Summary
The International Broadcaster (Multimedia)(Lao) position is located in VOA’s Lao Service. Incumbent is responsible for conceiving, planning, researching, writing, and broadcasting original audio/video scripts of a highly complex nature. Work requires fluency in reading and speaking Lao and English languages to provide broadcast journalism such as: interviewing, writing, editing, reporting, and broadcasting stories for radio, television, websites, and social media platform sites.
This job is open to
- The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
- Veterans
- Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees who meet the definition of a “surplus” or “displaced” employee.
Clarification from the agency
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL), the public, Veterans; All U.S. Citizens.
Videos
Duties
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Initiates and conducts original interviews with a wide variety of subjects and news sources, some of which may be suspicious and uncooperative.
- Writes news-related stories for use in radio, television, websites, and social media using a variety of sources including area experts, newspapers, or magazine organizations.
- Prepares integrated, highly targeted, well-balanced scripts, radio or television programs or program segments, or internet web presentations that captures the attention of the audience.
- Prepares and/or presents news and feature materials in a studio or on location for radio/television simulcasts and may serve as a show host.
- Initiates coverage of news and features in consultations with senior editors, participates fully in coverage of major events, and in the preparation and execution of broadcasts.
- Keeps abreast of current developments in Lao’s Region in order to plan and develop program materials that are relevant and consistent with broad U.S. policy aims.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S Citizen or U.S. National.
- This is a public trust security position. If selected, this position requires the completion of form SF-86.
- Suitability Determination: If selected, you will be subject to a background investigation to establish your suitability for federal employment. The background investigation may include, among other aspects, a review of your credit and legal history.
- This position is covered by a Union Agreement. Bargaining Unit Information: BUS: 1029 AFGE Local 1812, 330 Independence Avenue S.W., Room 1169, Washington, D.C. 20237, afgelocal1812@gmail.com,
(202)920-4884. - The full performance grade level for this position is GS-12.
- This position may require working nights, weekends, and holidays.
- If you are a male applicant who is born after 12/31/59, you are required to be registered for the Selective Service.
Qualifications
Screen-out factor: Applicants must have fluency in both the English and Lao languages that enables them to speak, read, write, report, and translate in both languages. This language screen-out factor MUST be listed in your resume to receive consideration.
Applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility comparable to the GS-11 or equivalent pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the public or private sectors. Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position the following specialized experience is required:
- Thorough knowledge of the professional techniques of broadcast journalism required for conducting video, radio, social media, and television interviews.
- Prepares and/or voices news and feature materials in a studio or on location for radio, television, social media, or internet broadcasts.
- Thorough comprehension of Laos history, culture, and awareness of political and social developments.
- Ability to establish effective work relationships, with not only team members and colleagues, but also with groups or individuals providing information of interviews on program work topics.
Education
Education is not required for this grade level. It cannot be used for qualification purposes.
Additional information
1. Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement to be considered.
2. 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. For Military Selective Service Act requirement information, please visit Selective Service
3. Your application to this vacancy announcement will only allow consideration for this announcement. We cannot electronically or manually move your application to corresponding announcements, if applicable.
4. Additional vacancies not reflected in the announcement that occur after the opening date of the vacancy announcement for position(s) identical (same grade, series and title) to the original vacancy may be filled from the selection certificate during the validity of the certificate.
- Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once your application package has been received, a review of your qualifications will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements and competencies required for this position.
Competencies:
- Interpersonal Skills
- Journalism
- Production
- Target Area
Possession of competencies must be addressed in a resume and/or cover letter. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. 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 qualifications. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. You will be placed in one of three rating categories:
- Qualified Category-Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position, a numeric rating below 79.
- Well Qualified Category-Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, a numeric rating of 80-89.
- Best Qualified Category-Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, a numeric rating of 90 and above.
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 (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher). 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
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
- Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have – whether you’re a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you’re eligible under their policies.
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/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (Schedule A)
- Disability Letter (VA)
- RIF Letter, Separation SF-50, or other document supporting ICTAP/CTAP eligibility.
- Personnel actions or other documents supporting eligibility under interchange agreements with other merit systems.
- Documents supporting Peace Corps, VISTA, or other eligibility for non-competitive appointment.
- Resume
- SF-15
Although the required documents listed in this announcement only indicates that a resume is required, other documents may be required in specific circumstances.
ICTAP: If you are an eligible Interagency 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 80 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.
