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Special Advisor

Department of Defense
Office of the Secretary of Defense
Office of the Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness

Summary

This position is located in the executive office of the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness (OUSW (P&R)). The OUSW(P&R) is the principal staff element and advisory body within the Department of War (DoW) responsible for all matters related to human resources, human capital development, military readiness, and personnel logistics. It ensures that the Do W maintains a strong, adaptable, and ready force to execute national security missions.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply in 3 days
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 29, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$150,144 - $195,190 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Part-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Term - 2 Years may be extended up to 5 years
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
ICTAP-12991076-26-CD
Control number
874143700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED FROM those eligible for Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) in the commuting area of the listed duty location. Eligible DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP) applicants, Eligible PPP DoD Military Spouse Preference applicants

Duties

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Incumbent typical work assignments may include the following:

  • Serves as the primary advisor to the USW(P&R) on policy development, program oversight, and legislative matters related to
  • DoWEA and the broader landscape of military-connected student education.
  • Evaluates the efficacy of current educational programs and directs data-driven adjustments to ensure optimal resource utilization, systemic accountability, and superior student success rates.
  • Fosters strategic partnerships across jurisdictional boundaries to ensure cohesive, synchronized support networks for military families.
  • Advises on and coordinates efforts regarding national funding mechanisms, specifically maximizing the efficacy of programs such as Impact Aid, to ensure adequate resourcing and support for public school districts serving high concentrations of military-connected children.

Requirements

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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)
  • 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 SECRET security clearance
  • This position may require up to 10% occasional travel away from your normal duty station for official business on military or commercial aircraft.
  • Proof of ICTAP eligibility required
  • Recruitment/Relocation Incentives may be offered.
  • Selections from this notice are subject to provisions of DoD Priority Placement Program for displaced employees.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements described below.

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0300/miscellaneous-administration-and-program-series-0301/

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 ability in: Applying knowledge of a range of administrative laws, policies, regulations, and precedents applicable to early childhood education; knowledge of national educational policies, legislative processes, and federal funding mechanisms; and Skill in preparing and presenting convincing executive level briefs and presentations.

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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

DOD PPP candidates using Application-Based Procedures:

  • Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: Military Spouse Preference applicants, must be selected and placed at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD-3145-4) dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference.
  • Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD-3145-3) to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference.
  • Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD-3145-2) to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference.
  • Retained Grade PPP Eligible: Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD-3145-1) to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference.
All qualifications and education requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume. Your resume may not exceed two (2) pages. For qualifications determinations, it is recommended that applicants include their months and hours worked per week for each employment listed on their resume. If a determination is not able to be made about the duration of your creditable experience for qualification requirements, you will be removed from consideration.

Read more about what should I include in my federal resume at https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include

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

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience.

Additional information

Probationary Periods: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing an online application, you may request an alternative application. Please send an email to the following address for information on how to obtain an alternative application: whs.job.application.assistance@mail.mil

Reemployed Annuitants: Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. /www.esd.whs.mil/DD/DoD-Issuances/140025/

Current or Former Political Appointees: 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. 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.

Nepotism: Under the provisions of 5 USC 3110, an individual may not be appointed into a position if the position is under the supervisory chain of command of a relative.

Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.

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.

You will be evaluated based on a review of your resume and supporting documents by a panel of subject matter experts. The panel will assess your experience relative to the required competencies for this position.

Once the application process is complete, your eligibility and qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and the responses you provide on the application questionnaire. 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.

DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

  • Required Knowledges
  • Analysis
  • Communication

Office of the Secretary of Defense

The Office of the Secretary of War (OSW) is the principal staff element of the Secretary of War in the exercise of policy development, planning, resource management, fiscal, and program evaluation responsibilities. OSW includes the immediate offices of the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of War, Under Secretaries of War, Director of War Research and Engineering, Assistant Secretaries of War, General Counsel, Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, Assistants to the Secretary of War, Director of Administration and Management, and such other staff offices as the Secretary establishes to assist in carrying out assigned responsibilities.

Agency contact information

Washington HQ Services
Email
whs.job.application.assistance@mail.mil
Address
Office of the USW for Personnel and Readiness
Human Resources Directorate
4800 Mark Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22350
US

Visit our careers page

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

https://www.war.gov/About/Office-of-the-Secretary-of-War/

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