The U.S. Mission in Accra, Ghana is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Upholsterer/Seamstress in the General Services Office (GSO) of the Embassy.

POSITION NO: A00058

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

•   The incumbent repairs and recovers upholstered furniture and sews material to make draperies; and
provides efficient and effective services to all customers.

•   The incumbent determines the nature and extent of work to be done from supervisor's instructions, work
orders and/or examining of furniture. Removes cushioning materials, discarding if faulty, replaces bent
or broken springs, and tightens or replaces webbing. Re-positions and re-ties springs as needed.

•   Repairs and strengthens furniture frames as necessary. Measures, cuts, stretches and installs binding
material, such as muslin, burlap or canvas, tacking or stitching it in place. Cleans and polishes exposed
wooden surfaces and may also refinish small areas of exposed wooden surfaces.

•   Measures and makes window dressings to include drapes, sheers and curtains for residential properties.

•   Coordinates purchases for hardware (rods, pens, hooks, fabrics) and plans a work schedule to coincide
with residential make readies. Must be familiar and know how to use hand tools and equipment of the
trade. Adheres to all safety regulations.

Qualification Required & Experience

Applicants must address each required qualification listed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. Failure to do so may result in a determination
that the applicant is not qualified.

•   EDUCATION: Completion of primary school and completion of vocational training, apprenticeship, or
three years’ experience recognized as producing journeyman upholsterer skills are required.
•   EXPERIENCE: Minimum of two years of journeyman level experience as an upholsterer and
seamstress is required.
•   LANGUAGE: Level II (Limited knowledge) Speaking/Reading/Writing of English is required.
(Language proficiency will be tested).
•   SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Must know how to use the tools of the trade, and have full journeyman
knowledge of established trade practices and procedures.
•   JOB KNOWLEDGE: Must know how to measure materials and cut patterns. Must be able to use
sewing machines and make first echelon repairs on all sewing tasks.

SELECTION PROCESS:

When qualified, applicants who are U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) and/or preference-eligible U.S. Veterans are given a preference in hiring. Therefore, it is essential that these applicants make themselves known as having a hiring preference and specifically address the required qualifications above in their application.

HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:

(1) USEFM who is ALSO a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran
(2) USEFM OR a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran
(3) FS on LWOP

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA:

1. Management may consider the following when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.
2. Current OR employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply. Current OR employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance Report (EPR) are not eligible to apply.
3. Current NOR employees hired on a Family Member Appointment (FMA) or a Personal Service Agreement (PSA) are not eligible to apply within the first 90 calendar days of their employment, unless they have a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.
4. The candidate must be able to obtain and hold a security clearance.
5. Candidates who are EFMs, USEFMs, AEFMs, or MOHs must have at least one year remaining on their sponsor’s tour of duty to be considered eligible to apply for this position.

Salary: GHS ¢16,172.00 p.a. (Starting salary)


Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Applicants must submit the following documents to be considered:

1. Universal Application for Employment (UAE) (Form DS-174), which is available on our website or by contacting Human Resources. (See “For Further Information” above); and
2. Any additional documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. transcripts, certificates, degrees, etc.)

WHERE TO APPLY:

Human Resources Office U.S. Embassy Mailing Address:

Human Resources Office
Through the Mailroom Chancery
American Embassy, Accra
P. O. Box 194, Accra

FAX Number: 0302-741389
Telephone: 0302-741000
E-mail Address: AccraHRO@state.gov

Closing Date: 25 January, 2016

NOTE: ALL U.S. AND NON-GHANAIAN CITIZENS, WHO ARE NOT FAMILY MEMBERS OF USG EMPLOYEES OFFICIALLY ASSIGNED TO POST AND UNDER CHIEF OF MISSION AUTHORITY, MUST ATTACH COPIES OF THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO THEIR APPLICATIONS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION. NO RELOCATION EXPENSES ARE PROVIDED TO THE JOB LOCATION: ACCRA, GHANA. IF TRANSPORTATION TO ACCRA IS REQUIRED, IT WILL BE THE EMPLOYEE’S RESPONSIBILITY.

IMPORTANT: Applicants claiming a U.S. Veteran’s preference must submit written documentation confirming eligibility (e.g., Member Copy 4 of Form DD-214, Letter from the Veteran’s Administration, or certification documenting eligibility under the VOW Act with an expected discharge no later than 120 days after the certification is submitted) by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. If the written documentation confirming eligibility is not received in the HR office by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, the U.S. Veteran’s preference will not be considered in the application process. Specific criteria for receiving a U.S. Veteran’s preference may be found in HR/OE’s Family Member Employment Policy (FMEP).

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. The Department of State also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs. The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation.

Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.