Staff Assistant

Summary

This position is located in the Office of the Secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs (EUR). The Bureau is charged with implemeting U.S. foreign policy and promoting U.S. interests in Europe and Eurasia and advising the Under Secretary for Political Affairs.

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Duties

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• Reviews and edits policy and action papers for clarity that all EUR offices submit to the Assistant Secretary through the EUR Deputy Assistant Secretaries, in conjunction with the Special Assistant.
• Serves as the Front Office point of contact for EUR, departmental, and interagency community staff on projects that are of direct interest and concern to the Assistant Secretary.
• Analyzes existing, new , or proposed policies, operating procedures, administrative controls, and report systems used by staff.
• Prepares a wide variety of "official informal" correspondence, such as senior staff huddle notes, for EUR Principals on matters affective both the management and policy of the Bureau.
• Maintains awareness of all current policy decisions and the status of important pending matters, for purposes of information and guidance to the various bureau offices.
• Tracks all Congressional correspondence within the EUR/FO and ensures information contained in responses addresses the issue(s).
• At the GS-12 level, the incumbent performs essentially the same duties as outlined above; however, the scope and complexity of assignments are of less responsibility and independence and receives closer than normal supervision.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement. [If you are qualifying based on education OR if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript with your application.

NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement. Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F.

GS-12:

Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

Experience tracking and reviewing incoming and outgoing documents for content, correct formatting, and timeliness.

Experience preparing reports and delivering briefing to senior officials on findings and recommendations.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-12 position.

GS-13:

Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

Experience tracking and reviewing incoming and outgoing documents for content, correct formatting, appropriateness, timeliness, and internal consistency.

Experience handing a wide range of critical, time-sensitive issues and actions and efficeinctly priortizing those actions to ensure deadlines are met.

Experience communicating and applying communication skills to obtain information and provide advice and guidance to colleagues, office leader, and Front Office level.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

• For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at View email address on click.appcast.io.

• If eligible, situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.

• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days and may require a higher or lower security clearance. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.

• Agency & Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP & ICTAP): View OPM's CTAP & ICTAP eligibility website for more information. You must be rated in the Well-Qualified category and submit supporting documents under the required documents section of this announcement to receive selection priority consideration. To be considered Well-Qualified applicants must: score an 85 or above, meet Minimum Qualifications, and demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all major aspects of the position.

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.