179-Day Developmental Assignment: Researcher/Writer, NH-03/04 at U.S. Army Testing and Evaluation Command (ATEC) Headquarters (HQ), Commander’s Initiative Group (CIG), Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), MD (HQATEC84593)

Eligibility Requirements

US Citizenship

Career Category

Aviation

Budget/Accounting

Contracting

Engineer

Engineering Technician

Equipment, Facilities

Human Resources

IT/Computer Science

Legal

Logistics

Math and Statistics

Public Affairs (PAO)

Quality Assurance

Range Support

Sciences (Physical/Natural)

Security and Safety

Technical Writing and Editing

Transportation

Job Summary

This is a 179-day developmental assignment opportunity for a high performing NH-03 OR 04 (GS13 – 15 equivalent) DA Civilian within ATEC to gain experience as a Researcher and Writer, for the Commander’s Initiative Group (CIG). The position would require the assignee to conduct research, provide written products to senior leaders, and make contacts across various government bodies and industry to address ATEC’s interests. Ideal candidates would be able to demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills, problem-solving, and analytical skills. Mentorship, training, and product review will be provided as part of the learning experience for this assignment.  

Job Responsibilities

Duration: NTE 179 days. Start Date o/a 15 July 2024 or later.

Target Competencies: 1) Ability to conduct research and produce graduate level/publishable writing on a variety of topics, 2) Ability to work independently and as a member of a group, 3) Ability to examine problems from multiple angles and provide critical analysis for executive level leadership, and 4) Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.

Funding: Salary and benefits will be the responsibility of the parent organization. Any overtime incurred due to developmental assignment is allowed, funded by the host organization, and must be coordinated between the host and parent organization supervisors in advance.

Premium pay incurred during assignment will be the responsibility of the host organization. 

Work Schedule: The host organization will establish the duty hours. Alternate work schedules must be communicated and approved by both host and parent organization supervisors. 

Telework Policy: Telework eligible IAW ATEC’s telework policy. Must be able to travel as needed. Re-location to Aberdeen Proving Ground is not required. (See Conditions of Employment for more details) 

TDY: This assignment will not require relocation to APG, MD. Any TDY incurred for mission duties of the developmental assignment will be the responsibility of the host organization. 

Resources: IT support and facility access will be provided by the parent organization if needed.
 

Duty Description: Duties for this position include but are not limited to the following: 

1.  Conduct research and analysis that requires comprehensive, accurate, and timely written and verbal information to senior leaders. 

2. Conduct research and make contacts across various government bodies and industry to address ATEC’s “vexing” problems. This may require conducting interviews with senior leaders and subject matter experts both internal to and outside of ATEC.

3.  Review and provide input and critiques to other CIG products and work. This position requires the ability to question the status quo and to develop and defend positions that may not be popular or within the mainstream thinking of the organization. Candidates must be comfortable with pushback from COLs, SESs, and General Officers within ATEC.

4.  Work with and across the HQ ATEC staff, and ATEC Subordinate Organizations to initiate research and ensure accurate information is collected. Provide draft products for review by others and receive and incorporate input and critique.

5.  Distill a large amount of complex information into a written product easily consumed by a senior leader. This requires an open mind and a desire to become fluent in the topic. Written products may include information papers, memoranda, and powerpoint, for internal Army and ATEC use, as well as research articles for submission for publication to outside organizations.

Submission: This opportunity will require the submission of a resume and an endorsement letter from both the employee’s immediate Supervisor and Director. A copy of the endorsement letter template should have been provided through the various announcement mechanisms (e.g. email notification, SharePoint). 

For any questions, concerns, or requests for templates, please reach out to usarmy.apg.atec.mbx.atec-developmental-assignments@army.mil and reference the requisition number ( HQATEC84593 ). Technical questions may be deferred or directed to COL Michael S. Johnson, Commander’s Initiative Group, Michael.s.johnson12.mil@army.mil.

NOTES: Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Job Qualification

1.  Background conducting research at the graduate level is preferred but not required.

2.  No positive education requirements.

3.  Candidates who have familiarity with ATEC’s mission preferred.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED. You will be evaluated based on your level of competency in the following areas:

1) Ability to conduct research and produce graduate level/publishable writing on a variety of topics

2) Ability to work independently and as a member of a group

3) Ability to examine problems from multiple angles and provide critical analysis for executive level leadership, and 
 

4) Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.

Candidates will be evaluated based on their resume and recommendation letters from their immediate Supervisor and Director.

Candidates must possess a Secret clearance and ability to maintain clearance throughout assignment.

Candidates will undergo an interview process before final selections are made. 

Conditions of Employment

1. Candidates must possess a Secret clearance and ability to maintain during assignment.

2. Candidates must be able to participate Secure Video Teleconference meetings in person. If the candidate is outside of the APG footprint, they must be able to secure access at their respective duty locations.

3. ATEC employees must meet minimum eligibility requirements according to the latest guidance published on ATEC 350-01, Chapter 9, Section III, Paragraph 9-6. External candidates must comply with their local policy’s eligibility requirements. 

4. Candidates assigned to APG must be able to work on-site 4 to 5 days during a pay period in accordance with the latest ATEC telework policy. Candidates not assigned to APG will abide by their parent organizations on-site policy as selectees not assigned to APG will not be re-located to APG. 

Effective 8 Sep 2024, the required APG in-office workdays will be increased from four (4) days per pay period to five (5) days per pay period. With this change, one workday of each week will be a core day for the entire HQ staff. The core day is Wednesday. This does not apply to candidates working outside of the APG footprint.

5. Continued Service Agreement. Per AR 350-1, Army Civilians selected for non-Government training in excess of 40 hours, or Government training/developmental assignments in excess of 160 hours must sign a CSA in the Department of the Army before training begins. The period of service obligation will be equal to at least three times the length of the training period, at a minimum. Command or career program funding the training may require more time based on associated training costs. Calculation of the continued service obligation period will not include weekends or federal holidays. The obligation period begins on the first day following the completion of training or program of study. 

The calculator and agreement will be sent after the start and end dates have been finalized. This must be signed and returned to the S1/G1 proponent managing this action prior to the start date. A copy should also be provided to the selectee’s supervisor.