AMVETS Jobs

Summary Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. Responsibilities The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as a Political Advisor (POLAD) to Commander, United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA), Ramstein, Air Base, Germany. Area of Responsibility (AOR) is to advise the Commander on United States foreign policy impacts and implications concerning United States AFRICAN Command (AFRICOM) regional military activities of the United States Air Force, Joint Forces Command, and related regional organization as such as other MAJCOMs/COCOMs, and the Air Expeditionary forces and Areas of Interest (AOI) and other related USAFE duties as directed. Serves as a regional policy advisor to the United States Air Forces in Europe - Africa Commander and 3AF Commander Represents the AFAFRICA Headquarters to other Political Advisors, US Embassies, senior State Department personnel, and National Security Council staff vital to the missions and objectives Conducts in-depth research using a variety of sources and presents findings Performs advisory and coordinating roles related to crisis action Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications This is a Term position NTE (36 Months); the individual selected for this position may be extended without further competition. Current Federal civilian employees may apply for this position using "Reinstatement" eligibility and if selected, a break in service of at least 4 calendar days may be required prior to appointment to this position. IAW DoDI 3020-42 this position has been locally or command designated as Mission Essential (ME); needed to ensure the continued operation of mission essential functions of the activity. Mission Essential personnel may be required to report for duty at normal times when the base is closed or delayed reporting, and remain on duty during phased or early release. In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions, Foreign Affairs Series, 0130. BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: EDUCATION: Degree: major or equivalent, or a combination of courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, in international law and international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or in the humanities; or 12 semester hours in one of the above disciplines and 12 semester hours in statistics/quantitative methods. NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. Courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts. OR EXPERIENCE: Four years of appropriate experience in one or more of the fields listed above in work associated with international organizations, problems, or other aspects of foreign affairs. Evaluation of Experience: Qualifying experience may have been through residence, study, teaching, business or commercial activities, military service, newspaper work, military or civil government activities, missionary or international relief work, or other experience in foreign countries. AND In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-13, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes mastery of international affairs, principles, methods and practices, processes, and techniques that enables the employee to serve as the organization expert on international political matters; expert knowledge of US foreign and security policy, and the role of the military in the development and implementation of foreign policy. Expert knowledge of organizational structure and processes used by Department of State and other US agencies in the development of US foreign policy. Expert knowledge of the methods HQ USAF, combatant commands, and major commands contribute to US foreign policy objectives; expert knowledge of Air Force doctrine and aerospace power employment in joint/combined operations and in the political arena as an instrument of national power and national security policy. Knowledge of Humanitarian Assistance doctrine and operations. Knowledge of the full range of missions, programs and operations of AFAFRICA and its subordinate units; and expert knowledge of IOs, NGOs, and regional organizations active in the AFAFRICA AOR/AOI. Expert knowledge of the history, culture, foreign policy and security policy of countries where AFAFRICA units/personnel operate. Expert knowledge of the past and current political dynamics in Africa. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-13 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-14 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Expert knowledge of international relations principles, methods, practices, processes, and techniques; of political affairs, international affairs, international protocol, diplomacy, etiquette and security requirements with specific in-depth knowledge of US and NATO military and international customs; and of US foreign and security policy and those agencies involved in its development and execution. Expert knowledge of Air Force doctrine and employment of aerospace forces; of the organizational structure and missions of NATO, the Partnership for Peace Programs, and relationships between the US military and NATO missions and structures; and of International Organizations (IOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Knowledge or the ability to quickly learn the full range of missions, programs and operations of AFAFRICA and its subordinate units, and regional organizations pertinent to the AORs and missions; and knowledge of or the ability to quickly learn the history, culture, and politics of regions where AFAFRICA units/personnel operate. Expert knowledge of administrative policies, procedures, and requirements related to official and private correspondence, including requirements for the proper handling of classified documents and information and expert knowledge of organizational responses to crisis, to include function and scope of crisis action teams. Skill in identifying, collecting, and analyzing data and information for emerging trends, plans, and intentions of nations, organizations, and other relevant entities. Skill to interpret complex, and conflicting data; draw sound conclusions; and determine recommendations to command and staff as situations emerge. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Expert ability to articulate U.S. Foreign Policy objectives to multiple audiences within foreign nations, exercising courtesy, tact, and diplomacy. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and liaison between USAFE and host nation counterparts. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Additional Information Important Overseas Information: Applicants interested in applying for overseas locations please click here to review important information regarding the exceptional family member program. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location. Employed Annuitants (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. Click here for more information. Temporary and Term Appointments: If you are selected for a temporary or term position in the competitive service, your appointment may be extended to the maximum period allowed by law without further competition. NOTE: Current federal civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position. 120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. Incentives: Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used. If you are unable to apply online, view the following link for information regarding Alternate Application. The Vacancy ID is 12389058 If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here. Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.