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WRITER-EDITOR

Department of Defense
Defense Media Activity
MEDIA INTEGRATION COMPONENT; WMA-PENTAGON DIRECTORATE

Summary

This position is part of the War Media Activity. The incumbent serves as a senior news Writer-Editor within the Media Integration Component's Pentagon Directorate, and is responsible for developing DoW-wide internal media news and information articles, features, and blogs that directly communicate and support the policies, programs, and activities of the Office of the Secretary of War (OSW), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Combatant Commands and the DoW Command Information Program.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 06/15/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 15, 2026
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—This position is eligible for situational telework only.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$121,785 - $158,322 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
WMA-26-12969147-MP
Control number
870808800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current Civilian DoW Employees in the Competitive Service; ICTAP within the Local Commuting Area; Disabled Veterans with 30% or more; Veterans Employment Opportunities Act; People with Disabilities Schedule A (PWD); Military Spouses; PPP, DoW Military Spouse Preference (MSP); PPP, DoW Retained Grade Preference (RGP); PPP, DoW Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician (DoW MRNG); PPP, DoW MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement (DoW MR & NG).

Duties

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As a WRITER-EDITOR at the GS-1082-13 level some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Researching topics of editorial and human interest prior to conducting interviews/providing news/feature coverage.
  • Conducting in-depth interviews, in person and via telephone and virtual means.
  • Applying information and subject matter expert quotes and information to write comprehensive news and feature articles in a timely manner.
  • Coverage of news-worthy events of importance to the Department of War to include press conferences and other media events, conferences, panel discussions and symposiums.
  • Coordinating with public affairs professionals and subject matter experts for interviews/coverage of human interest and news articles.
  • Writing and editing content, including articles, blogs and written words associated with video and social media content, ensuring they are accurate, complete and written to the highest standard in terms of style and mechanics.
  • Maintaining a strong working knowledge of current Department of War priorities and communication objectives.
  • Adhering to process procedures and moving content through the workflow in a timely manner.
  • Working as sole writer/editor on occasion, after duty hours and on weekends and holidays.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • 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: Not Authorized
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Not Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is eligible for situational telework only.
  • Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
  • Must pass a pre-employment drug screening test, and periodic testing thereafter.
  • Ability to participate in a pre-interview writing exercise via email.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-13, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service:

  • Producing/Curating photojournalism content to accompany news, features, and online articles and standalone images for the flagship website for the Department of War.
  • Developing and monitoring short- and long-range plans for news and feature stories, information products, online magazine articles and images.
  • Incorporating multimedia content and still photography to augment news and feature writing to tell the Department of War's story.

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.



Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.



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/.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements:
Persons with Disabilities - Schedule A
Special Hiring Authority for Veterans
Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
Other Special Appointment Authorities - Subpart F
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/register/)

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.

For more information, please visit

https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo%2012-1-2020.pdf?ver=ECNbdsHtGilTd3OENN4A0Q%3d%3d

Other Notes:

Re-employed Annuitant: This position Does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/140025_vol300.PDF?ver=LQ7feWw-8-5DI2tceUpmgA%3d%3d


This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment.
You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.

Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level).

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.

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:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Communications and Media
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Writing


Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP):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 AND 2) be rated well-qualified for the position AND 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. Well-qualified means you possess the type and quality of experience that exceeds the position's minimum qualifications.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP): To receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the (RGP) eligibility. If you are claiming RGP and are determined to be Well Qualified for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant.

Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible (PPP DoD MRNG):In order to receive this preference, you must choose the (PPP DoD MRNG) eligibility, and fill out and submit the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist and copies of the appropriate documentation.

Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) (PPP MSP): In order to receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the(MSP) (PPP MSP) eligibility. If you are claiming MSP (PPP MSP) and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant.

Defense Media Activity

This position is located in the Pentagon Directorate, Media Integration Component, War Media Activity (WMA)-Fort Meade, MD, a Department of War (DoW) Field Activity reporting to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs (OASD (PA)). WMA is a worldwide media organization employing state-of-the-art and emerging multi-media production and distribution technologies and operating from multiple locations in the United States and overseas, and with deployed combat and contingency forces throughout the world.

Agency contact information

WMA Servicing Team
Phone
614-693-6200
Fax
215-516-6069
Email
DHRC-DDMAHR@dla.mil
Address
War Media Activity
6700 Taylor Ave
Ft. Meade, MD 20755
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Defense Media Activity, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.dma.mil

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