ENTRY LEVEL

Work is performed at the trainee level and under close supervision with assignments generally designed for development.

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities to address the resolution of administrative problems using effective interpersonal, administrative, and organizational skills.

I. General Management Skills

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of administrative processes and procedures

Ability to research and interpret various guidelines and policies for application to address issues

Ability to participate as a part of a management team

II. Facilitation

Description: None at this level

III. Crisis Resolution

Description: None at this level

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required to provide information on general ethics and standards of conduct and to recommend or assist employees in adhering to same.

IV. Ethics

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of the basic Federal and National Park Service's budget processes to assist in developing a budget

Skill in utilizing FFS, AFSII, and other basic financial management programs

Knowledge of basic budget, accounting, and financial program terminology, concepts, and principles

Knowledge of budgetary documents, reports, and records to process reconciliations

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required to provide information on basic human resources management requirements in providing general counsel and support.

VI. Human Resources Management/Equal Opportunity/Labor Relations

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of basic staffing and placement

Knowledge of basic employee relations procedures followed in areas such as conduct and/or performance based actions

Knowledge of performance management system

Knowledge of equal opportunity program

Ability to process personnel actions for a variety of changes effecting pay, benefits, and status

Knowledge of basic pay administration and regulations

Knowledge of basic classification

Knowledge of employee benefits to provide advice and counsel

Ability to maintain timekeeping records

Ability to perform data entry (personnel actions and timekeeping) using automated systems such as FPPS, PAYPERS

Ability to maintain personnel files/records in accordance with prescribed guidelines and procedures

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required to execute small purchasing and conduct basic Federal acquisition.

VII. Acquisition Management

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of Federal acquisition regulations

Knowledge of small purchasing methods/methods

Knowledge of basic fiscal and appropriation regulations to develop payment provisions

Knowledge of basic contract administration under the terms and conditions of small purchases

Knowledge of Request for Quotations procedures

Ability to research and apply laws, regulations, and policies in relation to small purchasing

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required to perform basic property management and maintenance of comprehensive inventory records; knowledge and execution of housing management program.

VIII.Property/Space/Housing/Fleet Management

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of basic elements of property management

Ability to compile and maintain inventory records

General knowledge of housing management program

General knowledge of automated property management system (PROP)

Basic knowledge of General Ledger and cost accounts

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required to use computers, understand the products of computers and the analysis of data.

IX. Computers/Information Resource Management

A. Use of and products of computers

B. Analysis of data

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of the use and products of computers

Ability to use various NPS programs, commercial programs, and others as appropriate

Ability to analyze data

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities to assist in the completion of management studies and/or program processes and issues.

X. Management Analysis

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of basic analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to evaluate management and/or program issues

DEVELOPMENTAL LEVEL

Work is performed as an advanced trainee with increased delegation of authority. Work is given general review.

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required to provide resolution of administrative problems using sound problem-solving techniques and basic management concepts and practices within the organization of the park/subunit and/or cluster.

I. General Management Skills

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to develop timely and economical solutions to problems and situations

Knowledge of basic management concepts and practices

Knowledge of organizations and organizational structures within the park/subunit and/or cluster to address issues which could effect a larger scope

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required to provide coordination and recognition of organizational needs to assure operations run smoothly by sound problem-solving/decision making.

II. Facilitation

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to recognize the needs of the organization which encourage feedback from all levels of the organization

Skill in identifying steps to be taken to increase the chances for successful decision from all levels of the organization

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required to diagnose and manage conflict by using a variety of processes, i.e., interpersonal negotiations, problem-solving and resolution.

III. Crisis Resolution

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to use a variety of processes to avert or manage a crisis between different issues within the organization

Ability to know when to refer a crisis to a higher level manager

Knowledge of available resources to assist in resolution

Skill and understanding that positions taken in a given crisis will impact the outcome of the crisis

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required to apply standards of conduct and ethics to operational situations in parks/subunits and/or clusters.

IV. Ethics

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to develop financial operating plans, budget estimates, and budget justifications

Skill in preparing and analyzing budget execution reports

Ability in developing data for supplemental budget request

Skill in analysis/comparison of budget line items

Knowledge of Congressional appropriations process

Knowledge of laws, regulations, rules controlling expenditures and collection

Knowledge of accountability codes to ensure proper documentation to maintain fiscal integrity

Knowledge of Treasury Department Manual and directives to insure adherence

Ability in using automated systems such as OPCALL

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required to provide appropriate and effective advice in a variety of situations; provide advice and counsel on major personnel and equal opportunity laws, regulations, and rules.

VI. Human Resources Management/Equal Opportunity/Labor Relations

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of sound and effective position management

Knowledge of basic labor relations programs

Knowledge of basic counselling techniques

Ability to analyze personnel data to identify work force strengths and weaknesses in equal opportunity areas

Knowledge of affirmative action planning

Ability to research, interpret, and apply complex written materials

Ability to classify full range of positions

Ability to use automated systems such as PROCLASS

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required to perform contract administration, negotiation in the context of acquisition management, and oversight of park/subunit and/or cluster acquisition program.

VII. Acquisition Management

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of socio-economic programs

Knowledge of negotiation techniques

Knowledge of contract law

Knowledge of sealed bid contracting

Knowledge of negotiated bid contracting

Knowledge of cost and price analysis

Knowledge of contract administration

Knowledge of contact termination

Description:: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities necessary to perform property management and maintenance of comprehensive inventory records; execution of housing management program.

