HHS Careers Hiring for Head Start Program Specialist at Washington, DC Full Time

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start (OHS), Division of Program Operations (DPO), located in Washington, District of Columbia.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

• Communicates effectively, both verbally, and in writing by serving as a liaison in designated program area(s) at the local, state, regional or national level.
• Serves as a Head Start Program Specialist who is responsible for a variety of work involving analytical, coordinative, advisory, programmatic, financial, and consultative services for program operations performed by the Office of Head Start (OHS).
• Provides oversight of grantees to assess program performance and compliance with Federal regulations and program goals and objectives.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Registered or exempt from Selective Service (www.sss.gov)
• If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required for all appointees. Appointment will be subject to the applicant’s successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
• One year probationary period may be required
• If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS “E-Verify” System.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.
• Financial disclosure statement may be required.
• Bargaining Unit Position: Yes, this position is covered under the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU)
• Drug Screening Required: No
• Research position: No

Qualifications

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Basic AND Minimum Qualification or Specialized Experience requirements as noted below.

Basic Requirement: You must meet one of the items listed below (A, B, or C):

• Possess a 4-year bachelor’s or higher degree in behavioral or social science from an accredited college or university; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. (Must provide transcripts)
• Possess a combination of education and experience — that provided you with the knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. (Must provide transcript)
• Possess four years of appropriate experience that demonstrates acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

Minimum Qualifications:

GS-11: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing (3) of the (4) duties listed below:

• Collecting data to assess the performance of Head Start programs and/or initiatives;
• Applying laws and regulations to review compliance of grant plans, operations, and/or requests;
• Identifying performance and management issues affecting grantee operations; and
• Preparing reports, memoranda, or other written documents related to the enhancement of program performance.

OR two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or master’s or equivalent graduate degree; or a combination of the required experience and education for this grade level.

Specialized Experience:

GS-12: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing (3) of the (4) duties listed below:

• Providing technical guidance related to Head Start programs and/or initiatives;
• Ensuring grant plans, operations, and/or requests are following applicable laws and regulations;
• Gathering and/or analyzing facts to devise solutions to financial policy/program issues; and
• Refining and/or developing Head Start program guidelines that improve the effectiveness of program operations.

Documenting Experience:

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee’s position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee’s supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the “percentage of times” the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee’s official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above.

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; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to gain employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If such experience is on a part-time basis, you must provide the average number of hours worked per week as well as the beginning and ending dates of the experience so it can be fully credited.

OPM Qualification General Policies Website

www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=app

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications 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.

This position requires specific coursework and/or a degree to meet the basic education requirement. You must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Your transcript(s) must clearly demonstrate the course(s) listed in the qualification requirement section. If the transcript(s) does not clearly demonstrate this you must submit a copy of the course description and/or other documentation demonstrating that the courses are equivalent.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ .

Additional Information

• Native Americans of Federally- recognized tribes may be considered for Indian Preference.** You must submit a signed form BIA-4432 for verification and be found suitable for Federal employment. Commissioned Officer applicants who wish to receive Indian preference must also submit form BIA-4432.

INCENTIVES

Incentives may be authorized; however, this is contingent upon multiple factors, including funds availability. If authorized, certain incentives may require you to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a period of up to 3 years. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. Incentives may include the following: moving expenses, recruitment or relocation incentive; student loan repayment, superior qualifications appointment, creditable service for annual leave for prior non-federal work experience or prior uniformed military service, etc.

In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 1986, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is A Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The use of illegal drugs, on or off duty, by Federal employees is inconsistent not only with the law-abiding behavior expected of all citizens, but also with the special trust placed in such employees as servants of the public.

Veterans’ Preference – https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job-seekers/veterans/veterans-preference/#content

Reasonable Accommodation: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please see Agency Contact Information for whom to contact for more info. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. You must contact the HR contact on the vacancy announcement at least three business days before the closing date of this announcement to receive assistance. For more information on disability employment, please visit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/

Selective Service: Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service – http://www.sss.gov

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible see http://opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap . To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85.0 or above on the rating criteria for this position.

Political appointment: Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

If you are unable to apply online, please contact the Mid-Atlantic Services Branch at [email protected] for more information.

Read more

• Help

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 window Learn more about federal benefits .

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.

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

Once The Application Process Is Complete, a Review Of The Resume And Supporting Documentation Will Be Made And Compared Against Your Responses To The Assessment Questionnaire To Determine If You Are Qualified For This Job. If, After Reviewing Your Resume And/or Supporting Documentation, a Determination Is Made That You Have Inflated Your Qualifications And/or Experience, You May Lose Consideration For This Position. Please Follow All Instructions Carefully. Errors Or Omissions May Affect Your Eligibility. Category Rating Procedures Will Be Used To Rate And Rank Candidates. The Category Assignment Is a Measure Of The Degree In Which Your Background Matches The Competencies Required For This Position. Qualified Candidates Will Be Ranked Into One Of Three Categories:

• Best Qualified – Applicants who have experience that is almost identical to those required by the position.
• Well Qualified – Applicants who have experience that is very similar to those required by the position.
• Qualified – Applicants who meet minimum qualification requirements, but do not identify any additional qualifying experience or skill.

Candidates in the highest category will be referred to the hiring agency.

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans’ preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher).

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

• Communication
• Problem Solving
• Technical Competence – Grants Management

To preview the assessment questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12205437