ENTRY LEVEL

Description: The following are the essential competencies necessary to perform basic recreation grants project officer work. Duties are performed under close supervision in collaboration with more experienced project officers.

I. Communication (entry level)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Able to write grammatically-correct English and to present relevant information in an organized manner; able to write informative letters, memos and reports; able to use word processing and electronic mail systems

Able to speak effectively to small groups

Able to take and select good-quality photographs and put together slide presentations and visual displays; able to operate audiovisual equipment

Able to assist in the production of publications, including charts and maps

II. Partnership Building (entry level)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Basic knowledge of the mission, role, and goals of specific recreation/conservation organizations and programs

Able to participate effectively as a team member

Able to help plan and conduct public meetings and workshops; able to facilitate small, informal groups

III. Planning and Design (entry level)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Basic knowledge of the principles of outdoor recreation planning, park and trail planning, park facility development, and recreation trends and issues

Basic knowledge of ecology and the principles of protecting natural resources

Basic knowledge of how to conduct natural and recreational resource inventories

Understanding of the principles of urban and regional planning; familiarity with State and local land use regulation and ordinances

Familiarity with functions of land trusts and how they operate

Basic knowledge of Federal environmental/historic preservation regulations

IV. Project and Program Management (entry level)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Basic knowledge of the mission, role, and goals of NPS recreation and conservation programs

Able to review simple grant applications for compliance and technical merit, preparing recommendations for action by

others; able to assist others in the review of more complex or more costly grant applications; knowledge of problem solving and decision making tools and techniques

Basic knowledge of the policies and procedures of the Land and Water Conservation Fund and Urban Park and Recreation Recovery grants programs -- planning, grants administration, and post-completion compliance

Basic knowledge of civil rights and accessibility laws and regulations

Basic knowledge of laws, regulations, executive orders, policies and procedures governing Federal financial assistance programs; grants ethics and responsibilities

DEVELOPMENTAL LEVEL

Description: The following are the essential competencies necessary to perform routine grants administration functions. Straight-forward tasks are performed under close supervision or in collaboration with more experienced project officers.

I. Communication (developmental level)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

All KSAs at the entry level, plus:

Able to summarize projects or issues in briefing papers; can write persuasive project proposals

Skilled at informing and educating audiences; capable of giving a speech at a community meeting, conference, or workshop

Able to use audiovisual materials effectively in meetings and publications

Able to effectively use graphics and print production to produce project promotional products such as flyers, newsletters, and major reports (or know how to contract for them)

Able to represent the Service on routine matters and respond to basic inquires about programs he/she is working on

II. Partnership Building (developmental level)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

All KSAs at the entry level, plus:

Able to propose organizational approaches to meet conservation and recreation needs

Knowledge of coalition-building and organizational methods for structuring and maintaining partnerships; able to organize and focus a diverse group of cooperators in developing a common vision and implementation strategy

Understands public involvement strategies and is skilled at designing and evaluating public involvement processes for specific projects; able to facilitate a diversity of large and small groups representing multiple interests

III. Planning and Design (developmental level)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

All KSAs at the entry level, plus:

Able to explain Federal outdoor recreation laws; proficient in outdoor recreation planning; knowledgeable about national park and recreation issues; understanding of the principles of park facility design

Able to advise communities on the protection strategies for natural areas

Good knowledge of how to conduct natural and recreational resource inventories

Able to advise communities on land use planning

Familiarity with how to acquire land in fee and easements

Able to advise communities on the basic principles of environmental/historic preservation regulations and compliance

Able to advise communities on the basic principles of obtaining surplus property for recreational and conservation purposes

Able to integrate outdoor recreation planning with natural resource conservation at the State and local levels

IV. Project and Program Management (developmental level)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

All KSAs at the entry level, plus:

Detailed knowledge of agency recreation and conservation programs

Able to: fully evaluate grant projects, proposals, data, and programs, including identifying and analyzing priorities, developing strategies, and making recommendations; analyze and report on management and program administration issues; guide program formulation, coordination, execution and monitoring, including trouble shooting delays; conduct post-completion compliance inspections and resolve routine issues and problems

Able to interpret and apply laws and regulations relating to Federal grants and land protection projects and to recommend/make practical applications

Able to interpret Federal civil rights regulations and laws and conduct evaluations and complaint investigations

Able to: analyze project budgets, grantee business and financial management systems/data; insure projects and programs meet Federal/DOI/NPS standards and regulations and that they will measure up under financial audits and program reviews

FULL PERFORMANCE LEVEL

Description: The following are the essential competencies necessary to perform complex, full performance level grants administration duties. Work is performed under general supervision.

I. Communication (full performance level)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

All KSAs at the developmental level, plus:

Able to edit the work of others

Able to provide concise briefings; able to inform, educate, and motivate a wide variety of audiences, including agency and community leaders; able to be a panelist or keynote speaker at a regional or national conference

Able to make quality audiovisual presentations and/or use AV production specialists effectively

Able to produce publications and/or work with graphics and production consultants

Able to represent NPS on recreation/conservation program matters, including complex, sensitive issues

II. Partnership Building (full performance level)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

All KSAs at the developmental level, plus:

Can advise on all aspects of organizational development; skilled at identifying and encouraging potential leaders

Able to create and maintain long-term working partnerships with Federal, State, and local program leaders and private organizations at the community, State, and regional levels; able to build and sustain partnerships at the national level; able to resolve partnership conflicts arising from complex and controversial issues, often among many diverse stakeholders; advanced skills in negotiation, compromise, and consensus-building; can negotiate cooperative agreements

Able to train others as facilitators of group process and in the design of public participation

III. Planning and Design (full performance level)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

All KSAs at the developmental level, plus:

Capable of assessing the need for, benefits of, and impacts of outdoor recreation (or overseeing such studies)

Able to offer expert advice on the protection of natural resources

Advanced knowledge of how to conduct natural and recreational resource inventories

Skilled in advising communities on land use planning

Skilled on how to acquire land in fee and easements

Advanced knowledge of Federal environmental/historic preservation regulations; able to advise on environmental compliance

Able to work with other Federal agencies and the leaders of national nonprofit organizations on acquisition, management, and disposal of land for outdoor recreation

Able to integrate conservation and recreation planning at the national level; able to lead large-scale projects that involve many of the above KSA's in combination

IV. Project and Program Management (full performance level)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

All KSAs at the developmental level, plus:

Through knowledge of program/agency history in working on recreation and conservation matters; able to formulate and implement national policy for recreation programs; able to work with Congressional staff on resolving problems

Able to lead others in grant application review and processing and analysis and to resolve complex compliance and other issues

Advanced knowledge of NPS laws, regulations, and guidelines relating to NPS recreation grant and land protection programs; able to advise others

Able to advise on Federal civil rights complaints and conduct more difficult evaluations and investigations

Advanced knowledge of Federal/DOI/NPS laws, regulations, and guidelines relating to Federal financial assistance; able to advise others on these matters