Translator (Bilingual-Spanish) Temporary NTE/MBE up to 4 Years

Fresno, California


Employer: Internal Revenue Service
Industry: Language Specialist
Salary: Competitive
Job type: Full-Time

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OTHER IRS CAREERS? Visit us on the web at www.jobs.irs.gov

This job is open to

  • Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

    Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
  • Internal to an agency

    Current federal employees of this agency.


Clarification from the agency

Open to IRS Career/Career-Conditional, Treasury/IRS CTAP, & IRS RPP employees

Videos

Duties

WHAT IS THE TAXPAYER SERVICESDIVISION?

A description of the business units can be found at: https://www.jobs.irs.gov/about/who/business-divisions

Vacancies will be filled in the following specialty areas:

Customer Assistance, Relationship, Education, Media and Publications, Tax Forms and Publications, Multilingual and Agency Services Branch, Linguistic Policy, Tools and Services Section

The following are the duties of this position at the full working level.
  • Translates material for use in Spanish-language taxpayer information publications, tax forms and instructions, taxpayer education publications, training or other documents, including public information releases such as flyers and posters, memorandums, and correspondence. Translations may be from English into Spanish or from Spanish to English and are considered final and authoritative.
  • Writes material in Spanish or English from rough drafts to final form. Materials may involve varied and legal and other specialized terminology. Ensures clarity and proper grammar, syllabification, punctuation, spelling, and format. Translations made are into language as easily understood as possible, explaining often difficult and highly complex provisions of tax law.
  • Translates charts, tabulations, and other materials for use in technical publications and in reports and other documents.
  • Proofreads technical publications, tax forms and instructions, and other documents written in Spanish or English.
  • Provides translation support for Spanish-language TV and radio programs, tax literature, and other material prepared by Public Affairs, Communications, other Service divisions, or other government agencies.

This position has career progression. If you are selected at a grade level lower than the full working level, you may be non-competitively promoted as your career progresses. For example, you may be hired as a GS-05, but if the position has career progression to GS-11, then you may move from a GS-05 to a GS-11 in as little as three years.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

STANDARD POSITION DESCRIPTIONS (SPD):

PD23084, PD23083, and PD23082


Visit the IRS SPD Library to access the position descriptions.

  • Telework Eligible Positions: Telework eligible positions do not guarantee telework. Employees must meet and sustain IRS telework eligibility requirements (e.g., reporting at least twice a pay period to your assigned Post of Duty (POD)) and supervisor's approval to participate in the IRS Telework Program. Employees must also be within a 200-mile radius of their official assigned post-of-duty (POD) while in a telework status. As a reminder - If you are selected for a position, you are responsible for reporting to your designated POD (location) on the negotiated start date or as directed by management.
  • Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.


Qualifications

Federal experience is not required. The experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.

You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement:

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study the appropriate foreign language from an English-speaking college or university, English from a college or university in the other country or translating or interpreting where English and the foreign language were prerequisites.

OR

Experience in translating, interpreting, or other work requiring the use of English and the other language; or a combination of work (that required English and the other language) and training at the Defense Language Institute, Foreign Service Institute, or comparable training. The following are examples of work in the required language that may have provided the required abilities: translator; interpreter; librarian or information specialist required to make abstracts, screen, index, and scan material; intelligence; writer or editor; international organizational work, such as the Peace Corps, World Bank, United Nations, business, or other organizations; or professor, teacher, or instructor work at the high school or college level that required use of the foreign language.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-09 LEVEL: To be eligible for this position at this grade level, you must meet the requirements below. You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes Experience translating material from and into the language. Experience with tax law, Publication 850, and language translation reference websites to perform research. Experience assisting in writing documents using correct grammar, syntax, spelling and use of both non-technical and technical vocabulary. Experience with oral and written techniques to communicate effectively with employees.

OR

EDUCATION: You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

A master's or equivalent graduate degree in a related field of study.

OR

Two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree in a related field of study.

OR

LL.B. or J.D., if related.

OR

COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: You may qualify by a combination of experience and education. Options for qualifying based on a combination will be identified in the online questions.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-11 LEVEL: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes Experience translating material involving subject matter such as technical publications, tax forms and instructions, and training material from and into the language. Experience with tax law, Publication 850, and language translation reference websites to perform research. Experience with various software programs (i.e., MS Office, Adobe) in order to create written material. Experience writing documents using correct grammar, syntax, spelling and use of both non-technical and technical vocabulary. Experience with oral and written techniques to communicate effectively with employees of all levels and prepare written material for the assigned area.

