BBG Watch Commentary

The embattled government agency, the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), has a bloated bureaucracy which keeps creating and filling new high-paying jobs using money that should be going to media outreach abroad. The agency has a new CEO/Director, John Lansing, who started working at his job a few days ago. It will take him some time to figure out how to deal with a multitude of management problems.

The BBG’s administration and program support structure, where this job will be located, already uses up the largest portion of the agency’s budget, 34 percent.

The same officials who create these multiple bureaucratic positions regularly propose to the bipartisan BBG board terminations of various foreign language broadcasts and other media outreach programs to pay for their ever expanding bureaucracy.

The corridors of the BBG headquarters in Washington, D.C. are filled with offices of various types of analysts, program advisors, program coordinators, directors and their deputies while journalists don’t have money and resources to cover even the most basic news stories.

Job Title: Policy Analyst (Near East/Central Asia)

Agency:Broadcasting Board of Governors

Job Announcement Number:DE-15-234

SALARY RANGE: $76,378.00 to $139,523.00 / Per Year

OPEN PERIOD: Wednesday, September 23, 2015 to Wednesday, October 7, 2015
SERIES & GRADE: GS-1001-12/14
POSITION INFORMATION: Full Time – Permanent
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:14
DUTY LOCATIONS: 1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington DC, DC View Map
WHO MAY APPLY: United States Citizens
SECURITY CLEARANCE: Not Applicable
SUPERVISORY STATUS: No
JOB SUMMARY:
The incumbent is part of the Office of Strategy and Development within the Broadcasting Board of Governor.  He/She evaluates and formulates BBG strategy for its programmatic and media activities as they relate to Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY A UNION AGREEMENT

The Broadcasting Board of Governors is conveniently located within walking distance to the Green, Yellow, Orange and Blue Metro lines.

NOTE: Budgetary conditions may delay or otherwise affect filling this vacancy. However, all interested candidates should apply now.

The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), an independent federal agency, is an exciting, multi cultural organization that encompasses all U.S. civilian international broadcasting. The BBG is comprised five networks broadcasting in 61 languages including the Voice of America,  the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio and TV Marti), and three grantee organizations – Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa), and Radio Free Asia along with the International Broadcasting Bureau which provides transmission, administrative, and other support services; and three grantee organizations. Our staff of dedicated professionals serves as an example of a free and independent media, reaching a worldwide audience of 215 million people with news, information, and relevant discussions.

 

TRAVEL REQUIRED
25% or Greater
moderate travel required
RELOCATION AUTHORIZED
No
KEY REQUIREMENTS
US Citizens ONLY
Candidates MUST meet all qualification requirements by closing date
Relocation expenses WILL NOT be paid
Candidates may be required to work, nights, weekends and holidays
DUTIES:

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

Provide comprehensive, balanced information and analysis all issues related to media, U.S. policy and organizational strategy associated with Central Asia and the Near East as it relates to carrying out the journalistic mission of the Agency.

Assess the political, economic, social, security and media environments of Central Asia and the Near East to identify options and present information in a concise and logical manner to BBG executives as it relates to carrying out the mission of the Agency.

Analyze media market, audience and performance data to inform management and language service assessments, including audience identification, content, and platform and distribution strategies.

Identify and frame arguments for and against, advantages and disadvantages, risks and benefits or strengths and weaknesses associated with proposals for carrying out media and organizational strategies in the target region. 

Plan, conduct and coordinate comprehensive media and organizational strategy studies involving the assessment of options developed by the analyst and others to provide Agency and content leadership management with authoritative information on which to base decisions affecting achieving the BBG mission, goals and objectives.

Formulate strategies, goals and objectives for the BBG to accomplish its mission in the target region. 

Coordinate and formulate operational plans, including contingency plans for surge or crisis media activities, in coordination with the language services and operational units of the BBG.

Interact with and represent the Agency at the policy-making level and senior policy staff with the Executive Branch, in other Federal agencies, with Congress and with individuals of recognized professional standing in foreign policy institutions.

Discuss and negotiate with internal and external stakeholders on the type, nature and timing of public policy as it relates to the BBG and correlate professional knowledge and expertise with public policy questions relating to the BBG in the target region

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Basic Qualifications:  Applicants must have (1) one year of specialized experience which is directly related to this line of work

Specialized experience: Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Examples of such experience for the GS-12 level includes: experience as a professional analyst providing analyses of the Central Asia and the Near East region based on a professional knowledge of this region, including the media environment and political and institutional environments relevant to the BBG’s mission; participation  in analyzing media activities; experience in applying pertinent research and analytical methodology in a professional environment to important issues; and experience in assisting in communicating information to policy-makers.
 
Examples of such experience for the GS-13 level includes: experience as a professional analyst providing analyses of the  Central Asia and the Near East region based on a professional knowledge of this region, including the media environment, U.S. policy and political and institutional environments relevant to the BBG’s journalistic mission; participation in analyzing media activities and strategies; experience in applying pertinent research and analytical methodology to policy-level issues; and experience in communicating highly complex issues, to policy-makers through professional papers and participation in briefings, seminars or similar situations.
 

