Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Logo
Position Title
Writer/Editor
Agency
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Announcement Number
CMS-CMMI-24-12534944-ST Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, September 10, 2024 to Monday, September 16, 2024
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. 30 Percent or More Disabled Veteran:  
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge) AND you:
     • have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs since 1991 or later to include disability determinations from a branch of  the Armed Forces at any time, showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR
     • are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.  
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit the following documents at the time of application: (1) A copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service), or other proof of service which includes character of service; AND (2) An official document, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying that you have a service-connected disability of 30% or more, OR an official document or retired orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that you were retired due to a service-connected disability or have been transferred to a Disability Retirement List with a service-connected disability of at least 30% or more.
(limit characters)
3. Appointment of Certain Military Spouses:
OPTION 1:
Are you the spouse of an active duty member of the Armed Forces?
-OR-
OPTION 2: Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating of 100 percent at the time of retirement or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?
-OR-
OPTION 3: Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?
For more information, review USAJOBS Military Spouses resources
 
To verify your eligibility for OPTION 1 above, you must submit the following documents at the time of application: (1) Documentation showing the service member is currently on active duty in the Armed Forces; AND (2) Documentation verifying your marriage to the service member (i.e., marriage license or other legal document verifying marriage).
 
To verify your eligibility for OPTION 2 above, you must submit the following documents at the time of application: (1) Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15, with answers to questions 1-7 completed; AND (2) Documentation showing the service member was released or discharged from active duty due to a service-connected disability OR due to a 100 percent service-connected disability; AND (3) Documentation verifying your marriage to the service member (i.e., marriage license or other legal document verifying marriage).
 
To verify your eligibility for OPTION 3 above, you must submit the following documents at the time of application: (1) Documentation showing the service member was released from active duty due to his or her death while on active duty OR documentation verifying the service member was killed while serving on active duty; AND (2) Documentation verifying your marriage to the service member (i.e., marriage license or other legal document verifying marriage); AND (3) A statement certifying you are the un-remarried widow or widower of the service member.
(limit characters)
4. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP):
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the Department of Health and Human Services? If yes, confirm:
     • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND
     • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND
     • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND
     • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit the following documents at the time of application: (1) Documentation showing abolishment of position or separation (i.e., Certificate of Expected Separation (CES), Agency certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation, Notice that your position is being abolished, Letter stating you are eligible for discontinued service retirement, Specific Reduction-in-Force separation notice, OR Notice of proposed removal because you declined a directed reassignment or transfer of function out of the local commuting area); (2) Your latest performance rating showing a rating of at least "fully successful" (level 3); AND (3) Your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50), or equivalent personnel action showing your tenure, position occupied, and duty station.
(limit characters)
5. Current Career/Career-Conditional Federal Employees Who Have Held the Grade(s) Being Announced at the Full Performance Level on a Permanent Basis. 

Are you a career or career-conditional Federal employee in the competitive service who currently holds OR has previously held a permanent position at the same grade or a grade higher than the promotion potential of the position being announced?  (Note: Applicants who have temporarily held the same grade or a grade higher than the promotion potential are not eligible for a non-competitive appointment.  Therefore, you must select "No" to this question and "Yes" to the "Current Career or Career-Conditional Federal Employees Who Have Never Held the Grade(s) Being Announced on a Permanent Basis" question.)

To verify your eligibility, you must submit the following document at the time of application:  A copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50), or equivalent personnel action form that reflects:
  • Career or Career-conditional (Tenure field 1 or 2); AND
  • Your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1); AND
  • Your highest grade and step held on a permanent basis. (Note: If you are on a career ladder position (e.g. GS-9/11/12) with a higher promotion potential than the grade level you currently hold, you must provide personnel actions to show your current grade level and the promotion potential. 
(limit characters)
6. Current Career/Career-Conditional Federal Employees Who Have Never Held the Grades(s) Being Announced on a Permanent Basis.

Are you a career or career-conditional Federal employee in the competitive service who has never held a permanent position at the same grade or a grade higher than the promotion potential of the position being announced?  (Note: Applicants who have temporarily held the same grade or a grade higher than the promotion potential must select "Yes" to this question.)

