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. Responsibilities ***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 If you do not meet any of the categories listed above, you may wish to apply under announcement 25-BEP-12621499-P, which is open for any U.S. citizen to apply. 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 volunteer service. 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 LetterandScript@bep.gov . **Do not submit artwork via USA Jobs. Only artwork submitted to LetterandScript@bep.gov 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 LetterandScript@bep.gov 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 Interview: Upon completion of the Rating process, the candidates moving forward will be interviewed and given a three-hour timed practical drawing exercise. Education Additional Information OTHER INFORMATION: We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. This is a Bargaining unit position. Local 32- International Plate Printing, Die, Stampers & Engravers Union of North America (Engravers) During the application process you will have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: The facility typically shuts down annually between Christmas and New Year's Day. As such, all BEP employees must take leave for workdays during the shutdown period. A one-year probationary period may be required. Public Trust - Background Investigation will be required. Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency. This position requires that the successful candidate undergo personnel vetting, which includes a background investigation and enrollment upon onboarding into "Continuous Vetting." Enrollment in Continuous Vetting will result in automated record checks being conducted throughout one's employment with Treasury. The successful candidate will also be enrolled into FBI's Rap Back service, which will allow Treasury to receive notification from the FBI of criminal matters (e.g., arrests, charges, convictions) involving enrolled individuals in near real-time. For more information about individual rights, Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights - FBI, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI, and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov). Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer. If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so. Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. Obtain and use a government-issued charge card for business-related travel. Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position. Pass a pre-employment physical examination. Wear required safety clothing and/or equipment required by the position. This may include safety shoes, hard hats, hearing protection, gloves, masks, etc. Shift Work: This facility operates on a 24 hour per day, three-shift basis. Assignment to a specific shift cannot be guaranteed. The successful applicant must be available to work on all three shifts on a rotational basis. Weekend work and overtime, if applicable, will be scheduled when needed based on production requirements as determined by Management.