Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia. Office of Family Assistance (OFA), Division of State and Territory Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Management, Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood (HMRF) Discretionary Grants Branch.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING DAY TO DAY

The Supervisory Family Assistance Program Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the HMRF programs. More detail about the HMRF programs:

Since 2006, OFA has awarded grants to states, tribes, tribal organizations, territories, community organizations (including faith-based), and colleges and universities to provide activities to promote healthy marriage and relationship education, responsible fatherhood, and reentry services for currently or formerly incarcerated fathers. These programs are part of HHS' community-based efforts to promote strong, healthy family formation and maintenance. Click here for an overview of HMRF.

The healthy marriage (HM) grant awards fund organizations that combine marriage and relationship education efforts with a robust effort to address participation barriers and the economic stability needs of their participants. There are two current HM programs: Family, Relationship, and Marriage Education Works (FRAMEWorks) Grants , for services for adults; and Relationships, Education, Advancement, and Development for Youth for Life (READY4Life) Grants , for services for youth. Responsible fatherhood grant awards fund projects that integrate robust economic stability services, activities designed to foster responsible parenting, and healthy marriage and relationship education activities. Additionally, responsible fatherhood activities include community-centered pre- and post-release responsible fatherhood and supportive services to fathers soon-to-be or recently released from incarceration. There is one current RF program: Fatherhood-Family-focused, Interconnected, Resilient, and Essential (Fatherhood FIRE) , for services for adults. All current HMRF grantees are listed here .

Studies show that economic pressures and instability contribute to diminished financial support and relationship (including father-child and couples) and marital dysfunction. For these reasons, OFA includes the provision of comprehensive employment and economic mobility-focused services, such as strategies designed to enhance the employability skills of low-income participants and help them secure employment.

OFA established a learning agenda that places significant emphasis on key short- and long-term outcomes intended to enhance evaluation and strengthen program design. This learning agenda is designed to increase understanding of what works and why. Learn more about HMRF research and evaluation here .

The authorizing legislation also provides funding for a National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC). The website established for NRFC, fatherhood.gov , serves as a resource for responsible fatherhood information. It is designed to promote and encourage the appropriate involvement of fathers in their children's lives.

As a Supervisory Family Assistance Program Specialist, you will use your knowledge of and experience with the Administration for Children & Families to optimize business results and customer experience by:

• Developing a vision for HMRF programs, within the parameters of the legislation, executing the vision, and inspiring others to contribute to the vision.
• Developing and managing overall HMRF grant administration and implementation activities, including:
  • Ensuring program compliance with Federal laws, regulations, ethical provisions, procurement and grant rules, and terms and conditions for the award of funds.
  • Ensuring the effective provision of technical assistance in areas including, but not limited to, Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education, Responsible Fatherhood, economic self-sufficiency and workforce development, effective program implementation and continuous quality improvement, family formation, and family strengthening.
  • Monitoring program operations by overseeing the development and implementation of comprehensive compliance and performance reviews to determine and ensure grantee compliance with programmatic requirements.
  • Making recommendations for the withholding of funds, non-continuation, or termination of a grant.
• Serving as the first-level supervisor for the team of HMRF Family Assistance Program Specialists (FPSs).
• Representing the Administration for Children and Families and OFA, and making presentations, at conferences, meetings, and forums to inform the human service community, employers, community-based organizations, the public, and other welfare reform stakeholders about the goals, objectives and initiatives of OFA.
• Drafting comprehensible and persuasive written products and presentations tailored for appropriate target audience(s).
• Providing oversight on all HMRF-related research and evaluation projects, including data collection, management, and reporting.
• Overseeing a range of contracts supporting the HMRF programs, including the NRFC.

Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service - http://www.sss.gov
• Suitable for federal employment
• Meet time in grade restrictions by the closing date of the announcement
• Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. All information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation.
• All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date.
• A financial disclosure statement may be required.
• The incumbent may be expected to report to the duty station every day, with only ad hoc telework.

Qualifications

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Basic Qualifications:

A. Must have at least a bachelor's degree in behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

B. Must have a combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

OR

C. Must have at least four (4) years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

AND

Additional Qualification Requirement: In addition to meeting the Basic Qualification Requirements candidates must also:

Have at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service performing ALL of the following: a) Advise grantee organizations on technical considerations such as program design, implementation, data collection and analysis, and/or program compliance in accordance with federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; b) Develop documents that are clear and concise that include, but are not limited to, funding opportunity announcements, statements of work, cooperative agreements, program guidance, or internal policy memos; c) Lead teams on complex projects involving or related to a grant program; and d) Serve as a project lead, team lead, or senior team member on a major project involving or related to a grant program that required the analyzation or reviewing of established program policies and/or procedures.

