Summary This position is located in DHS/U.S. Coast Guard, Commandant, Vice Commandant (CG-09), Deputy Comdt for Operations (CG-DCO), Regional Exam Center Operations Div, in Martinsburg, WV. Responsibilities This position is located in the Application In-Processing Branch (AIP) of the Regional Exam Center Operations Division (NMC-1) of the National Maritime Center (NMC). The incumbent provides technical assistance in the administration of the statutory and regulatory provisions and controls for the merchant mariner credentialing program, and the issuance of Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) and Medical Certificates (MC), as well as endorsement certificates required by the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) for seafarers (1978, as amended). This position plays a key role in the review, qualification, and production of merchant mariner applications. As a senior Legal Instruments Examiner (LIE), conducts an initial review to verify application is complete, addresses any deficiencies with the applicants, and forwards the applications for further safety, suitability, and professional qualification evaluation. Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team. Typical work assignments include: Assisting Section Chief in evaluating merchant mariner credential in-processing activities to improve mariner services and to maintain high productivity. Assists in planning, conveying, and reviewing work according to the training level of the staff. Helps to establish work priorities and revises schedules for completion of work. Responsible for allocating and distributing files for screening and in processing. Providing technical guidance to section personnel and answers questions about application processing and the evaluation of mariner applications. Helping develop training programs tailored to the evaluation level training of staff members. Assists with providing on-the-job training. Coordinates and reviews lower graded processing work and helps to resolve problems pertaining to application in processing. Serving as a subject matter expert regarding the receipt and in-processing of all MMC application submissions, reconciling inconsistencies and ensuring incoming applications are properly received, screened, in-processed, recorded in the Coast Guard’s Merchant Mariner Licensing and Documentation (MMLD) data system, before being transferred to the NMC-5 Division staff for further evaluation. Monitors cycle time metrics associated with the AIP business process, evaluating trends and suggests improvements related to those trends. Coordinating with other NMC Divisions to ensure seamless electronic file movements between NMC-13 and subsequent Divisions/Branches in the MMC and MC evaluation process. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship is required. This position requires a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI). Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service. A one-year probationary period may be required. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. This includes Time-In-Grade requirements for current status employees applying through merit promotion procedures. Status applicants applying for a promotion must have 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade. Qualifications At the GS-7 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 grade level in the federal service. Specialized experience is the experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include: Knowledge of specialized terminology to converse with applicants, maritime industry, the public, Coast guard personnel and other agency officials. Ability to deal with public at all levels, while exercising tact, diplomacy, and sensitivity AT THE GS-08 level: Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is the experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include: Knowledge of specialized terminology to converse with applicants, maritime industry, the public, Coast guard personnel and other agency officials. Ability to deal with public at all levels, while exercising tact, diplomacy, and sensitivity Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to prepare and review military and business style letters in a professional manner. AT THE GS-09 level: Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is the experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include: Knowledge of specialized terminology to converse with applicants, maritime industry, the public, Coast guard personnel and other agency officials. Ability to deal with public at all levels, while exercising tact, diplomacy, and sensitivity. Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to prepare and review military and business style letters in a professional manner. Knowledge of DOT Drug Testing regulations and the ability to review mariner drug test reports and company drug test letters to ensure accuracy and validity. Knowledge of the Freedom of Information (FOIA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act(HIPAA), and Privacy Acts to avoid the unauthorized release of Personally Identifiable Information (PII). National Service Experience (i.e., 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. The Office of Personnel management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule, C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Education This position does not have a positive education requirement. If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Required Documents section for detail. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click here Additional Information Applicants will be required to complete questions contained on the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) at the time a tentative job offer is made. Certain responses on the form could pose a problem with suitability for employment determinations. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete/make updates to the OF-306 and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, or imprisonment. DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about e-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities at click here Recruitment incentives may be authorized. If selection is made below the full performance level, the incumbent may be promoted up to the target grade without further competition, if all legal and regulatory requirements are met and when recommended by the supervisor. However, promotion to the full performance level is not guaranteed and is dependent on successful performance at the lower grade level(s). All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit. The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. More than 1 selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 45 days from the date the certificate was issued. If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application and hiring process, please contact 571-608-6427. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Visit Reasonable Accommodation