Special Assistant

Summary

This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Office of the Associate Deputy Administrator.

This position primary purpose is to focus on advising the ADA and supports effects on policy matters relating to the business operations of the agency which include budget, contract, facilities, appropriations, human resources, congress, public affairs and information technology (IT).

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Duties

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As a Special Assistant, your typical work assignments may include:

• Examining a myriad of sources of relevant policy, regulations, and law to determine impact on the goals and priorities of the organization.
• Representing DEA and the ADA in internal and interagency meetings related to DEA's business operations.
• Assisting leadership in the development of policy, recommends changes to improve the agency's operations, and implements operating practices through the Office of the Administrator and related agency programs.
• Serving as a business strategist and development policy subject-matter expert in the development of policies and guidelines governing business operations of DEA.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit:
• Incumbent is subject to random drug testing.
• Selectee may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period (OR 1-year OR 2-year trial period, as appropriate) during which we will
  evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance.
• All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.

Qualifications

For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the required qualification requirements described below by the closing of this announcement.

For GS 14

Have at least one full year of qualifying specialized experience that is at least equivalent in difficulty and complexity to work performed at the GS-13 grade level. Specialized 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.

Qualifying experience must demonstrate the following: 1) Advising on high priority agency-wide policy matters relating to business operations of the agency; 2) Managing special studies and other designated elements; 3) Providing expert consultation on numerous business and administrative sources of relevant policy, regulations and law to determine impact on the goals and priorities of the organization; 4) Assisting leadership in the development of policy, recommending changes to improve the agency's operations; and 5) Applying sound principles and concepts relating to business operations, congressional and public affairs, policies and procedures of unusual and or unique circumstances.

Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.

Time-In-Grade Requirement : Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

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 the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (

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.

Current or Former Political Appointees : The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to similar positions in any Division/Office listed in this announcement. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.

Recruitment and/or Relocation Incentives may be considered and approved under conditions specified provided the agency has determined that the position is likely to be difficult to fill in the absence of an incentive and funding for such an incentive is available.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 1-year or 2-year trial 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 or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

If eligible, telework and work agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.

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.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.