OR

EDUCATION: You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field of study

OR

Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a graduate degree in a related field of study. One year of graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.

OR

LL.M., if related

OR

COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: You may qualify by a combination of experience and education. Options for qualifying based on a combination will be identified in the online questions.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-12 LEVEL: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes Experience translating material involving difficult subject matter such as technical publications, tax forms and instructions, and training material from and into the language. Experience with tax law, Publication 850, and language translation reference websites to perform research. Experience with various software programs (i.e., MS Office, Adobe) to create written material. Experience writing documents using correct grammar, syntax, spelling and use of both non-technical and technical vocabulary. Experience with oral and written techniques to communicate effectively with employees of all levels and prepare written material for the assigned area.

AND

MEET TIME IN GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT: You must meet applicable TIG requirements to be considered eligible. To meet TIG for positions above the GS-05 grade level, you must have served at least one year (52 weeks) at the next lower grade (or equivalent) in the normal line of progression for the position you are applying to. Advancement to positions up to GS-05 is permitted if the position to be filled is no more than two grades above the lowest grade held within the preceding 52 weeks.

AND

TIME AFTER COMPETITIVE APPOINTMENT: By the closing date (or if this is an open continuous announcement, by the cut-off date) specified in this job announcement, current civilian employees must have completed at least 90 days of federal civilian service since their latest non-temporary appointment from a competitive referral certificate, known as time after competitive appointment. For this requirement, a competitive appointment is one where you applied to and were appointed from an announcement open to "All US Citizens".

AND

THIS IS A BILINGUAL POSITION: Applicants will be required to demonstrate proficiency in Spanish. You must be able to speak, read and write the selected language in order to be considered proficient in that language. If you indicate language proficiency, you may be tested at some point in the hiring process to determine if you possess the required level of proficiency. If you are unable to demonstrate proficiency, you will not be qualified for these positions.

For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.

Education

A copy of your transcripts or equivalent documentation is required for positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying based on education or a combination of education and experience. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. If the position has specific education requirements and you currently hold, or have previously held, a position in the same job series with the IRS, there is no need to submit a transcript or equivalent at this time. Applicants are encouraged, but are not required, to submit an SF-50 documenting experience in a specific series.

A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.

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 conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click here for Foreign Education Credentialing instructions.

Additional information

  • We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Additional jobs may be filled.
  • The salary range indicated in this announcement reflects the minimum locality pay up to maximum locality pay for all duty locations listed. The range will be adjusted for selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.
  • This is a bargaining unit position.
  • Tour of Duty: Day Shift - with start and stop times between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
  • Alternative work schedule, staggered work hours or telework may be available.
  • In the event that a building is closed due to rent management, new hires may be placed in a local commuting location.
  • Relocation expenses - none
  • Temporary Not to Exceed, May be extended up to 4 years only.

Please consider each location carefully when applying. If you are selected for a position at one of your location selections, that location will become your official post of duty.

Vacancies to be filled are as follows. Please see location information in the overview section, to find the street address, city and state for each of the Building Codes (BC).

1 vacancy to be filled at any of the following BCs:

CA0150; CA0154; CA6139; CA7803; DC0022; FL2476; GA0087; GA1016; IL2525; KY2020; MD0278; MI0800; MO1937; PR3930; TX0227; TX0297; TX0302; TX2038; UT0036; VA0088; WA0101.

  • Benefits

    Review our benefits


How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Your application includes your resume, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a "not qualified" determination. Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires a bilingual assessment to evaluate your language proficiency. The bilingual assessment will test your ability to read, write, and/or converse in Spanish. In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process and meet all qualifications. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Rating: Your application will be evaluated on the Critical Job Elements (CJE) of the position to be filled, in accordance with Article 13 of the IRS/NTEU National Agreement. Your application will also be rated and ranked among others, based on your responses to the online questions/assessment. Your experience, education, training, prior performance, and awards, relevant to the position being filled, will be considered throughout the hiring process. IRS employees may obtain most recent awards listing at https://persinfo.web.irs.gov/.

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview (telephonic and/or in person at the discretion of the Selecting Official in accordance with hiring polices). We will not reimburse costs related to the interview such as travel to and from the interview site.

If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee eligible for Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), you must receive a score of 80 or better to be rated as well qualified to receive special selection priority.

  • Benefits

    Review our benefits
  • Required Documents

    As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

    The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English.

