Program Specialist

Summary
This position is in the Division of Consumer Response and Operations, a dynamic division responsible for various projects and functions, including the Consumer Response Center, the Consumer Sentinel Network, the National Do Not Call Registry, the Redress Administration Office, data analysts, records, and the core financial, administrative, and management activities of the Bureau of Consumer Protection.
This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
• Federal employees - Competitive service
  Current or former competitive service federal employees.
• Individuals with disabilities
• Land & base management
  Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.
• Military spouses
• National Guard & reserves
  Current members, those who want to join or transitioning military members.
• Native Americans
  Native Americans or Alaskan Natives with a tribal affiliation.
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
• Special authorities
  Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
• Veterans

Clarification from the agency
Current Federal employees; former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; well qualified displaced and surplus Federal employees in the local commuting area; individuals eligible for special hiring authorities and veterans who are eligible for special hiring authorities.
Duties
In this position, the incumbent is responsible for performing administrative and support assignments involving inquiries and complaints from customers, program management assistance, and in support of the mission of FTC's Consumer Response Center and is responsible for various duties regarding the Bureau of Consumer Protection Records and other related information.
If you are selected for the Program Specialist (Records) position you will perform the following duties:

• Coordinate and manage the receipt, monitoring, storage, reporting, tracking, and transmittal of BCP Records and related information.
• Provide reports on information regarding bureau workflow, management, and BCP records.
• Review and provide quality control to submissions for Commission decision and coordinates with the staff to ensure that the documents comply with the agency's policies and procedures.
• Serve as BCP's point of contact and representative for by the FTC Records Systems.
• Maintain BCP's historical files and assist staff in researching historical investigation data in FTC Records Systems.
• Develop guidance, provide training, and answer questions from BCP staff about FTC Records Systems.
• Ensure the accuracy, quality, and integrity of data collected from consumers over the phone, mail, and online that is stored in the Consumer Sentinel Network database (Sentinel).
• Provide direct feedback and communication with Sentinel contractor staff. Communicate clearly with vendors and contractors to identify solutions when technological problems emerge related to Sentinel.

Requirements
Conditions of Employment

• U.S. citizenship requirement must be met by the closing date of this vacancy.
• This position is subject to a background investigation.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must register with Selective Service.
• You may serve a one-year probationary period under this appointment.
• You must meet time-in-grade requirement by the closing date of this vacancy.
• You must submit a copy of your performance appraisal with your application.
• This position is in the bargaining unit.

Qualifications
To qualify for the Program Specialist(Records) position at the GS-09 level, you must meet the following requirements:
You must have completed a completed a Master's or equivalent graduate degree; or have two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or an LL.B. or J.D., if related.
OR, you must have at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: assisting in ensuring the accuracy, quality, and integrity of data collected from consumers over the phone, mail, and/or online; giving procedural and office management support; tracking the receipt, monitoring, storage, reporting, and transmittal of legal and/or investigatory documents.
OR, you must have a combination of post baccalaureate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.
To qualify for the Program Specialist(Records) position at the GS-11 level, you must meet the following requirements:
You must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related.
OR,you must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: ensuring the accuracy, quality, and integrity of data collected from consumers over the phone, mail, and/or online; providing direct feedback and training to staff collecting data; providing procedural and office management support; coordinating and managing the receipt, monitoring, storage, reporting, tracking, and transmittal of legal and/or investigatory documents.
OR, you have a combination of education and experience, which qualify you for this position.
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.
Education
If you qualify on the basis of education in lieu of experience, you must submit a copy of your transcripts. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be required prior to receiving an official offer.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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. For further information, visit: FOREIGN EDUCATION
Additional information
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, you must be a preference eligible or a Veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.
Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.
For more information visit: ICTAP/CTAP
Non-competitive Appointment Authorities:
For more information on non-competitive appointment authority eligibility requirements:
- Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A
- Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans
- Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
- Other Special Appointment Authorities

• 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.
  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.
Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are found qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
Data Management, Oral Communication, Planning and Evaluating, Quality Assurance, Records Management, Technical Competence, and Writing
Knowledge of the design and operation of BCP data systems, such as the Consumer Sentinel Network (CSN) and the ability to manipulate the data within each system.
Skill in reconciling competing approaches to accurate and appropriate coding, and to communicate to the broader group the appropriate coding determinations.
Knowledge of program principles, methods and techniques to organize a system and procedures to respond to changes in consumer intake volume.
Skill in Oral and written communication skills sufficient to communicate information on organizational programs and activities, develop reports and manage multiple projects. Knowledge of rules, regulations, and policy regarding the storage, handling, and transmittal of sensitive information (e.g. PII and CUI) sufficient to address specific issues.
Knowledge of Records Systems currently used by the agency sufficient to provide advice and assistance.
Knowledge of FOIA statutes and other related policy information as it applies to the release of Bureau information to outside parties sufficient to generate reports.
Ability to recommend and implement solutions to improve program operations.
Ability to provide organizational and technical support sufficient to devise solutions that fully address specific challenges.

• 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.
  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.
  To apply for this position, you must submit a complete application package which includes:
  1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
  2. Other supporting documents:
  - Cover Letter, optional
  - College transcript(s), if qualifying based on education
  - Most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" showing you are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade or promotion potential held (if applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal Service)
  - Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable
  - DD-214, SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from Veterans for consideration under Veteran hiring authorities
  - Noncompetitive appointment authority documentation, if applicable
  - Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program Documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)
  - Schedule A- In order to receive consideration under the Schedule A authority, you must provide a certification of job readiness printed on a medical professional's letterhead and signed. For more information, please visit USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities (https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/individuals-with-disabilities/)
  FEDERAL APPLICANTS: You must submit SF-50(s) that verify your highest competitive grade, full performance level, and eligibility as a federal applicant. DO NOT submit an award SF-50 as these often do not verify grade or eligibility. For consideration for a promotion, Box 4 of the SF-50 must show a date that is at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing. We recommend submitting your last promoti...