Sign Language Interpreter

Summary
This position is in Consumer Affairs and Outreach Division (CAOD), Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB), Federal Communications Commission (FCC) located in Washington, DC.
RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID.
THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL POSITIONS WITHIN 90 DAYS.
This job is open to

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

Clarification from the agency
Open to all U.S. Citizens
AND
MERIT PROMOTION (MP) - STATUS CANDIDATES and NON-COMPETITIVE ELIGIBLES. MP candidates include Federal Employees, Agency Employees, competitive Reinstatement eligibles, VEOA, CTAP and ICTAP. Individuals eligible for non-competitive appointment under special appointing authorities may also apply for consideration (e.g. Individuals with Disabilities; Veterans [VRA, 30% Disabled]; former Peace Corps, AmeriCorps or Vista). Indicate how you wish to be considered.
Duties
The incumbent provides Commission Sign Language interpreting which involves interpreting or transliterating expressively and receptively between spoken English and American Sign Language (ASL), including the variations of the ASL commonly signed in the United States. Such variations include but are not limited to Contact Sign/Pidgin Signed English (PSE)/Professional PSE, sign-supported speech reading, and conceptually accurate Manually Coded English. Facilitates cultural transitions between Deaf culture and hearing culture to assure the messages communicated are equivalent and expertly identifies nuances and tones; and accurately conveys the intended message; and functions seamlessly in a variety of settings.
Provides advice and guidance to the Commission in the development or modification of accommodations so that all members of the public can fully participate in Commission activities; as well as assists in ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities as required by legislation but not limited to the Rehabilitation Act (as amended), Americans with Disabilities Act, the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, and other relevant statutes.
Performs outreach activities which involves participating with planning and implementation of consumer education programs, workshops and seminars designed to educate the public about FCC rules and policies. Works and/or participates with staff in planning and developing informational exhibits and presentations for public events; writing/editing diverse publications including informational bulletins; consumer alerts, briefing books and brochures related to action taken or rules adopted by the Commission.
Advises Chief, CAOD on the appropriateness and effectiveness of outreach means and methods to reach members of the deaf and hard of hearing communities; and at the supervisor's requests participate in the planning, coordination and management of outreach to consumer groups, state and local governments; and other special interest groups.
Utilizes familiarity with legal terms, technical concepts, telecommunications vocabulary and accessibility terminology associated with the Sign Language and outreach work of the FCC. Works with the Commission's Section 504 Officer to evaluate reasonable accommodations provided for Commission employees with disabilities (e.g., quality interpreting services, Computer Access Real-Time Translation (CART); and other appropriate access services.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment

• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
• US Citizenship.
• May serve a one year probationary period (if applicable)
• Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
• If selected, a financial disclosure statement may be required.
• Current/former federal employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade/status
• Current FCC employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade & status.
• Certification National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf required

Please note your resume must thoroughly support your responses to the vacancy questions. Your resume is an integral part of the process for determining if you meet the basic qualifications of the position and determining if you are to be among the best qualified.
ALL CURRENT/FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND CURRENT FCC EMPLOYEES MUST provide a legible Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible.
CURRENT FCC EMPLOYEES-To request a copy of your SF-50 please send an email to PersonnelRecordsRequest@fcc.gov
Qualifications
Applicants must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Current Federal employees asking to be considered under Merit Promotion procedures must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Candidates must meet all of the specialized experience requirements outlined below in order to be deemed as qualified.
Specialized Experience
GS-12
Applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service. For this position, specialized experience includes the following:
1) Experience interpreting or translating expressively and receptively both consecutively and simultaneously between spoken English and American Sign Language (ASL), including the variations of ASL commonly seen in the United States;
2) Experience interpreting in highly complex and sometimes emotionally charged settings;
3) Experience resolving communication problems between hearing individuals and deaf and/or hard of hearing individuals.
4) Experience evaluating reasonable accommodations, e.g., quality of interpreting services, CART (Computer Access Real-time Translation) and other access services.
5) Experience assisting with all aspects of consumer outreach activities.
You will be evaluated for this position on the following Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other characteristics (KSAOs):

