This position serves as the Ombudsman for Stars and Stripes Central, and is located in Washington, DC.
To better expedite the hiring process, we recommend including full contact information (name, address, phone number, email, etc.) for professional and personal references on your resume.
Incentives and Bonuses
Incentives will not be paid.
Summary
This position serves as the Ombudsman for Stars and Stripes Central, and is located in Washington, DC.
To better expedite the hiring process, we recommend including full contact information (name, address, phone number, email, etc.) for professional and personal references on your resume.
50% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Intermittent - This position is Flex with 00-40 hours per week based on the necessity of the business. NAF flexible employees are only eligible to participate in 401(k).
United States (U.S.) Citizens and Non-U.S. Nationals who have resided in the U.S. or U.S. territory for three (3) or more continuous years immediately preceding the start of Federal affiliation.
Protects the Stars and Stripes’ First Amendment rights and its ability and obligation to provide a free flow of news and information to the DoD
military community.
Reports to the Publisher, Executive Editor and Director of the DMA allegations of censorship or complaints of news management or of unequal treatment by DoD officials.
Monitors news coverage for fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance, investigates allegations of violations of these standards and assertions of censorship or inappropriate news management and recommends corrective actions.
Writes special columns, blogs, etc. for publication by Stars and Stripes regarding readers concerns about Stripes journalism, editorial integrity, editorial journalism operations, the news organization s mission and general journalistic issues.
International travel is required. Complies with EEO, JER and MCP programs.
Direct Deposit and Social Security Card is required.
Meet qualification/eligibility/background requirements for this position.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
Satisfactorily complete an employment verification (E-Verify) check.
Subject to satisfactory completion of all pre-employment checks in accordance with AR 215-3, para.2 to include a Tier 1 background investigation.
Must be a US Citizen.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a US Passport and applicable country VISAs as needed.
Qualifications
Resumes must be two pages (or less). Resumes should clearly demonstrate the applicant's relevant experience, skills, knowledge and abilities as they pertain to this position.
A qualified candidate must possess the following:
1. Extensive experience as a journalist; over 10 years' experience as a senior editorial leader.
2. Ability to work credibly, fairly, and impartially with all parties in the news process-editors, writers, subjects of coverage, and readers.
3. Demonstrated ability to evaluate opposing viewpoints.
4. Knowledge and abilities acquired through the performance of duties of the caliber described above.
5. One year equivalent to at least next lower grade level.
6. Excellent communication (written and verbal) and presentation skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
1. Knowledge of the DoD and the military services, including the Combatant Commands' organization and operations.
2. Recognition as a distinguished journalist as evidenced by receipt of awards or serving as an officer of a nationally accredited journalistic society for editors or journalists or senior executive in a media organization.
3. Familiar with changing news consumption practices and news ecology related to digital content and social media influences.
4. Familiar with U.S. Congress committees and processes.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
Area of Consideration
The Area of Consideration for this vacancy announcement is worldwide.
Manual Application Option
If you are unable to apply online, you can complete a paper application. To get started, contact servicing NAF Human Resources representative or office listed in the Agency Contact Information section (at the bottom of this announcement) to request a copy of the application form.
Be sure to submit your completed application form, along with your resume and any required supporting documents, no later than 3:00pm EST on 05/12/2026 to ensure timely processing.
Important: Incomplete applications, including missing responses to questionnaire items may result in an ineligible rating.
PCS Costs
Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government's interest.
Allowances and Differential:
This job is part of a pay-banded system. Sunday premium pay for regularly scheduled employees and night differential pay may be authorized by the Garrison Commander.
Non-foreign overseas allowances, cost of living (COLA), and differentials will not be paid, contingent upon eligibility.
Important Information Regarding Access to Certain Federal Facilities:
Access to certain federal facilities may require a REAL ID-compliant driver's license/ID (marked with a star) or an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) from WA, MI, MN, NY, or VT. See https://www.tsa.gov/real-id for details.
Your Application may be Considered for Multiple Opportunities:
After you apply, your application remains valid for 90 days and may be referred to hiring officials as new vacancies arise. Additional referrals may occur for up to 90 days after the closing date.
Discover Your Path to Success
Before you apply, take a moment to explore our Applicant Information Kit, your go-to guide for understanding our hiring processes and making your application stand out.
