Protocol Officer

Full time and Intermittent positions available

This is a HYBRID position (Requires some in-person work)

Who May Apply/Clarification from the Agency:

Open to all U.S. citizens. You are encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application package. Your application may not get full consideration if you do not follow the instructions as outlined. More than one selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade and office occur.

Summary

The position is in the Office of the Secretary(S), Office of the Chief of Protocol (CPR), Ceremonials Division (S/CPR/C). The Division organizes ceremonial and official functions hosted by high-ranking government officials. The incumbent primarily reports to the Assistant Chief and the Deputy Assistant Chief of Protocol.

The incumbent is employed under a personal services contract (PSC) to serve as a Protocol Officer providing technical expertise to the planning, management and administrative/logistical support of Ceremonial events conducted by the Department.

This announcement will be open until 11/22/2024. Any application received after 11:59pm on 12/10/2024 will not be considered.

Responsibilities

• Provides administrative and programmatic support to Protocol Officers in the planning, coordination, and execution of ceremonial events,
• Serves as a liaison with various vendors including catering companies, florists, audiovisual companies, and State Department bureaus to compile and complete all necessary paperwork requests needed for the function. Bureaus to compile and complete all necessary paperwork and work requests needed for the function.
• Drafts correspondence and relies to inquiries about precedence, titles, rank, forms of address, flag protocol, and social etiquette in a timely and appropriate manner using established guidelines and instructions.
• Provides guidance and interpretation to representatives of the US Government, foreign governments, and organizations and entities partnering with the Division in the conduct of its activities on matters of protocol related to such activities.

Telework Eligible: Yes

Travel Required: 40% Travel Required

Requirements:

U.S. Citizenship is required.

Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance.

Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required.

Requirements: The PSC is required to obtain and maintain certification as a Protocol Officer (PO).

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements, including education, and any selective placement factors described below by the closing date of this announcement. If you are qualifying based on education OR if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript with your application.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials.

NOTE: Applicants applying for the GS-07 grade level must have at least 1 full year of experience which provided you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

• Experience assisting with the planning, coordination, and

execution of events such as conferences, luncheons, trips, and

receptions.

• Experience assisting with administrative policies and practices.
• Experience with scheduling and coordinating a wide range of

activities and functions for major events, meetings, and

conferences.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-Verify) – U.S. law requires organizations to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States - either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This agency utilizes E-Verify to compare information from the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) records to confirm employment eligibility. If the employee’s information does not match DHS and/or SSA records, the employee is given an opportunity to resolve the problem. If eligibility cannot be verified, employment will be terminated.

Other Information

• The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Once the incumbent is hired through the PSC, s/he obtains a security clearance and a department email address; however, the incumbent’s status is one of Leave Without Pay until s/he is asked to begin work on a summit or other event. The nature of the work while on the PSC in support of a summit or other major international event is intermittent and the timeframe for these events is variable due to the unpredictable nature of foreign policy planning. Once the incumbent has accepted a position to work on a summit or other event when offered, the incumbent’s salary begins and is sustained for the duration of the agreed upon timeframe. While on contract the incumbent has three opportunities to turn down the option to work on a summit or other event before the PSC is cancelled and someone else is hired to ensure an active summit/major event team roster is maintained.
• The position is considered a telework eligible position. The supervisor may allow the contractor to telework if so improves the productivity, effectiveness, quality, or timeliness of work. Approval to telework will be consistent with published department policy.
• A financial disclosure may be required if the incumbent performs duties as a COR.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) and other characteristics that are relevant to the duties of this position and must be fully supported by information in your resume:

• Skill in problem solving.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to Plan and Organize Work.
• Knowledge of policies and procedures governing national and international protocol.
• Ability to research and compile data utilizing a variety of computer applications/ databases.
• Ability to act as a liaison.

Evaluation:

• Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience(s) and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. In order to fully evaluate your application and receive proper credit, your resume should include: (1) paid and non-paid experience, job title, dates held (month and year for qualifying purposes to receive credit), number of hours worked per week, and salary (2) knowledge of the subject matter and technical skills pertinent to this position; (3) specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work; and (4) names and phone numbers of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements as stated in this job opportunity announcement for the grade level for which you are applying. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of consideration.
• Applicants must meet the qualification requirements and submit any required supporting documentation by the closing date of this job opportunity. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the specialized experience, other characteristics that are relevant to the duties of this position and must be fully supported by information in your resume.

Conditions of Employment

1. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
2. U.S. Citizenship is required.
3. Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required.

Those on a intermittent work schedule are not entitled to annual and sick leave.

The Office of Protocol has a program that allows Personal Service Contract employees to be reimbursed for part of their health premium costs that they incur during the period of performance. The Health Insurance Program pays 72% of the actual costs towards either an individual policy or a family policy of the Contractor's annual health insurance premiums, provided that such amount does not exceed the maximum U.S. Government contribution for Civil Service or Foreign Service personnel as announced annually by the Office of Personnel Management. The Life Insurance Program pays 50% of one life insurance policy premium cost up to a maximum of $500.00 per year. To be eligible for the PSC Health Insurance Reimbursement Program, the employee must provide proof of insurance coverage and the cost of the premium for which they are responsible. The 401K Retirement Savings plan offered by the Department gives an opportunity for PSCs to prepare for a retirement future through participation in a retirement plan. The retirement plan provides tax benefits; however, is not matched by the Department. Former Military Service and Federal employees Annual Leave Accrual Rates: Personal Service Contract employees entering on duty with prior military service and/or federal civilian service can credit their years of service for higher annual leave accrual rates. Please submit a copy of your most recent DD-214 form and/or SF-50 for consideration for higher annual leave accrual rates.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER - Your Social Security Number is requested under the authority of Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may have the same name. As allowed by law or Presidential directive, your Social Security Number is used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others who may know you. Failure to provide your Social Security Number on your application materials will result in your application not being processed.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY - Personal Service Contractors (PSC) who are hired pursuant to statutory authority section 5 of the Foreign Buildings Act of 1926 as amended, (22 U.S.C.296) (FSBA) are employees of the U.S. government under common law master-servant standards and as confirmed by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy of the Office of Management and Budget, can perform inherently governmental functions to the extent consistent with the statutory authority under which they were hired.

Marketing Statement:

The men and women of the US Department of State with their skills, character and commitment to public service, are the backbone of America's diplomacy. Personal Services Contractor employees support the foreign policy mission from offices in Washington, DC and worldwide. Join us in helping to shape a freer, more secure and prosperous world as we formulate, represent and implement US foreign policy. Choose from hundreds of career possibilities - there's something for everyone!

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

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Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.

Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:

• An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.

You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

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Legal and regulatory guidance

• Privacy Policy - United States Department of State
• Welcome to The Privacy Office (A/GIS/PRV) (sharepoint.com)
• False Signature on Contract: Everything You Need to Know (upcounsel.com)
• Selective Service | USAGov
• Probationary Period for New Federal Employees - FEDweek