MILITARY & FAMILY READINESS SPECIALIST (INDEFINITE, WILL NOT BECOME PERMANENT) (TITLE 5)

About the role

IOWA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD - TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION Open to the public. Military membership is not required, and Veteran's Preference applies.

THIS IS AN INDEFINITE POSITION THAT WILL NOT EXCEED 5 YEARS AND IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CONVERSION TO PERMANENT STATUS Applicants who meet one of the DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP) categories are eligible to apply with this preference. (See Required Documents section) LOCATION: G9, Council Bluffs, IA

What you will do

• As a MILITARY & FAMILY READINESS SPECIALIST (INDEFINITE, WILL NOT BECOME PERMANENT) (TITLE 5), GS-0301-9, you will perform the following duties.
• Serve as fully independent advisor within geographical area of responsibility in accomplishing all objectives of the Soldier & Family Readiness Program (SFRP) for the Army National Guard to maximize retention and readiness.
• Provide input to develop, articulate, and implement the Family Readiness Program at the State level, inclusive of family readiness, family assistance, employment outreach, volunteer training and management and improvement of quality of life and well-being of Service members and families.
• Conduct needs assessments to determine requirements.
• Collect and organizes volunteer, family, and other related data, submit data and information through the State Family Program Director or Supervisory Family Support Services Specialist.
• Implement and maintain computer entry system to support reporting, for retrieval, and dissemination.
• Ensure accurate and timely input into the NGB-approved system of record for all applicable Service Members and Family case information, unit support, community outreach, training provision, volunteer management and other Family Program data.
• Coach, mentor, train junior staff.
• Conduct briefings at the local, unit and state levels to provide necessary information to leadership, commanders, Soldiers, Families, Soldier and Family Readiness Groups (SFRGs) and community partners and stimulate interest and support to build program and community capacity.
• (25%) Manages and operates family assistance center and provide assistance to commands within geographical area of responsibility in support of the SFRP.
• Provides information resource referral and non-medical administrative case management across all essential services; including but not limited to, Crisis, Legal, Financial, TRICARE, ID Cards/DEERS, Community Information and Outreach Services, Employment/Financial Literacy, Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC) and Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP).
• Develop and maintain a directory of resources, agencies and organizations that are available to assist Service-members, Families and survivors.
• Shall coordinate assistance from military, government, and civilian organizations as needed to assist Service Members, Family Members, Retirees, and Civilian Government Employees needing military quality of life support, and ensure accurate and timely input into the NGB-approved system of record for all applicable Service Members and Family case information.
• (25%) Provide training and technical support to Commanders and Family Readiness Liaisons to support their Unit Family Readiness program and Soldier & Family Readiness Groups (SFRGs).
• Responsible to conduct informal and formal training and recruiting of volunteers.
• Support volunteers to work with the Family Readiness Groups (SFRGs), and to instruct and train units, soldiers, and their families.
• Provide training and technical assistance to unit commanders and Family Readiness liaisons to develop local unit SFRGs.
• Recruit and complete administrative actions for the appointment of statutory volunteers.
• Develop and conduct orientation and training programs for volunteers, including Army Family Team Building, Army Family Action Plan and Operation Ready/Readiness Essentials for Army Leaders.
• Maintain a system of documenting volunteer services and hours, and a library of resource materials concerning volunteerism, and provide materials to volunteers as needed.
• Plans volunteer recognition activities at the unit and State levels and makes recommendations to the State Family Program Director or Supervisory Family Support Services Specialist higher headquarters for state and national level volunteer awards.
• Initiate Invitational Travel Orders (ITOs) for volunteers.
• Plans and conducts workshops and seminars, coordinating volunteer assistance as needed.
• Identifies statutory volunteers to serve as State Family Program volunteer council members, coordinates activities, and council communications.
• Assist higher headquarters in planning and coordinating resources for family assistance at deployment cycle support and steady-state readiness activities.
• Implement and maintains a system of providing publications and information to units and SFRGs.
• (25%) Submit information to support development and budget forecasting to support the Soldier and Family Readiness Support Program to higher headquarters.
• Conducts staff assistance visits to units in the geographical area of responsibility to accomplish the objectives of the program.
• (25%) Perform other duties as assigned.

Education

Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience 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 You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims.

To receive credit for education, you must provide documentation of proof that you meet the education requirements for this position.

How you will be evaluated

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are found to be among the qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. Verbiage displayed on your resume or application must contain your own words.

You may refer to position descriptions, i.e. the general and specialized experience located within the vacancy announcement, to assist with describing work experiences; however, resumes or applications received in verbatim will not be considered. In your resume you will need to address the general and specialized experience listed above.

Please use as much detail as needed, giving dates (months and years) of the experience, position title and how the experience was gained. This information is needed to determine if you are qualified for the position.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the minimum/specialized experience provided in the announcement and the KSA's (knowledge, skills, and abilities) listed below: Knowledge or experience of an administrative nature, which involves the exercise of analytical ability, judgment, discretion, and personal responsibility, and application of a substantial body of knowledge of principles, concepts, and practices applicable to one or more fields of administration or management Skill and ability to administer on a daily basis the family readiness and information program of a state and to oversee its implementation and operation in units Knowledge of a substantial body of administrative or program principles, concepts, policies, and objectives.

Knowledge of the principles, policies, program goals and methodology of the National Guard quality of life programs, including factors that affect work and leisure environments, to administer a program that provides information about individual and family social problems and referral to social service programs and agencies, information about National Guard assistance programs, to gather and analyze information on problems and difficulties of obtaining assistance using the current system, to provide programs that address such problems, and to recommend action to improve the system.

Documents you must provide

• Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates (including Month and Year, e.g., 02/2017, Feb 2017, etc.) of employment and duties performed.
• Additional Supporting Documents (if applicable): Cover Letter, Transcripts, SF-50, DD 214, VA disability letter/documentation, ect.
• (In order to claim Veterans Preference a VA disability letter or legible copy of your DD214(s) annotating dates, campaign medals, and character of service (honorable, general, etc.) must be submitted for consideration).
• Applicants who meet one of the DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP) categories are eligible to apply with this preference.
• (See Required Documents section) Applicants who meet one of the DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP) categories below are eligible to apply with this preference.
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Employees Priority Placement Program, Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Applicants claiming Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible must submit the following documentation: - Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self Certification Checklist (DD 3145-3) - Termination SF-50 Separation stating that the applicant has Priority Placement Eligibility - Notice of Separation confirming of eligibility.
• Applicants claiming Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement must submit the following documentation: - Military Reserve and Technician Disability PPP Self Certification Checklist (DD 3145-2) - Termination SF-50 Separation stating that the applicant has Priority Placement Eligibility - Notice of Separation confirming of eligibility.
• Applicant claiming Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Employees must submit the following documentation: -DoD Retained Grade Self Certification Checklist (DD 3145-1) - SF-50 effecting the placement in retained grade status - Copy of the notification letter the employee received (RIF or classification downgrade) Applicants claiming Priority Placement Program, Military Spouse Preference must submit the following documentation: - DoD Military Spouse Preference Self Certification Checklist (DD 3145-4) - Sponsor's PCS Orders - Proof of Military member's current active duty status - Marriage Certificate

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Additional information

SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENT: Employment is subject to attaining and maintaining a clearance as required by this position. If the selectee does not possess the applicable security clearance when hired, application must be made within 30 days of the start date.

Failure to make application for the required security clearance will result in termination of employment.

TRIAL PERIOD REQUIREMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period or 1-year (Veterans Preference Eligibles Only) during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: Your performance and conduct. The needs and interests of the agency. Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 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 (***).

APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11/11/2026.

FAILURE TO PROVIDE COMPLETE INFORMATION MAY RESULT IN YOU NOT RECEIVING CONSIDERATION FOR THIS POSITION.

Please refer to the Qualifications and Evaluations Section of this Announcement to understand the qualification requirements, and the How to Apply Section for detailed instruction on applying.

Annuitants other than DSR annuitants hired on or after November 25, 2003, shall not have their salary offset by the amount of the annuity received for the period of reemployment in accordance with section 9902(h) of Reference (b).

These individuals shall receive full salary and annuity during the period of reemployment; they shall not be considered employees for the purposes of subchapter III of chapter 83 or chapter 84 of Reference (b) (e.g., ineligible for retirement deductions, ineligible to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan); and their period of reemployment shall not be creditable for a supplemental or redetermined annuity.