Responsible for assisting in formulation of Joint Staff positions to the President and other national leaders and ensure those recommendations are informed by larger strategic context coordinated with interagency and alliance partners, account for view and requirements of Combatant Commanders, and assess risk in executing National Military Strategy (NMS), Guidance for the Employment of the Force (GEF) and Defense Planning and Programming Guidance (DPPG)
Summary
Responsible for assisting in formulation of Joint Staff positions to the President and other national leaders and ensure those recommendations are informed by larger strategic context coordinated with interagency and alliance partners, account for view and requirements of Combatant Commanders, and assess risk in executing National Military Strategy (NMS), Guidance for the Employment of the Force (GEF) and Defense Planning and Programming Guidance (DPPG)
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position and able to travel on military and commercial aircraft, vessels, and/or vehicles CONUS and OCONUS.
Federal employee means current and former permanent competitive service employees and special authorities (Interchange Agreement agency employees) may apply. Veterans eligibilities include 30% Disabled Vet or more, Individuals with Disabilities means Schedule A, and Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) candidates are eligible to apply. Eligible EO 12721 and Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible under competitive and non-competitive appointment may apply.
As a FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPECIALIST at the GS-0130-15 some of your typical work assignments may include:
Serves as a senior foreign affairs specialist and adviser to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), senior leaders, and J5 Strategy, Plans, and Policy (DJ5), on a broad range of political-military strategy and policy issues regarding China (PRC), Taiwan, Mongolia, and Indo-Pacific region, nearby elements of China (PRC), Taiwan and Indo-Pacific region.
Assists Division Chiefs on China (PRC), Taiwan, Mongolia, and Indo-Pacific region issues and on how the Division functions and operates within the Joint Staff and with the U.S. Combatant Commands (CCMDs), Services, and other National Agencies. Support the Division Chief to ensure all Division actions are assigned and completed on time and are thoroughly coordinated within the Joint Staff.
Conduct oversight, train, and mentor four field-grade officers and perform their duties during their absence.
Support the CJCS in their role as the senior military advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the President by providing expert advice, information, analysis, briefings, studies, and reports on China (PRC), Taiwan, Mongolia, and Indo-Pacific region both within the country and in a geopolitical context.
Play a major role in the study, review, and adjustment of the strategies, concepts, programs, and budgets required to support the Joint Staff and OSD policy and program planning guidance, and identify and focus senior policy attention on developing or modifying U.S. military policy relating to China (PRC), Taiwan, Mongolia, and Indo-Pacific region.
Prepare, evaluate, review, and coordinate formal correspondence for the CJCS and senior members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff with the National Security Council (NSC), the Department of State (DOS), the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), Defense agencies, the Services, and Combatant Commands (CCMDs).
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
Work Schedule: Full Time
Overtime: Occasionally
Tour of Duty: Flexible
Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
Financial Disclosure: Not Required
Telework Eligibility: This position is NOT telework eligible
Security: Employee must obtain/maintain a Special Sensitive (Top Secret/SCI) security clearance
May be required to work other than normal duty hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and will be compensated within the scope/guidelines of government civilian employment.
Drug Testing Designated Position: Yes
Qualifications
You may qualify at the GS-15, if you fulfill the following qualifications:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military, or private sector. Creditable specialized experience includes:
Providing expert advice, information, analysis, briefings, studies, and reports on China (PRC), Taiwan and Indo-Pacific region both within the country and in a geopolitical context.
Preparing and supporting senior staff members for participation in U.S. Interagency (IA) discussions and Congressional hearings.
Serving as a senior foreign affairs specialist and adviser on a broad range of political-military strategy and policy issues regarding China (PRC), Taiwan and Indo-Pacific region, nearby elements of China (PRC), Taiwan, Mongolia, and Indo-Pacific region.
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.
In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 0130 series.
Degree: major or equivalent, or a combination of courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, in international law and international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or in the humanities; or 12 semester hours in one of the above disciplines and 12 semester hours in statistics/quantitative methods.
Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Experience: four years of appropriate experience in one or more of the fields listed above in work associated with international organizations, problems, or other aspects of foreign affairs.
*NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.
Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.
Education
You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims.
All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Foreign Education
Additional information
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs: This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews, and once the selection is made, you will receive a notification of the decision.
NOTE: Declining to be interviewed or failure to report for a scheduled interview will be considered as a declination for further consideration for employment against this vacancy.
Selective Service Requirement: Please visit http://www.sss.gov for more information.
Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level).
FOREIGN LANGUAGE POSITION: Preferred but not required that the incumbent has a basic understanding in the following foreign language: Mandarin Chinese.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the application process is complete, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the Occupational Questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
Competencies:
International Engagement Action Planning
International Engagement Assessment & Analysis
Resource and Program Management
Military Spouse Preference: If you are entitled to military spouse preference, in order to receive this preference you must choose the spousal eligibility in your application package referencing MSP Military Spouse Preference. Your preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. To claim Military Spouse Preference (MSP) please complete the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist, save the document and attach it to your application package.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
The documents you are required to submit vary based on the authority you are using to apply (i.e., applying as a veteran, applying as a current permanent Federal employee, applying as a reinstatement, etc...). Your complete application includes your COMPLETE resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
The following documents are REQUIRED 1. Your resume:
Your resume may be submitted on any format. It must include your name and contact information and support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
For qualifications determinations your resume must contain the number of hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., "HRS per week and month/year to month/year" or "HRS per week and month/year to present").
This position has a degree or education requirement so you are required to submit a copy of your transcript
College transcript (s), required if qualifying based on education. We accept unofficial transcripts, as long as they contain your name, the name of the school, the date and degree that was awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned.
3. SF50 (if Applicable)
All current and former civilian Federal employees must submit a copy of your MOST RECENT SF50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your tenure, grade and step, salary, and type of position occupied (i.e., Excepted or Competitive); or similar Notification of Personnel Action documentation, i.e., Transcript of Service, Form 1150, etc.
4. Veteran's Documents:
If applying using veteran's preference or under a Veteran's hiring authority you must submit the following documents: DD214 showing character of service, SF-15 Form and VA letter showing final percentage, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty.
If you are claiming Military Spouse Preference, you must submit supporting documents with your application package. These documents must provide acceptable information to verify: you reside within the commuting area of your sponsor's permanent duty station (PDS); proof of marriage to the active duty sponsor, proof of military member's active duty status, and other documentation required by the vacancy announcement to which you are applying; and must meet all pre-employment criteria and be eligible for immediate noncompetitive appointment to a position in the competitive service. Documentation required: 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). Additional documentation required if previously held a federal position: SF-50s (e.g., LWOP, highest grade held, overseas appointments, etc.), SF-75 Information, and documentation of performance rating of record (dated within the last 12 months) Military Spouse PPP Self-certification Checklist
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
Joint Chiefs of Staff
Joint Staff
Pentagon
Washington, DC 20318
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated. You will receive another notification about the status of your application. A list of qualified applicants will be created and sent to the selecting official. All applicants reviewed and/or referred will receive a notification letter. All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.
This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The documents you are required to submit vary based on the authority you are using to apply (i.e., applying as a veteran, applying as a current permanent Federal employee, applying as a reinstatement, etc...). Your complete application includes your COMPLETE resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
The following documents are REQUIRED 1. Your resume:
Your resume may be submitted on any format. It must include your name and contact information and support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
For qualifications determinations your resume must contain the number of hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., "HRS per week and month/year to month/year" or "HRS per week and month/year to present").
This position has a degree or education requirement so you are required to submit a copy of your transcript
College transcript (s), required if qualifying based on education. We accept unofficial transcripts, as long as they contain your name, the name of the school, the date and degree that was awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned.
3. SF50 (if Applicable)
All current and former civilian Federal employees must submit a copy of your MOST RECENT SF50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your tenure, grade and step, salary, and type of position occupied (i.e., Excepted or Competitive); or similar Notification of Personnel Action documentation, i.e., Transcript of Service, Form 1150, etc.
4. Veteran's Documents:
If applying using veteran's preference or under a Veteran's hiring authority you must submit the following documents: DD214 showing character of service, SF-15 Form and VA letter showing final percentage, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty.
If you are claiming Military Spouse Preference, you must submit supporting documents with your application package. These documents must provide acceptable information to verify: you reside within the commuting area of your sponsor's permanent duty station (PDS); proof of marriage to the active duty sponsor, proof of military member's active duty status, and other documentation required by the vacancy announcement to which you are applying; and must meet all pre-employment criteria and be eligible for immediate noncompetitive appointment to a position in the competitive service. Documentation required: 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). Additional documentation required if previously held a federal position: SF-50s (e.g., LWOP, highest grade held, overseas appointments, etc.), SF-75 Information, and documentation of performance rating of record (dated within the last 12 months) Military Spouse PPP Self-certification Checklist
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
Joint Chiefs of Staff
Joint Staff
Pentagon
Washington, DC 20318
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated. You will receive another notification about the status of your application. A list of qualified applicants will be created and sent to the selecting official. All applicants reviewed and/or referred will receive a notification letter. All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.
This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
