- Position Title
- Writer-Editor
- Agency
- Joint Services and Activities Supported by the Office, Secretary of the Army
- Announcement Number
- NCHT180025234137 Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Wednesday, August 8, 2018 to Friday, August 17, 2018
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans' Preference?
2.
Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
Department of the Army regulations include several employment categories in the definition of "current Army civilian employee". Do you meet one of the categories below?
• CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES SERVING ON A PERMANENT APPOINTMENT. You must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. Block 24 of your SF-50 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a"1." Army employees can access their SF-50 at: My Biz.
• CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES SERVING ON AN EXCEPTED SERVICE VETERANS RECRUITMENT APPOINTMENT (VRA). If you are eligible in this category, you are required to submit an SF-50 showing current Army Excepted Service VRA appointment (block 24 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a"2.").
• CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES SERVING ON AN EXCEPTED SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEFENSE CIVILIAN INTELLIGENCE PERSONNEL SYSTEM (DCIPS). This category ONLY includes those who have personal career or career-conditional status earned with prior employment in the Competitive Service. If you are eligible in this category, you are required to submit two SF-50s: (1) an SF-50 showing current Army DCIPS employment, and (2) an SF-50 showing career/ career-conditional employment in the Competitive Service (block 24 of your SF-50 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a"1").
• CIVILIAN ARMY EMPLOYEES SERVING ON AN EXCEPTED SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEFENSE CIVILIAN INTELLIGENCE PERSONNEL SYSTEM (DCIPS) APPLYING TO A DCIPS POSITION. This category applies to those who are current DCIPS employees with the Department of Army that are eligible for reappointment as a result of personal competitive status earned with prior employment; or those who are currently serving on an Army DCIPS appointment without time limitation. If you are eligible for this category, you are required to submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 (block 24 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "2") and an SF-50 which reflects your highest grade held on a permanent basis.
• CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES SERVING ON A TEMPORARY OR TERM APPOINTMENT. This category ONLY includes those who have personal career or career-conditional status, earned with prior employment in the Competitive Service. If you are eligible in this category, you are required to submit two SF-50s:: (1) an SF-50 showing current Army employment, and (2) an SF-50 showing career/career-conditional employment in the Competitive Service (block 24 of your SF-50 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a"1").
Note: The "current Army employee" category does not include permanent Army National Guard employees in the competitive service.
Supporting documentation: You are required to submit the documents which prove you are a current Department of the Army employee in one of the categories described above. To obtain a copy of SF-50s from employment with the Department of Defense, go to My Biz.
Are you a current Army civilian employee?
Department of the Army regulations include several employment categories in the definition of "current Army civilian employee". Do you meet one of the categories below?
• CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES SERVING ON A PERMANENT APPOINTMENT. You must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. Block 24 of your SF-50 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a"1." Army employees can access their SF-50 at: My Biz.
• CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES SERVING ON AN EXCEPTED SERVICE VETERANS RECRUITMENT APPOINTMENT (VRA). If you are eligible in this category, you are required to submit an SF-50 showing current Army Excepted Service VRA appointment (block 24 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a"2.").
• CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES SERVING ON AN EXCEPTED SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEFENSE CIVILIAN INTELLIGENCE PERSONNEL SYSTEM (DCIPS). This category ONLY includes those who have personal career or career-conditional status earned with prior employment in the Competitive Service. If you are eligible in this category, you are required to submit two SF-50s: (1) an SF-50 showing current Army DCIPS employment, and (2) an SF-50 showing career/ career-conditional employment in the Competitive Service (block 24 of your SF-50 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a"1").
• CIVILIAN ARMY EMPLOYEES SERVING ON AN EXCEPTED SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEFENSE CIVILIAN INTELLIGENCE PERSONNEL SYSTEM (DCIPS) APPLYING TO A DCIPS POSITION. This category applies to those who are current DCIPS employees with the Department of Army that are eligible for reappointment as a result of personal competitive status earned with prior employment; or those who are currently serving on an Army DCIPS appointment without time limitation. If you are eligible for this category, you are required to submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 (block 24 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "2") and an SF-50 which reflects your highest grade held on a permanent basis.
• CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES SERVING ON A TEMPORARY OR TERM APPOINTMENT. This category ONLY includes those who have personal career or career-conditional status, earned with prior employment in the Competitive Service. If you are eligible in this category, you are required to submit two SF-50s:: (1) an SF-50 showing current Army employment, and (2) an SF-50 showing career/career-conditional employment in the Competitive Service (block 24 of your SF-50 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a"1").
Note: The "current Army employee" category does not include permanent Army National Guard employees in the competitive service.
Supporting documentation: You are required to submit the documents which prove you are a current Department of the Army employee in one of the categories described above. To obtain a copy of SF-50s from employment with the Department of Defense, go to My Biz.
Are you a current Army civilian employee?
3.
Current Permanent Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
Do you meet the following?
Current Permanent Federal Civilian if you currently work on a permanent competitive service civilian appointment in any of the following Department of Defense (DOD) Agencies:
• U.S. Navy
• U.S. Marine Corps
• Department of the Air Force
•Other Department of Defense Agency (e.g., WHS, DLA, DFAS, DISA, DODDS, Defense Commissary, etc.)
Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your appointment eligibility, by submitting a copy of your last or most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, (block 24 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a"1").
Notes:
*Current Permanent Federal Civilians: You can check your competitive service status by viewing your latest Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50, Block 34, Position Occupied. If eligible, you will see 1-Competitive Service in this block.
*If you are currently working on a temporary or term appointment, or you are serving on active duty in the U.S. military service in any of the above agencies, you are NOT eligible for this hiring category.
*If you are currently working for a private sector company performing work related to a contract with a federal agency, you are NOT eligible for this hiring category
*DOD employees can access their SF-50 at: My Biz
Do you meet the following?
Current Permanent Federal Civilian if you currently work on a permanent competitive service civilian appointment in any of the following Department of Defense (DOD) Agencies:
• U.S. Navy
• U.S. Marine Corps
• Department of the Air Force
•Other Department of Defense Agency (e.g., WHS, DLA, DFAS, DISA, DODDS, Defense Commissary, etc.)
Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your appointment eligibility, by submitting a copy of your last or most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, (block 24 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a"1").
Notes:
*Current Permanent Federal Civilians: You can check your competitive service status by viewing your latest Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50, Block 34, Position Occupied. If eligible, you will see 1-Competitive Service in this block.
*If you are currently working on a temporary or term appointment, or you are serving on active duty in the U.S. military service in any of the above agencies, you are NOT eligible for this hiring category.
*If you are currently working for a private sector company performing work related to a contract with a federal agency, you are NOT eligible for this hiring category
*DOD employees can access their SF-50 at: My Biz
4.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy
• your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy and
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
ICTAP applicants must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well-qualified is defined as meeting all of the minimum qualification standards and eligibility requirements as well as possessing skills that clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position.
*Note: Under competitive delegated examining, an ICTAP eligible will be considered well-qualified if they attain an eligibility rating of 90 or higher, not including points for veterans' preference.
Supporting documentation: Federal employees seeking ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.704, by submitting a copy of the following documents with your completed application: A copy of your agency notice; AND,
A copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal; AND,
A copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Additional information regarding ICTAP eligibility can be found in the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition. For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy
• your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy and
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
ICTAP applicants must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well-qualified is defined as meeting all of the minimum qualification standards and eligibility requirements as well as possessing skills that clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position.
*Note: Under competitive delegated examining, an ICTAP eligible will be considered well-qualified if they attain an eligibility rating of 90 or higher, not including points for veterans' preference.
Supporting documentation: Federal employees seeking ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.704, by submitting a copy of the following documents with your completed application: A copy of your agency notice; AND,
A copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal; AND,
A copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Additional information regarding ICTAP eligibility can be found in the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition. For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center.
5.
Priority Placement Program (PPP), Program S (Military Spouse) registrant
You are eligible for this category if you:
Supporting documentation: Please ensure that your PPP file includes all required documents to substantiate your eligibility.
For more information on registering in the Priority Placement Program contact your local Civilian Personnel Advisory Center (CPAC) or Agency Human Resources Office.
Are you registered in Program S of the PPP?
You are eligible for this category if you:
- Are registered in PPP, Program S; AND
- Are registered for the occupational series and grade on the announcement; AND
- Matched this position and were notified to apply by the Human Resources Office; AND,
- Position you are applying to, is within the same commuting area as sponsor's permanent duty station.
Supporting documentation: Please ensure that your PPP file includes all required documents to substantiate your eligibility.
For more information on registering in the Priority Placement Program contact your local Civilian Personnel Advisory Center (CPAC) or Agency Human Resources Office.
Are you registered in Program S of the PPP?
6.
Reinstatement
You are eligible for this hiring category if you:
Are you eligible for Reinstatement?
You are eligible for this hiring category if you:
- Are a former Federal employee who previously attained career status (identified as Tenure I (block 24) and Competitive Service (block 34) of your last SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action); OR
- Are a former Federal employee with veterans' preference who previously attained career-conditional status (identified as Tenure II (block 24) and Competitive Service (block 34) of your last SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action); OR
- Are a former Federal career-conditional employee (identified as Tenure II (block 24) and Competitive Service (block 34) of your last SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action) without veterans' preference who separated from Government service within the past three years.
Are you eligible for Reinstatement?
7.
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998
This category includes veterans whose discharge was under honorable conditions AND:
• who served 3 or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (NOTE: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet this eligibility); or
• who have preference eligibility; or
• who have derived preference
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998, as amended (VEOA) is a competitive service appointing authority that can only be used when filling permanent, competitive service positions. It cannot be used to fill excepted service positions.
"Preference eligible" under VEOA includes those family members entitled to derived preference. For eligibility information and supporting documentation requirements, go to VEOA Derived Preference.
Supporting documentation:
You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. Acceptable documentation is:
• DD Form 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," showing dates of service, as well as character of service (Honorable, General, etc.). The member 4 copy of your DD Form 214 is preferable (Note: If you have more than one DD Form 214 for multiple periods of active duty service, you should submit a copy for each period of service.); OR
• Future Military Retirees*: You are required to submit a copy of your retirement DD Form 214 OR a copy of your approved retirement letter AND a copy of your terminal leave letter OR certification document**. You will be required to provide your DD Form 214 prior to appointment; OR
• Future Military Separatees*: You are required to submit a copy of your most recent DD Form 214 OR certification document** OR a copy of your most recent active duty orders AND a copy of your terminal leave request (if applicable). You will be required to provide your DD Form 214 prior to appointment.
• Disabled Veterans: You are required to submit a copy of one of the separation documents identified above AND documentation of your overall service connected disability identified on the SF-15, page 2, section B or Section C.
*Active duty military members who are selected may not be appointed unless on terminal leave before the effective date of employment.
** The "certification" letter is a written document on an official letterhead of the appropriate military branch in which the veteran served, and contains at a minimum, the service member's: (1) military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; (2) expected character of service (i.e. honorable); (3) rank; and (4) type of discharge. The "certification" must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, military personnel officer, or commander of the service member's unit or higher headquarters. 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) (Federal Register, 2016).
The SF-15 is available on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management forms webpage.
You may request copies of your military personnel records online.
Additional Veterans' preference information
U.S. Office of Personnel Management's Government-wide Veterans Employment webpage
U.S. Office of Personnel Management Veterans Services webpage (OPM Vet Guide)
Are you applying for consideration under the VEOA?
This category includes veterans whose discharge was under honorable conditions AND:
• who served 3 or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (NOTE: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet this eligibility); or
• who have preference eligibility; or
• who have derived preference
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998, as amended (VEOA) is a competitive service appointing authority that can only be used when filling permanent, competitive service positions. It cannot be used to fill excepted service positions.
"Preference eligible" under VEOA includes those family members entitled to derived preference. For eligibility information and supporting documentation requirements, go to VEOA Derived Preference.
Supporting documentation:
You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. Acceptable documentation is:
• DD Form 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," showing dates of service, as well as character of service (Honorable, General, etc.). The member 4 copy of your DD Form 214 is preferable (Note: If you have more than one DD Form 214 for multiple periods of active duty service, you should submit a copy for each period of service.); OR
• Future Military Retirees*: You are required to submit a copy of your retirement DD Form 214 OR a copy of your approved retirement letter AND a copy of your terminal leave letter OR certification document**. You will be required to provide your DD Form 214 prior to appointment; OR
• Future Military Separatees*: You are required to submit a copy of your most recent DD Form 214 OR certification document** OR a copy of your most recent active duty orders AND a copy of your terminal leave request (if applicable). You will be required to provide your DD Form 214 prior to appointment.
