Writer-Editor

SummaryServes as Writer-Editor on the Veterans Correspondence Team, located as a sub staff within Office of Strategic Initiative and Collaboration (OSIC), on a wide range of issues related to the organization to facilitate strategic Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) messaging. This office coordinates VBA's responses tovarious congressional requests for planning information and subsequent achievements through reports.ResponsibilitiesPrepare clear, accurate, and concisely written documents representing complex and dynamic issues addressed to Veterans and their beneficiaries.Edits VBA documents for clarity, brevity, accuracy, in adherence with the Plain Writing Act of 2010.Makes sure information presented is complete, accurate, and up-to-date.Maintains broad knowledge of graphics and ensures proper presentation of graphics in products based on the psychology of effective visual communication, as needed.Conducts verbal and written interviews with subject matter experts, writers, and trainees who possess diverse educational levels.Compares text with approved outlines, concepts, and current or revised doctrine, rewriting as necessary to correct errors.Considers target audience and determines the best style and manner for presentation of the material.Prepares documents and formal submissions for Executives and Senior Executives.Consults with clients throughout the writing process to ensure end product is aligned with client needs and request.Conducts relevant research to support writing assignments.RequirementsConditions of EmploymentQualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/07/2020. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: GS-13: Advanced knowledge of standard English grammar and usage, skill in applying rules of standard English usage and correcting grammatical errors ability to explain and defend grammatical changes, advanced knowledge of editing methods and practices, familiarity with established reference manuals and guidelines, ability to ensure consistency of style within a document and to mechanically edit rough-draft material. GS-14: Advanced knowledge of standard English grammar and usage, skill in applying rules of standard English usage and correcting grammatical errors ability to explain and defend grammatical changes, advanced knowledge of editing methods and practices, familiarity with established reference manuals and guidelines, ability to ensure consistency of style within a document and to mechanically edit rough-draft material. Ability to clarify meaning while maintaining the integrity of ideas, to suggest changes in wording and, with guidance, to provide some substantive editing to explain and defend editorial decisions. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:Oral CommunicationPlanning and EvaluatingProject ManagementWriting 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: This work is primarily sedentary and involves a significant amount of computer keyboardoperations. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.EducationThere is no educational substitution at this grade level. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.Additional InformationVA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.