This position is located at Bureau of Engraving and Printing, within the Office of Engraving. As a Letter and Script Engraver (Bank Note) 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.
If you do not meet any of the categories listed above, you may wish to apply under announcement 26-BEP-12811454, 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. 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:** Do not submit more than four pieces of artwork. Still Life Portrait Landscape Lettering Figure 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 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.
During the apprenticeship program for the Letter and Script Engraver (Bank Note) 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.