The USDP serves as the principal advisor and assistant to the Secretary of Defense for all matters concerned with the formulation of national security and defense policy with emphasis on the integration and oversight of DoD policy plans to achieve national security objectives. This position is assigned to the office of Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict (SO/LIC), Secretariat for Special Operations (SSO), with a specific focus on Special Operations-related Special Access Programs (SAP).

Duties

Please read this Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration. Incumbent typical work assignments may include the following: Develop Department of Defense (DoD) policies related to Special Operations related Special Access Programs. Review strategies and budgets required to support Department plans. Identify major defense policy issues and direct attention to senior officials. Provides expert advice on key strategy, programming, planning and policy matters. Represents DoD in delegations to international meetings and conferences; contribute testimony or other presentations to Congress.

Requirements

• This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
• This position requires you to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with SCI and SAP components.
• This position may require occasional travel away from your normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
• This position may require you to work other than normal hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays and/or overtime.
• Writing Sample: If you are invited for an interview, you will be required to provide a writing sample, which will be a timed writing exercise you will turn in at the end of a scheduled session.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period.

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 your ability to analyze and advise senior United States (U.S.) government civilian leadership on complex political and military matters affecting strategic level U.S. national security interests related to sensitive activities and Special Operations related Special Access Programs (SAP); prepare and provide papers, memos, briefings, and/or messaging related to sensitive activities or SAPs for senior civilian leadership, Congress, and media; develop policy options and recommendations for senior civilian leadership to support the service secretariat oversight and governance purview; prepare assessment methodologies and employ investigative tools to enhance understanding and ensure compliance with regulatory guidance, directives, and instructions. 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. 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.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience.

Contacts

• Address Office of the USD for Policy 4800 Mark Center Drive Alexandria, VA 22350 US
• Name: Washington HQ Services
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]