Desirable Candidate: Possession of current certification as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) Level II or Level III.

Documenting experience: In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the "percentage of times" the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above.

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; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to gain employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If such experience is on a part-time basis, you must provide the average number of hours worked per week as well as the beginning and ending dates of the experience so it can be fully credited.

Education

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov .

Additional information

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Incentives may be authorized; however, this is contingent upon multiple factors, including funds availability. If authorized, certain incentives may require you to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a period of up to 3 years. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. Incentives may include the following: moving expenses, recruitment or relocation incentive; student loan repayment, superior qualifications appointment, creditable service for annual leave for prior non-federal work experience or prior uniformed military service, etc.

Bargaining Unit Position: No

Research position: No

Drug Screening Required: No

Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans - https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/

Special Hiring Authorities for Military Spouses - https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/military-spouses/

People With Disabilities (Schedule A) - https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Individuals_with_Disabilities

Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP/ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an CTAP/ICTAP eligible see http://opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap . To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85.0 or above on the rating criteria for this position.

Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

NOTE: During the COVID-19 pandemic you may be authorized to telework remotely. The Federal government will begin a phased transition to normal operations in line with the national guidelines to Open Up America Again. HHS will make operating decisions based on State or locality of duty stations and other factors. The incumbent may be expected to report at the duty station every day, with only ad hoc telework.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 1986, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is A Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The use of illegal drugs, on or off duty, by Federal employees is inconsistent not only with the law-abiding behavior expected of all citizens, but also with the special trust placed in such employees as servants of the public.

Once the application process is complete, a review of the 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.

For PHS Commissioned Corps (CC) Officers: PHS Commissioned Corps (CC) Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the commissioned Corps may apply online to this announcement. Candidates will be referred as CC personnel and not as candidates for conversion to a permanent career or career-conditional appointment.

For Competitive Merit Promotion and Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) Applicants: The highest rated candidates will be referred to the hiring agency.

For Noncompetitive Applicants: All qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring agency.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

• • Administration and Management
  • Leadership
  • Managing Human Resources
  • Project Management

To preview the assessment questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11116164

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing

Required Documents

Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. You must provide a complete online Application Package which includes:

• Your Resume: You are encouraged to use the USAJobs online resume builder to ensure that all required information is in your resume. You resume must clearly articulate how your skills and experiences align to the criteria defined in the qualifications section of this announcement and it must support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. For each position you must describe your duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities. Your resume must also include the day, month, and year that you began and ended for each position held. Full-time employment will be assumed unless otherwise stated on your resume. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Not providing this information may result in the lowering of your assessment score or an ineligible rating. For resume writing guidance, please visit the USAJobs Resource Center or view their video tutorial . For Most Effective Resumes Tips visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Most_Effective_Resumes .
• A complete Assessment Questionnaire ( https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11116164 )
• SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) - documentation supporting eligibility. If submitting a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), or equivalent, submit one that shows the effective date of your current position, the full performance level, career or career conditional tenure and status in the competitive service.
• Other required supporting documents.

Other Supporting Documents: (Only Submit if applicable to you.)

• College transcript (if qualifying all or in part based on your education)
• Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) Certification
• Veterans' Preference documentation:
  • If you are claiming 5 point preference, you must submit a copy of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from the armed forces that supports dates of service and discharge status; if claiming 10 point preference, an application for 10-Point Veterans Preference (SF-15) and an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference.
• CTAP/ICTAP Documentation
  • A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
  • A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action'', documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc.;
  • A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
  • Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
• PHS Commissioned Corps (CC) Officers must provide a copy of your current personnel order or other supporting documentation to be referred as CC.
• Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) documentation, if applicable. For more information, please go to https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/
• Documentation supporting eligibility for non-competitive appointment, (severely disabled, eligible veterans, certain military spouses, etc.)
• All applicants are also strongly encouraged to submit a cover letter (may be up to three pages, singled-spaced) which addresses, at a minimum, the following topics:

• Why you want this job, and your interest in a program that supports fathers, families, and youth;
• Your professional experiences that prepare you for this position; and
• A time in your professional experience when you were given a highly-complex task, what you did, what the results were, and what you learned.

For Résumé Tips visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoFk
For Application Tips visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqYkibnuiJU

For additional information about USAJOBS visit the Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/

You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.