    1. Resume - Your resume MUST contain dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or present). To ensure you receive full credit for relevant experience, include the hours worked per week. We recommend that your resume not exceed 5 pages. If including Federal service experience, you MUST provide the pay plan, series, and grade, i.e., GS-0301-09. If the pay plan, series, and grade are not provided, it may result in an ineligible determination.

      Your resume must NOT include photographs, classified or government sensitive information, social security number (SSN), encrypted/digitally signed documents, or other inappropriate material or content. If your resume contains prohibited information as listed above, your application will be determined ineligible, and you will not receive consideration for this position. (Cover letters are optional.) Please view Resume Tips.

      It is also recommended that your resume not include personal information such as age, gender, religion, race, disability, etc.
    2. Online Application - Questionnaire responses
    3. Education - See Education Section above
    4. Performance Appraisal/Awards (if applicable) - You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your most recent, signed, completed annual performance appraisal which includes the final rating and copies of any incentive/performance awards you received. If a revalidated appraisal is used for merit promotion, the supervisor must prepare a narrative for each critical job element that does not have a narrative describing the performance in the appraisal period covered by the rating. Note: If you are a manager or management official, your most recent annual performance appraisal must be used for the overall rating identified.
    5. Registration/License (if applicable) - active, current registration/license
    6. IRS Reassignment Preference Program (RPP)(if applicable) - You MUST meet the requirements in your RPP notice. Submit a copy of your RPP Notice along with a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal. Your performance appraisal must have a fully successful or higher overall rating.
    7. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)(if applicable) - You MUST submit the required documentation as outlined at: Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP). If you are an IRS CTAP eligible, you can apply for jobs within and outside the commuting area. If you are a Treasury CTAP eligible can apply for jobs within the commuting area.

    Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, your application will be determined incomplete, and you will not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
  • How to Apply

    The following instructions outline our application process. You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 06/20/2024 and/or cut-off dates in this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, please contact us by noon ET on 06/20/2024.

    To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12433134
    • To begin the application process, click the "Apply Online" button.
    • You will be re-directed to USASTAFFING to complete your application process; answer the online questions and submit all required documents. (To submit supporting documents, import documents from USAJOBS to the appropriate document types. If the document you need was not imported from USAJOBS, you may upload it directly into this application. To protect your privacy, we suggest you first remove your SSN).
    • To complete, you must click the "Submit Application" button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on 06/20/2024.
    • After submitting an online application, you will be notified via email whether or not you are required to complete additional online or telephone assessments from ALTA Language Services and will be provided any necessary instructions at that time. The email may be routed to your "Spam" or "Junk" folder.
    • Current IRS employees who permanently occupy a bilingual position and achieved a "Fully Successful/Met" or above rating on their most current performance appraisal may not be required to take additional assessments.
    • If you are asked to take the ALTA Bilingual Assessment, you will be presented with a unique link to the online portal (online tests) and/or phone number, access code, and PIN (telephone-based tests).
      • The Reading Test and Business Writing Test are taken online and require internet access in order to complete these two tests, which may be completed from your home, at your local library, or any other location where internet access is available.
      • The Oral (Speaking and Listening) Test requires access to a telephone.

    To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

    To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login . All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

    Agency contact information

    (ERC) Employee Resource Center

    Phone

    866-743-5748

    Website

    https://irsgov.sharepoint.com/sites/EmployeeResources/SitePages/ERC-Help-Desk.aspx

    Address

    TS - CARE-Customer Assistance, Relationship and Education

    1111 Constitution Ave NW

    Washington, DC 20224

    US

    Next steps

    Treasury believes in a working environment that supports inclusion; please view our reasonable accommodation policies and procedures at https://www.jobs.irs.gov/midcareer/reasonable-accommodation.html. We will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; please contact us if you require this for any part of the application and hiring process.

    Once your application package and online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email. You are responsible for checking status updates and notifications in USAJOBS. Hard copy notifications will not be sent to you. You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS "My Account" tab and clicking on "Application Status." For a more detailed update of your application status, you may click on "more information." Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. If your email mailbox is full or blocked (SPAM) you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

    As a current employee, you know the great benefits we offer. Should you have any questions about benefits, please contact the Employee Resource Center (ERC) at 1-866-743-5748 option #1 for ERC.
  • Fair and Transparent

    The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

    • Criminal history inquiries
    • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
    • Financial suitability
    • New employee probationary period
    • Privacy Act
    • Reasonable accommodation policy
    • Selective Service
    • Signature and false statements
    • Social security number request


Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English.