VIII.Property/Space/Housing/Fleet Management

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Technical knowledge of space/fleet/personal and real property management to apply policy, procedures, and techniques in the management of same

Technical knowledge of Federal Property Management and agency regulations

Ability to use automated systems such as PROP and HOUSE or ANRENT and provide technical assistance

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required to develop information management plans; acquisition of equipment and software in accordance with standards, and overseeing installation of hardware/software.

IX. Computers/Information Resource Management

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to install hardware and software following written directions

Knowledge of NPS computer standards

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required to advise management on new or modified programs and/or practices and on the development in implementation of systems and processes.

X. Analysis

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of advanced analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to identify problems and propose solutions

Ability to use various methods in developing and implementing systems and/or processes

FULL PERFORMANCE LEVEL

Work is performed independently and, in a number of positions, performed at the supervisory/managerial level. A number of positions in the various disciplines at this level will have full delegation of authority.

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required for the resolution of administrative problems using sound productivity and motivation techniques; thorough understanding of the park/subunit and/or cluster organization; use of advanced problem-solving and decision-making techniques; and successful management of change.

I. General Management Skills

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to recognize NPS's culture and norms regarding productivity and motivation

Knowledge of organizations and organizational structures within the NPS

Skill in advanced problem-solving, decision-making and managing change which could effect a large scope of organizations and/or operations

Description: These competencies identify the advanced Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required in problem-solving, arbitration, and negotiation.

II. Facilitation

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to recognize, identify, arbitrate and arrive at a consensus for activities involving varied disciplines and/or functions

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required to manage conflict by using advanced processes.

III. Crisis Resolution

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to provide creative and dynamic approaches to crisis referred to that level

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required for the application of ethical judgement and recognition of ethical problems to avert potential problems and to provide a foundation of an ethics and compliance program.

IV. Ethics

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to apply practical ethical judgements and recognize potential ethical problems

Ability to structure a successful Federal ethics and compliance program

Description:: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required to meet congressional/executive budgetary requirements; communicating program operations through financial statements and providing advice and technical review of budget justifications.

V. Budget/Fiscal/Finance

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to communicate program operations to the public, program managers, and other government officials through financial statements or other means

Ability to meet congressional and executive requirements on budget issues

Skill in identifying issues and subsequent development of a budget based around the resolution of those issues

Expert knowledge of budget formulation, presentation, and execution

Ability to plan, develop, and integrate strategies to manage and improve financial management of program area

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required for the identification and resolution of managerial problems in human resources management; formulation of equal opportunity goals and objectives and integration of such; skill in negotiating techniques.

V. Human Resources Management/Equal Opportunity/Labor Relations

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Skill in identifying and resolving managerial problems such as work assignments, employee relations, employee development, and morale

Ability to formulate equal opportunity goals and objectives

Skill in integrating the equal opportunity program into personnel program objectives

Ability to apply appropriate negotiating techniques to resolve labor disputes

Knowledge of Federal labor relations case law and precedents

Skill in developing and altering organizational structures to meet the needs of the organization

Ability to represent the agency before a third party, i.e. Merit Systems Protection Board, Federal Labor Relations Board

Expert knowledge of the theories, principles, and concepts of personnel management to effectively develop, implement, administer, and evaluate a personnel program

Expert knowledge of governing laws, statutes, decisions, rules, and regulations relating to the various personnel functions to administer a viable and dynamic management-oriented program

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required to perform complex methods of acquisition such as cooperative agreements and providing advice to management and contracting personnel on all types of contract types and methods.

VI. Acquisition Management

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of NPS-20 agreements

Knowledge of contract types and methods

Knowledge of market trends

Knowledge of Federal appropriation laws

Knowledge of Board of Contract Appeal Procedures

Knowledge of A&E contracting

Knowledge of lease and sale of real property

Ability to provide advisory service to management to include creative/dynamic solutions

Knowledge of OSHA and other laws relevant to government contracting

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities to manage Federal and National Park Service's space and to manage space for existing or planned staff and equipment.

VIII. Property/Space/Housing/Fleet Management

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of Federal and NPS space management guidelines, office layout, and criteria for space requirements

Knowledge of quarters management procedures, setting rates, appraisal process, and utility rate surveys

Ability to direct the proration of land and improvements costs based on appraisal values and final consideration paid

Ability to direct the proration of costs for motor vehicle fleet

Advanced knowledge of General Ledger and Cost Accounts and processes used to effect debit/credit entries

Ability to interpret, apply, and provide advice on policy, regulations, and laws

Thorough knowledge of real estate appraisal process, real property terminology, legal descriptions including types and styles of structures, component parts of utilities systems, and classes of roads and trails

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required to manage the computer operations for a park/subunit and/or cluster/support office; develop and implement contingency plans and risk analysis.

X. Computers/Information Resource Management

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of computer networks (installation and maintenance) and applicability to park/subunit and/or cluster/support office operations

Ability to develop and implement computer security techniques

Ability to complete risk analysis and develop contingency plans

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required to conduct analyses and evaluation of broad and complex management and/or program processes and issues.

XI. Management Analysis

B. Advanced decision-making

C. Advanced critical analysis for broad/complex processes or issues

D. Coordination accomplishment of studies/projects

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to interpret and analyze data/studies in order to provide viable recommendations and alternative solutions to various operational situations

Expert knowledge of analytical and evaluative methods and techniques for assessing program development/execution and/or improving organizational effectiveness and efficiency

Skill in designing, developing, and implementing plans to achieve program/process efficiencies

National Park Service
Training and Development Division
Essential Competencies
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