Desk Officer

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to United States Citizens; U.S. Nationals; and Career transition eligibles (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).

OIA is responsible for U.S. policy and program administration affecting the U.S. territories of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands and the freely associated states of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and the Republic of Palau -collectively referred to as the insular areas.

This position serves as a senior analyst and principal liaison for one or more of the jurisdictions mentioned above. Provides authoritative policy guidance, conducts advanced analysis, leads interagency coordination, supports federal program implementation, and contributes to strategic decision-making for jurisdictional priorities.

At the full performance level (GS-13) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Conducts comprehensive, high-level policy analysis grounded in federal statutes, regulations, Executive Branch directives, and jurisdiction(s) specific priorities. Develops strategic policy options for leadership that clearly outline political, fiscal, developmental, and operational implications for assigned jurisdictions.
2. Leads comprehensive oversight of major OIA financial assistance programs, federal investment initiatives, and cross-agency programs ensuring they are strategically aligned with jurisdictional needs and long-term policy objectives. Also leads cross-cutting analytical efforts by integrating demographic, economic, governance, and programmatic data across multiple jurisdictions to inform policy and decision-making.
3. Provides on-site analytical support and coordination during official visits, oversight missions, and program inspections. Identifies operational risks, governance challenges, and implementation realities during field travel.
4. Produces executive-level materials including briefings, risk assessments, white papers, jurisdictional profiles, and congressional/interagency responses.
5. Tracks emerging trends affecting governance, resilience, public finance, economic development, and U.S. relations with insular areas. Leads issue-specific reporting and strategic analysis for high priority jurisdictional initiatives.
6. Serves as a primary liaison for jurisdictional government offices, other federal agencies, oversight entities, and local stakeholders.

This position requires a valid state drivers license due to travel to remote areas as well as to maintain and/or obtain a valid U.S. Passport.

Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary; however, official travel to remote islands and field locations may involve long transit times, varied terrain, and occasionally challenging environmental conditions.

Work Environment: Work is typically performed in an office environment, with periodic travel to foreign field locations that may involve remote, tropical, or austere conditions.

Honolulu, HI Salary Rate Range Information: (First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level.) Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) rate of 8.64% is authorized.

GS-09 - $34,438 (Step 1) - $83,774 (Step 10)
GS-11 - $77,964 (Step 1) - $101-359 (Step 10)
GS-12 - $93,445 (Step 1) - $121,482 (Step 10)
GS-13 - $111,119 (Step 1) - $144,457 (Step 10)

This position is also open to status candidates under announcement MP Announcement #: OS-1500-26-KS-063-MP. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Conditions of employment

• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.

You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 1 - 5 nights every other month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will 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.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/07/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

NOTE: Applicants utilizing education to qualify at the respective grade level must provide transcripts (unofficial are acceptable) in order to verify that the educational requirement has been met. The documents must be received by the closing date of the announcement. Failure to provide this information will result in you receiving an "INELIGIBLE" rating.

To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications for the grade to which you are applying:

GS-09:

Applicants must meet either A, B, or C below.

A. Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-09, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:
1. Assisting with planning and coordinating official travel, preparing briefing materials, arranging logistical and stakeholder engagements;
2. Assisting senior staff with researching legislation, regulations, policies, and federal programs as it relates to state or local governments;
3. Assisting with preparing status updates for an organization's leadership and interagency partners as it relates to organizational activities.
Must Meet All.

B. Education: You may substitute education for experience if you have achieved: - Master's (or equivalent graduate degree), OR - 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR - LL.B. or J.D., if related.

C. Combination of Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and experience that total 100% of the experience requirements for the GS-09 grade level.

GS-11,
Applicants must meet either A, B, or C below.

A. Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-11, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:
1. Planning and coordinating official travel, preparing briefing materials, arranging logistical and stakeholder engagements, and providing on-site staffing support during visits.
2. Interpreting and applying federal legislation, regulations, and multi-agency policies to identify jurisdictional impacts and translate legal or regulatory requirements into clear, usable guidance for internal and external stakeholders.
3. Researching legislation, regulations, policies, and federal programs as it relates to state or local governments;
4. Preparing high level status updates for an organization's leadership and interagency partners as it relates to organizational activities.
Must Meet All.

B. Education: You may substitute education for experience if you have achieved: - Ph.D. OR equivalent doctoral degree, OR - 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, OR - LL.M., if related.

C. Combination of Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and experience that total 100% of the experience requirements for the GS-11 grade level.

GS-12: Note: Education may NOT be substituted at grades 12 and above.

You must possess the specialized experience defined below in order to qualify for this grade level.

Specialized Experience: You must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:
1. Planning and coordinating official travel, preparing briefing materials, arranging logistical and stakeholder engagements, and providing on-site staffing support during visits.
2. Interpreting and applying federal legislation, regulations, and multi-agency policies to identify jurisdictional impacts and translate legal or regulatory requirements into clear, usable guidance for internal and external stakeholders.
3. Researching legislation, regulations, policies, and federal programs as it relates to state or local governments;
4. Preparing high level status updates for an organization's leadership and interagency partners as it relates to organizational activities.
5. Designs written analysis and briefing materials for senior leaders decision-making.
Must Meet All.

GS-13:

You must possess the specialized experience defined below in order to qualify for this grade level.

Specialized Experience: You must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:
1. Planning and coordinating official travel, preparing briefing materials, arranging logistical and stakeholder engagements, and providing on-site staffing support during visits.
2. Interpreting and applying federal legislation, regulations, and multi-agency policies to identify jurisdictional impacts and translate legal or regulatory requirements into clear, usable guidance for internal and external stakeholders.
3. Researching legislation, regulations, policies, and federal programs as it relates to state or local governments;
4. Preparing high level status updates for an organization's leadership and interagency partners as it relates to organizational activities.
5. Designs written analysis and briefing materials for senior leaders decision-making.
6. Reviewing complex policy materials to recognize relevant provisions, and assess how cross-cutting directives affect insular area governments and federal operations.
Must meet 5 out of the 6 statements above.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g. resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of any additional assessment(s) required for this position.

Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into the following categories:

• Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position

• Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job

• Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.

You will be assessed in the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of the USA Hire Assessment, if required.

If fewer than three eligible and available candidates per vacancy result, the agency will expand the group of candidates in accordance with the pre-announced supplement strategy and 5 CFR 332.402(f).

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/07/2026:

1. Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates in month-year format (include month/day/year format if needed for 52 weeks of experience), and indicate hours worked per week (or full-time). Your resume must clearly show how long you have held each grade/rank. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements. If you have federal experience, you should include series, and grade for each position held, and if experience is part of a career ladder position, you must clearly distinguish the job duties and length of time working for each grade level. More information on how to write a Federal Resume: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include
2. Complete All Required Assessments.
3. All college transcript(s), if qualifying based on education. Please submit both undergraduate and graduate level transcripts, as applicable.
4. Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable. Veterans must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (member 4 copy) or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Parent or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.va.gov/records/ or call 1-800-827-1000. If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active-duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
5. Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan (I/CTAP): If you are applying under I/CTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility including 1) copy of the agency notice, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc.; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be well qualified. For more information visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Career Transition Programs (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).

Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from all documents.

Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

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