  1. Resume - Your resume MUST contain dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or present). To ensure you receive full credit for relevant experience, include the hours worked per week. We recommend that your resume not exceed 5 pages. If including Federal service experience, you MUST provide the pay plan, series, and grade, i.e., GS-0301-09. If the pay plan, series, and grade are not provided, it may result in an ineligible determination.

    Your resume must NOT include photographs, classified or government sensitive information, social security number (SSN), encrypted/digitally signed documents, or other inappropriate material or content. If your resume contains prohibited information as listed above, your application will be determined ineligible, and you will not receive consideration for this position. (Cover letters are optional.) Please view Resume Tips.

    It is also recommended that your resume not include personal information such as age, gender, religion, race, disability, etc.
  2. Online Application - Questionnaire responses
  3. Education - See Education Section above
  4. Performance Appraisal/Awards (if applicable) - You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your most recent, signed, completed annual performance appraisal which includes the final rating and copies of any incentive/performance awards you received. If a revalidated appraisal is used for merit promotion, the supervisor must prepare a narrative for each critical job element that does not have a narrative describing the performance in the appraisal period covered by the rating. Note: If you are a manager or management official, your most recent annual performance appraisal must be used for the overall rating identified.
  5. Registration/License (if applicable) - active, current registration/license
  6. IRS Reassignment Preference Program (RPP)(if applicable) - You MUST meet the requirements in your RPP notice. Submit a copy of your RPP Notice along with a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal. Your performance appraisal must have a fully successful or higher overall rating.
  7. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)(if applicable) - You MUST submit the required documentation as outlined at: Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP). If you are an IRS CTAP eligible, you can apply for jobs within and outside the commuting area. If you are a Treasury CTAP eligible can apply for jobs within the commuting area.

Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, your application will be determined incomplete, and you will not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).

How to Apply

The following instructions outline our application process. You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 06/20/2024 and/or cut-off dates in this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, please contact us by noon ET on 06/20/2024.

To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12433134
  • To begin the application process, click the "Apply Online" button.
  • You will be re-directed to USASTAFFING to complete your application process; answer the online questions and submit all required documents. (To submit supporting documents, import documents from USAJOBS to the appropriate document types. If the document you need was not imported from USAJOBS, you may upload it directly into this application. To protect your privacy, we suggest you first remove your SSN).
  • To complete, you must click the "Submit Application" button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on 06/20/2024.
  • After submitting an online application, you will be notified via email whether or not you are required to complete additional online or telephone assessments from ALTA Language Services and will be provided any necessary instructions at that time. The email may be routed to your "Spam" or "Junk" folder.
  • Current IRS employees who permanently occupy a bilingual position and achieved a "Fully Successful/Met" or above rating on their most current performance appraisal may not be required to take additional assessments.
  • If you are asked to take the ALTA Bilingual Assessment, you will be presented with a unique link to the online portal (online tests) and/or phone number, access code, and PIN (telephone-based tests).
    • The Reading Test and Business Writing Test are taken online and require internet access in order to complete these two tests, which may be completed from your home, at your local library, or any other location where internet access is available.
    • The Oral (Speaking and Listening) Test requires access to a telephone.

To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login . All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Agency contact information

(ERC) Employee Resource Center

Phone

866-743-5748

Website

https://irsgov.sharepoint.com/sites/EmployeeResources/SitePages/ERC-Help-Desk.aspx

Address

TS - CARE-Customer Assistance, Relationship and Education

1111 Constitution Ave NW

Washington, DC 20224

US

Next steps

Treasury believes in a working environment that supports inclusion; please view our reasonable accommodation policies and procedures at https://www.jobs.irs.gov/midcareer/reasonable-accommodation.html. We will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; please contact us if you require this for any part of the application and hiring process.

Once your application package and online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email. You are responsible for checking status updates and notifications in USAJOBS. Hard copy notifications will not be sent to you. You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS "My Account" tab and clicking on "Application Status." For a more detailed update of your application status, you may click on "more information." Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. If your email mailbox is full or blocked (SPAM) you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

As a current employee, you know the great benefits we offer. Should you have any questions about benefits, please contact the Employee Resource Center (ERC) at 1-866-743-5748 option #1 for ERC.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Created: 2024-06-09
Reference: 794514800
Country: United States
State: California
City: Fresno
ZIP: 93730


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