From: Stephanie Jones [ssikes1@atu.edu]

Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 3:55 PM

To: Stephanie Jones

Subject: FEMA Opportunity - Montgomery, AL - Closeout Specialist

	EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT/OPPORTUNITY #: KAT-08-AL-TRO-5039-JES

OPENING DATE: 01/23/2008 CLOSING DATE: 02/04/2008

THIS IS A DIRECT CHARGE CORE APPOINTMENT UNDER THE ROBERT T. STAFFORD DISASTER RELIEF AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ACT, P.L. 93-288, AS AMENDED. THIS IS A 2 YEAR TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT IN THE EXCEPTED SERVICE WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF EXTENSION.

This position is located in the Montgomery, AL Transitional Recovery Office (TRO) in Alabama.

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT:	Full Time - Temporary
POSITION:	Closeout Specialist
SERIES - PAY GRADE:	GS-0301-9
NUMBER OF POSITIONS:	One (1)
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:	None
SALARY RANGE:	$45,040 to $58,557
ORGANIZATION:	Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Office of Equal Rights (OER), Gulf Coast Recovery Office (GCRO), Transitional Recovery Office (TRO), with the Duty Station in the Montgomery, AL TRO in Alabama.
DUTY LOCATION:	Alabama (Montgomery)
	RELOCATION EXPENSES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED

WHO MAY APPLY: Eligible Candidates - All

DUTIES: This position is located in the Montgomery, AL Transitional Recovery Office (TRO) in Alabama.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

The incumbent serves as a Closeout Specialist in Public Assistance and helps coordinate with DHS/FEMA components; local, State, and Federal agencies; and private, non-profit 7 entities in accordance with the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance (Public Law 93-288, as amended). The incumbent serves as a disaster closeout program expert and will be responsible for the oversight, review, coordination and monitoring of assigned disaster program closeout activities. The incumbent reports to the to the Public Assistance Branch Chief.

The incumbent will be responsible for performing the following responsibilities:

Developing innovative strategies and recommendations for expediting the closeout of the Gulf Coast Recovery Effort, including establishing goals, timetables, and procedures for expediting grant approval and closeout activities and identifying and implementing new and creative ways to expedite grant awards and project completion, consistent with the Stafford Act and its implementing regulations. Performing administrative reviews, desk reviews, and site inspections, as appropriate, for all Public Assistance Project Worksheets for the Gulf Coast Recovery Effort, including review of all pertinent documents; eligibility review; final dollar reconciliation; verification of all eligible work completed; writing Project Worksheets; database management; and performing site inspections.

Consulting with, and providing technical assistance to, other Closeout Team members to ensure that program objectives are incorporated into the grant requirements and assistance benefits of these programs. Serving as a point-of-contact for problem-solving related to grant program issues. Meeting with grant applicants and sub-grantees to address and resolve remaining project issues.

Providing technical assistance to State officials, project applicants, and sub-grantees, regarding the grant and program process, including closeout. Reviewing project applications for eligibility and providing recommendations for approval of submitted grant program project applications.

Developing, implementing, and maintaining a system to monitor the status of submitted project applications and funded projects. Tracking the progress of closeout activities for the Gulf Coast Recovery Effort, evaluating progress, and facilitating ways to foster a more expedient closeout operation (as necessary).

Preparing written analyses of projects and/or issues associated with program closeout activity, and appropriate recommendations, including Project Worksheet version preparation. Identifying projects that may require environmental and/or historic preservation review, and expediting reviews to facilitate rapid project determination.

Serves as a Closeout Program Specialist team member and helps coordinate with DHS/FEMA components; local, State and Federal agencies; and private non-profit entities in accordance with the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 93-288, as amended).

Is responsible for the provision of advice and guidance concerning grants, agreements, disaster assistance determinations, and other programs administered by the Transitional Recovery Office concerning grants and cooperative agreements with Federal, State and local (non-federal) agencies, memoranda of understanding, and relevant laws and regulations. The incumbent facilitates meetings, briefs executive level managers, and produces and presents briefings and/or presentations to senior level managers and others in extremely limited time frames.

