School Information Assistant (Office Automation)

Role overview

The Department of War Education Activity is seeking a School Information Assistant (Office Automation) in Ramstein, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. This position supports school administration by handling student data, correspondence, and registration-related tasks within an automated information environment. The role is offered at the GS-05/GS-06 level, with responsibilities reflecting the full-performance GS-06 grade and developmental duties possible if a lower grade is selected.

What you will do

• Assist with student enrollment and registration processes.
• Create standard replies for routine questions and information requests.
• Sort and route incoming mail and correspondence so it reaches the right people.
• Maintain and update student records in a student information management system.
• Record grades and transfer grade information into the student database.
• Enter attendance, tuition, transfer, and similar updates into student files.
• Compile reports for school leadership using the student information system.
• Revise documents and reports so they are ready in final presentation format.
• Use office automation tools to draft correspondence and other routine communications.

Employment conditions

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete the Selective Service pre-employment certification statement.
• Applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Pay must be set up through direct deposit.
• A one-year trial or probationary period may apply.
• Final appointment depends on a suitability and fitness review, including a background investigation.
• The role requires a Tier 1 investigation with childcare checks because it involves contact with children and youth under 18.
• Applicants must meet the requirements of DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 1230, for employment in foreign areas and return rights.
• Candidates hired from the Continental United States and their U.S.-citizen family members must obtain official passports before overseas travel.
• The overseas assignment is initially set at 36 months.
• The position is not covered by a bargaining unit.

Who may apply

Applications are limited to candidates who fall into one of the listed federal employment authority categories, including current DoWEA civilian employees, current Department of War civilian employees, certain defense workforce groups, overseas family member appointments, military spouse and family member preference eligibles, transition and placement programs, veteran eligibles, and other specified federal transfer or preference categories.

Qualification requirements

To qualify, applicants must meet the relevant experience and/or education standard for the grade level. Relevant experience may include paid work, unpaid work, volunteer service, and service through national or community organizations. A resume must clearly describe the experience used for qualification, and transcripts are required if education is being used to qualify.

GS-05 specialized experience: One year of work that includes using automated systems for data entry or retrieval, drafting correspondence such as letters, memos, or reports, and maintaining files.

GS-05 education option: Four years of study beyond high school in an accredited business, secretarial, or technical school, junior college, college, or university.

GS-05 combination option: A mix of education and experience may be used if it equals 100 percent of the requirement.

GS-06 specialized experience: One year of work that includes school administrative tasks such as student registration or attendance tracking, updating student files, and providing customer support to staff needs.

This position must be qualified through experience only; education cannot be substituted for the required experience.

The role also requires a qualified typist who can reach 40 words per minute on a 5-minute typing sample with no more than three errors. A typing test may be required. Candidates who do not meet the typing standard will be found ineligible.

Time-in-grade rules apply: GS-06 applicants must have 52 weeks of federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-05) within the last 52 weeks. GS-05 applicants may not have been promoted more than two grades within the prior 52 weeks.

Additional information

• The Department of Defense Education Activity is in the process of transitioning to the Department of War Education Activity.
• Selection is subject to referral restrictions for displaced employees under the Department of War system.
• Compensation includes locality pay or a local market supplement where applicable.
• More than one vacancy may be filled from this announcement.
• Management may appoint at any announced grade level. The posting offers promotion potential to the target grade without additional competition when the selectee is eligible and management recommends promotion.
• If selected below the full-performance level, the employee will perform duties in a developmental capacity under close supervision.
• Applicants must comply with the Exceptional Family Member Program requirements.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens and not considered ordinarily resident under the applicable Status of Forces Agreement.
• Ordinarily resident limits vary by host nation and apply to individuals who have exceeded the permitted residence period without qualifying military or civilian status, or who obtained a work permit for any duration.
• Pay retention may be available for selectees at overseas locations, but not as an incentive for moving between overseas jobs.
• Status candidates subject to the 5-year overseas rotation must have enough time remaining to complete the initial tour; waivers are not permitted to meet the 5-year limit.
• Status applicants in their fourth year of an overseas assignment cannot be selected unless a waiver of the 5-year overseas service limit is approved.
• Applicants hired outside the United States will have foreign area benefit eligibility determined at hire.
• Host-nation laws or international agreements may affect the ability of a same-sex spouse or domestic partner to accompany the employee and receive benefits.
• Applicants should be aware of possible medical care limitations for family members with special needs when accepting an overseas assignment.
• Military treatment facility access for civilians and family members may only be available on a space-available basis.
• Medical and dental care for employees and family members may need to be obtained from host-nation providers and paid for by the employee or family.
• Civilian access to military medical and dental facilities is space-available and reimbursable only.
• The agency states that candidates should be dedicated to improving government efficiency, committed to the ideals of the American republic, and supportive of the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution.

Education and foreign credentials

If foreign education is used to meet the qualifications, the applicant must provide an evaluation showing equivalency to U.S. accredited education, or proof that full credit was granted by a U.S. accredited college or university.

Evaluation and accommodation

Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation for online assessments may request one through the application process, with supporting documentation submitted before testing begins. Decisions are made individually, and eligible candidates may receive an invitation to complete the online assessments after adjudication. Once the assessment link is received after the announcement closes, the assessments must be completed within 48 hours.

ICTAP-eligible displaced federal employees may receive selection priority if they meet ICTAP eligibility, are rated well-qualified, and submit the required documentation. To be considered well-qualified, applicants must meet all qualifications and score 90 or above.

Additional information may also include priority placement program consideration, with preference applied at the full-performance grade level only.

Grade and tour details

The announcement indicates that the initial overseas tour is 36 months and that selectees may be chosen at any grade level listed, with developmental advancement possible to the target grade without further competition when eligible.