PROTOCOL OFFICER

Summary National Defense University (NDU) supports the joint warfighter by providing rigorous Joint Professional Military Education to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and select others in order to develop leaders who have the ability to operate and creatively think in an unpredictable and complex world.

This job announcement uses the USA Hire Assessment to evaluate applicants. For more information, visit USA Hire Assessment Duties Serves as the Protocol Officer and principal advisor on National Defense University (NDU) conferences for the President, NDU. Serves as the expert authority on conferences hosted or attended by the NDU and it’s six colleges. | Independently conceptualizes, plans, coordinates, and executes high level (DoW, Government Industry and other) military and civilian, foreign and domestic visits/functions, ceremonies, conferences, and special events hosted by the senior NDU leader. | Executes the Protocol program as well as an expert knowledge and understanding of national and international rules, procedures, and forums prescribing traditional and diplomatic customs, courtesies, and etiquette. | Analyzes complex protocol requirements and develops event plans addressing invitations, precedence, seating, flags, honors, security, cultural considerations, logistics, gifts, and contingency requirements. | Coordinates with the Joint Staff, Department of War, Department of State, White House, congressional offices, foreign embassies, senior military commands, private organizations, contractors, and university components. | Manages protocol-related resources, official representation support, gifts, records, vendors, services, and administrative requirements in accordance with applicable policies and controls.

Qualifications

You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized Experience is defined as: independent planning, coordinating, and executing high-visibility national or international protocol events, official visits, conferences, ceremonies, or engagements involving senior military, civilian, diplomatic, or foreign officials; interpreting and applying military, civilian, diplomatic, or international protocol requirements; advising senior leaders on protocol matters; coordinating requirements across government agencies and external organizations; and resolving complex issues involving precedence, honors, etiquette, cultural considerations, logistics, or official representation.

Volunteer Experience: 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 to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education Education is not substitutable for specialized experience for this grade level.

Official Transcripts:

If the position you are applying for has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications (i.e. you would not qualify without the education obtained), you MUST submit transcripts with your application.

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• Official transcripts are not required at the time of application outside of what is outlined above; however, official 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 a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying or prior to appointment as outlined above.
• Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation upon request. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.

For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of EducationHow you will be evaluated HR will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Applicants meeting the basic requirements will be further evaluated by information provided in the Assessment 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 rating.

• Applies comprehensive knowledge of military, civilian, diplomatic, and international protocol to develop policy, manage programs, and execute complex official engagements.
• Independently analyzes requirements, anticipates risks, develops detailed plans and contingencies, evaluates program effectiveness, and recommends improvements for high-visibility events and programs.
• Establishes effective relationships and communicates tactfully with senior U.S. and foreign officials, military leaders, diplomats, government agencies, university leadership, vendors, and external organizations. Provides authoritative advice and briefings and prepares invitations, itineraries, agendas, correspondence, reports, event materials, policies, procedures, and after-action assessments.
• Manages protocol-related resources, official representation support, gifts, records, vendors, services, and administrative requirements in accordance with applicable policies and controls.

The Assessment Questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and collects information on your education, training and experience related to the following critical competencies:

You can preview the Assessment Questionnaire here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13086048

Criminal History Inquiries- If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ dfas.indianapolis-in.zh.mbx.ssc-cc@mail.mil How to apply To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents below.

Click 'Apply Online' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.

1. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents.
2. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application.
3. Check application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, clicking Application Status, then More Information for this position. Return to an incomplete application by logging into your USAJOBS account and clicking Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
4. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application: to return to your assessment completion notice.
5. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
6. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
7. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
8. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.

Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us

Your application submission must be complete, including all required documents, before you can be considered. You are responsible to verify in your Application Manager account that information and documents entered or uploaded are received, legible, and accurate.

WARNING: Failure to submit a complete application package including any required documentation by the closing date of the announcement at 11:59 EST, or at the time of application for announcements with an extended closing date, may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status and More Information. The Details page will display the status of your application. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered or uploaded is received, legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.

National Defense University (NDU) is the premier national security institution focused on advanced joint education, leader development and scholarship. Under the direction and leadership of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the oversight of the Director for Joint Force Development, Joint Staff (J-7), NDU offers a collegial and collaborative academic environment to support the joint warfighter by providing rigorous Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) and other graduate level programs to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and select others in order to develop leaders who have the ability to operate and creatively think in an unpredictable and complex world.

NDU is comprised of six primary educational institutions and four additional component agencies: National Intelligence College (NIC), National War College (NWC), Dwight Eisenhower School (ES), Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC), College of International Security Affairs (CISA), the College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC), Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS), International Student Management Office, Operations Support and the CAPSTONE General and Flag Officer Course.

NDU has a comprehensive benefits package that includes retirement, social security, and thrift savings plan (TSP); health, life, and long-term care insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays. NDU employees enjoy flexible work schedules, transit subsidy and situational telework opportunities. Other information Priority Placement Program (PPP) Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible candidates will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only.

Accepting this position, you may be required to serve a I-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

Background or Security Investigation: This is a Non-Critical Sensitive position which requires a background investigation. The individual selected for this position is required to obtain and maintain a Secret security determination to occupy a Non-Critical Sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): You must be well qualified for the position to receive special selection priority under the ICTAP. A qualified ICTAP eligible achieving a score of 90 or above will be considered well qualified. You must submit a Separation-Reduction in Force (RIF) SF-50; a RIF Notice showing separation within the past year (or declining a management directed reassignment outside the commuting area, or a Termination of Disability Notice from OPM) and most recent performance appraisal. For more information, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap.

Special Hiring Authorities: You may be considered for the vacancy if you are eligible for a special appointment authority such as those authorized for the severely disabled; certain Vietnam Era and disabled veterans; volunteers returned from the Peace Corps or Vista, etc. For more information, visit the following OPM websites: USAJOBS Resource Center: http://help.usajobs.gov/how-to; VetsInfo Guide: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): Veterans who are preference eligibles or who have been separated from the Armed Forces under honorable conditions after substantially completing an initial 3-year term (not less than 2 years and 11 months) may apply regardless of their current geographical location. Veterans must submit their DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, to be considered under this authority.

Reemployed Annuitants: Department of Defense has the authority to hire annuitants without reduction in pay. For more information, go to: https://www.dcpas.osd.mil/policy/retirement/reemployedannuitant

All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-4434 for assistance.