Department of Defense Education Activity Logo
Position Title
Secretary (Office Automation)
Agency
Department of Defense Education Activity
Announcement Number
NC7X256137698620D Opens in new window
Open Period
Monday, March 31, 2025 to Wednesday, April 9, 2025
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. 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 eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)?
(limit characters)
3. Military Spouse Preference (MSP) for Overseas Employment

You are eligible for this hiring category if you are the spouse of an active duty U.S. Armed Forces service member and you meet the following conditions:
 
  • You and the sponsor were married prior to the relocation (before the Permanent Change of Station (PCS)); AND,
  • You have arrived at the overseas duty station identified on the PCS orders; AND,
  • Since the relocation, you have not accepted or declined a permanent position at the new duty station of the sponsor; AND,
  • You are among the best qualified; AND,
  • Position you are applying to, is within the same commuting area as sponsor's permanent duty station

**NOTE: Preference can be granted only once per PCS relocation. Once you accept or decline a position, either appropriated fund (AF) or non-appropriated fund (NAF) at the new duty station, your eligibility for preference terminates whether or not preference was applied.

CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES SERVING ON AN EXCEPTED SERVICE FAMILY MEMBER APPOINTMENT. This category ONLY includes those who are currently assigned to an excepted service Schedule A family member position at an overseas location, and the position applying to is in the same commuting area as sponsor's permanent duty station. If you are eligible in this category, you also need to include a copy of your most recent SF-50 reflecting in block 24 a "3" AND block 34 reflecting a "2."

Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your appointment eligibility, by submitting a copy of the service member's permanent change of station orders, including a statement authorizing the spouse to accompany the member to the permanent duty station (if the spouse is not listed on the orders, then a command sponsorship letter must be submitted), the specific location to which the member is assigned, reassigned, or transferred to permanent change of station orders, and the effective date of the permanent change of station; AND verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage).

Are you eligible for Military Spouse Preference for Overseas Employment?
(limit characters)
4. Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible

I am an MR or NG Reserve Technician who will lose or has lost my military membership through no fault of my own after completing at least 15 years of technician service and a minimum of 20 years of service creditable for non-regular retirement.  I am exercising my preferen­ce eligibility to DoD positions within my local commuting area in accordance with Section 3329(b) of Title 5, U.S.C.  This preference eligibility is valid for 1 year after separation. 

NOTE: By using this eligibility, you certify that you have not obtained permanent Federal employment, nor have you accepted or declined a PPP job offer.

Supporting Documentation: If you indicate "yes" to this question, you must submit a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as the notification letter you received showing you are no longer eligible for military or NG membership (through no fault of your own) and that you have completed at least 15 years of technician service and a minimum of 20 years of service creditable for non-regular retirement. 

Are you a Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible?

(limit characters)
5. Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Preference Eligible Technician Receiving Disability Retirement

I am an MR or NG Technician who will be or has been involuntarily medically retired due to a service-connected medical disability that disqualifies me from military membership or from holding my required military grade, and have applied for or am receiving a disability retirement annuity.  I am exercising my preference eligibility to DoD positions within my local commuting area.  I understand that the position for which I am applying must be at the same grade or equivalent level, tenure, and work schedule as the position held currently or upon separation. 

NOTE: By using this eligibility, you certify that you have not obtained permanent Federal employment, nor have you accepted or declined a PPP job offer.

Supporting Documentation: If you indicate "yes" to this question, you must submit a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as the notification letter you received that states you are no longer eligible for Reserve membership due to a service-connected disability. 

Are you a Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Preference Eligible Technician Receiving Disability Retirement?

(limit characters)
6. Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible

I am currently on retained grade based on receiving a written RIF notification letter of a change to lower grade, or a notification letter of a classification downgrade dated within the last 2 years.  I am exercising my preference eligibility to DoD positions within my local commuting area. 

NOTE:  By using this eligibility, you certify that you have not accepted permanent Federal employment at your retained grade, nor have you accepted or declined a PPP job offer.

Supporting Documentation:  If you indicate "yes" for this statement, you must submit a copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as a RIF change-to-lower-grade notice, and an SF-50 reflecting your RIF change to lower grade. 

Are you a Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible?
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
Screet Out Question
1. This position requires you to be currently located in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Are you currently located in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba? (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in a Secretary (Office Automation) position with Department of Defense Education Activity. 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 the one statement that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of Secretary (Office Automation) at the GS-05 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service.
(limit characters)
2. Select the one statement that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of Secretary (Office Automation) at the GS-06 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service.
(limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
3. This position requires a qualified typist. A qualified typist can type 40 words per minute based on a 5 minute sample with three or fewer errors. Are you a qualified typist?
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
4. Manage office communication by composing letters, inter-office memos, and/or faxes.
(limit characters)
5. Develop standard responses to inquiries or requests for information.
(limit characters)
6. Review outgoing correspondence or material to ensure proper format, grammar, and/or procedures.
(limit characters)
7. Manage incoming correspondence to ensure proper distribution.
(limit characters)
8. Review outgoing mail to ensure attachments, dates, signatures, and/or complete addresses are included.
(limit characters)
9. Facilitate timely responses to meet deadlines or suspense dates.
(limit characters)
10. Organize data to develop tables and/or reports.
(limit characters)
11. Maintain office calendar for manager or staff members to manage schedule.
(limit characters)
12. Maintain suspense records on all correspondence and follow up to ensure timely response.
(limit characters)
13. Organize filing systems to ensure access and/or storage of office documents.
(limit characters)
14. Process time and attendance records to ensure timely submission to payroll.
(limit characters)
15. Review inquiry responses to ensure responses are within policy guidelines and established procedures.
(limit characters)
16. Update documents or reports to ensure final format.
(limit characters)
17. Utilize web based software to maintain data.
(limit characters)
18. Use automated software to develop correspondence.
(limit characters)
19. Direct inquiries from calls or visitors to staff members.
(limit characters)
20. Coordinate meetings or briefings to ensure all participants are provided the agenda, background material, or other necessary information.
(limit characters)
21. Provide information to students, parents, visitors, or staff members to ensure understanding of school's policies, safety procedures.
(limit characters)
22. Communicate with staff members to make travel arrangements.
(limit characters)
23. 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.
(limit characters)