Duties

This position is in the Department of the Chief Program Office, in the office of AmeriCorps State and National in Washington, D.C. The Special Assistant assists the Director of AmeriCorps State and National (Director) in meeting the program's mission and objectives. Based on a working knowledge of the Director's responsibilities, the mission of the program and agency, and its initiatives, the Special Assistant performs a variety of functions for the Director.

Performs a wide range of assignments, in support of the Director, which assist in maintaining efficient and effective program operations, as follows:

• Pursues special initiatives and coordinates projects that are deemed priorities by the Director. This may include research and substantial writing for internal and external audiences (i.e. talking points, power point presentations, external partner correspondence, etc.), collaboration with internal team members and external partners, attendance at conferences and meetings, and other opportunities to advance the Director's interests.
• Conducts in-depth research and collects internal and external information for meetings and reports. Prepares briefing and follow-up materials for the Director.
• Develops and coordinates information flow and other activities to ensure optimal engagement with both internal agency programs and departments that provide services to department grantees and external partners that support department grantees. Supports ASN leadership with the implementation of business process and accountability measures for ASN work and deliverables.
• Ensures that the Director receives thoroughly and properly vetted and reviewed decision documents and follows up on decision implementation.
• Manages all logistics related to the Director's travel and public speaking engagements to include securing all necessary approvals and processing of associated documents.
• Plans and carries out assignments, exercising initiative and resourcefulness; resolving conflicts that arise; and, coordinating work with others, as appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a United States Citizen
• A 2-year probationary period is required for new Federal employees and supervisors.
• Merit Promotion and internal applicants must submit a SF-50 to verify Status and grade
• As required by Executive Order 14043, all current and new Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no later than November 22, 2021. See the ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section for more details regarding this requirement.
• Satisfactory completion of a background investigation.
• Must be telework ready. See the ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section for more details regarding the agency's current full-time telework status.

Qualifications

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to at least the middle range of the NY-02 pay band, which would be at or equivalent to, the GS-09 level in the Federal Service.

Specialized experience is that which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes independent performance of at least three of the following: Utilizing technology (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, etc.) to produce and revise documents and materials; managing coordination of internal and external projects; managing travel logistics and troubleshooting issues; researching for and creating materials for senior level stakeholders (e.g. briefs, memos, etc); and managing inquiries from and coordinating with external stakeholders.

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 can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Such experience must be clearly documented in the applicant's resume.

Education

If you are qualifying based on education alone, you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. Such education must be from an accredited institution and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.

You must submit an unofficial copy of your college transcript. You must submit evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution is equivalent to U.S. educational standards. You may also qualify based on a combination of education and experience, if applicable.

Additional information

Additional Selections: Additional selections may be made from this announcement or for similar positions across AmeriCorps. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at AmeriCorps.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: As required by Executive Order 14043, all Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no later than November 22, 2021, regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), and subject only to such exceptions as required by law. Therefore, even if you are selected for a position on or before November 22, 2021, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021, or before appointment or onboarding with the agency. If you are selected, your offer letter will contain additional information regarding how to request a reasonable accommodation legally required exception from this requirement to the vaccination requirement based on medical or religious factors.

Expanded Telework Status Due to COVID-19: Due to COVID-19, the agency is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you will have the option to temporarily telework on a full-time basis, even if your home is located within the local commuting area of the duty station of your position. Once the agency implements its re-entry plan, you may be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement in the manner and frequency the agency deems appropriate. At this time, the agency is unable to confirm if an expanded telework policy or future remote work policy will be implemented.

Military Selective Service Act: If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.

Veteran's Preference: If you are claiming 5-point or 10-point veteran's preference, you must submit documentation described below in "Required Documents."

Special Employment Consideration: Persons with disabilities, disabled veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more, certain other veterans, spouses of certain members of the Armed Forces, VISTA volunteers, some Peace Corps employees and returning Peace Corps volunteers are examples of individuals who are potentially eligible for noncompetitive appointment. If you are eligible and would like to be considered for one of these noncompetitive appointments, applicable documentation that supports your eligibility must be submitted with your application package.

Ethics Requirement: Our Agency is committed to the highest ethical standards and, as an employee you will be covered by the criminal conflict of interest statutes (18 U.S.C. 201-209) and the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch (5 C.F.R. part 2635). Additionally, you may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) or Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278e) within 30 days of your appointment date and on an annual basis thereafter.