, procedures, directives and instructions.

A. Researches, interprets and applies travel and/or procurement regulations.

B. Researches, interprets and applies payroll, time and attendance regulations.

C. All of the above.

D. None of the above.

21. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your ability to research regulations, procedures, directives and instructions.

A. Serves as an expert when locating and selecting the appropriate guideline, reference or procedure for application to specific programs.

B. Participates in the research and collection of information for review by others.

C. Follows established procedures and instructions to complete assignments.

D. None of the above.

In the answer box provided, please describe examples of your experience managing multiple tasks in the office and your ability to resolve complex matters with little or no supervision.

22. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best demonstrates your commitment to customer service.

A. I have been highly responsive to requests for help, information and services.

B. I have listened to concerns of customers and resolves complaints and concerns effectively and promptly.

C. I have gone beyond what the customer requests and done something extra to be helpful.

D. I have assisted customers in making informed decisions.

E. None of the above.

23. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your experience responding to new or changing situations.

A. I have handled multiple inputs and tasks simultaneously, prioritizing as needed.

B. I have demonstrated resilience in the face of setbacks.

C. I have been willing to learn new procedures and technology.

D. I have looked for better alternatives to the way we have always done it.

E. None of the above.

24. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your ability to be innovative and creative.

A. I have solicited and listened to ideas of others.

B. I have appreciated new ideas and approaches.

C. I have identified opportunities for new projects and acts on them.

D. I have suggested ways to improve quality and efficiency.

E. None of the above.

25. From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your ability to work effectively to facilitate the operation of a team.

A. I have spoken of team members in positive terms; is respectful of others point of view.

B. I have served as a member of a team/group, keeps other team members informed and up-to-date about the group process, individual actions, or influencing events; shares all relevant or useful information.

C. I have solicited ideas and opinions to help form specific decisions or plans; promotes team cooperation.

D. I have promoted a friendly climate, good morale and cooperation within the team; resolved team conflicts.

E. None of the above.

Contact Information:
WALESKA RODRIGUEZ

Phone: (202)401-0581

Email: WALESKA.RODRIGUEZ@WDC.USDA.GOV


Or write:
HQ Farm Service Agency
1400 Independence AV SW
Washington, DC 20250-0590

USA


What To Expect Next:

Once your Online Assessment Questionnaire and resume has been received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a qualification review of your complete application package has been made, you will be notified as to the status of your application. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.

You can track the progress of your application package in Application Manager, http://ApplicationManager.org.

After selection, applicants may be required to submit the official college transcript, OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment, original social security card, birth certificate, state driver's license or state issued identification card with photograph. In addition, to be eligible for Federal employment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify at the time of appointment that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service Law.