To verify your eligibility, you must submit the following document at the time of application: A copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50), or equivalent personnel action form that reflects:
  • Career or Career-conditional (Tenure field 1 or 2); AND
  • Your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1); AND
  • Your highest grade and step held on a permanent basis.
(limit characters)
7. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP):
Are you a current career or career-conditional competitive service employee or a former career competitive service employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than the Department of Health and Human Services? If yes, confirm:
     • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND
     • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND
     • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND
     • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit the following documents at the time of application: (1) Proof of Eligibility (Reduction-in-Force separation notice, Notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of injury compensation termination, OR notice of disability annuity termination); (2) Your latest performance rating showing a rating of at least "fully successful" (level 3); AND (3) Your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50), or equivalent personnel action, showing your tenure, position occupied, and duty station. NOTE: Your proof of eligibility must be dated within a year of the date of your application in order to meet ICTAP eligibility. 
(limit characters)
8. Land Management Eligibiles:
Are you an eligible current or former time-limited (temporary and/or term) employee of a land management agency (i.e., Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) AND you:
  • were originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; AND
  • served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; AND
  • performed at an acceptable level of performance during each period of service; AND
  • have been separated for no more than two years and departed that position in good standing. NOTE: This is only applicable if you are no longer employed by the land management agency.
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit the following documents at the time of application
  • A copy of your Notification of Personnel Actions, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) showing that you served in appropriate appointment(s) for a period/periods that total more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years. In your application, you must submit your initial hire action(s), extension(s), conversion(s) and termination/separation SF-50s for each period of work; AND
  • Performance Rating (s) or Equivalent: 
           1. A copy of your performance rating(s) showing an acceptable level of performance for period(s) of employment counted towards your eligibility, signed by your supervisor(s); OR 
           2. If documentation of a rating does not exist for one or more periods, a statement from your supervisor(s) or other individual in the chain of command indicating an acceptable level of performance for the period(s) of employment counted towards your eligibility; OR
           3. If you do not have a performance rating (as outlined in 1 or 2 above) for any period that you are using to qualify for eligibility under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, you must provide:
               a. A statement listing the reason why your appraisal/documentation is not available, AND
               b.  A statement that your performance for all periods was at an acceptable level, your most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance, and you were never notified that you were not eligible for rehire based on performance.

For more information, review the USAJobs Land Management Hiring Path information.
(limit characters)
9. Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated by U.S. Office of Personnel Management:
Are you a current:
     • Postal Career Service Employee; OR
     • Postal Rate Commission Employee; OR
     • Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; OR
     • Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee; OR
     • Other appointing authorities authorized by statutes outside of title 5 United States Code?
For more information, review Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit the following document at the time of application:  A copy of your appointment Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50), or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your status.  Your document must provide sufficient information to verify you are eligible for a competitive service position in the Federal service under a Miscellaneous Authority not regulated by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. 
(limit characters)
10. National Service (Peace Corps and VISTA):
Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past twelve months?
-OR-
Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and are requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student or other experience related to this position?
-OR-
Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit the following at the time of application: A copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility. If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, you must also submit at the time of application the necessary documentation to support your request.
(limit characters)
11. OPM Interchange Agreement:
Are you a current excepted service employee of a Federal Agency that has a valid Interchange Agreement with the Office of Personnel Management? For more information, review Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit the following document at the time of application:  A copy of your appointment Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50), or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your status. Your document must reflect:
    • You are currently serving on an appointment without time limit in another merit system or you have been involuntarily separated from such appointment without personal cause within the preceding year; AND
    • You are currently serving in or you have been involuntarily separated from a position covered by an interchange agreement; AND
    • You served continuously for at least 1 year in the other merit system prior to appointment under the interchange agreement.
(limit characters)
12. Reinstatement Eligibles who MUST Compete for Higher Graded Positions
Are you a former Federal employee with:

(A.) Career status who has NOT held the same grade or full performance level as the position being announced AND is applying to this position within one year after separation AND has a most recent performance rating of fully successful?
 -OR-
(B.) Career-conditional status and are within three years of the date of separation or a preference eligible who has NOT held the same grade or full performance level as the position being announced AND is applying to this position within one year after separation AND has a most recent performance rating of fully successful?
-OR-
(C.) Career status who has NOT held the same or higher grade with the same or higher full performance level as the position being announced AND has been separated from federal service for at least one year AND doesn't have a most recent performance rating of fully successful?
-OR-
(D.) Career-conditional status and are within three years of the date of separation or a preference eligible who has NOT held the same grade or full performance level as the position being announced AND has been separated from federal service for at least one year AND doesn't have a most recent performance rating of fully successful?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit the following document(s) at the time of application:
1. A copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50), or equivalent personnel action form. Your separation SF-50 or equivalent personnel action form must reflect:
  • Career or Career-Conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND
  • Your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1); AND
  • Effective date of personnel action; AND
  • Your highest grade and step held on a permanent basis; AND
  • Veterans' Preference Status (applicants with veterans' preference only).
-AND-
2. A copy of your most recent Performance Appraisal from a career or career-conditional position that reflects at least "Fully Successful" (or equivalent) rating (required to show eligibility for A and B).
(limit characters)
13. Reinstatement Eligibles with Non-Competitive Status
Are you a former Federal employee with:
(A.) Career status who has held the same or higher grade with the same or higher full performance level as the position being announced?
-OR-
(B.) Career-conditional status and are within three years of your date of separation or a preference eligible who has held the same or higher grade with the same or higher full performance level as the position being announced?
-OR-
(C.) Career status who has NOT held the same or higher grade with the same or higher full performance level as the position being announced AND has been separated from federal service for at least one year AND has a most recent performance rating of fully successful?
-OR-
(D.) Career-conditional status and are within three years of your date of separation or a preference eligible who has NOT held the same or higher grade with the same or higher full performance level as the position being announced AND has been separated from federal service for at least one year AND has a most recent performance rating of fully successful?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit the following document(s) at the time of application: 
1. A copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50), or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF-50 or equivalent personnel action form must reflect:
  • Career or Career-Conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND
  • Your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1); AND
  • Effective date of personnel action; AND
  • Your highest grade and step held on a permanent basis; AND
  • Veterans' Preference Status (applicants with veterans' preference only).
-AND-
2. A copy of your most recent Performance Appraisal from a career or career-conditional position that reflects at least "Fully Successful" (or equivalent) rating (required to show eligibility for C and D).

