About this role
Job SummaryYou will serve as a Program Specialistwith National Park Servicelocated in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve.
QualificationsRequirements Continued... As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/12/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 for each federal position listed as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of qualifying experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. SELECTIVE FACTOR: This position serves as the Program Specialist (Program Manager), for the Shared Beringian Heritage (BERI) and the Alaska Affiliated Areas (AFAR) Programs of the National Park Service, Region 11 at Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. Expertise in Alaska local, regional, tribal, state, and federal agency coordination is required. Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position. - AND - To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level, you must possess one year of experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-11 level in Federal service that includes at least 3 of the following 4 activities: (1) Program management, (2) financial and resource administration to include budgets, grants, contracts, etc., (3) coordination of community and/or educational outreach, (4) direct supervision of personnel and/or volunteers. Volunteer 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.
Major DutiesThe major duties of the Program Specialist position include, but are not limited to the following: Oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of Beringian Heritage (BERI) and Alaska Affiliated Areas (AFAR) programs, including drafting work plans, setting priorities, determining resource requirements, and establishing goals and strategies. Ensures project activities align with program objectives and manages administrative functions such as financial planning, budgeting, personnel, procurement, and property management. Implements external funding calls to include Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), develops criteria and request for proposals (RFPs), organizes merit review processes, administers funds, and serves as Agreements Technical Representative (ATR). Manages funds, appropriations, and agreements with partner organizations and oversees legislative issues affecting program areas. Represents National Park Service, Beringian Heritage, and Alaska Affiliated Areas at meetings with agencies, tribes, indigenous groups, non-profits, and the public in the US and Russia. Designs and delivers educational and outreach programs, develops curriculum, and fosters participation in conservation and cultural resource initiatives. Ensures communication products meet National Park Service standards and are accessible in multiple languages. Directly supervises up to 4 permanent employees and additional temporary staff, volunteers, and interns. Conducts work planning, scheduling, performance evaluation, hiring, promotions, training, and disciplinary actions. Ensures equal opportunity, safety, and effective labor-management relation. Serves as liaison between National Park Service partners, provides technical assistance in visitor and education activities, develops materials for US and Russian governments and the public, and maintains websites and social media in English, Russian, and indigenous languages.RequirementsU.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. Any individual who is currently holding, or has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet time-in-grade requirements (must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent in the Federal service); with few exceptions as outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal civilian employees applying for reinstatement who have had a break in service of less than one year, as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointments. Time-in-grade does not apply to new excepted service appointments and must be met by the closing date of this announcement. You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 3-5 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes. You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority. The position to which you will be appointed is subject to a financial disclosure reporting requirement and you will be required to complete a new entrant Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days of your appointment. *Additional Requirements located under qualifications*