This position is located in the Department's Executive Secretariat, which is in the Immediate Office of the Secretary. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a writer-editor involved in a variety of subjects; researching, analyzing, distilling and presenting information either in a variety of fields or with a broad and nonspecialized approach, in a single field; and to ensure that fully coordinated and cleared material for the Secretary and Deputy Secretary.

Duties

As a Writer-Editor, GS-1082-09/11, GS-1082-9/11, your typical work assignments may include the following: Ensures that fully coordinated and cleared briefing materials for the Secretary and Deputy Secretary are prepared for each official meeting, event and activity, including foreign and domestic travel to ensure that the Secretary or Deputy Secretary are fully informed and prepared with respect to the purpose and desired outcomes of these activities. Monitors the Secretary's and Deputy Secretary's calendar to evaluate and determine briefing material needs (i.e. talking points, background papers, position papers) based on the purpose or subject of the meetings scheduled. The incumbent is typically in daily contact with component Executive Secretaries and Chiefs of Staff to ensure deadlines are met, to define information requirements; and shape the content of the briefing material to ensure information is succinct and captures subtle nuances of complex policy issues. The employee also calibrates briefing materials to the Secretary's and Deputy Secretary's expectations to ensure their day to day activities and events have successful outcomes and further the goals and objective of the Secretary and the Department. This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 100 applications have been received, whichever happens first. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required.
• You must submit to a pre-employment drug test.
• Current federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements.
• You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.
• Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience: You qualify at the GS-09 grade level if you possess one of the following: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in Federal service, that demonstrates the ability to perform duties such as: 1) Knowledge of grammar, writing and editing practices, and the style requirements of the media and the publications used; 2) Knowledge of readily available sources of information on the appropriate subjects including library resources and subject matter experts; 3) Skill in fact-finding techniques to gather and verify factual information and to write and edit materials such as reports, briefings, or speeches; 4) Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to gain cooperation from others through tact; OR A master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related; OR A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application. NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of the first year may be used to qualify for the GS-09 level. You qualify at the GS-11 grade level if you possess one of the following: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in Federal service, that demonstrates the ability to perform duties such as: 1) In-depth knowledge of the Secretary's priorities and program agenda to edit materials to ensure content fully prepares the Secretary and Deputy Secretary in advancing the Department's strategic goals;2) Knowledge of written and oral communication practices to develop, edit, and finalize briefing materials, policy papers, and presentations for the Secretary and Deputy Secretary; 3) Knowledge of a broad range of sources of pertinent information, and the skill to analyze and present the information gathered necessary for the operation of DHS 3) knowledge of related information previously released by the organization and knowledge of publishing concepts, practices, standards, and technologies for the media used; 4) Knowledge of materials previously released or in process to avoid contradictions and unnecessary repetition; OR A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related; OR A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application. NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of the first two years may be used to qualify for the GS-11 level. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Time-in-grade: Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees, and those that have served in GS positions within the last 52 weeks, must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade, or a combination of the next lower grade level and an equivalent band in the federal service by the closing of this announcement. Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1"), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. Employees applying with an interchange agreement must provide proof of their permanent appointment. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Education

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

Contacts

• Address Department of Homeland Security Headquarters OCHCO/HRMS/MS #0170 6595 Springfield Center Drive Springfield, VA 20598-0170 US
• Name: Tracy Castillo
• Phone: 202-805-9472
• Email: [email protected]