Correspondence Analyst

Summary This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Protection Service (FPS), Springfield, Virginia. Learn more about this agency Duties The primary purpose of this position is to perform research and finalize written materials, including executive correspondence, to ensure consistent and accurate representation of the Director's position on strategic program matters and operations. Duties performed: Reviewing materials for appropriateness and determine if a rewrite is required for submissions to ensure clarity, accuracy, plain language, and consistent style. Preparing and organizing briefing materials and informational documents based on input from subject matter experts and multiple sources. Providing procedural and technical advice, interpretations, and guidance to staff regarding the preparation of written materials and workflow. Coordinating with internal offices to route requests for information, ensuring proper review and tracking. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position. You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/). Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required One-year probationary period may be required. This Position requires a pre-employment drug test, and a negative drug test result prior to appointment into the position must be achieved. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application. DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing. License required: No Pre-employment physical required: No This is a non-bargaining unit position. Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will not be paid. Promotion Potential: When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval. Essential Personnel Designation: This Position may be designated as essential personnel. Essential personnel must serve during continuity of operation events without regard to declarations of unscheduled leave or government closures due to weather, protests, acts of terrorism, or lack of funding. Failure to report for or remain in this position may result in disciplinary or adverse action in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations (5 USC § 7501-7533 and 5 CFR Part 752, as appropriate). Qualifications Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Minimum Qualification/Specialized Experience Minimum Qualifications: GS-11: Applicant must demonstrate one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following duties: Researching information from multiple sources to support policy objectives and operational activities; Preparing documentation by organizing content from subject matter experts to ensure there is clarity and accuracy; Communicating with staff on document preparation procedures to assist with monitoring correspondence deadlines that ensure timely responses; and Generating documentation on policy-related issues in accordance with established clearance guidelines. OR You have a Ph.D or equivalent graduate degree OR three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.M., if related, at an accredited college or university in a field that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. OR You have one year of specialized experience as described above and less than 3 years of graduate level education as described that, when combined, equal 100% of the qualification requirement. Note: Only graduate education in excess of the master's level [generally 36 semester hours] may be used in this calculation. Specialized Experience: GS-12: Applicant must demonstrate one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following duties: Developing background materials to support timely and accurate responses to correspondence; Researching programs and policies to prepare content for briefings, testimony, or other written documents for managers and senior leadership; Coordinating with program managers and administrative staff to ensure information reflects current trends and accurate data; Editing written input from multiple contributors into cohesive documents for senior leadership; and Analyzing correspondence data to track timelines, workflow, and quality of responses. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Limit your resume to two pages. Only resumes 2 pages in length will be accepted to determine eligibility and qualifications. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification. NOTE: 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 directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP): This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP or ICTAP; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For information on eligibility criteria and required documentation, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition. Education If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional information Note: DHS continues to take necessary steps to keep our workforce safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic. If you receive a final job offer to onboard, please complete the onboarding forms and submit them electronically in an expeditious manner. Your start date may be delayed if the action above is not completed. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for a Non-sensitive (Public Trust) clearance as a condition of placement in this Moderate risk position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Pursuant to Executive Order 12654 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result. Veterans' Preference: For more information on veterans' preference see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP): This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP or ICTAP; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For information on eligibility criteria and required documentation, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp Expand Hide  additional information 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. Benefits 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. Review our benefits 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.