**R U R A L D E V E L O P M E N T**

**ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER:** MNRD-DEU-06-11

**OPENING DATE:** June 8, 2006

**CLOSING DATE:** July 6, 2006

**POSITION TITLE, SERIES & GRADE:**

Appraiser

GS-1171-12

**NO PROMOTION POTENTIAL**

**ENTRANCE PAY LEVEL for St. Paul**

**and surrounding metro area locations:**

\$64,943 per annum

**ENTRANCE PAY LEVEL for**

**the rest of Minnesota:**

\$62,291 per annum

**DUTY LOCATION**: Negotiable within Minnesota; however, St. Paul is
preferred.

**WHO MAY APPLY**: Open to all qualified persons. Federal employment
status is not required. U.S. citizenship is required.

**NOTE:** This position is being advertised concurrently under Vacancy
Announcement MN-06-15, for all current, permanent government employees
who are serving in competitive service appointments and for
noncompetitive eligibles such as veterans or reinstatement eligibles. A
separate application is required if you wish to be considered under
these procedures.

**POSITION DESCRIPTION:**

This position is located on the USDA, Rural Development Minnesota State
Office Program Support Staff. The incumbent is responsible for the full
scope of appraisal activities as they relate to single-family dwellings,
multi-family housing properties, community facilities, water and waste
facilities, and business and industry structures in rural Minnesota.
Work involves performing appraisals of real property; analyzing
appraisal reports completed by contract appraisers; conducting
feasibility, economic, and market analysis; and training program staff
on appraisal principles, practices, and techniques.

The incumbent may also be assigned responsibility for checking the
progress of the construction, repair, or remodeling of various projects;
attending construction progress meetings; and providing recommendations
for repairs, health and safety hazards, and suitability of single-family
dwellings.

**BASIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:**

All applicants must meet minimum qualification requirements as outlined
in the Office of Personnel Management's Qualification Standards
Operating Manual for Two-Grade Interval Administrative and Management
Positions. A copy is available for review in the Human Resources Office
or online at www.opm.gov/qualifications.

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to
the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is
experience that is directly related to the position and equipped the
applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to
perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience
for this position includes, but is not limited to, applying the sales
comparison, income, and cost approaches, and reconciling the three
approaches into a final valuation estimate.

**NOTE**: Applicants must meet qualifications by the closing date of
this announcement.

**KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED**: Applicants should submit
a narrative statement on a separate page(s) with specific responses to
the knowledges, skills, and abilities (KSA\'s) listed below. Relate your
responses to when and where you gained the experience. FAILURE TO
RESPOND TO THE KSAs WILL RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING.

1\. Skill in applying appraisal principles, practices, and techniques to
determine market value of a variety of real property (i.e., land,
chattel, residential and subsidized properties, commercial, or other
types of properties).

(Include examples of more challenging appraisal assignments, and
appraisal training received.)

2\. Ability to gather and analyze market data obtained from a variety of
sources and draw conclusions.

3\. Ability to orally convey ideas and findings in a clear and logical
manner.

4\. Ability to express self clearly in a variety of written formats.

**Selective Factor:**

In accordance with the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and
Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA), appraisers who appraise property where
Federal dollars/assistance is involved must be state certified.
Requirements vary from State to State so the appraiser must be qualified
in a State where education and experience requirements equal or exceed
Federal requirements. Applicants must provide a copy of their current
certification as a State-certified general real estate appraiser with
their application.

**BASIS OF RATING**: Applicants will be rated on a scale of 70-100, plus
veterans\' preference points, if applicable. Your experience, education,
training, and awards will be reviewed to determine the degree to which
you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics
(KSA\'s) that are considered essential for successful job performance.
Ratings are based solely on information contained in your application or
resume package. Failure to submit your narrative response to the KSAs
for this job may negatively affect your eligibility and/or rating for
this position.

**PAY, BENEFITS AND WORK SCHEDULE:**

This is a permanent, full-time position.

All Federal employees are required by PL 104-134 to have federal
payments made by Direct Deposit.

Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual
(vacation) and sick leave, and will be covered under a Federal
retirement system.

One to ten nights of travel per month may be required.

**CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:**

Background Investigation Required: New Federal employees require
background security checks.

One year probationary period applicable: New appointees must serve a
probationary period upon appointment.

Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they
have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from
having to do so under the Selective Service Law.

**IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SURPLUS OR DISPLACED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES:**
Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career
Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the
position to receive consideration for special priority selection. CTAP
or ICTAP eligibles will be considered "well qualified" if they attain a
rating of 85.0 or above not including veteran's preference.

Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that
they meet the regulation requirements of 5 CFR 330.605 for CTAP and 5
CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy
of the most recent Performance Rating, and a copy of their most recent
SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please
annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or
ICTAP eligible.

If you have access through a computer to the Internet, the above cited
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) can be read online. Regulation 5 CFR
330.605 for CTAP requirements can be accessed at the following Website
address: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp. Regulation 5 CFR 330.704 for
ICTAP requirements can be accessed online through the same Website
provided above for CTAP.

**APPLICATION PROCEDURE:**

Those desiring consideration must submit the following forms. Forms may
be requested from the address and/or phone number listed below or from
any Federal personnel office. Documents submitted will not be returned
to applicants**. Failure to submit any of the following required
documents will eliminate candidate from consideration for this
position.**

1.  OF-612, Optional Application for Federal Employment, **or** a resume
    which must include the information stated below.

2.  Response to each KSA listed above under Knowledges, Skills, and
    Abilities Required. These should be addressed individually on a
    separate attachment to the application. In addressing each KSA,
    please include specific tasks, assignments, problems resolved, your
    level of responsibility, and the results achieved.

3.  If you are claiming 5-point veterans\' preference, you must submit a
    copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility; if you are
    claiming 10-point veterans\' preference, you must submit a copy of
    Standard Form 15 and the required proof of entitlement.

4.  If you are a current Federal employee or have reinstatement
    eligibility, please provide a copy of your most recent SF-50,
    Notification of Personnel Action.

5.  Copy of current certification as a State-certified general real
    estate appraiser.

**Applicants using a resume must ensure that the following information
is included:**

a.  Announcement number, title, and grade(s) for which applying;

b.  Full name, mailing address with zip code, day/evening phone numbers,
    and **social security number;**

c.  Country of citizenship;

d.  Veterans\' preference;

e.  Education, including name of school, city, state, majors, type and
    year of degree(s);

f.  Paid and nonpaid work experience related to the job, including job
    title, duties and accomplishments, employer\'s name and address,
    supervisor\'s name and phone number, starting and ending dates,
    hours worked per week, salary, and indicate if we may contact
    current supervisor;

g.  Job related training courses with title and year of course
    attendance, job related skills, certificates or licenses, honors,
    awards, and special accomplishments.

**APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS BY THE CLOSING
DATE ON THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS WILL NOT BE
GRANTED.**

**SEND APPLICATION PACKAGE TO:**

USDA-Rural Development

ATTN: Human Resources

375 Jackson St., #410

St. Paul, MN 55101-1853

INQUIRIES:

Telephone 651-602-7783 or 7784

FAX 651-602-7826

Email <mary.snyder@mn.usda.gov>

WEBSITE [www.rurdev.usda.gov/mn/](http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/mn/)

OPM Job Site [www.usajobs.opm.gov](http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/)

Use of postage-paid Government Agency envelopes to file job application
is a violation of Federal laws and regulations. Applications submitted
in postage-paid Government envelopes will not be considered.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with
disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the
application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision
on granting reasonable accommodations will be on a case-by-case basis.

**[VETERANS' PREFERENCE]{.underline}**

If you have military service experience, be sure to include your dates
of active duty military service, and documentation of separation under
honorable conditions. Five points may be added to the eligible ratings
of veterans who entered the military service prior to October 14, 1976;
who served on active duty during the Gulf War between August 2, 1990
through January 2, 1992, regardless of where the person served or for
how long (a Reservist must have served the full period for which called
to active duty); or who have served on active duty, under honorable
conditions in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has
been authorized. Any Armed Forces Expeditionary medal or campaign badge
qualifies for preference. Medal holders must have served continuously
for 24 months or the full period called or ordered to active duty.

Anyone in receipt of the Global War on Terrorism **Expeditionary** Medal
(for service in Operation Enduring Freedom), Iraq Campaign Medal,
Afghanistan Medal, or the Korea Defense Service Medal is entitled to
veterans' preference if otherwise eligible. Please note that individuals
in receipt of the Global War on Terrorism **Service** Medal do
[not]{.underline} qualify for veterans' preference. However, recipients
of this medal do qualify for a Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA),
which is a special hiring authority in the excepted service. See the
section in this vacancy announcement under the heading [Special Hiring
Authorities]{.underline} for information on the VRA, as well as other
special hiring authorities.

Additionally, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2006, signed
into Public Law by the President on January 6, 2006, expanded the
definition of a veteran (for purposes of preference eligibility) in 5
USC 2108(l) to include individuals who served on active duty for more
than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which
occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on
the date prescribed by Presidential proclamation or by the last day of
Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Ten points may be granted to the eligible ratings of disabled veterans,
Purple Heart recipients, spouses or mothers of 100 percent disabled
veterans, or the widows, widowers, or mothers of a deceased veteran. If
you are applying for Veterans' Preference (whether 5- or 10-points),
submit with your application/resume evidence of eligibility, such as:
Form DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); and
if applying for ten-point Veterans' Preference, also submit a completed
Standard Form 15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) and the
proof requested on the form.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) maintains two Websites on
the Internet that include the information provided above, as well as
more detailed information on employment for veterans. The information
can be accessed at the following two Websites: **VetGuide** =
<http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.asp>. and **VetsInfo Guide**
= <http://www/opm.gov/veterans/html/vetsinfo.pdf>.

**EEO AND CIVIL RIGHTS POLICY:**

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all
its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status,
familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic
information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an
individuals income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not
all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities
who require alternative means for communication of program information
(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA TARGET
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of
discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800)
795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity
provider and employer.