Summary
This position is located at Bureau of Engraving and Printing, within the Office of Engraving Manufacturing Directorate. As a Letter and Script Engraver (Banknote) Apprentice, you will participate in a seven-year apprenticeship program working under the instruction and supervision of a journeyman Engraver to whom the apprentice is assigned. Successful completion of the apprenticeship program qualifies the apprentice as a journeyman Letter and Script Engraver.
Duties
***The BEP is currently in the process of having a new facility built in Beltsville, MD and expect to move to the new facility within the next 5 years. If selected, you may be sent and/or reassigned to the new Beltsville facility. By applying to this position, you understand this potential requirement.
During the apprenticeship program for the Letter and Script Engraver (Banknote) Apprentice, you will:
- Hand Draw Lettering: Black and White Face Roman and Banknote Script Alphabets. Learn elementary letter spacing and word spacing. General acquaintance with Engraving as a craft through the study of proofs of banknotes and other engraved material.
- Practice the art of cutting straight lines, circles, concentric lines and circles progressing to letter shapes.
- Receive Laser Pantograph Training, plus continue setting aside time to refine and practice any skills addressed in prior years. Execute die with techniques learned in training periods.
- Begin to build files of lettering on ONE system. Add flat tool set up and cutting. For production purposes: general plate inspections and both Pantograph disciplines; all executed under Journeyman supervision.
- Lathe work restoration and engraving; create lettering die with complete roman lettering w/shadows and rulings.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
This opportunity is also open to under Announcement 25-BEP-12621500. Please refer to that announcement for details on open period, eligibility, and how to apply.
Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to lift weights up to 23 kilograms (50 pounds). Incumbent must have good eyesight, coordination and dexterity. Work is mostly sedentary; however, may require periods of standing. The work performed is tedious and requires extreme accuracy. Apprentice must be able to work a five (5) day work week on any shift.
AND
You must show in your experience in online application that you possess the knowledge, skill and abilities to perform the duties of the position.
The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or . Be sure all experience is documented in your résumé by indicating place of employment, job title, length of time performing the duties, and the name and contact information for the supervisor. We must be able to verify this experience in your résumé in order for you to receive credit.
Key Requirements:- Please refer to "Conditions of Employment."
- Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
- Must be U.S. Citizen or U.S. National
SUITABILITY, CLEARANCE & REQUIREMENTS: A background investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for disqualification in the hiring process. The background investigation process conducted by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is very thorough. Therefore, it is imperative that applicants exercise candor and honesty when answering background questionnaires, especially as it relates to arrest, employment, education, finances, illegal drug use, and/or other criminal history. Falsification discovered in security documents or during the background investigation process may result in an immediate negative suitability determination or immediate revocation of your interim clearance (if applicable).
Qualifications
You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.*** PLEASE READ CAREFULLY***
Rating: A Two-phase rating method will be used. In using this method, answers to the online application questions will constitute 25% of your overall rating. The remaining 75% will be determined by your artwork. Artwork is to be submitted to the following email address .
**Do not submit artwork via USA Jobs. Only artwork submitted to will be considered.
You will need to submit a total of four pieces of artwork, using the following five categories: Still Life, Portrait, Landscape Lettering or Figure. Do not submit more than four pieces of artwork. Please identify what method or medium you used to create each piece of art that is submitted in your portfolio. To meet file size limitations, applicants may send separate emails for each submittal.
**Failure to submit artwork will disqualify applicants. Submit your artwork to in either a JPEG or PDF format.
Your artwork will be evaluated by a Subject Matter Expert (SME)/Art panel in the following areas: Composition/Layout, Draftsmanship, Rendering, Perspective and Proficiency.
**Failure to meet the minimum art panel score of 60 out of 100 will remove you from consideration.
In addition to the art evaluation, you must meet the screen-out element, Ability to do the Work of the Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (Screen out), normally addressed at the beginning of the online questions.
To meet the screen-out element, applicants must have: The ability to perform common Letter and Script Engraver duties. You must have received training using digital systems and/or freehand methods to create designs, drawings, or artwork. You must complete such tasks without more than normal supervision.
In addition, you must also obtain an average score of two (2) for the following elements for this position as addressed through the online question in order to be considered minimally qualified. Your application will be evaluated in the following areas:
- Ability to do the Work of the Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (Screen out)
- Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic)
- Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints)
- Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
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 résumé, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your résumé includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your résumé may result in a "not qualified" determination.
*** PLEASE READ CAREFULLY***Rating: A Two-phase rating method will be used. In using this method, answers to the online application questions will constitute 25% of your overall rating. The remaining 75% will be determined by your artwork.
Your online application questions will be evaluated in the following areas:
- Ability to do the Work of the Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (Screen out)
- Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic)
- Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints)
- Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
**Failure to submit artwork will disqualify applicants. Submit your 4 pieces of artwork to in either a JPEG or PDF format.
Your artwork will be evaluated by a Subject Matter Expert (SME)/Art panel in the following areas: Composition/Layout, Draftsmanship, Rendering, Perspective and Proficiency.
**Failure to meet the minimum art panel score of 60 out of 100 will remove you from consideration.**
Category rating will be used to rank and select eligible candidates. If qualified, you will be assigned to one of three quality level categories; Gold (highest quality category), Silver (middle quality category), or Bronze (minimally qualified category), depending on your responses to the online questions, regarding your experience, education, and training related to this position.
Veterans' preference is applied after applicants are assessed. Qualified preference-eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest category.
If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the ) you must be assigned the middle category or better to be rated as "well qualified" to receive special selection priority.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
Four pieces of artwork, in the following categories: Still Life, Portrait, Landscape, Lettering or Figure. Do not submit more than four pieces of artwork. Please identify what method or medium was used to create each piece of art that is submitted in your portfolio. Please submit your artwork to in either a JPEG or PDF format. To meet file size limitations, applicants may send separate emails for each submittal. *Failure to submit artwork will disqualify applicants.
All applicants must submit a résumé showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed. All applicants are required to submit arésumé either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their own choosing. (Cover letters are optional.) We suggest that you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your résumé to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions. Please view .
All applicants must submit vacancy assessment question responses: All applicants are required to complete vacancy question responses by clicking the apply online button of this vacancy announcement.
VETERANS' PREFERENCE DOCUMENTATION: If you are claiming veterans' preference, please see . In order to be considered for veterans' preference, you must submit all required documentation as outlined in the applicant guide.
CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (CTAP) OR INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP) DOCUMENTATION: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee, click for eligibility and a detailed list of required documents you must submit in order to be eligible.