Instructional Systems Specialist

About the role

This position is located in Division of Technical Training. The supervisor is Jeff Griffis. This position is not subject to Confidential Financial Disclosure reporting requirements.

This position is not subject to security ownership restriction reporting requirements.

What you will do

• The successful candidate will perform the full range of duties.
• Such duties include but are not limited to: Coordinates the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of training and development programs to initially provide and continually maintain NRC staff with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) necessary to perform their assigned job functions.
• This coordination requires oversight, research, preparation, revision, incorporation of technical and regulatory information into the training program, and quality control for assigned curriculum areas.
• It also involves development of course and module learning objectives, use of hardware training aids, and incorporation of computer, electronic, and video training resources.
• Attains and maintains proficiency in the use of agency information resources including document management and retrieval systems, Web-based systems, and learning management systems.
• Assesses the implications of changes in missions, management systems, organizational structure, and applicable laws and regulations on education and training requirements.
• Evaluates current information, reviews recommendations regarding updates to assigned training programs, and updates the programs as appropriate.
• Identifies best and/or alternate sources of instruction from among Government sources, consultants, contractors, and universities.
• Analyzes course offerings and/or proposals to determine costs and benefits to the NRC.
• Prepares needs analyses and recommends training strategies, plans, and programs.
• Integrates training program development with analyses of instruction to produce sound training programs and improve overall NRC performance.
• Develops training curriculum elements, either individually or as part of a team, including lesson objectives, instructor lesson plans, student materials (i.e. course manual chapters and handouts), examination questions, and graphics.
• Reviews and evaluates such materials developed by other staff members.
• Provides advice and consultation for developing course outlines, selecting instructional techniques and methodologies, and designing graphics, instructional materials, and self-study components.
• Selectively modifies and applies the instructional systems development (ISD) process, including a systematic approach to developing and validating training materials including those delivered through nontraditional delivery systems (e.g., computer-based instruction, interactive multimedia, distance-learning technology, etc.).
• Develops and uses appropriate techniques for measuring and evaluating developmental and training programs.
• Reviews and determines needed improvements in the training provided to NRC employees.
• Recommends selection of contractors for use in designing, developing, and providing NRC training.
• Develops contract provisions and statements of work.
• Evaluates training effectiveness by assessing the level of knowledge and understanding that students have obtained after they complete learning activities.
• Recommends corrective actions when overall student performance is not optimal.
• Coordinates with regional and program office personnel to respond to training.
• This coordination may require determining office needs, reviewing recommended courses, and developing procurement plans to obtain the requested training.
• Coordinates the development and implementation of contracted training courses or course modules, as assigned.
• Carries out formal project officer duties and source evaluation panel duties as an NRC Certified Contracting Officer.
• Evaluates the technical accuracy and monitors the performance of contracted training courses.
• Identifies and coordinates the implementation of improvements to assigned projects.
• Completes the necessary training and obtains Contracting certification as an NRC Project Officer.
• Conducts program assessments.
• These include assessing NRC regional and program office training program implementation and effectiveness and assessing the utility of developmental or technical training courses delivered to regional and program office personnel.
• Evaluates and ensures strategic alignment between training programs and the Strategic Plan goals, objectives, and strategies.
• Provides management with timely and accurate information and recommendations regarding extent of work, benefits, resource estimates, and work plans for proposed modifications to assigned training program areas.
• Supports program and project management, managing resolution of policy issues, interacting with NRC managers and staff, contractor performance, and financial accountability and reporting.
• Assesses whether training can satisfy special or continuing objectives, difficult projects, and significant problems.
• Provides course design and outlines and develops the appropriate instructional techniques and methods.

Requirements

• You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.
• All information in your resume must be true and accurate.
• Conditions of Employment: U.S. Citizenship Required This is a Drug Testing position Must be able to meet and maintain security & suitability requirements.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
• Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

Qualifications for 1750 Series: Basic Requirements: Degree: that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours appropriate to the work of the position to be filled.

The course work must have included study in at least four of the following five areas: Learning theory, psychology of learning, educational psychology: Study of learning theories as they relate to the systematic design, development, and validation of instructional material.

Instructional design practices: Study of the principles and techniques used in designing training programs, developing design strategy and models, and applying design methods to the improvement of instructional effectiveness.

Educational evaluation: Study of the techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of instructional/educational programs, including developing written and performance tests and survey instruments, and determining reliability and validity of evaluation instruments.

Instructional product development: Study of the techniques appropriate for developing training materials, including identifying learner characteristics, specifying objectives, applying training strategy, validating training materials, and evaluating training.

Computers in education and training: Study of the application of computers in education and training, including selecting appropriate computer software.