 
(limit characters)
14. Schedule A, People with Disabilities:
Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric, or intellectual disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment? For more information, click here to view USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit the following at the time of application:  Documentation (e.g., records, statements, or other appropriate information) on official letterhead, certifying you are an individual with a severe physical, intellectual, or psychiatric disability AND issued by a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a State, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., State or private); or any Federal agency, State agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits.
(limit characters)
15. Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA):
Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge) 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
     • are entitled to veterans' preference?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit the following document at the time of application:  A copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service), or other proof of service which includes character of service. If you are claiming disability preference, you must also submit at the time of application your disability letter from the Department of Veterans' Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces. If you are claiming derived preference, you must submit at the time of application the documents listed for the derived preference you are claiming in the Required Documents list. NOTE: Current Federal employees applying under VEOA are subject to time-in- grade restrictions like any other General Schedule employee. 
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. (limit characters)
2. If you are a male at least 18 years of age, born after December 31, 1959, have you registered with the Selective Service System? (limit characters)
3. In the last five years, based on the closing date of this announcement, have you served or are you currently serving as an Executive Branch political, Schedule C, or Non-career SES appointee? You can find out if you have held one of these appointment types by looking at your Standard Form (SF) 50s in your Electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF), in Section 5 where the legal authorities are listed.
  • A political appointee is an appointment made by the President without confirmation by the Senate (5 CFR 213.3102(c)) OR an assistant position to a top-level federal official if filled by a person designated by the President as a White House Fellow (5 CFR 213.3102(z)).
  • A Schedule C appointee occupies a position excepted from the competitive service by the President, or by the Director of OPM, because of the confidential or policy-determining nature of the position duties (5 CFR 213.3301 and 5 CFR 213.3302).
  • A Non-career SES appointee is approved by the White House and serves at the pleasure of the appointing official without time limitations (5 CFR 317 Subpart F).
(limit characters)
4. Select the response or responses that best describe how you heard about this position INITIALLY or the VERY FIRST TIME YOU ENCOUNTERED CMS? This question is only designed to assist with recruitment planning efforts. (limit characters)
5. Please provide the specifics about how you heard about this vacancy announcement. For example - where exactly did you hear of this position; which job fair did you interact with CMS; if it was word of mouth, who did you hear it from, etc? Enter N/A if "Not Applicable". (limit characters)
6. If you are a Federal Civilian employee, under what type of appointment are you currently serving? (limit characters)
7. If you are, or ever were a Federal civilian employee, indicate the pay plan and grade level or pay band of the highest graded position you have ever held on a permanent basis. For example: GS-12. (limit 10 characters). If not applicable, please enter N/A. (limit 10 characters)
8. If you are, or ever were, a Federal civilian employee, please indicate the dates of the highest graded position you held on a permanent basis, example: MM-YYYY to MM-YYYY, or to Present. If not applicable, please enter N/A. (limit 150 characters)
9. Are you a Federal civilian retirement annuitant? If yes, and you are selected for this position, your salary may be reduced by the gross amount of the Federal annuity paid during the period of re-employment. Please click here for more information about retired annuitants. (limit characters)
10. Have you accepted a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) from a Federal agency within the past 5 years? If yes, and you are selected for this position, you must repay the entire (pre-tax) amount of the incentive to the agency which paid the buyout before your first day of work in the new position. Please click here for more information about VSIP. (limit characters)
Conditions of Employment
1. In accordance with Executive Order (EO) 12964 and the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Federal Drug-Free Workplace Program governed by EO 12564, Federal employees MUST refrain from the use of ALL illegal drugs both on and off duty.

Marijuana use in any form (including medicinal), could deem a person unsuitable for Federal employment. State laws do not supersede Federal law.
Therefore, Federal employees MUST refrain from use of ALL illegal drugs (to include marijuana) on and off duty, even when residing in a state where marijuana use has been legalized for medicinal or recreational purposes.

Do you agree to refrain from all illegal drug use (to include but not limited to medicinal and recreational marijuana) if you are selected for Federal employment?
(limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for applying for the Writer-Editor, GS-1082-13, with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). 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. (limit characters)
1. Select one statement from below that best describes your experience in order to meet the minimum qualification requirements for the position of a Writer-Editor, GS-1082-13.
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
2. Prepare communications materials to promote awareness of health programs.
(limit characters)
3. Develop communications materials for a variety of audiences. (limit characters)
4. Conduct formative communications research, such as data collection, for the development of communication products.
(limit characters)
5. Edit written material for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and meaning.
(limit characters)
6. Develop content (e.g., fact sheets, web content, articles, social media) for approval by leadership.
(limit characters)
7. Evaluate program and policy communications for content and adherence to agency standards.
(limit characters)
8. Determine appropriate communications strategies to achieve the desired impact or outcome.
(limit characters)
9. Collaborate with internal and external experts and organizations on the development, implementation and evaluation of outreach activities. (limit characters)
10. Serve as a liaison to facilitate clearances and rollout of communication projects. (limit characters)
11. Manage communication projects involving multiple priority areas, different teams and competing deadlines to ensure their successful and timely execution.
(limit characters)
12. Ensure health communication and outreach goals are met based upon priorities of the organization.
(limit characters)
13. Serve as an expert in communication and marketing activities supporting program objectives.
(limit characters)
14. Ensure all communication materials meet agency policies and branding. (limit characters)
15. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, that my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 CFR part 731), or I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001), I understand that any information I give may be investigated.
(limit characters)
16. I certify that my resume includes detailed information as it relates to the responsibilities and specialized experience for this position. I understand that evidence of copying and pasting directly from the vacancy announcement without clearly documenting supplemental information to describe my experience will result in an ineligible rating, and I will not receive further consideration.
(limit characters)