Inside you will find helpful tips, insights, and everything you need to feel confident and prepared.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Working for Army Non-Appropriated Funds (NAF) can offer numerous advantages. Army NAF employment can provide a sense of pride and fulfillment, as you'll be supporting communities comprised of military and civilian personnel, and their families, which contributes to the Department of Defense's overall mission. We offer a wide range of career opportunities, including jobs in childcare, recreation, hospitality, and more. Many employees have opportunities for professional development, including training, education, and certification programs to help towards career advancement. As an Army NAF employee, you'll have access to some on-base facilities, including fitness centers, libraries, and many other amenities.
Regular full-time and part-time employees are eligible for enrollment in health and life insurance, participation in 401k and retirement plans, and paid personal time off and federal holidays. NAF flexible employees, working in the United States or a U.S. citizen or spouse or child of a U.S. citizen working for a NAFI in a foreign area, are eligible to participate in the NAF 401(k) plan. Some flexible employees may also be eligible to receive health insurance.
For a slideshow presentation regarding these benefits, please click the Review Our Benefits link below.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your Application Matters: How We Will Review It
We want to help you put your best foot forward! Please take time to carefully follow all application instructions - missing information or skipped steps could impact your eligibility.
Your application will be thoughtfully reviewed to see how well your experience and qualifications align with the requirements listed in this announcement. This includes your resume, supporting documents, and responses to the assessment questionnaire.
We will consider your responses to our application questionnaire.
If you're tentatively qualified, we'll take a closer look to ensure your questionnaire responses match the experience reflected in your resume and documentation.
Note: If it's later found that qualifications or experience were overstated, it may affect your consideration for the position - so honesty and clarity are key.
Understanding Eligibilities: What You Can Claim When Applying
When you apply for a federal position through USAJOBS or USA Staffing, you may be eligible for selection preference or priority consideration based on your background or status. These eligibilities can improve your chances of being considered or referred for a position.
Depending on your situation, you may be able to claim one or more of the following eligibilities:
NAF Priority Consideration 1 Business Based Action (BBA)
Tip: Be sure to review each eligibility question carefully and provide the required documentation. Claiming an eligibility without proper support may affect your application status. Looking for more details? Refer to the Who Gets Initial Consideration (Selection Preferences) and the What Other Considerations are Available sections of our Applicant Information Kit.
Working for Army Non-Appropriated Funds (NAF) can offer numerous advantages. Army NAF employment can provide a sense of pride and fulfillment, as you'll be supporting communities comprised of military and civilian personnel, and their families, which contributes to the Department of Defense's overall mission. We offer a wide range of career opportunities, including jobs in childcare, recreation, hospitality, and more. Many employees have opportunities for professional development, including training, education, and certification programs to help towards career advancement. As an Army NAF employee, you'll have access to some on-base facilities, including fitness centers, libraries, and many other amenities.
Regular full-time and part-time employees are eligible for enrollment in health and life insurance, participation in 401k and retirement plans, and paid personal time off and federal holidays. NAF flexible employees, working in the United States or a U.S. citizen or spouse or child of a U.S. citizen working for a NAFI in a foreign area, are eligible to participate in the NAF 401(k) plan. Some flexible employees may also be eligible to receive health insurance.
For a slideshow presentation regarding these benefits, please click the Review Our Benefits link below.
Federal agencies are required to limit resumes to two pages or less and it must support the general or specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes must adhere to the two-page limit and must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications, and other position requirements listed in this job opportunity announcement. For additional information on the two-page resume limit, refer to:
Please do not include photographs, personal images or other inappropriate content in your application materials.
Expedite Your Hiring
To better expedite the hiring process, we recommend including contact information (name, email, phone number) for professional references in your resume.
Required Documents
Required documents may vary based on the requirements for the position. The below document(s) are required and MUST be submitted with your application by the closing date of this job announcement:
Resume
Other Accepted Documents
Other accepted documents to support a qualification and/or claimed preference/priority eligibility may include:
You may submit your application package using one of the two methods identified below:
1. Electronically (preferred) at https://www.usajobs.gov/ and search for Announcement number O1NAFHT-26-12953754. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 05/12/2026 to receive consideration.
Click Apply to access the online application.
You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to include in your application.
Reminder: Federal agencies are required to limit resumes to two (2) pages or less. Please review the Required Documents section of this announcement for more details.
