Duties

Summary

The Wilson Center's Kennan Institute is the premier US national center for advanced research on Russia and Eurasia, co-founded by George F Kennan in 1974. The mission of the Kennan Institute is to build and sustain deep mutual understanding, cooperation, and exchange among intellectual and opinion leaders in the United States, Russia and the surrounding states - a bedrock for regional and global, peace, prosperity and security.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Support to the Director, Deputy Director and staff of the Kennan Institute in all administrative matters
• Prepares and processes all Kennan Institute accounting-related paperwork (i.e., invoices, scholar stipends, purchase orders, etc.)
• Organizes and supervises all matters related to the Kennan Institute public events
• Conducts outreach, including communications by phone, e-mail, webpages, social media, preparing and maintaining relevant professional lists, and various writing and editing tasks
• Arranges travel and hotel accommodations for staff members and participants in the Institute's activities
• Publish and manage upcoming event information on the wilsoncenter.org website
• Attend events and take event notes or administer audience Q&A as staffing requires
• Synthesize a monthly newsletter that features Kennan Institute events, publications, and collaborations
• Utilize Microsoft applications and similar products

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
9

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Must be fluent in written and spoken Russian
• May be required to complete background investigation
• A one year trial/probationary period may be required
• Must provide resume and supporting documents (See required documents)
• Selective Service registration requirements must be met for applicable candidates
• Time-in-Grade: Current or former Federal employees applying under merit promotion considerations must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements for consideration.

All qualifications requirements for this position must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

First time hires to the Federal government salaries are normally set at the beginning of the salary range listed above.

Applicants are encouraged to use the USA Jobs resume template. However, if you do not use the template you must ensure your resume contains ALL required information which includes hours worked, starting and ending months and years, and if Federal employment (series, pay plan, and grade).

Qualifications

Selective Placement Factor (SPF)- To qualify for this position you must be fluent in written and spoken Russian

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: In addition to meeting the (SPF), to be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must also demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience for the respective grade level(s) in which you are applying: You must have at least one year of full-time specialized experience or the equivalent, comparable to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal Service (obtained in either the public or private sector). This experience must include some of the following type of activities: Supporting/Coordinating logistical aspects of programs/projects, such as conferences, meetings, and other program events, including travel; organizing, updating and maintaining calendars, electronic files and records; prioritizing and coordinating a variety of office activities, such as developing correspondence and other documentation; organizing and maintaining files and records; maintaining/updating program outreach efforts, such as social media, the public website, emails, newsletters, and other forms of external communication; performing research for information to use in briefings and/or as contribution to larger projects.

You may also qualify based on Superior Academic Achievement,(SAA) by meeting one of the following: (1)Upper third of graduating class based on completed courses; (2)GPA 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 on official transcript based on 4 years college, or based on courses completed in final 2 years of curriculum; (3)GPA 3.5 or higher based on average of required major courses completed in final 2 years of curriculum; (4) Member of a national scholastic honor society recognized by Association of College Honor Societies.

You may also qualify if you possess a combination of graduate level education and appropriate specialized experience that together meet the qualification requirements for this position.

TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-05 or higheris required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-07 level.

(Must submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. No award SF-50 will be accepted).

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here .

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 directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must include months, years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies".

Education

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your 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.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

In addition, when reviewing applicant's transcripts, assumptions will not be made. Applicants MUST state which coursework is relevant.

Additional information

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap

The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ctap

• Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Work is primarily sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items, such as paper, books, or small parts. No special physical demands are required to perform the work

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work performed primarily in an office environment. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.

The full performance level for this position is a GS-0301-09.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions may affect your rating.

Candidates who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are highly qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Best qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

Candidates who apply under Noncompetitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

You will be evaluated on the following competencies:

• Administration and Management
• Attention to Detail
• Manages and Organizes Information
• Writing

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/24/2021.

Résumé which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format , and indicate hours worked per week . If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.

A complete Occupational Questionnaire

College transcripts, if qualifying based on education.

Documentation that you meet Selective Factors. (if required)

Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:

• Current/Former Federal employees: Your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent) showing that you are/were in the competitive service, as well as the highest grade (or promotion potential) held, on a permanent basis and containing information which shows you meet time-in-grade (e.g., STEP increase, etc.) You must submit an SF-50(s) that shows permanent (career/career/conditional tenure) and competitive service eligibility to be considered. No award SF-50 will be accepted.
• Documentation for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligibility, which includes ALL Appointment AND Termination SF-50s for EACH appointment as well as ALL performance evaluations, for each qualifying period of temporary employment claimed.
• Veterans Preference Documentation:
  • If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15 . If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives .
  • 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.
  • If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother 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.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
• Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, 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 rated well-qualified 85 or above on the rating criteria for this position.
• Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities Appointment Eligibles: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation or benefits office citing disability - eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).
• Interchange Agreement with Other Merit Systems Eligible: Documentation of eligibility as listed in each individual interchange agreement.
• Other noncompetitive or special appointing authorities (e.g., Peace Corps, VISTA, Public Land Corp, Military Spouse, VRA, 30% Disabled Veterans, Certain Former Overseas Employees, Foreign Service, Boren Fellows, etc.) must provide substantiating documentation as required.
• Any other supporting documentation required for verification as described in the announcement.

Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.