This position is located in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. The incumbent performs a wide range of sensitive and confidential assignments of a policy nature and is exposed to a variety of functions of the DoD to familiarize them with the full scope of the Department's programs and policies.

Duties

Incumbent typical work assignments may include the following: Conducts numerous, complex and high priority special assignments at the direction of the supervisor, involving extensive research and fact finding to develop position and issue papers on a variety of high-level subjects of critical importance to DoD, i.e. budget roll-outs, Strategic Communications for personnel matters such as Sexual Assault Prevent, Suicide Prevention to name a few. Identifies, prioritizes, coordinates, tracks, and quality controls numerous high priority public affairs (PA) items of critical importance to the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for PA (ATSD(PA)), Principal Deputy ATSD(PA), and the DoD as a whole. Serves as review, and when appropriate, release authority, for potentially high visibility policy, observance, Department of Defense (DoD) information roll out plans, coordinated via the Correspondence and Task Management System. Reviews Correspondence and Task Management System items coordinated and approved at the subordinate Directorate level, on behalf of the ATSD(PA) or PDATSD(PA), to ensure principal awareness and gain higher level approval if necessary. Monitors and prioritizes routine and high priority items to ensure suspense dates are met by further coordinating with Principals. Provides PA subject matter expertise and continuity to ensure correct messaging. Recommendations are typically instrumental in the development or modification of DoD policies in the areas of Public Affairs policies and operations for which the supervisor is responsible by policy. Researches assigned tasks that typically require the incumbent to develop own sources of information on the assignment, while also overseeing and guiding other unassigned research specialists, research assistants, and special assistants. Represents the DoD in meetings with the Interagency, National Security Council and White House. In this capacity is empowered to make independent decisions and commitments on behalf of DoD in any Public Affairs matter being discussed or contemplated. Interacts with the Chiefs of Staff for the Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense. Advises on status of Public Affairs matters and provides counsel when required.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration)
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period
• Must be determined suitable for federal employment
• Required to participate in the direct deposit program
• This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing
• This position is subject to the DoD Priority Placement Program
• The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with SCI and SAP components. A Special Background Investigation (SBI) is required with favorable adjudication by a determining authority.
• This position requires incumbent to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and annually thereafter.
• This position may require up to 10% occasional travel away from your normal duty station for official business on military or commercial aircraft.

Qualifications

For qualifications determinations, it is recommended that applicants include their months and hours worked per week for each employment listed on their resume. If a determination is not able to be made about the length of your creditable experience for qualification requirements, you will be removed from consideration. Read more about what should I include in my federal resume? at https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/ You may qualify at the GS-15 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates: Experience utilizing mastery knowledge and skill ranging in specialized areas within the DoD, including the National Defense Strategy, National Strategic Policy, OSD command and organizational structure, and the role of inter-agency partners in coordinating public affairs national defense interest items. Experience utilizing comprehensive knowledge of the operations, rules, and procedure; Experience utilizing professional knowledge and skills sufficient to generate and apply new hypotheses and concepts in planning, conducting, and evaluating long range projects or proposals for the solution of complex public policy questions; Experience providing technical leadership, staff coordination, assessment of audience and stakeholder positions and reactions, and consultation for the program assigned, including formulating guidelines, implementing new developments, and providing policy interpretation and recommendations to executive management; Experience demonstrating the ability to accomplish major tasks and complete projects by building consensus and facilitating cooperative and collaborative relationships within the Public Affairs community, operational leaders, federal, state, and local agencies, and private and non-profit agencies/organizations; Experience utilizing interpersonal and administrative skills sufficient to organize and coordinate thorough, systematic, professional efforts which may involve multidisciplinary approaches, to meet established and anticipated needs of decision makers; Experience utilizing communication skills sufficient to direct production of clear and concise analytic and technical reports and to speak and write convincingly on issues involving project or program responsibilities to internal and external audiences; Experience applying qualitative (e.g. formal and informal audience interviews, surveys, research of new methodologies) and quantitative (e.g. compiling and interpreting data, maintaining data bases of users, collecting and storing data from users) analyses to assist in determining effectiveness of policies. . 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. ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act Chapter 21 of Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 2108a, requires Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD-214, assuming the service member is otherwise eligible. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. The service member's military service dates are necessary in order to determine whether he or she meets the definition of "veteran" under 5 U.S.C. 2108(1). The "certification" must reflect the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date of submission. The "certification" must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate when your terminal leave will begin (if applicable), your rank, dates of active duty service, the type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable). Further, under paragraph (h) of the rule, agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD-214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible." Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if member is on terminal leave. ARE YOU A DISABLED VETERAN or CLAIMING 10-POINT VETERANS' PREFERENCE? 1. Disabled veterans, veterans, widows, spouses or the mother of a veteran, who are eligible for 10-point veterans' preference, you must provide legible copies of the following: Applicable supporting documents as noted on Standard Form-15 (SF-15). To obtain a copy of SF-15, go to: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/ Current or Former Political Appointees: Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office. Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title; Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee); Agency; and, Beginning and ending dates of appointment. All qualifications, education, and time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume. Additional Information (Cont'd) Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist.7. Retained Grade PPP Eligible: Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience.

Contacts

• Address Office of the ATSD for Public Affairs Human Resources Directorate 4800 Mark Center Drive Alexandria, VA 22350 US
• Name: Washington HQ Services
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]