You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the IncludePersonal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package and submit the application. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account and designate the document type when submitting your application.
It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that the application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
To verify of check the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account. Once logged in, the Welcome screen lists your applications, your application status, and the date it was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.
2. Manually: Please refer to the "Additional Information" section of this announcement for instructions on how to request a paper application.
HT-NAF-STSTUS STARS STRIPES
DO NOT MAIL
Arlington, VA 22202
US
Next steps
Our Next Steps to Review Your Application and Keep You Informed
1. Application Review
Once you submit your application, the system will automatically review your answers to the application questionnaire to determine if you meet the basic qualifications for the job.
If you meet the qualifications, your application will move to the next step, where our HR representatives will carefully review your experience, skills, education (if applicable), and how well you match the job requirements.
2. Keeping You Informed
If you provided an email address, you'll receive a confirmation email letting you know we've received your application.
As your application moves through the hiring process, we'll send you updates and notifications via email.
Processing times may vary, but we'll do our best to keep you informed every step of the way.
Your Next Steps to Stay on Top of Your Application
1. Check Your Contact Information
If your contact information changes after the job announcement closes, let us know as soon as possible.
2. Ensure You Receive Updates
Double-check that your email address is accurate and that your inbox can receive messages from us,
Make sure your mailbox isn't full and check your spam or junk folder to avoid missing important updates about your application.
3. Sign Up for Text Alerts
Want to stay ahead in the hiring process? In your USAJOBS profile, you can sign up to receive text alerts about jobs you applied to or tasks you need to complete.
We're excited about your interest in this position and look forward to reviewing your application!
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Federal agencies are required to limit resumes to two pages or less and it must support the general or specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes must adhere to the two-page limit and must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications, and other position requirements listed in this job opportunity announcement. For additional information on the two-page resume limit, refer to:
Please do not include photographs, personal images or other inappropriate content in your application materials.
Expedite Your Hiring
To better expedite the hiring process, we recommend including contact information (name, email, phone number) for professional references in your resume.
Required Documents
Required documents may vary based on the requirements for the position. The below document(s) are required and MUST be submitted with your application by the closing date of this job announcement:
Resume
Other Accepted Documents
Other accepted documents to support a qualification and/or claimed preference/priority eligibility may include:
You may submit your application package using one of the two methods identified below:
1. Electronically (preferred) at https://www.usajobs.gov/ and search for Announcement number O1NAFHT-26-12953754. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 05/12/2026 to receive consideration.
Click Apply to access the online application.
You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to include in your application.
Reminder: Federal agencies are required to limit resumes to two (2) pages or less. Please review the Required Documents section of this announcement for more details.
You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the IncludePersonal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package and submit the application. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account and designate the document type when submitting your application.
It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that the application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
To verify of check the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account. Once logged in, the Welcome screen lists your applications, your application status, and the date it was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.
2. Manually: Please refer to the "Additional Information" section of this announcement for instructions on how to request a paper application.
HT-NAF-STSTUS STARS STRIPES
DO NOT MAIL
Arlington, VA 22202
US
Next steps
Our Next Steps to Review Your Application and Keep You Informed
1. Application Review
Once you submit your application, the system will automatically review your answers to the application questionnaire to determine if you meet the basic qualifications for the job.
If you meet the qualifications, your application will move to the next step, where our HR representatives will carefully review your experience, skills, education (if applicable), and how well you match the job requirements.
2. Keeping You Informed
If you provided an email address, you'll receive a confirmation email letting you know we've received your application.
As your application moves through the hiring process, we'll send you updates and notifications via email.
Processing times may vary, but we'll do our best to keep you informed every step of the way.
Your Next Steps to Stay on Top of Your Application
1. Check Your Contact Information
If your contact information changes after the job announcement closes, let us know as soon as possible.
2. Ensure You Receive Updates
Double-check that your email address is accurate and that your inbox can receive messages from us,
Make sure your mailbox isn't full and check your spam or junk folder to avoid missing important updates about your application.
3. Sign Up for Text Alerts
Want to stay ahead in the hiring process? In your USAJOBS profile, you can sign up to receive text alerts about jobs you applied to or tasks you need to complete.
We're excited about your interest in this position and look forward to reviewing your application!
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
