HEAD OF PUBLISHING & DIGITAL CONTENT

Summary

National Defense University (NDU) supports the joint warfighter by providing rigorous Joint Professional Military Education to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and select others in order to develop leaders who have the ability to operate and creatively think in an unpredictable and complex world. This is a Title 10 Excepted Service Appointment. Appointment is not to exceed 2 years with the possibility for extension.

Duties

Introduction. The mission of the National Defense University (NDU) is to educate joint warfighters and other national security leaders in critical thinking and the creative application of military power. The Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) is the research arm of NDU. INSS provides the Department of War (DoW) with applied, cutting-edge research, rigorous analyses, and wargaming on priority national security issues. It shapes strategy, informs decisions, and mitigates risk to ensure the United States can fight and win. INSS includes NDU Press, which prepares the joint warfighter to think critically about topics related to national defense policy, military strategy, and national security. The NDU Press publishes Joint Force Quarterly, INSS Strategic Perspectives, books, and monographs. Through its research, analyses, and publications, INSS advances the NDU mission and provides the Joint Force with decision advantage. Major Duties. The Head of Publishing and Digital Content (HPDC) leads the execution and modernization of NDU Press as an integrated, multi-platform, publishing operation. The HPDC supervises 4 to 5 editors and digital media specialists. He/she ensures efficient publishing workflows, strong editorial governance, and effective dissemination across print, web, and social media platforms. Working closely with INSS Director, Deputy Director and Dean of Administration, the HPDC integrates content production, editorial processes, and digital distribution to enhance the impact of INSS research. Publishing Operations and Workflow Management: The HPDC will manage end-to-end publishing workflows for Joint Force Quarterly and Strategic Perspectives. He/she will improve efficiency, transparency, and timeliness of the production processes for these and other special publications. The HPDC will also implement and enforce digital-first publication practices across NDU Press products. He/she will coordinate production schedules, ensure adherence to deadlines, and identify and resolve workflow bottlenecks across editorial and production stages. 30% Digital Content and Distribution Strategy: The HPDC will develop and implement an integrated content dissemination strategy across print and digital channels for INSS. He/she will manage Strategic Insights (blog), website content, and INSS social media platforms. As part of these responsibilities, the HPDC also will coordinate with INSS Director to establish and track performance metrics (e.g., reach, engagement, timeliness) of INSS products and use data and analytics to inform dissemination strategies. 20% Editorial Governance: The HPDC will serve as Chair of the Editorial Board for Joint Force Quarterly. He/she will be responsible for article selection and peer review processes and maintain high standards of quality and relevance for articles published by Joint Force Quarterly. He/she will coordinate with the INSS Director to ensure alignment of published content with Department of War priorities and target audiences. The HPDC will provide guidance to NDU Press editorial staff while delegating day-to-day editorial development. 25% Team Management and Coordination: The HPDC will supervise four or five staff, including no less than two editors and two digital/media staff. He/she will structure workflows across editorial and digital functions, set priorities, assign responsibilities, and monitor performance. He/she also will work to foster collaboration between INSS research fellows, editorial, and digital personnel. The HPDC will coordinate with the INSS Director, Deputy Director and research fellows on content pipeline and timelines to ensure effective handoff between content development, review, and publication. 15% Administrative Requirements. INSS does not have designated administrative support staff. The HPDC will be expected to comply with administrative requirements in a timely manner. This requirement includes completing monthly reports, travel request forms, country and theater clearance request forms, travel vouchers, conflict of interest paperwork, training requirements, and other administrative tasks. 5%

Qualifications and evaluation

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. A screening panel will review your resume and narrative answers to the assessment questions to evaluate your qualifications for the position. To qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described above. A NDU screening panel will review your resume and narrative answers to the hiring criteria to evaluate your qualifications for the position. NDU uses a multi-tier selection process for academic positions. The following competencies will be examined: Education Leadership Building Partnerships Curricula Development Business Acumen Success in Team Building and Leading Teams Success in Distributed Leadership You MUST upload a supplemental document or cover letter separate from your resume addressing the following hiring criteria (3 pages maximum): Factor 1: Publishing Operations and Workflow Management: Provide a narrative that demonstrates your experience with end-to-end publishing workflows, including experience with production schedules, meeting deadlines, and identifying and resolving workflow bottlenecks. Factor 2: Digital Content and Distribution Strategy: Provide narrative examples that demonstrate your experience developing and implementing an integrated content dissemination strategy across print and digital channels. Experience should include managing website content and social media platforms and tracking performance metrics of online products. Criminal History Inquiries- If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ dfas.indianapolis-in.zh.mbx.ssc-cc@mail.mil

Education

Education Requirement: Masters of Publishing / Publishing Studies from a regionally accredited university (or international equivalents) or Master of Arts (English) or Masters in Fine Arts (Creative Writing). Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if the position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified PRIOR to appointment, if selected for the role. * An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence PRIOR to appointment. Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation upon request. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education.

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents below. Click 'Apply Online' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. 1. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents. 2. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application. 3. Check application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, clicking Application Status, then More Information for this position. Return to an incomplete application by logging into your USAJOBS account and clicking Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Required documents

You must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume: A two-page maximum resume is required. Applicant guidance on the two page resume requirement may be found at: Learn more about the new resume requirements. Complete initial Eligibility Questionnaire: Your resume must demonstrate the quality of your work as it relates to the experience requirements outlined in the job announcement. Cover letter with narrative responses answering hiring criteria questions listed in the "How you will be evaluated" section of this announcement. Failure to submit will result in an ineligible rating. Other Supporting Documents - Refer to the eligibilities section for documents to submit. NOTE: Transcripts are not required at time of application submission. Your resume and narrative answers to the hiring criteria will be reviewed by the NDU screening panel to evaluate your qualifications for the position. If selected for an interview, official transcripts will be requested at that time to verify educational requirements are met. Eligibilities Information: The following supporting documents are REQUIRED to verify your individual eligibility status. Not all will apply for each applicant. They MUST be received by the closing date of the announcement. SF-50: Current and former federal employees, including those currently working for the agency, must submit their SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) reflecting their highest grade held on a permanent basis for at least 52 weeks, tenure, and appointment type. Failure to provide this document may result in disqualification. If you claim Veteran's Preference: - You must submit a copy of your DD Form-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty", showing the dates of active duty service, type of discharge and the character of service. Alternatively, If you are a current military member in active duty service and do not have a copy of your DD Form-214, you must submit a written documentation (certification) from your branch of service certifying that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application for this position. The certification should also include your rank, dates of active duty service and what they condition of discharge is thought to be. - If claiming 10-point preference and/or are a 30% or more Disabled Veteran, you must submit both a DD Form-214 or expected discharge documentation as described above AND a copy of a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or your branch of service certifying the presence of service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of disability - If you are claiming eligibility based on 10-point derived veterans' preference (i.e. a spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a veteran claiming veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it), you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (SF-15) "Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference" and any required documents indicated on the SF-15 to substantiate the claimed preference. Other documents identified in the announcement. WARNING: Failure to submit a complete application package including any required documentation by the closing date of the announcement at 11:59 EST, or at the time of application for announcements with an extended closing date, may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status and More Information. The Details page will display the status of your application. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered or uploaded is received, legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.

Additional information

Background or Security Investigation: This is a Special Sensitive position which requires a background investigation. The individual selected for this position is required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security determination to occupy a (insert position sensitivity level) position within the agency as a condition of employment. Accepting this position, you may be required to serve a I-year probationary period Special Sensitive during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. Supervisory Probationary Period: You will be required to serve an supervisory probationary period of 18 months if one has not already been completed. Reemployed Annuitants: Department of Defense has the authority to hire annuitants without reduction in pay. For more information, go to: https://www.dcpas.osd.mil/policy/retirement/reemployedannuitant All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-4434 for assistance. National Defense University (NDU) is the premier national security institution focused on advanced joint education, leader development and scholarship. Under the direction and leadership of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the oversight of the Director for Joint Force Development, Joint Staff (J-7), NDU offers a collegial and collaborative academic environment to support the joint warfighter by providing rigorous Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) and other graduate level programs to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and select others in order to develop leaders who have the ability to operate and creatively think in an unpredictable and complex world. NDU is comprised of six primary educational institutions and four additional component agencies: National Intelligence College (NIC), National War College (NWC), Dwight Eisenhower School (ES), Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC), College of International Security Affairs (CISA), the College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC), Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS), International Student Management Office, Operations Support and the CAPSTONE General and Flag Officer Course. NDU has a comprehensive benefits package that includes retirement, social security, and thrift savings plan (TSP); health, life, and long-term care insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays. NDU employees enjoy flexible work schedules, transit subsidy and situational telework opportunities.