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Defense Media Activity

Training Instructor (Pacsd)

Location: Maryland, Fort Meade
Requires Relocation: No
Start Date: 16/01/2026
End Date: 02/02/2026
Offering Type: Permanent
Hiring Paths: Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL), Federal employees - Competitive service, Individuals with disabilities, Military spouses, Veterans
Service Type: Competitive
Travel Percentage: Occasional travel
Full Time On-site

Defense Media Activity

About Defense Media Activity

The position is being filled under Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense. Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)) Memorandum, “Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense,” June 23, 2023. This position is located in the Defense Media Activity (DMA), a Department of Defense Field Activity reporting to the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) (ATSD (PA)). The DMA is a worldwide media organization charged with informing Department of Defense (DoD) audiences, managing the Department’s visual information records, training the Department’s public affairs and visual information workforce and providing broadcast radio and television to DoD personnel overseas operating from multiple locations in the United States and overseas, including deployed combat and contingency forces worldwide.

Summary

Job summary

This position is part of the Defense Media Activity. The incumbent will be responsible for providing policy and procedures for DoD audiovisual and visual information activities and operations such as Combat Camera operations, and for newspapers and like print media throughout DoD such as the European and Pacific Stars and Stripes newspapers.

Major duties

As a Training Instructor (PACSD) at the GS-1712-12 some of your typical work assignments may include: Serve as a training instructor, Subject Matter Expert, in the Public Affairs and Communication Strategy and Visual Information (VI) career fields. Lead a team of assigned military and civilian instructors, manage team training schedules and mentor other instructors. Demonstrate a practical knowledge of the methods and techniques of instruction in order to teach various adult learning techniques and methodologies. Facilitate a classroom of Military, DoD Civilian, and International Students in Public Affairs, Communication Strategy, and Visual Information. Serve as needed in course design and revision following Training Task Selection Boards (TTSBs) and course In-Progress Reviews (IPRs). Assist with modification of course content as needed, and development of future courses as directed.

Qualification

You may qualify at the GS-12, if you fulfill the following qualifications: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service: Performing administrative tasks in a training directorate such as course and training standards development. Ensuring adequate manpower, resources and analyzing results of studies and work observations and utilize information. Researching, identifying, analyzing and solving problems while demonstrating professional expertise in order to perform multiple tasks simultaneously under pressure. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 1712 series. Please see OPM Link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1700/training-instruction-series-1712/ Education Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- education or a subject area related to the position to be filled. OR Experience Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Experience that demonstrated a practical knowledge of the subject area of the position and of the methods and techniques of instruction. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Teaching or instructing in an adult education program, secondary school, college, military installation, or industrial establishment in the appropriate field(s). Supervising or administering a training program. Development or review of training/course materials, aids, devices, etc., and evaluation of training results. Work in the occupation or subject-matter field of the position to be filled that required training or instructing others on a regular basis. If you are using your education to meet the IOR: You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level. *NOTE: All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. Foreign education may be qualifying if a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign education programs has deemed the foreign education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program or a U.S. accredited college or university has given full credit for the foreign courses. Unofficial transcripts from U.S. Department of Education accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions listing your name, the name of the school, the date and degree awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned are acceptable for the application process. If selected, official transcripts are required before a firm job offer is made. A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable. When relying on foreign education, submit transcripts and a copy of the equivalency evaluation results letter with a course-by-course listing. Documents must be in English or include an English translation. The hiring employer for this position does not evaluate degrees from foreign colleges or universities. For further information, visit: Foreign Education

Evaluations

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account. You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application. NOTE: Resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://www.usajobs.gov, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To preview the questionnaire, please go to https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12865819. To review the status of an application through USAJOBS: 1. Log into your USAJOBS account 2. Click Application Status within your profile to expand your application 3. Locate the job announcement and click the more information link under the Status column for this position. You will be routed to Application Manager. The Details tab displays by default. The Details tab displays comprehensive information about the selected Application Package including: assessment(s) and the status, supporting documents and their status, correspondence sent to you by the hiring agency, and your application processing status. To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload, complete this cover page http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf . Fax your documents to 1-478-757-3144. You are highly encouraged to submit your application package and complete your assessment questionnaire on-line. Please review the General Application Information and Definitions at: https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo%2012-1-2020.pdf?ver=ECNbdsHtGilTd3OENN4A0Q%3d%3d