• Disabled Veterans: You are required to submit a copy of one of the separation documents identified above AND documentation of your overall service connected disability identified on the SF-15, page 2, section B or Section C.
*Active duty military members who are selected may not be appointed unless on terminal leave before the effective date of employment.
** The "certification" letter is a written document on an official letterhead of the appropriate military branch in which the veteran served, and contains at a minimum, the service member's: (1) military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; (2) expected character of service (i.e. honorable); (3) rank; and (4) type of discharge. The "certification" must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, military personnel officer, or commander of the service member's unit or higher headquarters. 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) (Federal Register, 2016).
The SF-15 is available on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management forms webpage.
You may request copies of your military personnel records online.
Additional Veterans' preference information
U.S. Office of Personnel Management's Government-wide Veterans Employment webpage
U.S. Office of Personnel Management Veterans Services webpage (OPM Vet Guide)
Are you applying for consideration under the VEOA?
Conditions of Employment
This position has requirements which must be met prior to employment, and conditions for continued employment. Your answers to the questions in this section will indicate your understanding of, or possession of, these requirements and conditions.
1.
This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required. Are you willing to undergo pre-employment and recurring investigations to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance as required?
2.
This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 5% of the time. Are you willing and able to travel away from your permanent duty station up to 5% of the time?
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in a Writer-Editor position with the Department of Army. Your resume and the responses you provide to this assessment questionnaire will be used to determine if you are among the best qualified for this position. Your responses are subject to verification. Please review your responses for accuracy before you submit your application.
1.
Select the one statement below that best describes the experience you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Writer-Editor at the GS-13 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
2.
Maintain awareness of current Government writing and reporting style and format requirements, and works directly with appropriate senior officials to resolve questions about its content and technical application.
3.
Edit and write material, with audiences at the highest level of the Army's civilian and military leadership, on an agency's position.
4.
Research, write, and edit a variety of materials,(i.e. articles, training materials, brochures, and other products) on the organization, mission, operations, history, objectives, interests, viewpoints, and/or needs of the organization.
5.
Provide technical expertise on a variety of special projects/assignments, such as preparing congressional testimony, written products, and information papers on a wide variety of issues with audiences at the highest level of an organization/government.
6.
Coordinate proposed changes in approach, emphasis, or presentation directly with authors to produce the necessary revisions, analyzes, and recommendations when documents are unclear or extensive rewriting is needed to achieve a more organized presentation.
7.
Responsible for the preparation and selection of material for posting to applicable areas of the organizations Web site.
8.
Provide editorial and production support required for electronic publication.
9.
Conduct periodic reviews to ensure necessity and currency of electronic publications.
10.
Establish and maintain an electronic file of documents and related information.
11.
Review the work of staff members for editorial quality and compliance with established style, format, content guidance, accuracy, and appropriateness.
12.
Develop an agency's editorial policies, practices, guidelines, and standards.
13.
Review writing policy and writing trends and recommends additions, deletions, or revisions.
14.
Write and edit regulations, procedures, and booklets, determining the adequacy of content and source materials used, as well as the amount and type of information required by the audience.
15.
Interpret regulations, policies, and procedures to develop recommendations on whether requests for an exception to policy should be granted.
16.
Assist staff in preparing clear, accurate, and concisely written documents representing major management issues addressed to senior civilian and military executives.
17.
Examine the content of documents for clarity and length, and organize the material structurally in terms of the order of sentences, paragraphs, sections, and findings to improve presentation.
18.
Assess whether technical matters can be clearly understood and determine whether findings support the recommendations and the overall conclusions of the document.
19.
Determine whether tabular or graphic material is needed and how the material can be clearly presented.
20.
Work with authors during the revision process to achieve a substantial degree of balance between the often differing opinions of command and staff so that each viewpoint is presented fairly.
21.
Adjust document tone and style so that it is suitable for the audience: decision makers at the highest levels of Government, Congress, and the military community.
22.
Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your resume and all supporting documentation are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy.