KEY REQUIREMENTS



• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National to apply for this position.
• You must meet the Selective Service requirements (See “Other Information”).
• A one-year probationary period MAY be required.
• You must complete the questionnaire and/or knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Use the Print Preview feature for a complete copy of this announcement.

In this position you will serve as a Writer Editor for CMS web sites and social media resources as well as general multi-use content to populate other mediums.  In addition, the incumbent serves as a user experience specialist, ensuring that the Agency's websites provide simple, interactive, experiences for the target audience.  Specifically, you will: 

• Develop web content, prototypes, storyboards, screen-flow diagrams, wireframes, prototypes, mock-ups and written content to effectively communicate interaction and design ideas for the intended user experience. 
• Serve as a senior consultant and advisor to CMS managers and staff, leading discussions and coordinating closely with all affected offices and centers to understand content and determine the most appropriate presentation to reach targeted audience and achieve desired response. 
• Identify current and future content needs and opportunities, and recommend strategies to use the web and social media to carry out CMS' mission.
• Develop and publish usability guidelines for reference, throughout the product development process. 

A determination of your minimum qualifications will be based on the requirements listed below.  You will be evaluated based upon the experience and/or education reflected in your resume.  Please use clear and concise descriptions/examples when describing your experience.  Applicants are advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation.  By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application.  If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or, you may be fined or jailed. ALL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

*NOTE: Certification as a Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) or Government Task Leader (GTL) is required.

Conditions of Employment:

Security and Background Requirements: 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. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time. Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation. False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action.

• Optional Form 306 – Declaration of Federal Employment – available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of306.pdf . This form is not required to be submitted at the time of submitting your application. However, if selected, this form will be required prior to final job offer.

2. E-Verify: 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. Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires, and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify Participant.

3. Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Once the application process is complete, a review of 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, Well Qualified or Qualified.

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):

Your résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified.   Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

NOTE: If you submit a resume but no questionnaire, you will not be considered for the position. If you submit a questionnaire but no resume, you cannot be considered for the position. Your application will be appropriately documented and you will be removed from competition.

The Federal government offers a number of exceptional benefits to its employees. The following Web addresses are provided for your reference to explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees: http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter/Index/Interactive/Benefits#icc
 
Flexible Spending Accounts -  https://www.fsafeds.com/fsafeds/index.asp
Health Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp
Leave -  http://www.opm.gov/oca/leavel/index.asp
Life Insurance -   http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp
Long Term Care Insurance - http://www.ltcfeds.com/
Retirement Program -   http://www.opm.gov/retire/index.asp

OTHER INFORMATION:

WORK SCHEDULE: Full Time

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: None

TOUR OF DUTY:   Flexible

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT:  Exempt  

RELOCATION EXPENSES (PCS): Not Authorized

RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE:  May Be Authorized

SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: NACI

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE:  May Be Required

BARGAINING UNIT POSITION:  Yes

JOB CODE:  400620

TRANSCRIPTS or COURSE LISTINGS:  Not Required

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.  Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire.  Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.

2. Print this 1203FX form to provide your response to the assessment questionnaire http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf; and

NOTE: Submission of a résumé alone IS NOT a complete application. This position requires the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described under the "REQUIRED DOCUMENTS" section of this announcement. Please carefully review the complete job announcement and the "How to Apply" instructions. Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in you not being considered for employment. 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

The following documents are required:
 
1.  Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional.  Your resume must indicate your citizenship and if you are registered for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/59.  Your resume should also list your educational and work experience including the dates (mm/dd/yy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week.  For work in the Federal service, please include the grade level for the position(s).  Your resume may be used to validate your responses to the assessment tool(s). 
 
For Résumé and Application Tips visit:
http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter/Index/Interactive/ResumeAndApplicationTips#icc
 
2.  A complete Assessment Questionnaire
3.  Supplemental Documents, if applicable (i.e., SF-50, DD-214, SF-15 etc).
 
Supplemental documents may be required in the vacancy announcement.   Failure to provide appropriate documentation MAY result in a not qualified rating OR non-consideration. Click here for a detailed description of the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. 
 
You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment.  The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.).

The complete Application Package (including all required documents) must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Wednesday, September 26, 2012.

Contact Information: CMS HR Center Helpdesk
Phone: 1-888-423-2737 or 410-786-3936
TDD: (410)786-0270
Email: HRCenterHelpdesk@cms.hhs.gov

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful.  The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.  We expect to make a selection within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement.