Protocol Specialist; Conference

Duties

• Provide direction for the JEVB Conference Section, overseeing the planning, design, and execution of regional engagement programs and protocol activities for the USSOUTHCOM Commander and Command Group.
• Manage complex logistics for Key Leader Engagements (KLEs) and conferences, including foreign itineraries, secure transportation, lodging, seating precedence, catering, and interpreting services.
• Serve as a first‑line supervisor for a team of four civilians, responsible for performance management, workload prioritization, hiring, training, and professional development.
• Coordinate the Traditional Commander’s Activity (TCA) annual budget and oversee the Official Representation Funds (ORF), ensuring all expenditures comply with DoD and Army regulations.
• Direct the development of Statements of Work (SOW) for mission requirements and serve as the Billing Official for the Government Purchase Card (GPC) program to secure essential services.
• Act as a primary representative to high‑ranking U.S. and foreign dignitaries (e.g., Ambassadors, Ministers of Defense) and brief Command leadership on protocol arrangements and potential conflicts.
• Provide expert consultation to Component Commanders and Special Staff regarding international protocol, diplomatic customs, courtesies, and host‑nation responsibilities.

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Incumbent must obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Top Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment.
• The position is subject to a pre‑employment screening, and random testing thereafter, including testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on‑duty accident.
• The position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 35% of the time.

Requires one year of specialized experience that includes: planning, coordinating, and executing comprehensive protocol and logistical support for large‑scale conferences, Key Leader Engagements (KLEs), or special events involving high‑ranking domestic and foreign military or civilian dignitaries; managing, forecasting, and executing program budgets, including Official Representation Funds or equivalent event budgets, and developing contract requirements to procure logistical services such as catering, interpretation, and venue support;

and briefing and advising senior leadership on international or interagency protocol policies, diplomatic customs, and event logistics while maintaining effective working relationships with distinguished visitors and their staffs.

Time in Grade Requirement:
Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS‑12).

Education:

No substitution of education for experience is permitted; qualifications must be met using experience alone.

• 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans
• Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
• Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non‑Army)
• Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) Interchange Agreement
• Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
• Executive Order (E.O.) 12721
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
• Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
• Non‑Appropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI)
• Non‑Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer
• Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Interchange Agreement Eligible
• People with Disabilities, Schedule A
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
• Reinstatement
• Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998

If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental) covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a Reasonable Accommodation (RA) in your online application. Requests for RA must be received prior to starting the assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case‑by‑case basis.

If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement.