Office of the Secretary of Defense Logo
Position Title
POLICY ANALYST
Agency
Office of the Secretary of Defense
Announcement Number
ST-11832827-23-AMY Opens in new window
Open Period
Monday, February 27, 2023 to Monday, March 13, 2023
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 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)
3. You are eligible for this hiring category if you are currently employed on a permanent appointment in the competitive service with a federal agency.

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").

NOTE:  If you are serviced by WHS you are not required to submit an SF-50.
*If you are currently working on a temporary or term appointment, or are serving on active duty in the U.S. military service, 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. (limit characters)
4. 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)
5. You are eligible for this hiring category if you have completed 52 weeks in an appropriated fund position, performed under a local hire appointment overseas. Work must have been performed during the time the family member was accompanying a sponsor, officially assigned to an overseas area and the eligible family member must have received a fully successful or better (or equivalent) performance rating. Creditable service may have been under more than one appointment and need not be continuous.

An individual must have been a family member at the time s/he met the overseas service requirement, but does not need to be a family member at the time of non-competitive appointment in the United States. A family member is a spouse or unmarried child under the age of 23.

Any law, Executive Order, or regulation that disqualifies an applicant for appointment in the competitive service also disqualifies the applicant for appointment under E.O. 12721.

An individual is eligible for temporary, term, or career-conditional appointment(s) under E.O. 12721 for a period of 3 years following the date of return from the overseas to the United States to resume residence.

Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your eligibility for E.O. 12721 which may include: A copy of your last or most recent SF-50, "Notice of Personnel Action," reflecting 52 weeks of creditable service or 26 weeks of creditable service if the sponsor's tour was curtailed.

For more information visit the Department of State website: http://E.O. 12721 (limit characters)
6. 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)
7. You are eligible for this hiring category, if you are: 
  • A current non-appropriated fund (NAF); OR 
  • Other Interchange Agreement eligible employee; AND 
  • served continuously for at least one year under a permanent appointment; OR 
  • Former Interchange Agreement eligible (e.g., NAF) employee who served under an appointment described above, and was involuntarily separated within the past year without personal cause (i.e., not because of unacceptable conduct or performance).
 (limit characters)
8. 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)
9. You are eligible for this hiring category if you:
  • Are a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty,
  • Are a spouse of a 100 percent disabled service member injured while on active duty; OR
  • Are the un-remarried widow or widower of a service member who was killed while performing active duty.
Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your eligibility for E.O. 13832 which may include:
  • verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage); and,
  • Documentation verifying active duty status; or
  • verification of the member's 100 percent disability; or
  • verification of the member's death while on active duty.
Additionally, you may need to submit a Standard Form-15 (SF-15), an Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference, and applicable supporting documents as noted on the form. Obtain a copy of SF-15 at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf 

**For appointments made on or after August 13, 2023, the following additional criteria must be met for eligibility for appointment: (A) The member of the armed forces must have received orders authorizing a permanent change of station.  (B) The spouse must have married the member of the armed forces on, or prior to, the date of such orders authorizing the permanent change of station. (C) The spouse must have relocated or is relocating with the member of the armed forces to the new duty station specified in the documentation ordering the permanent change of station.
  (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. Were you formerly employed as a federal civilian 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)
12. You are required to submit proof of your eligibility. Examples of special appointment authority include appointment of people from Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service, General Accounting Office, Panama Canal Commission, Peace Corps, Postal Career Service/Postal Rate Commission, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), VISTA/ACTION Volunteers, Schedule A 5 CFR 213.3102 (u), etc. You are required to provide acceptable documentation of your appointment eligibility, by submitting a copy of proof of employment, from the appropriate agency, on official letterhead, with your complete application. (limit characters)
13. 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 Policy and Legislative Analyst, GS-0301-14/15 position with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, (OUSD(Policy)). (limit characters)
1. Select the one statement that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Policy Analyst 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)
2. Select the one statement that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Policy Analyst 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)
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)
3. This position may require 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)
4. This position may require you to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance. Are you willing to meet the security clearance requirements? (limit characters)
5. This position may require you to work other than normal hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays and/or overtime. Are you willing to work other than normal hours?
 (limit characters)
6. This position may require travel away from your normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft. Are you willing to meet the travel requirements?
 (limit characters)
In this part you will respond to questions about your experience as it relates to the position for which you are applying. Carefully review the level descriptions (A to E) listed below. For each task question, choose the level description that best describes your experience and/or training. Your responses must be fully supported within the text of your resume. Failure to properly identify your experience may result in the lowering of your overall score and/or your disqualification for this position.               (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
7. Analyze and resolve highly complex issues. (limit characters)
8. Analyze policies and provide guidance to other technical experts. (limit characters)
9. Prepare and coordinate official responses to Congressional inquiries and reports.
 (limit characters)
10. Develop or contribute to testimony or other presentations to the Congress. (limit characters)
11. Independently identify and focus senior policy attention on issues with major defense policy or domestic security implications. (limit characters)
12. Analyze highly complex policy, strategy, concept, and implementation issues. (limit characters)
13. Possess a thorough understanding of DOD objectives and broader U.S. national security goals. (limit characters)
14. Prepare reports and other supporting materials (e.g., briefs, talking points) that reflect in-depth analysis and interpretation of policy/legislative matters. (limit characters)
15. Present options and recommendations to DOD decision-makers that serve as a definitive basis for advancing significant policy proposals. (limit characters)
16. Anticipate the nature and direction of national security policy questions and provide organized, evaluated options to senior DoD policy makers. (limit characters)
17. Develop complex responses/analyses for multiple audiences. (limit characters)
18. Possess skill in tactfully dealing with senior leadership, Congressional staff, and high-ranking officials within various US Government agencies. (limit characters)
19. Analyze, develop, and present authoritative information or analyses on controversial and important subjects to persons with conflicting views. (limit characters)
20. Participate in the problem resolution process by negotiation, compromise, or suggestion of alternatives. (limit characters)
21. Coordinate major issues directly and indirectly with senior personnel. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
22. 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)
  • Privacy & Cookies
© 2025 US Office of Personnel Management
This is a USA Staffing® System