Desk Officer
What you'd do
This position serves as a Desk Officer within the Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of the Secretary (OS), Assistant Secretary for Insular, International, and Ocean Affairs (ASIIOA), Office of Insular Affairs (OIA). OIA is responsible for U.S. policy and program administration affecting U.S. territories and freely associated states - collectively referred to as the insular areas.
Major duties
OIA is responsible for U.S. policy and program administration affecting the U.S. territories of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands and the freely associated states of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and the Republic of Palau -collectively referred to as the insular areas. This position serves as a senior analyst and principal liaison for one or more of the jurisdictions mentioned above. Provides authoritative policy guidance, conducts advanced analysis, leads interagency coordination, supports federal program implementation, and contributes to strategic decision-making for jurisdictional priorities. At the full performance level (GS-13) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: Conducts comprehensive, high-level policy analysis grounded in federal statutes, regulations, Executive Branch directives, and jurisdiction(s) specific priorities. Develops strategic policy options for leadership that clearly outline political, fiscal, developmental, and operational implications for assigned jurisdictions. Leads comprehensive oversight of major OIA financial assistance programs, federal investment initiatives, and cross-agency programs ensuring they are strategically aligned with jurisdictional needs and long-term policy objectives. Also leads cross-cutting analytical efforts by integrating demographic, economic, governance, and programmatic data across multiple jurisdictions to inform policy and decision-making. Provides on-site analytical support and coordination during official visits, oversight missions, and program inspections. Identifies operational risks, governance challenges, and implementation realities during field travel. Produces executive-level materials including briefings, risk assessments, white papers, jurisdictional profiles, and congressional/interagency responses. Tracks emerging trends affecting governance, resilience, public finance, economic development, and U.S. relations with insular areas. Leads issue-specific reporting and strategic analysis for high priority jurisdictional initiatives. Serves as a primary liaison for jurisdictional government offices, other federal agencies, oversight entities, and local stakeholders. This position requires a valid state drivers license due to travel to remote areas as well as to maintain and/or obtain a valid U.S. Passport. Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary; however, official travel to remote islands and field locations may involve long transit times, varied terrain, and occasionally challenging environmental conditions. Work Environment: Work is typically performed in an office environment, with periodic travel to foreign field locations that may involve remote, tropical, or austere conditions. Honolulu, HI Salary Rate Range Information: (First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level.) Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) rate of 8.64% is authorized. GS-09 - $34,438 (Step 1) - $83,774 (Step 10) GS-11 - $77,964 (Step 1) - $101-359 (Step 10) GS-12 - $93,445 (Step 1) - $121,482 (Step 10) GS-13 - $111,119 (Step 1) - $144,457 (Step 10) This position is also open to status candidates under announcement MP Announcement #: OS-1500-26-KS-063 MP. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.
What you need to qualify
Qualifications: All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/07/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. Minimum Qualification Requirements: NOTE: Applicants utilizing education to qualify at the respective grade level must provide transcripts (unofficial are acceptable) in order to verify that the educational requirement has been met. The documents must be received by the closing date of the announcement. Failure to provide this information will result in you receiving an "INELIGIBLE" rating. To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications for the grade to which you are applying: GS-09: Applicants must meet either A, B, or C below. A. Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-09, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1. Assisting with planning and coordinating official travel, preparing briefing materials, arranging logistical and stakeholder engagements; 2. Assisting senior staff with researching legislation, regulations, policies, and federal programs as it relates to state or local governments; 3. Assisting with preparing status updates for an organization's leadership and interagency partners as it relates to organizational activities. Must Meet All. B. Education: You may substitute education for experience if you have achieved: - Master's (or equivalent graduate degree), OR - 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR - LL.B. or J.D., if related. C. Combination of Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and experience that total 100% of the experience requirements for the GS-09 grade level. GS-11, Applicants must meet either A, B, or C below. A. Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-11, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1. Planning and coordinating official travel, preparing briefing materials, arranging logistical and stakeholder engagements, and providing on-site staffing support during visits. 2. Interpreting and applying federal legislation, regulations, and multi-agency policies to identify jurisdictional impacts and translate legal or regulatory requirements into clear, usable guidance for internal and external stakeholders. 3. Researching legislation, regulations, policies, and federal programs as it relates to state or local governments; 4. Preparing high level status updates for an organization's leadership and interagency partners as it relates to organizational activities. Must Meet All. B. Education: You may substitute education for experience if you have achieved: - Ph.D. OR equivalent doctoral degree, OR - 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, OR - LL.M., if related. C. Combination of Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and experience that total 100% of the experience requirements for the GS-11 grade level. GS-12: Note: Education may NOT be substituted at grades 12 and above. You must possess the specialized experience defined below in order to qualify for this grade level. Specialized Experience: You must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1. Planning and coordinating official travel, preparing briefing materials, arranging logistical and stakeholder engagements, and providing on-site staffing support during visits. 2. Interpreting and applying federal legislation, regulations, and multi-agency policies to identify jurisdictional impacts and translate legal or regulatory requirements into clear, usable guidance for internal and external stakeholders. 3. Researching legislation, regulations, policies, and federal programs as it relates to state or local governments; 4. Preparing high level status updates for an organization's leadership and interagency partners as it relates to organizational activities. 5. Designs written analysis and briefing materials for senior leaders decision-making. Must Meet All. GS-13: You must possess the specialized experience defined below in order to qualify for this grade level. Specialized Experience: You must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1. Planning and coordinating official travel, preparing briefing materials, arranging logistical and stakeholder engagements, and providing on-site staffing support during visits. 2. Interpreting and applying federal legislation, regulations, and multi-agency policies to identify jurisdictional impacts and translate legal or regulatory requirements into clear, usable guidance for internal and external stakeholders. 3. Researching legislation, regulations, policies, and federal programs as it relates to state or local governments; 4. Preparing high level status updates for an organization's leadership and interagency partners as it relates to organizational activities. 5. Designs written analysis and briefing materials for senior leaders decision-making. 6. Reviewing complex policy materials to recognize relevant provisions, and assess how cross-cutting directives affect insular area governments and federal operations. Must meet 5 out of the 6 statements above.
Before you apply
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