More detailed information about these alternatives are described in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards Operating Manual which may be accessed at the following website: Instructional Systems Series 1750 You must include an unofficial or official copy of your college and/or university transcripts with your application.

Transcript must include the School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). Education must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If you have multiple degrees (e.g., BS, MS, PhD) please submit transcripts for each degree.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements.

You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program.

It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency.

Transcripts must be uploaded with your application to verify education. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

We encourage applicants to submit a resume that directly relates to this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Documents you must provide

• The following documents are required for your application package to be complete.
• If you fail to provide any required documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
• Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment, title, series, grade (if applicable); and 4) other qualifications.
• Please limit your resume to 2 pages.
• See below for Additional Resume Information.
• In addition to the above, you must submit the documents below if you claim the following eligibilities: Current Federal Employees/Reinstatement Eligibles: You must submit a copy of your most recent non-award SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) to verify competitive/excepted status or reinstatement eligibility.
• Applicants who only submit an award SF-50 will not receive further consideration.
• Veteran Preference Eligibles: You must submit DD-214 showing type of discharge/character of service (e.g. DD-214 Member 4 Copy); SF-15 Form; and related documentation such as a VA letter showing disability percentage.
• If currently on active duty, you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active-duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
• Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment.
• You can find additional information about Veterans' Preference at ***
• Individuals with Disabilities: If you are applying under the Schedule A Hiring Authority, you must submit supporting documentation (i.e., Schedule A Letter).
• You may refer to the following link for additional information.
• USAJOBS Help Center - Individuals with disabilities.
• Military Spouse: All military spouses must submit documentation verifying marriage to the service member (e.g., marriage certificate); AND Current military orders (e.g., statement of service) to support active-duty service for more than 180 consecutive days; OR If you are a spouse of a 100% disabled service member, documentation must include service member's DD-214 and 100% service disability (e.g., VA Letter); OR If you are an un-remarried widow or widower of a service member killed while on active duty, documentation must include verification of service member's death while on active duty (e.g., DD-1300).
• Peace Corps: You must submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility.
• All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English.
• Additional Resume Information: Your resume is crucial in our evaluation of your qualifications.
• Resumes should clearly demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and abilities.
• Please limit your résumé to 2 pages.
• To ensure your resume contains all required information, we encourage you to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder.
• If you choose to use your own resume, please ensure it contains all the required information, and you organize it so we can associate the following information with each experience/position: Job title Name of employer Beginning and ending dates of employment (month/year) format Hours worked per week.
• We will assume full-time unless otherwise stated.
• We will pro-rate part-time employment in crediting experience.
• Concise, results-focused language for job duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable).
• Series and grade or equivalent (if a federal position).
• Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.) or other inappropriate material on your resume or cover letter.
• If your resume contains prohibited information as listed above, your application may be determined ineligible, and you will not receive consideration for this position.
• We will not access web pages linked on your resume or cover letter, links to social media such as LinkedIn, to determine your qualifications.
• Cover letters are optional.

Benefits

As an NRC employee you will enjoy excellent Federal Benefits, including: comprehensive health and life insurance plans; Flexible Spending Account Program for health and dependent care; Dental and Vision Insurance; retirement savings and investment plan similar to 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan); annual (vacation) and paid sick leave; family friendly leave policies; 11 paid holidays per year; transit benefits.

This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees.

What to expect next

You may check the status of your application at any time after the announcement closes by logging onto USAJOBs and selecting "Application Status." You will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. We will review your resume, question responses, and transcript(s) (if appropriate) to ensure you meet the qualification requirements.

We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and may interview the best-qualified applicants. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability and/or security background investigation.

Additional information

This position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies within the agency.

Selectees will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to being appointed to determine their suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.

False statements or responses on your resume or questionnaire can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service. The NRC is a zero-tolerance agency with respect to illegal drug use. Individuals selected for these positions will be subject to pre-appointment drug testing.

A transferable security clearance from another agency or a background investigation leading to a clearance is required for all new hires.

To begin work at the NRC without a security clearance, you must be granted a temporary waiver of the required clearance, referred to as a 145(b) waiver. To be eligible for a 145(b) waiver you will need a favorable education verification, reference, credit, and criminal history checks.

If a waiver is granted, the successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication is required for continued employment.

If you have resided outside the U.S. for an extended period of time, the agency may not be able to (1) grant the 145(b) waiver where the required investigation cannot be completed in a timely manner, or (2) achieve timely completion of the background investigation required for a security clearance.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.

Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire CompetencyBased Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis.

If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision.

You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement.

To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (***) Hardship Assistance: If you experience hardship applying online, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed below for assistance.

You must reach out during business hours before the announcement closing date and speak with someone who can provide support for your online submission.