KSA Workshop for APIO Organization Participants

1. KSA Workshop forAPIO Organization Participants “Meeting the Challenges of a Changing World” Sharyn C. Alvarez, National FWPM NRCS Civil Rights Division August 18, 2009 Sacramento, CA

2. Your KSAs should show: • What action did you perform? Not we, but YOU! • Why was the action performed? • For Whom was the action performed? • What were the Accomplishments? • Did the action produce a significant Impact on others or the work environment?

3. Your KSAs should also give examples that show • Initiative: You saw a problem and solved it. • Innovation: You developed a new system; used software for a new purpose. • Leadership: You mentored less experienced employees. • Complexity: You experienced challenging times on the job.

4. Con’t., • Scope: You were involved in a variety of work that covered many functional areas (e.g., personnel, budget, information technology, etc.). • Teamwork: You were part of a team activity whose members possessed different skills and abilities, shared a common purpose, and worked together to achieve clearly identifiable goals (remember when showing team activity to identify YOUR role, not the role of the team).

5. Your KSAs should describe . . . • When it comes to expressing your writing skills, your KSAs should describe: • The kinds of documents you have written (or work you were responsible for) • The type of review they have been subject to • Describe the target audience • Describe the results of your activity

6. How To Write A KSA In 4 Steps Step 1 – The opening statement • In my current position as an Engineer with NRCS in California, I have had extensive experience with . . . . • In the course of my duties as a Soil Conservationist, I am responsible for . . . • My ability to map soils was gained through formal education in_____ and years of practical experience as a___ for the _______

7. How To Write A KSA In 4 Steps • Step 2- Give examples that demonstrate you KS and As • In one instance I . . . • When I started on the job we had a recurring problem with . . . • One major project involved . . . • My supervisor selected me to serve on a taskforce to . . . • I collaborated with a team to . . .

8. How To Write A KSA In 4 Steps • Step 3- Take examples one step further • The new procedures I instituted resulted in ___________________ • My ability to _________________ substantially/significantly increased/decrease . . . • As a result ____________________ • I received a Performance Award for _____________ • We exceeded our goals by ___________ • This led to ______________________

9. How to write a KSA in 4 Steps • Step 4 Relevant training or course work (or awards) • Courses or classes you took that are relevant to the KSA you are writing about. • Recognition or awards you received because of the good work you did. • I am the _________________ for the ____division. In my role as __________, I am responsible for ___________. I have had this responsibility for ___________ years, months. I obtained the knowledge to __________________ from 40 hour work shops on _______________ . I have recertified my knowledge of _______ with refresher courses at the School of Management at ______________ University.

10. Your KSAs should • Specific & measurable • Explain your role • Show + or – • Use strong action verbs • Proofread, proofread • List training/education • Type your responses • Bullets or paragraphs not both • Spell out all terms prior to using acronyms • Do not refer reviewers to other parts of your application • Be objective, state the facts • Get to the point • Use lots of examples

11. Please don’t • Lie, try to snow • Borrow PD language • Use clichés • Use philosophy • Use flowery language • Ramble

12. Good Luck!But then, good things happen when you are prepared for opportunities.