Clarification from the agency

This job announcement will be used to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection

DUTY 1: Program Specialist for an installation's Casualty Services. Analyzes, implement , and administers total advisory services and comprehensive programs related to casualty services.

DUTY 2: Serves as a subject matter expert for the installation's Casualty Policy and Casualty Program Educator programs. Develops and implements publicity and information programs as they relate to Casualty Services, Survivors benefits, Record of Emergency Data and the various government life insurance programs.

DUTY 3: Provides advisory services and administers comprehensive programs related to Casualty services. Provides guidance on casualty reporting, notification, and assistance programs.

DUTY 4: Program Specialist for an installation's Survivor Benefit Program (SBP). Provides counseling, guidance, and interpretations concerning the broad range of rights and benefits, explaining both short- and long-term impact of the SBP on AF personnel.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see Legal and Regulatory Guidance
• If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
• This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• For more information on Acq Demo please go to DoD AcqDemo Homepage http://acqdemo.hci.mil/ and Fact Sheet http://acqdemo.hci.mil/faq.html
• Employee must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance commensurate with the sensitivity of position requirements.
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program. Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing.
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for this position
• This is a Mission-Essential position performing a Mission-Critical-Function which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and continued through full resumption of all functions.
• Work may require travel away from the normal duty station on military and commercial aircraft in support of official business.
• All federal employees are required to have direct deposit
• 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.
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• The employee is required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings and/or weekends and may be required to work alternate shifts from normal duty hours requiring overtime or comp time.
• The work requires the employee to drive a motor vehicle in an official capacity. An appropriate, valid driver’s license is required for the position.
• The duties of the position meets all requirements as a category 4 designation, and shall not be vacated during a national emergency or mobilization without seriously impairing the capability of the parent Federal Agency.
• This position is emergency-essential. In the event of a crisis situation, the incumbent must continue to perform the Emergency-Essential duties until relieved by proper authority.
• This position meets the criteria of an Emergency-Essential position and requires that the incumbent, or the designated alternate, be removed from any military recall status. Employee must sign DD Form 2365 as a condition of employment

Qualifications

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, Administrative and Management Positions.

GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least three (3) years of general experience, 1 year of which was at the next lower broadband NH-1, equivalent to the next to lower grade GS-04 or equivalent in the Federal Service. General experience must include your ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, or procedures to complete your work, provide explanations of processes or requirements to others, independently manage a sequence of tasks and resolve common problems and gather and review information from different sources to complete assignments.

OR
EDUCATION: 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree

OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels specified in the table, and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.
NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

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:

1. Knowledge of comprehensive programs of federal entitlements administered by DOD, VA, and the SSA as they pertain to the Survivor Benefits/Survivor Rights Programs, Casualty Services and military life insurance programs (including the impact other survivor benefits will have on SBP, Civil Service retiree pensions and effect on military retired pay and survivor annuities) and the inter-relationship of these benefits and how it compares with commercial alternatives.

2. Knowledge of and familiarity with the responsibilities of the DFAS Centers, the VA, and the SSA. Ability to resolve problems related to casualty operations and the SBP with these agencies.

3. Knowledge of military rank and precedents and chain of command and the processes for verifying deaths, and the processes required by the Casualty Services Program.

4. Knowledge of interment rights and benefits provided by the VA including travel for family members, transportation of household goods/extension requests, and claims for destruction of personal property.

5. Ability to resolve problems related to casualty operations and the SBP with these DFAS Centers, the VA, and the SSA.

6. Ability to develop and apply knowledge of federal, state, and local social services available in the community as they relate to SBP, Casualty Services, and military life insurance programs (SGLI, VGLI, and NSLI).

7. Ability to compile and report data, analyze statistical data for trends, and to make adjustments to the programs.

8. Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of individuals, both orally and in writing, and with a high degree of empathy, tact, and diplomacy in dealing with next of kin of deceased persons.

9. Ability to perform in-depth research, gather facts and use extensive and effective analytical and evaluative methods to accurately express oneself orally and in writing in a highly effective and professional manner, to interact with diversified groups, individuals and organizations. Public speaking and active training of large groups is an integral part of this position.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

BASIS OF RATING: Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable.

Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements.
Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements.
Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements.

Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.

1. Online Application: Questionnaire
2. Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply".
3. Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.

ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following:

• Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member
• Branch of Armed Forces
• Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s)
• Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty
• Terminal leave start date (if applicable)
• Expected character of service (honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement)
• Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge
• Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.

Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form 214 must be submitted upon receipt.

OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS:
Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees - Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable.
Awards for Current Federal Civilian Employees - List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume.
Note: Applicant must not submit award Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s).

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