KEY REQUIREMENTS



• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation.
• Must meet time in grade requirement by closing date of announcement.
• Some travel may be required.
• Must sign mobility statement if selected.
• Must sign a Continuation of Employment Service Agreement.

The incumbent serves as Cemetery Administrator Trainee (Cemetery Director) in the National Cemetery Administration (NCA).  The location of the year-long training program is conducted at the NCA National Training Center in St Louis, Missouri.  The program requires both on-the-job training and academic training at the National Training Cemetery Center as well as at several National Cemeteries cross the country.  The incumbent will be provided training and assignments in subjects such as Safety; Equipment, Facilities and Grounds Maintenance; Budget; Interment Operations; Leadership; Team Building; Oral and Written Communications; Strategic Planning; Procurement/Contracting and Equal Employment Opportunity.  The activities are selected to broaden skills and provide experience for progressively more complex assignments.  The tasks are carried out with greater independence as advancement is made through the various phases of the training cycle.  The primary goal of the training program is to enable the incumbent to apply knowledge of cemetery operations and regulations in order to independently perform as future cemetery Directors. 

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

As part of training, the incumbent has opportunities to provide overall direction of interment operations, including establishing gravesites; supervising opening and closing of graves; scheduling interments; assuring the smooth flow of committal services and proper presentation of the flag; ordering, receiving, inspecting markers; providing for orderly and  dignified crowd entrance/exit; and maintaining permanent records.  The incumbent also works as part of the NCA Scheduling Office staff to arrange interments with Funeral Directors and families at various cemeteries across the country.  The incumbent is trained as an administrator to prepare employee performance plans that supports the duties of a position utilizing applicable Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO), Labor Relations and  Human Resources policies and guidance.

The incumbent works in partnership with local cemetery staff in planning and implementing a full perpetual maintenance program, including maintenance of existing gravesites and headstones/markers; irrigated turf; varieties of trees and shrubs; vehicles and motorized equipment; buildings; and fence line.  When requested, he/she works as a Cemetery Representative to assure that adequate services are available and that the flag is properly displayed, conducts routine maintenance inspections, notes and reports on deficiencies and plans for corrections.

The incumbent is provided information to establish/organize and maintain the workforce of a mock cemetery using the NCA Resources Management Tool (RMT).  Financial training and activities provided to support this project include preparation of annual budgets and Operating Budget Plans (OBP); Formulation of the 10-year construction, maintenance, and equipment replacement program plans; daily blotter posting and record keeping, financial expenditures/documentation as well as personnel manning.  Peer and self assessments are initiated on specifically assigned tasks and projects to internalize the characteristics of quality work as leaders and teams. The incumbent will also participate as a group to complete a year-long class project on a subject of interest and value to the National Cemetery Administration.  The project requires both presentation of technical and administrative research, analysis and recommendations.

With appropriately assigned cemetery staff, represents the VA/government in outreach activities.  As the activities coordinator, he/she establishes and maintains contact with minority Veterans organizations, local, district and state organizations, church leaders; funeral directors within the areas served by the local cemetery.  Prepares written materials, or utilizes existing materials to educate minority veterans and their families of services and benefits available through the National Cemetery System.  The incumbent coordinates and as appropriate participates in Memorial and Veterans Day services as well as other special ceremonial civic and community events.

In the performance of official duties, the incumbent has access to printed and electronic files containing sensitive information which must be protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, and other applicable laws and regulations.  The incumbent is responsible for protecting information from loss, alteration and unauthorized deletion.  The incumbent must also follow applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files and release of access codes as set out in computer access agreements and VA memorandums.  The incumbent is responsible for maintaining the Federal Code of Ethics and for functioning accordingly.

Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Position Description Title/PD#:  Cemetery Administrator Trainee, #30649 
Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses are authorized for this position.

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers Permanent Change of Station (PCS) relocation services. Permanent Change of Station is the relocation of a household due to government convenience in connection with a transfer between duty stations or facilities. For more information go to  http://vaww.fscdirect.fsc.va.gov/pcs.asp.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Time-in-grade:  Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

Specialized Experience:  Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.  Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: 

GS-7: One year of specialized experience at the GS-5 performing a variety of functions and services applicable to this position; planning, organizing, and controlling work involving diverse activities; gaining cooperation and coordinating the work of others; oral and written communication skills

GS-9: One year of specialized experience at the GS-7 gathering and organizing information and or participating in interment activities; assisting in the development of briefings and reports, operating budget plans, grounds and facilities maintenance or studies involving interment operations and or activities.

GS-11:  One year of specialized experience at the GS-9 supervising interment activities, grounds maintenance, burial requests, eligibility determination, preparation of budget estimates and operating budget plans, purchasing and other related programs or operations.

OR

Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-7,9,11 levels.

GS-7: one full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement.

GS-9: master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B or J.D., if related.

GS-11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related.

OR

Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-7,9,11 levels.  To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned).  Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess.  Add the two percentages.  The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-7,9,11. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position.

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

VA offers a comprehensive benefits package.  This link provides is an overview of the benefits currently offered: 

http://www.va.gov/JOBS/Job_Benefits/benefits.asp.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave :  Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.  VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service.  This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.  Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

Placement Policy:   The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion.  The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement.  Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package (See “Required Documents” section below).  The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Friday, February 15, 2013.

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button at the bottom of this screen to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Be sure to upload the required documents before you submit your application.  Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.  Mailed/emailed applications will not be accepted.

Note: To change or update your application, simply reapply through My USAJOBS, before the closing date.  To check the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), select Application Status and click on the more information link under the application status for this position. 

If you cannot apply online: you will need to complete the Occupational Questionnaire (View Occupational Questionnaire) by submitting your answers on the 1203FX form (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf) and faxing the completed form with all supporting documents to (478)757-3144. The 1203FX form will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission. Keep a copy of your fax receipt in case verification is needed.

To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload: Complete the following cover page http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf using 833400.  You must use this fax cover sheet in order for your documents to be matched with your online application. Fax your documents to (478)757-3144. Keep a copy of your fax receipt in case verification is needed.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

The following documents are required: 

·         Résumé

·         Responses to the Occupational Questionnaire.

·         Transcripts (if substituting education for experience)

·         Veterans' Preference documentation such as DD-214 or equivalent that shows character of discharge, SF-15 and VA Letter, as appropriate.

·         Current federal employees and past federal employees with reinstatement eligibility must provide a current SF-50 and the most current performance appraisal.

·         Use this checklist to ensure you've submitted everything.  You will not be contacted for additional information. 

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

After the vacancy announcement closes and a referral certificate is issued, an electronic notification letter - or e-mail - will be sent to applicants who provide an e-mail address.  Otherwise, you will receive a notification letter via the U.S. Postal Service within 2 to 4 weeks.