Clarification from the agency

Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Employees Only, WHS PPP Pilot, VEOA

Your typical work assignments may include the following:

• Initiates, maintains, and enhances liaison with officials in either the Kingdom of Cambodia
  (KOC), the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR) or the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV) Government to pursue the fullest possible accounting of US personnel from the war in Southeast Asia, support field investigation and research teams, and develop/support investigation and research programs.
• Represents DPAA in direct liaison with the KOC, LPDR or SRV officials involved in the POW/MIA accounting mission at meetings, conferences, telephonically, and through written correspondence.
• Ensures effective information exchange during the planning, implementation, and reporting stages of US-KOC, LPDR, SRV meetings related to the accounting mission.
• Coordinates with KOC, LPDR, or SRV government officials and applicable US agencies on the agenda, scheduling, protocol, and logistical requirements for these meetings. Serves as technical advisor to the DPAA Director in meetings with the KOC or SRV government.
• Serves as the primary Cambodian, Lao or Vietnamese language interpreter in meetings between DPAA and the host nation government.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration)
• Total salary varies depending on location of position
• This position is subject to provisions of the WHS/OSD PPP Pilot Program
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period
• Required to participate in the direct deposit program
• This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing
• This position requires you to take a pre-employment and annual physical examination (Parts I and II) and be physically qualified for the position
• This position requires you to obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance
• Incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a valid government passport.
• This position requires you to be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Driver's License
• Incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a 3+ in 2 of the mandatory language test criteria (Reading/Writing/Speaking/ Listening) according to the FLPT
• Extended travel overseas via commercial or military transport may be required, and may last as long as 45-60 days at a time

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-13 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your ability in preparing and presenting detailed logistics and financial assets in remote environments, as well as serving as interpreter for formal negotiations, accurately translating casualty resolutions textual material, news, articles, and technical documents between English and the host nation language, and conducting interviews unassisted by indigenous interpreters.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act Chapter 21 of Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 2108a, requires Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD-214, assuming the service member is otherwise eligible. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. 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). The "certification" must reflect the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date of submission. The "certification" must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate when your terminal leave will begin (if applicable), your rank, dates of active duty service, the type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable). Further, under paragraph (h) of the rule, agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD-214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible." Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if member is on terminal leave.

Current or Former Political Appointees: Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office. 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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your résumé and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your résumé and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your résumé and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your responses to the assessment questionnaire. The assessment questionnaire link can be found under the 'How To Apply' section.

• Influencing/Negotiating
• Program Planning, Review and Evaluation
• Project/Program Administration