Veteran’s Preference: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans’ preference, you must attach the member copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility stating discharge type. If you are claiming 10-point veterans’ preference, you must submit a VA letter and an Application of 10-Point Veterans’ Preference (SF-15). Applicants seeking widow or other special veterans preference must submit a SF-15 form and all documents indicated for their specific form of preference. 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.
Education: If education is a requirement or there is an option to use education for qualification purposes, you must submit your unofficial transcripts with your application package at the time of applying or before the closing date of this vacancy announcement. If selected for the position, you will be required to submit official transcripts before your Enter on Duty date.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
- How to Apply
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you cannot complete the Application Package online, please contact the Human Resource Specialist listed in this vacancy announcement.
- To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents and any appropriate Accepted Documents.
- To begin, click Apply in the announcement; then, choose to create a new USAJOBS account or Sign-in into your existing account.
- Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package.
- You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before submitting it. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- Click the following link to pre-view and print the occupational questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12130165.
- After completing the questionnaire and uploading appropriate documents, click the Submit Application to submit your application package.
- It is applicant’s responsibility to verify that information entered in the profile is accurate and all required documents are uploaded and submitted before 11:59 PM (EST) on closing, 10/13/2023 of the announcement to receive consideration.
- Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. If a document is not in legible format, applicant will not be able to view it in Application Manager which means applicant must again upload the documentation to the system by the closing date of this announcement.
- To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account. The page will display the positions for which you’ve applied as well as the status of each application.
- To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click on the plus sign (+) next to the job title to expand information about the job. Next click on Update Application to complete the application process.
- Note: Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. This position requires the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described previously. Please carefully review the complete job announcement, including the Required Documents, Other Information, and How to Apply sections of the announcement.
- Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail or e-mail. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement.
Agency contact information
Wanda Fisher
Phone
202-920-2400
Email
wfisher@usagm.gov
Address
East Asia and Pacific Division 330 Independence Avenue SW Room 4700 Cohen Building Washington, DC 20237 US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire and application package 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.
- Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request
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/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (Schedule A)
- Disability Letter (VA)
- RIF Letter, Separation SF-50, or other document supporting ICTAP/CTAP eligibility.
- Personnel actions or other documents supporting eligibility under interchange agreements with other merit systems.
- Documents supporting Peace Corps, VISTA, or other eligibility for non-competitive appointment.
- Resume
- SF-15
Although the required documents listed in this announcement only indicates that a resume is required, other documents may be required in specific circumstances.
ICTAP: If you are an eligible Interagency 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 80 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.
Veteran’s Preference: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans’ preference, you must attach the member copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility stating discharge type. If you are claiming 10-point veterans’ preference, you must submit a VA letter and an Application of 10-Point Veterans’ Preference (SF-15). Applicants seeking widow or other special veterans preference must submit a SF-15 form and all documents indicated for their specific form of preference. 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.
Education: If education is a requirement or there is an option to use education for qualification purposes, you must submit your unofficial transcripts with your application package at the time of applying or before the closing date of this vacancy announcement. If selected for the position, you will be required to submit official transcripts before your Enter on Duty date.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you cannot complete the Application Package online, please contact the Human Resource Specialist listed in this vacancy announcement.
- To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents and any appropriate Accepted Documents.
- To begin, click Apply in the announcement; then, choose to create a new USAJOBS account or Sign-in into your existing account.
- Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package.
- You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before submitting it. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- Click the following link to pre-view and print the occupational questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12130165.
- After completing the questionnaire and uploading appropriate documents, click the Submit Application to submit your application package.
- It is applicant’s responsibility to verify that information entered in the profile is accurate and all required documents are uploaded and submitted before 11:59 PM (EST) on closing, 10/13/2023 of the announcement to receive consideration.
- Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. If a document is not in legible format, applicant will not be able to view it in Application Manager which means applicant must again upload the documentation to the system by the closing date of this announcement.
- To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account. The page will display the positions for which you’ve applied as well as the status of each application.
- To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click on the plus sign (+) next to the job title to expand information about the job. Next click on Update Application to complete the application process.
- Note: Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. This position requires the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described previously. Please carefully review the complete job announcement, including the Required Documents, Other Information, and How to Apply sections of the announcement.
- Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail or e-mail. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement.
Agency contact information
Wanda Fisher
Phone
202-920-2400
wfisher@usagm.gov
Address
East Asia and Pacific Division 330 Independence Avenue SW Room 4700 Cohen Building Washington, DC 20237 US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire and application package 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.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request