Clarification from the agency

PPP DoD Mil Reserve (MR) & Nat'l Guard (NG) Pref Eligible Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement (PPP Disability), Priority Placement Program DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians (PPP MR & NG Tech), Priority Placement Program DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible (PPP Retained Gr), and Priority Placement Program DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP)

Incumbent typical work assignments may include the following:

• Plays a major role in the study, review, and adjustment of the strategies, concepts, programs, and budgets required to support OSD policy and program guidance; focuses senior policy attention on issues with major defense policy, national security, or international security implications.
• Takes a lead role in managing team projects, including actively encouraging communication, coordination, innovation, and high quality team products; analyses highly complex policy, strategy, and force posture alternatives and implications.
• Provides expert advice at the ASD or higher level on key strategy and various other matters; reviews and develops Policy positions and responses to action originating in other DoD and non-DoD offices or agencies that have implications for foreign policy and national security policy, strategy, program, planning, and budgets.
• Represents DoD in delegations to international meetings and conferences; represents DoD positions during contact with the Congressional staff; monitors Congressional action on DoD defense strategy, programs, and budget; and develops or contributes testimony or other presentations to the Congress.

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)
• This position is subject to provisions of the WHS/OSD PPP Pilot Program
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period
• Must be determined suitable for federal employment
• Required to participate in the direct deposit program
• This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing
• This position requires you to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with SCI and SAP components.
• This position may require up to 20% travel away from your normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
• This position may require you to work other than normal hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays and/or overtime.
• Superior qualifications may be authorized in accordance with regulatory requirements.

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 experience: 1) participating in activities that support decisions affecting strategic-level U.S. national security interests related to non-proliferation activities, nuclear security safeguards, and counterproliferation efforts; 2) providing information to stakeholders regarding non-proliferation, nuclear security safeguards, and counterproliferation; and 3) supporting interagency and international stakeholder's interests with regard to non-proliferation activities, nuclear security safeguards, and counterproliferation efforts at international fora.

You may qualify at the GS-14 level if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your experience: 1) supporting decision making on political matters affecting strategic-level U.S. national security interests related to the U.S. non-proliferation activities, nuclear security safeguards, and counterproliferation efforts; 2) providing information and recommendations to key stakeholders regarding non-proliferation, nuclear security safeguards, and counterproliferation; and 3) supporting interagency and international stakeholder's interests with regard to U.S. non-proliferation activities, nuclear security safeguards, and counterproliferation efforts at international fora.

You may qualify at the GS-15 level if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your experience: 1) advising senior officials on interrelated political matters affecting strategic-level U.S. national security interests related to U.S. non-proliferation activities, nuclear security safeguards, and counterproliferation efforts; 2) developing recommendations for policies and strategies regarding non-proliferation, nuclear security safeguards, and counterproliferation ensuring close coordination with a variety of stakeholders; and 3) preparing and providing briefs, papers, memos, and/or strategic messaging related to U.S. positions on other relevant non-proliferation and counterproliferation international fora, as well as other non-proliferation and counterproliferation-related activities and efforts.

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 ineligible for veteran's preference. 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.

All qualifications and education requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume.

How you will be evaluated

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

For Category Rating: Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume 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. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of the three quality categories: Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Best Qualified. Qualified Category = Does not exceed the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement. Highly Qualified Category = Meets the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement and demonstrates proficiency in the Critical Competencies defined below. Best Qualified Category = Meets the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement and excels in the Critical Competencies defined below. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position.

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 and the competencies listed below. The assessment questionnaire link can be found under the 'How To Apply' section.

• International Engagement Action Planning
• International Engagement Assessment & Analysis
• International Engagement Implementation
• International Engagement Policy Development
• Oral Communication
• Writing

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).