Identifies program goals and milestones as they relate to the closeout program. Tracks the progress of closeout activities for assigned programs. Identifies projects that may require environmental and/or historic preservation review. Ensures that policies and procedures are executed in an effective manner. Assists senior management in developing innovative strategies and recommendations for expediting the closeout of the Gulf Coast Recovery Effort, including establishing goals, timetables, and procedures for expediting grant approval and closeout activities and identifying and implementing new and creative ways to expedite grant awards and project completion.

The incumbent performs all other Duties and Assignments as required.

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 agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirements as contained in the OPM's Qualification Operating Manual. These are available on line at www.opm.gov. The manual states that one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade in the Federal service is required. Specialized experience is experience which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of that position.

Applicants meeting the basic qualification requirements and any selective placement factor stated in this Employment Opportunity will be rated and ranked on the following Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSA`s).

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Include with your application a Narrative Statement describing possession of each evaluation criterion (i.e. knowledge, skills and abilities or KSAs). Failure to provide the Narrative Statement will adversely impact your ranking score and your ability to be certified for referral to the selecting official.

If there is a Selective Placement Factor(s), please address fully and separately. Failure to meet the Selective Placement Factor(s) will result in no further consideration.

You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required; and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with this position as defined below. When describing your knowledge, skills, and abilities, please ensure to give examples and explain how often you used these skills, the complexity of the knowledge you possessed, the level of the people with whom you interacted, the sensitivity of the issues you handled, etc.

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR:

None.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES (KSAs):

1. Demonstrated knowledge of major issues, closeout program goals, objectives and procedures, and administrative operations of the organization to plan and complete assigned projects.

2. Demonstrated general knowledge of engineering principles and practices as they relate to assigned programs.

3. Demonstrated knowledge and skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to research program related issues.

4. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, as well as interaction with co-workers, senior officials from other Federal Agencies, State and local officials, and the general public. Demonstrated skill in preparing and presenting recommendations and solutions persuasively and effectively, including the preparation of oral presentations, written reports, instructions and briefings.

5. Demonstrated ability to analyze and solve issues and complex assignments in a timely manner, and provide excellent customer service skills.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT AT FEMA

EMERGENCY ASSIGNMENT: FEMA employees may be subject to 24-hour on-call in the event of an emergency. This service may require irregular working hours, work at locations other than the official duty station, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee`s official position description. Selectee must be able to relocate to emergency sites with little advance notice and function under intense physical and mental stress.

REGISTRATION FOR SELECTIVE SERVICE: The Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that all male applicants born after 12-31-59, who are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, be registered or they are not eligible for appointment within this Agency.

CITIZENSHIP: Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. Agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position.

DRUG TESTING: Applicants for this position may be required to submit to a urinalysis for illegal drug use prior to appointment.

DIRECT DEPOSIT: Mandatory Direct Deposit/Electronics Funds Transfer (DD/EFT) for salary payment is a condition of employment at FEMA. Selectee will be required to participate in DD/EFT.

2-YEAR CORE: This position is being announced under FEMA'S 2-year Katrina CORE (Cadre of On-Call Response/Recovery Employees) Program. These positions are authorized under P.L. 93-288 to perform temporary disaster work and are funded from the Disaster Relief Fund. Appointments are excepted service, temporary appointments.

Depending on the level of disaster activity, the incumbent is subject to release to a non-pay status and recall to duty to meet fluctuating work requirements. Travel to disaster areas may be required with very short notice at any time of the year. Employees agree to accept (1) emergency assignments other than those specified in the position; (2) to work overtime as necessary, with little scheduling flexibility; and, (3) if released to a non-pay status, to report when recalled within 48 hours or agree to immediate separation from service.

SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS

PUBLIC TRUST: This is a Public Trust position that requires a background investigation. Appointment to the position is subject to the applicant or appointee successfully completing essential security investigation forms, the applicant or appointee cooperating with the investigator, the completion of the investigation, and the favorable adjudication of the investigation. Failure to satisfactorily complete any aspect of this process is grounds for immediate termination. Applicants for this position may be required to submit to a urinalysis for illegal drug use prior to appointment.

HOW AND WHERE TO APPLY

Applicants can apply for this position by submitting a resume, the Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF-612) OR any other written format. The resume or application must contain:

The Employment Opportunity number, title and grade of the job for which applying (indicate the lowest grade level that you will accept if applying for a position advertised at multiple grade levels);
Full name, mailing address, day and evening phone numbers, social security number, country of citizenship, branch and date of military service, if applicable;
High school name and location, date of diploma or highest grade completed, college name and location, majors, type and year of any degrees received;
Work experience for at least ten years that includes job titles, duties and accomplishments, employer`s name and address, supervisor`s name and phone number, starting and ending dates, hours per week and salary; and to include all periods of unemployment during the ten year time frame.
List of other qualifications such as job related training courses, job related skills, job related certificates and job related honors, awards and special accomplishments.

IF YOU ARE FAXING YOUR DOCUMENTS, PLEASE SELECT ONE (1) OF THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS:

(540) 542-7049

(540) 535-2622

IF YOU ARE FAXING OR EMAILING YOUR DOCUMENTS, THEY MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 PM EASTERN TIME ON THE CLOSING DATE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT. THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS IN WHICH YOU MAY APPLY FOR THESE POSITIONS:

Mail - Use of a postage paid Federal Government agency envelope to mail your application or resume is not allowed and will not be considered. Complete application packages must be received in the office by the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. All forms should be sent to:

   FEMA Human Resources Division
   Building 712, P.O. Box 129
   Berryville, VA 22611
   Attn: John Stevian

   Phone: 1-800-879-6076

E-Mail - DISASTER-STAFFING@dhs.gov. Complete email packages must be received by the closing date of the announcement. Please list the job opportunity announcement number in the subject line.

Fax to John Stevian at 540-542-7049 . Complete faxed packages must be received by the closing date of the announcement.

To obtain additional information about employment opportunities, visit our WEB site at www.dhs.gov, or call our Employment Opportunities Hotline on 800-879-6076. Applicants needing TDD/TTY assistance should call the Federal Information Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

If you are sending your application via Email, please DO NOT use .zip or other compressed file formats. Preferred file formats include .doc, .txt, .pdf. Electronic files can be no larger than 4 mb.

Please be sure to include the following information in your application (incomplete applications may not be considered for the position).

Job Information:

- Announcement number and position title and grade(s) for which you are applying.

Personal Information:

- Full name, mailing address, day and evening phone numbers.

- Last four digits of your Social Security Number.

- Country of citizenship (must be U.S. citizen to be eligible).

- If you are or were a Federal government employee, please attach your latest SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action), indicating the highest Federal civilian grade held and dates and attach a copy of your latest performance appraisal.

Education:

- Colleges and Universities: Name, city, state, major(s), type of degree and year received (or total semester/quarter hours earned).

- Other educational programs, if relevant. Show dates and total hours of program.

Job-Related Work Experience:

- Job title (include series and grade if Federal job).

- Name and address of employer, supervisor’s name, and supervisor’s telephone number (please indicate if you do not want us to contact your current supervisor).

- Starting and Ending dates (month and year).

- Hours worked per week.

- Annual salary for each job.

- Duties and accomplishments.

- Please document at least the past 10 years of experience.

Other Job-Related Qualifications:

- Relevant skills (e.g. foreign languages, computer software/hardware).

- Relevant training courses.

- Relevant current certificates and licenses.

- Relevant honors, awards, etc. (e.g., memberships in professional and honor societies, publications, leadership activities, performance awards). Give dates, but do not send documents.

THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY IS COMMITTED TO EMPLOYING A HIGHLY QUALIFIED WORKFORCE THAT REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF OUR NATION. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, and any other non-merit factor.

The Federal Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.