Clarification from the agency

Indefinite appointments may be made permanent at a later date without competition. In order to be eligible for this position you must Currently be a Commissioned Officer (O1/2LT - O3/CPT) in the Virginia Army National Guard OR a Commissioned Officer (O1/2LT - O3/CPT) in the Virginia Air National Guard.

As an International Partnership Specialist (Title 32), GS-0301-11, you will perform the below duties:

1. Plans, coordinates, and executes the State Partnership Program between the state and the partner country. Ensures all actions taken are within the framework, support of, and in concert with international agreements such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Charter on a distinctive partnership. These partnerships are predicated upon written agreement between NATO, United States European Command (USEUCOM), National Guard Bureau (NGB), and the participating nations of which most are classified as former Soviet Union or non-aligned states. Develops, coordinates, and obtains approval for the five year SPP plan based on requests from United States (U.S.) Ambassador to partner country, partner country's Ministry of Defense, and geographic Commander-in-Chief (CINC). Coordinates and obtains approval through The Adjutant General to NGB, CINC, and where warranted to the Interagency Working Group at Secretary of Defense/Secretary of State level.
2. Maintains continual liaison with the partner country through the Military Liaison Team (MLT) and the Defense Attaché Office stationed in the embassy of the partner nation. Conceptualizes, plans, coordinates, and executes Familiarization Visits to include visits sponsored by the United States America Information Service (USAIS). The partner nation participates in visits in which the host state is the organization of primary responsibility (OPR). Membership in the visiting delegation may consist of both military and civilian authorities from the partner nation. Visiting delegations often consist of military personnel of the highest rank as well as civil authorities of cabinet level equivalency. Incumbent is responsible for the execution of the event from start to finish. Attention to detail, as well as strict protocol considerations, is of paramount importance. The primary purpose of these visits is to demonstrate and familiarize the visiting delegation with the procedures and policies pertaining to the operation of the National Guard within the military structure of the U.S. as well as how the National Guard provides support to civil authorities.
3. Coordinates and executes visits to the partner nation by military members and civilian personnel. Coordinates with the U.S. State Department, Department of Defense (DoD), NGB, Commander in Chief of European Command (CINCEUR), embassy staff of both the U.S. and partner nation, and U.S. Transportation Command when military air is utilized for all aspects of the event.
4. Serves as the focal point for joint and combined military exercises between the state and the partner nation, which may include other state's partner nations, both in the U.S. and overseas. In conjunction with the state command structure and the member nation's military leadership, the SPPC develops scenarios for deployment of the State National Guard soldiers and airmen. Because of the number of entities involved and the delicate balance that must be maintained, the incumbent must remain vigilant and cognizant of the protocol of such actions. Responsible for coordinating the many details that are inherent with military exercises. The utilization of a single coordinator, in this function, is necessary because of the possibilities for misunderstanding of boundaries of authority and responsibility. Takes a myriad of considerations into account in planning and executing National Guard participation in foreign military exercises and coordinates with the U.S. State Department, DoD, CINCEUR, MLT, various Service Secretariats, embassy staff members, NGB, and the partner nation's counterparts. At the onset of the SPP, the deployments of both state National Guard and partner nations may be small; however, requirements for coordination become more complex as the size of the rotational deployments increase from squad to larger formations as the program matures.
5. Oversees the development of proposed SPP events with partner country. Ensures events are submitted to NGB, U.S. State Department, Interagency Working Group where warranted, and geographic CINC for approval. Oversees the executing unit to ensure they stay within the parameters defined for the state event.
6. Responsible for coordination of the preparation of all country clearance messages, event travel, and support requirements, to include the number of people traveling, dates, air/ground transportation, meals, and hotels. Serves as the point of contact for scheduled training/educational activities throughout the state for multiple annual events with the partner country and or countries. Ensures U.S. personnel deploying to partnership country receive proper security and customs orientation briefings. Provides feedback to the Joint Chiefs of Staff personnel on trends, issues, and state concerns regarding partnership country when determined necessary.
7. Performs other duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact a National Guard recruiter prior to applying for this position.
• This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the employing state's National Guard, required prior to the effective date of placement.
• Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform.
• Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment.
• Applicants who are not currently a member of the National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership and employment in the National Guard in the military grade listed in this announcement.
• Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a trial period.
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
• This position is not located at a bargaining unit.
• This position requires 20% Traveling.
• All job seekers will be required to limit their resumes to 2 pages in length when applying for job opportunity announcements (JOAs).
• Indefinite appointments may be made permanent at a later date without further competition.

Qualifications

NOTE: Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/DD/YY to MM/DD/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume. For a brief video on How to Create a Federal Resume.

NOTE: This position is being advertised as an indefinite appointment and the applicant selected may be released at any time and advised of his/her rights and benefits to which entitled. In the event a permanent employee is accepted for this indefinite position, there will be a change in their tenure from permanent to indefinite. Indefinite appointments may be made permanent at a later date without competition.

NOTE: All job seekers will be required to limit their resumes to 2 pages in length when applying for job opportunity announcements (JOAs).

WHO CAN APPLY:
GROUP I - All qualified Male/Female Commissioned Officers (O1/2LT - O3/CPT) in the Virginia Army National Guard OR Commissioned Officers (O1/2nd Lt - O3/Capt) in the Virginia Air National Guard Military Technician Program.
GROUP II - All qualified Virginia Army National Guard Male/Female Commissioned Officers (O1/2LT - O3/CPT) in the Virginia Army National Guard OR Commissioned Officers (O1/2nd Lt - O3/Capt) in the Virginia Air National Guard, regardless of employment status (Traditional, Military Technician or AGR). To be considered as a Group II applicant, proof of appointment/enlistment in the Virginia National Guard must be attached if the appointment/enlistment occurred within 60 days prior to, or during, the advertisement period.

Military Grades: Commissioned Officers (O1/2LT - O3/CPT) in the Virginia Army National Guard or or Commissioned Officers (O1/2nd Lt - O3/Capt) in the Virginia Air National Guard.

GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Applicant must have experience planning, coordinating, and executing the State Partnership Program (SPP) initiative between the National Guard of a state and the foreign area partner nation.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicant must have at least 12 months of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-09 level, or equivalent pay band in other pay systems in the Federal government. This experience may also have been obtained in the private sector but must demonstrate that it is comparable to the GS grade indicated. This experience must include activities such as:

1. Experience maintaining continual liaison with the partner country through the Military Liaison Team (MLT) and the Defense Attaché Office stationed in the embassy of the partner nation.
2. Experience planning and coordinating events in foreign countries.
3. Experience being responsible for the SPP budget, which includes NGB Warsaw Initiative Funds, Minuteman Fellowship Funds, and State Department Cooperative Threat Reduction Funds
4. Experience maintaining constant communication with the partner country through the State National Guard Liaison Officer, CINC staff, Military Liaison or other such teams or individuals, and the Defense Attaché Office stationed at the embassy of the partner nation.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your resume showing:

• Contact Information-your name and the best way to contact you.
• Relevant work experience-include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and describe how you meet the required qualifications of the job. Federal jobs should include series and grade.
• Education, certifications or licensures.

Next steps