Examples of such experience for the GS-14 level includes: experience as an analyst providing expert advice on Central Asia and the Near East region, including the media environment, U.S. policy and political and institutional environments relevant to the BBG’s journalistic mission; participation in formulating and executing media strategies; experience as an expert in using pertinent research and analytical methodology and applying such techniques to policy-level issues, and experience in communicating highly complex issues, to policy-makers through professional papers and participation in briefings, seminars or similar situations.

See comment above

REQUIREMENTS:

This position may require you to serve a 1-year probationary period

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
Once your resume or application is submitted a review of your qualification will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements and competencies required for this position.
Competencies:

Knowledge of the Central Asia and the Near East region, including the media environment, U.S. policy to the region, political and institutional environments relevant to the BBG’s journalistic mission in formulating and executing media strategies and activities.

Knowledge of media strategy, journalism, international relations; broadcasting and other media techniques and transmission methods relevant to the BBG and the target region

Knowledge of pertinent research and analytical methodology and ability to apply such techniques to policy issues.  

Skill in effectively communicating highly complex issues.

Your resume and supporting documentation will be reviewed and compared to your responses on the occupational questionnaire to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position.  If you meet the minimum qualifications your qualifications will be further reviewed by a Human Resources Specialist, to assess the quality, depth, and complexity of your accomplishments, experience, and education as they are related to this position. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your job qualifications. Providing false information may be grounds for not selecting you or termination after appointment. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.

You will then be placed in one of three rating categories:
Qualified Category
Well Qualified Category
Best Qualified Category

Application of Veterans’ Preference: Category Rating does not add veterans’ preference points, but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more will be placed at the top of the highest quality category. Preference eligibles who do not have a service-connected disability of 10 percent or more will be assigned to the appropriate quality category based upon the job-related assessment and will be listed ahead of non-preference eligibles within the appropriate quality category.

BENEFITS:
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The Federal Government offers exceptional benefits to employees, including opportunities for training and advancement, health insurance, vacation and sick leave, life insurance, long term care insurance, retirement benefits, flexible spending accounts, and public transportation subsidies. The link below provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal Employees: http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourcesCenter/Index/Interactive/Benefits#icc

 

OTHER INFORMATION:
1. If you are an eligible Inter agency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) applicant you may apply for special selection over other candidates for this position. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85 or above on the rating criteria for this position. ICTAP eligibles must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority: a separation notice; a “Notice of Personnel Action” (SF-50) documenting separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.

2. If you are still on active duty, you may submit a statement of service from your Personnel Command which states the date you entered active duty, the date you are separating, and the campaign medals you have received.  http://www.chcoc.gov/transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalID=4881.
3. 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.
4. If selected, you will  be subject to a security investigation to establish your suitability for federal employment.  The security investigation will include, among other aspects, a review of your credit and legal history.
5. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Additional selections may be made if additional/identical vacancies occur within 90 days of certificate issuance.

HOW TO APPLY:
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To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Wednesday, October 07, 2015 to receive consideration.

 To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
All applicants are required to submit the following supporting document type(s):
   ·Resume
Applicants may also submit the following supporting document type(s),which may not be required for all applicants:
   ·Cover Letter
   ·DD-214
   ·Other Veterans Document
   ·SF-15

Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents:
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

NOTE: If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible. If you completed the occupational questionnaire online and are unable to upload supporting document(s):

   1.  To fax your documents, you must use the following cover page http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf and provide the required information. The Vacancy ID is 1514520.
   2.   Fax your documents to 1-478-757-3144.

If you cannot complete the Application Package online, you may fax all of your materials. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Wednesday, October 07, 2015 to receive consideration. Keep a copy of your fax confirmation in the event verification is needed.

To complete the occupational questionnaire and submit via fax:
   1.  Click the following link to view and print the occupational questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire.
   2.  Print the 1203FX form, follow the instructions and provide your responses to the occupational questionnaire items http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/opm1203fx.pdf.
    3.  Fax all six pages of the completed 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to 1-478-757-3144. Your 1203FX will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission.
If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans’ preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility.  If you are claiming 10-point veterans’ preference, you must attach an SF-15, “Application of 10-Point Veterans’ Preference” plus the proof required by that form.  If you are still on active duty, you may submit a statement of service from your Personnel Command which states the date you entered active duty, the date you are separating, and the campaign medals you have received. For additional information please click on the link: http://www.chcoc.gov/transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalID=4881
Your resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written format you choose to describe your job-related qualifications can be submitted electronically using the document upload process, fax, mail, or by hand-delivery.  Please ensure that your resume contain your full name, address, phone and at least your last four digits of your social security number.

 

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:
AUDREY Q. ADAMS
Phone: (202)382-7543
Fax: (202)382-7542
Email: AADAMS@BBG.GOV
Agency Information:
Broadcasting Board Governors
330 Independence Avenue SW
ATTN Office of Human Resources
Room 1543 Cohen Building
Washington, DC
20237
USA
Fax: (202)382-7542
WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:
Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.