INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS SPECIALIST

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: 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.

FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Completing the development, administration, and management of tests and evaluations; planning and conducting validity and reliability studies to analyze test items prepared by instructors.

Providing technical guidance and advising on emerging instructional and technology trends in distance learning. Providing guidance and leadership in the areas of evaluation of training and development programs and procedures, needs assessment, instructional design, and curricula development. Evaluating short- and long-term effectiveness of the training and education programs. Uses findings to recommend modification to existing training or create new programs or learning modules.

Assisting course designers with the design and development of instructional products. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-12 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The duties may include, but are not limited to:,Design and development of educational and training services for training programs at the PDC.,Evaluates, and implements needed improvement initiatives that include setting and developing standards and policies to maintain the efficiency and effectiveness.,Evaluating eLearning tools and technologies, blended learning strategies and best practices for developing and delivering distance learning.,Serves as a consultant and troubleshooter; plans, develops, and evaluates training programs, some of which are experimental or without clear precedent.,Revising test items to improve clarity and adequacy thus, increasing the reliability and validity of the test.,Collaborate with Human Resource Division (HRD), Center for Training and Organization Development (CTOD) to support PPQ with the use of USDA’s learning management system, distance learning, and webinar.,Promotes understanding and acceptance of alternative educational approaches using technology and distance learning methodologies among staff and stakeholders.