Program Specialist

Job Description

Overview

Open & closing dates: 09/25/2020 to 10/02/2020

Service: Competitive

Pay scale & grade: GS 12 - 13

Salary: $86,335 to $133,465 per year

Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule: Full-Time - Full-time appointment in the Competitive Service. This position is in the bargaining unit.

Responsibilities

The Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization (CPS) seeks to create stable and peaceful societies. CPS is USAID’s technical and analytical lead on peacebuilding, conflict and violence prevention and implementation of political transition and stabilization programs in high priority countries and informs related U.S. Government policy. CPS’s Office of Civilian-Military Cooperation (CPS/CMC) leads USAID coordination, collaboration, and communications with the Department of Defense (DoD) on matters of policy, planning, training and outreach. Engaging relevant Bureaus, CPS/CMC advocates for USAID interests in DoD’s policy and planning; and aims to align development and defense, leveraging the unique capabilities and skill sets of both organizations to advance the Agency’s mission and U.S. national security goals and values.

As a Policy Specialist, you will:

• Provide high-level briefings and written proposals to key senior management officials and serves as a senior liaison with key Bureau staff and with counterparts and experts in other bureaus both within the agency, the Department of Defense and Department of State.
• Advise the senior managers and staff on complex administrative management issues.
• Provide expert interpretation on complex and diverse guidance material, documents, and references.
• Conduct preparation and execution of office budget, including requesting and tracking obligations, making small purchases with office credit card, reconciling MIPRs (Military Interdepartmental Purchase Requests), and tracking cost-of-living allowances.
• Serve as a Contracting Officer Representative for institutional support task order.
• Support and track recruitment and performance management actions for the office.
• Serve as the office’s Unit Security Officer.

Travel Required

Not required

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• United States Citizenship is required.
• Relevant experience (see Qualifications below).
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Males born after 12/31/1959, must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer is required.
• You will be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

Note: Your answers to the assessment questionnaire must be supported in your resume. NOTE: This vacancy will have an application limit of 100 applicants. Once that number is reached you will not be allowed to complete an application.

Qualifications

GS-12-You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service. One yea r of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. Examples of qualifying specialized experience at the next lower level for this position includes: (a) Knowledge of pertinent laws, regulations, policies and precedents which affect the use of program and related support resources in the area studied; (b) Knowledge of the major issues, program goals and objectives, work processes, and administrative operations of an organization; and (c) Interpersonal skills in presenting staffing recommendations and negotiating solutions to disputed
recommendations.

GS-13-You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. Examples of qualifying specialized experience at the next lower level for this position includes: (a) Comprehensive knowledge of the range of administrative laws, policies, regulations, and precedents applicable to the administration of one or more important public programs; (b) Knowledge of agency program goals and objectives, the sequence and timing of key program events and milestones, and methods of evaluating the worth of program accomplishments; and (c Skill to plan, organize, and direct team study work.

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, relevant to the duties of the position to be filled, including volunteer experience.

ICTAP candidates will be referred to the selecting official if they are found well qualified. Well-qualified means an eligible employee who possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities which clearly exceed the minimum requirements of the position. A well-qualified employee must meet the qualification and eligibility requirements of the position, including any medical qualifications, suitability, and minimum education and experience requirements, meet all selective factors (where applicable); meet quality ranking factors and are assigned to the Silver Category or higher Category; be physically qualified with reasonable accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position; meet any special qualifying U.S. OPM-approved conditions; AND be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry without additional training.

A well-qualified candidate will not necessarily meet the definition of highly or best qualified when evaluated against other candidates who apply for a particular position. In the absence of selective and quality ranking factors, selecting officials will document the job-related reason(s) for qualification determinations.

Education

This position does not have a positive education requirement. Therefore, ​no Transcripts are required.