Internal Revenue Service

GS-1171-13 Appraiser

WHY IS THE IRS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK? Add it up. Here you will excel with one of the largest financial institutions in the world and be part of one of the most well trained, professional workforces anywhere. Be among the best in your field and put your professional skills to work from Day 1. Career Progression-We provide outstanding advancement opportunities. Stability-We're a proven commodity. Benefits-They're simply outstanding. It all adds up. WHAT DOES AN IRS REAL ESTATE APPRAISER DO? An Appraiser serves as a technical authority, reviewing and/or conducting independent appraisals of property. Your work is determining valuations of estate tax, gift tax, and charitable contributions involving residential, commercial, historical property, and easements. You would use extensive research and analysis to prepare a valuation report. Appraisals have significant tax consequences, may be vigorously contested and differences must be resolved in a reasonable and professional manner. WHAT IS THE LARGE AND MID-SIZE BUSINESS (LMSB) DIVISION? The Large and Mid-Size Business (LMSB) Division services corporations and partnerships operating in the US with assets greater than $10 million. Please, do not select a location that you are not willing to work. NOTE: Most selections will be filled from the Primary locations indicated. However, if vacancies still remain, selections will then be considered from the Alternate cities: PRIMARY Positions are located in Birmingham, AL Phoenix, AZ, and San Francisco, CA. ALTERNATE Positions are located in Laguna Niguel, CA, San Jose, CA, Jackson, MS, Charlotte, NC, Portsmouth, NH and Manhattan, NY. The majority of Selections are anticipated to be made from qualifying applicants who apply prior to the first cutoff date of 3/26/2010. The anticipated entry date for this cutoff is 6/21/2010. Selections made from the remaining qualified applicants and those who apply prior to the next anticipated cutoff date of 6/4/2010 will have an anticipated entry date of 9/13/2010. HOW DO I APPLY? "It is really easy. Just click on the "How to Apply" tab above." WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OTHER IRS CAREERS? If you want to find out more about IRS careers, visit us on the web at www.jobs.irs.gov KEY REQUIREMENTS: No Moving Expenses Please clickk "Print Preview" to review the announcement before applying Recruitment Incentives & Student Loan repayment may be offered. Back to top Duties Additional Duty Location Info: many vacancies - Throughout the Nation As an Appraiser, you will perform valuations of real property on projects with a significant tax impact and that may affect large segments of the taxpaying public. You examine and appraise extensive property holdings in estate portfolios for recognized businesses and industry leaders. You identify industry trends that will be used to interpret similar cases and affect changes in the practice and policy of the IRS. You need strong oral and written communication skills to conduct conferences and explain findings that may be contested. You prepare appraisal reports documenting the facts and arguments that support your conclusions. You may be called to serve as an expert witness in court cases. Back to top Qualifications and Evaluations QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: To qualify for this position you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal Government. Specialized experience is experience that is related to the work of this position and has provided you with the competencies required for successful job performance. Qualifying experience is experience that demonstrates knowledge of appraisal principles, concepts and methodologies. Examples of specialized experience include: experience using commonly applied appraisal practices, principles, and methodologies; experience in interpreting established appraisal standards and analyzing property data using the accepted valuation approaches; experience in using knowledge of property data to research, gather, and interpret information to determine their effect on value and arrive at fair market value. Travel and Training: Newly assigned appraiser will be provided with a combination of classroom and on-the-job instruction focused on the operations of the organization and enhancing their knowledge. Travel for this position is often confined to the local area. However, overnight travel could exceed 50%. Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts; to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work, including grade and credit conversion, and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation as supporting documentation. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify at the time of appointment that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law. If selected for this position, you will be: -Subject to the requirement of the US Department of Treasury to undergo an income tax verification and post-employment tax audit. HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED: You will be assigned to one of three category groups (A, B, or C) based on your responses to the online assessment. Each category group represents a quality level. Candidates will be considered in category group order. Qualified veterans who claim preference based on a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more (CPS), and those with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% but less that 30% (CP) move from their assigned category group to the top of the highest category group (A) and will be provided absolute preference over non-preference eligibles. All other preference eligibles (XP and TP) will be provided absolute preference over non- preference eligibles within their assigned category group. To pass over any preference eligible(s) to select a non-preference eligible requires approval under formal objection procedures. All candidates referred to management for selection will participate in a selection interview. Costs incurred (i.e., travel, etc. to and from the interview site) are not reimbursable by the IRS. JOB-RELATED QUESTIONS: As part of the online application process, you will need to respond to a series of questions designed to assess your possession of the following Appraiser competencies: Competencies being measured by this assessment: Oral Communication/Speaking: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Planning and Evaluating: Organizes work, sets priorities, determines resource requirements; determines short-or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization; monitors progress, evaluates outcomes. Real Estate: Knowledge of real estate principles, practices, markets, and values. Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material that is appropriate for the intended audience. Problem Solving: Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. Decision Making: Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change. Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern; develops & maintains relationships; may deal with people who are difficult, hostile, distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds & situations; is sensitive to individual differences. To preview questions please click here. Back to top Benefits and Other Info BENEFITS: This is a permanent, career-conditional appointment. If selected, you will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave, Thrift Savings Plan with government contributions and will be covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). OTHER INFORMATION: Applicants must be in compliance with the tax laws. Your income tax returns will be verified for the past three years to determine if you have filed according to the tax laws. Selections for employment depend upon several conditions such as the number of vacancies, assessment score, shift availability and work history. In addition, applicants are subject to an FBI name and fingerprint check, employment checks, and any other information relevant to selection for employment. Not all eligible applicants are selected for employment. If selected, you will be notified and given a commitment letter. A determination will be made as to your suitability for federal employment. All appointments are made subject to an investigation. Any arrests, discharges from employment, or other information not shown on the application could affect your selection and/or retention in the service. Probationary period: Every applicant selected from a competitive list of eligibles for a Career or Career Conditional appointment must serve a one (1) year probationary period. Applicants selected under a Term appointment must serve a (1) year trial period. Reinstatement applicants will be required to serve the one (1) year probationary period unless the probationary period has already been completed. Applicants appointed under the Veterans Recruitment Authority will require a two (2) year trial period. AGENCY CONTACT: For additional information about this position, please contact: Ray Terry, Brookhaven Service Center, phone 631-687-3864, email raymond.w.terry@irs.gov or if applicable contact the Selective Placement Coordinator at 631-447-4101. If selected, identification of promotion potential in this position does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote you at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval, the continuing need for an actual assignment, and performance of higher level duties. NOTICE TO APPLICANTS: The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) has oversight and investigative responsibilities throughout IRS. TIGTA has authority to initiate investigations to identify IRS employees who have violated or are violating laws, rules or regulations related to the performance of their duties. TIGTA does this in part through computer matching programs. TIGTA computerized matches include information from Personnel records, taxpayer account records, records of computerized accesses to IRS information, employee tax records and records of employee computer usage (i.e. the Internet and other research tools). THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT ALL EMPLOYEES PERFORM IN A MANNER WARRANTING THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF PUBLIC CONFIDENCE AND DEMONSTRATES THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF ETHICS AND INTEGRITY. APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO GO THROUGH A PERSONAL IDENTITY VERIFICATION (PIV) PROCESS THAT REQUIRES TWO FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION FROM THE FORM I-9; ONE MUST BE A VALID STATE OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT-ISSUED PICTURE IDENTIFICATION. ELIGIBILITY FOR A PIV CREDENTIAL IS REQUIRED. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE PIV PROCESS AND IF UNABLE TO VERIFY THE APPLICANT'S IDENTITY, MAY RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONSIDERATION FOR EMPLOYMENT. TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR PIV CREDENTIAL, APPLICANTS MUST HAVE A SUCCESSFULLY ADJUDICATED FBI CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECK (FINGERPRINT CHECK) AND A NACI OR EQUIVALENT BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION INITIATED. EMPLOYEES MUST MAINTAIN PIV CREDENTIAL ELIGIBILITY DURING THEIR SERVICE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. SELECTION FOR THIS POSITION WILL BE BASED SOLELY ON MERIT WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, AGE, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, POLITICAL AFFILIATION, DISABILITY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, MARITAL OR FAMILY STATUS, MEMBERSHIP IN AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION OR OTHER NON MERIT FACTORS. Reminder: Your resume must provide sufficient information to support your responses to the following questions. Do not overstate or understate your level of experience and capability. Your answers are subject to evaluation and verification. Later steps in the selection process will be used to verify your stated level of experience and capability. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you. NOTE: You will obtain credit for any qualifying education you expect to complete in the near future, please check the announcement to see what the required completion date is for the next hire. If you do not meet the education requirements by the completion date, please submit your application and you will be considered for future hires if your education is completed by the next established completion date. Note: All applicants are REQUIRED to submit all undergraduate and graduate college transcripts, including transcripts from transfer schools no later than the date indicated in the announcement. Transcripts may be unofficial at the time of application, but an official transcript is required if a job offer is extended. Back to top How To Apply HOW TO APPLY: Individuals applying for this announcement are required to complete and submit an on-line application through the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) USAJOBS website. This involves becoming a My USAJOBS member and creating a resume. When you apply for this vacancy announcement, the information you entered in your My USAJOBS profile and resume are transmitted to CareerConnector as part of your application and are used to create a CareerConnector registration. In addition to CareerConnector registration questions, the online application includes questions that: - determine basic eligibility; - assess required competencies for successful job performance; and - provide information for survey purposes. To apply, you must select the APPLY ONLINE button that appears at the bottom of each announcement tab on USAJOBS. This will start the application process and take you to CareerConnector to complete your application. You can respond to some or all questions and save your answers without submitting your application. You can update your answers and submit or resubmit your application as long as the announcement is open. However, you MUST respond to all mandatory questions and complete your application by the closing date of this announcement to be considered. If applying on-line poses a hardship please contact us at the telephone number listed in this announcement. YOU MUST CONTACT US PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE to speak to someone who can provide assistance for on-line submission. Requests for extensions will not be granted. Please note that we use e-mail to communicate with applicants throughout the hiring process. See Important Information below for instructions on keeping your email address and other contact information up-to-date. There are several parts of the application process that will affect your overall evaluation: 1. Your on-line resume (See STEP 1 below); 2. Your responses to the eligibility questions; 3. Your responses to the vacancy assessment questions; and 4. Submission of supporting documentation (See instructions under the Required Documentation" section of this posting). You have until 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the following five-step application process. STEP 1: To apply, you must first create a My USAJOBS membership account and resume at www.usajobs.gov. You can build up to 5 resumes in your My USAJOBS account and will need to select one of these resumes as part of your application for this vacancy announcement. Once you have created your My USAJOBS account and built a resume, thoroughly review this vacancy announcement, select the "Apply Online" button, and follow the instructions provided. Note: We recommend that you use the preview questions option provided at the bottom of the Qualifications and Evaluations tab of this announcement to review and print a copy of the qualification questions before you select the "Apply Online" button. STEP 2: After selecting a resume to submit for your application package, you will be taken to CareerConnector to answer registration questions and specific questions for this vacancy announcement. The answers to the registration questions will determine what types of jobs you are eligible to apply for based on your Federal experience and other factors. Note: If you have previously registered in CareerConnector, you will not be required to re-register. STEP 3: Next, you will answer a series of vacancy specific questions to evaluate your qualifications for this announcement. When completed and submitted, this information with your CareerConnector registration, My USAJOBS account profile, and your resume become your application. A complete application must be received by 11:59 PM ET on the closing date of this announcement in order to receive consideration. STEP 4: Next, you will submit supporting documentation outlined in the "Required Documents" section. You may Upload documents from your computer, download documents from USAJOBS, or Fax documents to be stored with your application. Specific instructions will be provided on screen. You may also, submit documents at a later time (must be submitted by the date specified in this announcement). Please see the Fax/Upload Instructions in the "Required Documents" section. STEP 5: Next you will proceed to application review where you are provided with a summary of your application and any submitted documents. Select "Finish" at the bottom of your summary to complete the application process. This will return you to USAJOBS where you will see confirmation that your resume was sent to this vacancy announcement. You will then be able to track the status of your application through your My USAJOBS account. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: If your contact information changes after the closing date of this vacancy announcement, send your updated information to raymond.w.terry@irs.gov, fax # 631-687-3855 and/or phone 631-687-3864 to ensure you can be contacted throughout the selection process. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: In addition, you may need to submit supporting documentation. If you are qualifying for this position in whole or part based on education, you must submit college transcripts for all courses completed. If you are claiming veteran's preference or eligibility for special priority consideration, you must submit the documents described under "VETERAN'S PREFERENCE" and IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SURPLUS OR DISPLACED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES" below. All supporting documentation must be submitted by closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide supporting documentation within the prescribed period will result in disqualification or ineligibility for preference/priority consideration. In addition to the online application (resume and responses to vacancy questions), the following forms may be required: * DD-214 if claiming Veterans' Preference. * Standard Form 15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference and supporting documents (if applicable). * Official College Transcripts (copies will be accepted initially, however, prior to selection eligible applicants must submit official transcripts to the hiring personnel office). * Equivalency Evaluation from an accredited private organization of foreign education if applicable. * SF-50 - If you are or have been a Federal employee, please submit: ** copy of your last Notification of Personnel Action, Form SF-50; and ** copy of your most recent or last performance appraisal. Note: If you need to request a copy of your SF-50, please write to the FEDERAL RECORDS CENTER, National Archives and Records Administration, 111 Winnebago Street, St. Louis, Missouri, 63118. You must provide your name, social security number and date of birth with your request. FAILURE TO PROVIDE A COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE WILL RESULT IN NOT RECEIVING CONSIDERATION FOR THIS POSITION. Note: Your application package will not be returned. Do NOT submit original documents that you may need in the future. VETERANS' PREFERENCE: If you have served on active duty in the United States military and were separated under honorable conditions, you may be eligible for veteran's preference. To claim veterans' preference, you must submit: * Form DD214 covering the period of military service for which preference is claimed; and * If applicable, a Standard Form 15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference with supporting documents as outlined on the form. This form can be found at www.usajobs.opm.gov/forms.asp. Note: For more information on veteran's preference, please go to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management website for Veterans at www.opm.gov/veterans. CTAP/ICTAP ELIGIBLES: Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must apply as indicated above. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles who receive a score of 80 or above will be considered well qualified. If you are seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility consideration, you must submit proof that you meet the requirement of 5 CFR 330.605 (a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent Performance Rating and copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible. - To submit documents at a later time (must be submitted by the date specified in this announcement): 1. Log into My USAJOBS at https://my.usajobs.gov with your user name and password. 2. Click on 'My Applications'. 3. Click on the vacancy number and select "Apply Online". 4. Click "Enter" through to the end of your application to move to the Vacancy Documents page. 5. Select Upload, USAJOBS, or Fax for each document to be submitted. - Upload Documents (.doc, .pdf, .jpg, .gif, .rtf, or .png files only): 1. Click the Upload link under "Action" for each document to be uploaded. 2. Fill in the description field. 3. Enter the location of the document to be uploaded or click "Browse" to locate the document. 4. Click "Upload Document." Fax Documents: 1. Click the Fax link under "Action" for each document to be faxed. 2. Click "Generate Coversheet" and print the coversheet. 3. Fax each set (cover sheet and document named in the cover sheet) to the fax number listed on the cover sheet. You must dial the fax number each time a different set is faxed. If you fax from an IRS-owned fax machine, you must obtain an outside line before dialing the fax number on the cover sheet. Download documents from USAJOBS: 1. Click the USAJOBS link under "Action" for each document to be downloaded. 2. Select any required document you have stored in "My Portfolio" of your USAJOBS account. After your documents have been submitted, review your complete application for confirmation of the documents and click "Finished" to return to USAJOBS. For help with submitting supporting documents, you may click the HELP link located on the left of the screen. REASONABLE ACCOMODATION STATEMENT: The Internal Revenue Service provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Selective Placement Coordinator listed in this vacancy announcement. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case- by-case basis. If you have been certified by the States Rehabilitation Center or the State's Commission for the Blind, you may wish to contact your counselor to apply for employment through the IRS Disability Employment Program in addition to applying for this vacancy announcement. AGENCY CONTACT INFO: Ray Terry Phone: 631-687-3864 Fax: 631-687-3855 Email: raymond.w.terry@irs.gov Agency Information: Internal Revenue Service 1040 Waverly Avenue Stop 11/RT Holtsville, NY 11742 Fax: 631-687-3855 WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT: We will communicate with you using e-mail throughout the hiring process. You will receive an electronic Notice of Rating that will provide you with information regarding your eligibility for the occupations covered under this announcement.

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