• Mastery knowledge of English in written, spoken and aural modalities; expressive and receptive American Sign Language {ASL) in the variation signed in the
  • United States; and skill in providing simultaneous interpretation of ASL into English and English into ASL (e.g., such variations include but are not limited to Contact Sign/Pidgin Signed English (PSE)/Professional PSE, sign-supported speech reading, and conceptually accurate Manually Coded English); and consecutive interpretation, interpreting services for close vision and deaf-blind individuals which may include oral interpretation.
• Ability to plan consumer education programs.
• Ability to interpret and convey information in the tone and register of the source language and facilitate cultural transitions between American Deaf and Hearing cultures to produce effective communications.
• Familiarity with disability-related matters

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: 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.
Additional information
EEO Policy Statement
Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement
Veterans Information
Legal and Regulatory Guidance
Other:
- Before hiring, an agency will ask you to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. The agency will also ask you to sign and certify the accuracy of all the information in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be fined or jailed. If you are a male over age 18 who was born after December 31, 1959, you must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for a Federal job.
- If applicable, you will be required to serve a trial period of one year.
- In order for you to be employed at the FCC, there are certain Commission and Federal laws governing the financial interests of you and members of your immediate family. If selected for the position, you must submit a financial disclosure statement upon assuming the position.
*NOTE-This position is in the bargaining unit. The exclusive representative is NTEU Chapter 209.

• 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.
  The FCC offers a wide range of employee benefits, including:
  Health Insurance
  Life Insurance
  Dental & Vision Insurance
  Flexible Spending Accounts
  Long-Term Care Insurance
  Holidays and Leave
  Retirement
  Thrift Savings Plan
  Transit Benefit
  Alternative Work Schedule
  Telecommuting
  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.
As this position is being advertised under DEU and Merit Promotion hiring procedures, applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience and education relevant to the duties of the position using the hiring procedures outlined below.
How You Will Be Evaluated-DEU Hiring Procedures
The FCC determines the BEST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES based on the major job related competencies and evaluation of your knowledge, skills, and abilities reflected in your application and supporting documents using the CATEGORY RATING PROCESS. Time in grade restrictions do not apply to DEU hiring procedures.
All eligible applicants under Delegated Examining (DEU) will be placed in one of the following three categories:
1. Highly Qualified (Score 90-100) - the applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level of major job related competencies and possession of all evaluation criteria;
2. Fully Qualified (Score 80-89) - the applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of major job related competencies and possession of the evaluation criteria; and
3. Minimally Qualified (Score of 70-79)- the applicants possessing only the specialized experience described in the vacancy announcement. An automated score is administered based on the on-line application process used.
Eligible applicants will receive a numerical rating based on their responses to the job specific questions for this position. Application of Veterans Preference: 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 category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have compensable service-connected disability at least 10 percent MUST be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.
A selecting official may make selection from the highest quality category ("HIGHLY QUALIFIED") provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in the same category. Qualified disabled veterans (30% disabled veterans and at least 10% disabled veterans) who meet the qualification criteria float to the top of the Highly Qualified category and by law must be referred over non-veterans. Non-veterans are strictly prohibited from being referred or selected over qualified disabled veterans.
There are several parts to the application process that affect the overall evaluation of your application including:
1. the core questions
2. the vacancy questions
3. supplemental documentation (e.g., DD-214, SF-50, SF-15, transcripts), if applicable; and
4. your resume.
Applicants will be rated ineligible, if they do not respond to job specific questions, provide supplemental documents and submit resume. For more information, please click on Rating Process.
Merit Promotion Procedures
Applicants under Merit Promotion will be considered in accordance with the agency's merit promotion plan and union agreement. Time in grade restrictions apply.
Under Merit Promotion procedures, applicants must m...