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Position Title
FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPECIALIST
Agency
Office of the Secretary of Defense
Announcement Number
ST-11332876-22-ND Opens in new window
Open Period
Wednesday, February 23, 2022 to Monday, February 28, 2022
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a current Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) employee external to WHS?  You are eligible for this eligibility if you are a:
  • current Department of Defense (e.g., WHS, Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, DLA, DFAS, or DoDEA) DCIPS employee; OR,
  • former DoD permanent federal employee who has reappointment eligibility.
Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable proof of your appointment eligibility, by submitting a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, block 24 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "2."

NOTE:  If you are serviced by WHS you are not required to submit an SF-50.
  (limit characters)
3.
  • Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? 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.
  •  
 (limit characters)
4. Are you a current, permanent DoD Civilian employee?  You are eligible for this hiring category and the hiring category of 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. Army
  • U.S. Marine Corps
  • Department of the Air Force
  • Other Department of Defense Agency (e.g., 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

NOTE:  If you are serviced by WHS you are not required to submit an SF-50.
  (limit characters)
5. Are you a current WHS Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) employee?  You are eligible for this eligibility if you are a:
  • current Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services DCIPS employee; OR,
  • former permanent federal employee who has reappointment eligibility.

Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable proof of your appointment eligibility, by submitting a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, block 24 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "2."

NOTE:  If you are serviced by WHS you are not required to submit an SF-50.
  (limit characters)
6. You are eligible for this hiring category if you are a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who has permanent change of station (PCS) orders (not for training).
  • Limited to the geographic area as specified in the PCS orders. This includes the surrounding area which people reasonably can be expected to travel daily to and from work.
  • Must relocate with the service member to be eligible.
  • Must be currently located in the commuting area to be authorized preference.
Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference which includes:

Documents required to be submitted with Application for Military Spouse Preference Eligible:
(NOTE: DoD agencies may require additional documentation. Please refer to the announcement to ensure that all required documentation is submitted with your application. It is highly recommended that you save all these documents to your USAJOBS account in order to facilitate applying to multiple positions.)

Military Spouses with prior Federal work experience:
  • Narrative resume
  • PCS orders
  • Marriage certificate or license
  • SF-50s, if applicable (e.g., LWOP, highest grade held, overseas appointments, etc.)
  • Documentation of performance rating of record (dated within the last 12 months), if applicable
  • Signed self-certification checklist
  • Veteran's preference documentation (e.g., DD-214, VA letter, Statement of Service), if applicable
  • Transcripts, if applicable
Military Spouses without prior Federal work experience:
  • Narrative resume
  • PCS orders
  • Marriage certificate or license
  • Signed self-certification checklist
  • Veterans' preference documentation (e.g. DD 214, VA letter, Statement of Service), if applicable
  • Transcripts, if applicable
 (limit characters)
7. Were you formerly employed as a DoD Civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment but are not currently a permanent competitive federal employee? 

If eligible, submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. 
• Your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect career or career-conditional (Tenure 1 or 2) AND
• Your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied is 1).

NOTE:  If you are serviced by WHS you are not required to submit an SF-50. (limit characters)
8. 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 above the grade level of the vacancy or has greater promotion potential than the grade level of the vacancy
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

You will be required to submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of ICTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice, copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), and most recent performance appraisal showing a rating of record that is at least fully successful or equivalent.  For more information, review https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/ (limit characters)
9. Are you eligible under this authority for appointment?
• Current or former Land Management Agency employee (i.e. the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture; the Bureau of Land Management of the Department of the Interior; the National Park Service of the Department of the Interior; the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior; the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the Department of the Interior; or the Bureau of Reclamation of the Department of the Interior); and
• Who currently are or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies.

Current land management agency appointees:
must have initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to the time-limited appointment,
must have served under 1 or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years, and
must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service.

Former land management agency employees:
must have initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to the time-limited appointment,
must have served under 1 or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a total period of more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years,
must have performed at an acceptable level throughout the service period(s),
must apply for a position covered by these provisions within 2 years after their most recent date of separation, and
must have been separated, with respect to their most recent separation, for reasons other than misconduct or performance.

Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable proof of your appointment eligibility by submitting a copy of your most recent SF-50 (block 24 must be a "0" or "3" AND block 34 must be a"1"), Notification of Personnel Action, documenting your Land Management eligibility for a competitive service appointment AND performance rating showing you have performed at an acceptable level. (limit characters)
10. The Washington Headquarters Service (WHS) is currently operating under an approved reengineered Priority Placement Program (PPP) pilot for all positions in its serviced workforce.  This pilot is application based and current PPP registrants who are registered for activity codes 293A and 295A are required to apply to the job announcement via USAJobs in order to exercise their priority placement status.  This pilot permits priority candidates to be assessed with other competitive applicants.  Anyone claiming priority status must provide a copy of their PPP registration and supporting documentation (e.g. RIF notice, Certification of Expected Separation) at the time of application to verify priority placement and eligibility. Are you claiming priority consideration under the WHS, PPP Pilot? (limit characters)
11. Are you a veteran whose discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:
• served three 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 the eligibility) OR
• a preference eligible veteran

If eligible, submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If currently on active duty and within 120 days of separation, in lieu of a DD-214, submit certification from your military personnel office verifying retirement/separation date and type/character of discharge.

Note: Current or former Federal employees (i.e., an individual who within the previous 52 weeks held a GS position under nontemporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch) applying under VEOA eligibility will be subject to time-in-grade restrictions IAW 5 CFR 300.604. If applying to a GS position in the competitive service, you are required to provide a SF-50 or SF-50s that show that you have held the next lower grade level of the position to which you are applying for at least one year OR held the same or higher grade level. 

For more information, review https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/  (limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for applying to the Foreign Affairs Specialist position, GS-0130-13/14/15, in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. (limit characters)
1. BASIC REQUIREMENT:

The Foreign Affairs occupation has specific educational requirements which apply to all positions. From the options below, select the one response which describes your educational background. Education above the high school level must have been completed in a U.S. college, university, or other educational institution that has been accredited by one of the accrediting agencies or associations recognized by the Secretary, U.S. Department of Education. Transcripts are required at the time of application. (limit characters)
2. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: GS-15

In addition to the Basic Requirement, you must also meet the one year of specialized experience requirement for the grade level(s) you are applying to.

Select the one statement that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Foreign Affairs Specialist at the GS-15 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. (limit characters)
3. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: GS-14

In addition to the Basic Requirement, you must also meet the one year of specialized experience requirement for the grade level(s) you are applying to.

Select the one statement that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Foreign Affairs Specialist at the GS-14 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. (limit characters)
4. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: GS-13

In addition to the Basic Requirement, you must also meet the one year of specialized experience requirement for the grade level(s) you are applying to.

Select the one statement that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Foreign Affairs Specialist at the GS-13 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. (limit characters)
This position has Conditions of Employment that must be obtained prior to your start date and maintained for the duration of this employment. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
5. This position requires you to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance. Are you willing to meet the security clearance requirements? (limit characters)
6. This position requires you to pass screening for illegal drug use prior to appointment and subsequent periodic drug screening thereafter. Are you willing to meet the drug testing requirements? (limit characters)
7. This position requires travel outside of the continental U.S. on military or commercial aircraft. Are you willing to meet the travel requirements? (limit characters)
8. This position may require you to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, holidays and/or overtime. Are you willing to work other than normal hours? (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
9. Defend adjustments to programs, projects and activities in response to changes in requirements or governing guidance. (limit characters)
10. Develop close relationships with counterparts in other organizations to gather information and knowledge in the process for meeting requirements of policy development and implementation. (limit characters)
11. Participate in meetings and conferences in the formulation of plans for the completion of programs, projects and activities. (limit characters)
12. Prepare executive summaries, briefing materials, decision memoranda, and reports to inform the intended audience. (limit characters)
13. Prepare reports reflecting the analysis and assimilation of information to be used to make recommendations for new policies or changes in policies and/or programs. (limit characters)
14. Develop recommendations and alternatives for review by higher level managers. (limit characters)
15. Interpret and translate strategy, policy, and/or guidance for a variety of audiences.
 (limit characters)
16. Represent the organization as a subject matter expert in working groups; steering groups; or other meetings, conferences, seminars, etc. to communicate information related to national security matters and represent the organization's views and requirements. (limit characters)
17. Conduct liaison between a variety of internal and external stakeholders to ensure policies and initiatives are understood. (limit characters)
18. Develop close relationships with counterparts in other organizations to gather information and knowledge in the process of policy development, advocacy, decision, implementation, and assessment.
(limit characters)
19. Express information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial). (limit characters)
20. Make clear and convincing oral presentations. (limit characters)
21. Participate and advise in the development of national security policy and foreign affairs.
  (limit characters)
22. Collaborate with other agencies to strengthen the U.S. Government's capacity to plan and conduct international engagement. (limit characters)
23. Communicate agency policies in meetings with representatives from other organizations or countries having conflicting objectives. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
24. Your ratings in this questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification based on the documents you submitted. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy. By agreeing to the statement below, you are confirming that you: 1) understand this warning; 2) have reviewed your responses to this questionnaire for accuracy; and 3) have verified that your responses accurately describe your current level of experience and capability as reflected in your resume. Do you certify the accuracy of your responses? (limit characters)
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