Agency:
Job Announcement Number:
National Endowment for the Arts
NEA-PL-10-1002 (EX)
Job Title:
Discipline Director (Local Arts Agencies
and Challenge America Fast Track)
123,758.00 - 155,500.00 USD per year
GS-0301-15
May 11, 2010 – September 15, 2010
Full-Time Temporary-Schedule A, position not
to exceed two years - subject to renewal
1 vacancy - Washington DC Metro Area,
Applications will be accepted from United
States citizens and nationals
Salary Range:
Series & Grade:
Open Period:
Position Information:
Duty Locations:
Who May Be Considered:
This position may be filled at any time. To ensure timely consideration of your
application, you are encouraged to submit your application by the initial cut-off date:
June 22. Subsequent applications will be considered on an as needed basis on the
following cut-off dates: August 4, 2010 and September 15, 2010.
RELOCATION COSTS WILL NOT BE PAID
Job Summary:
As the Discipline Director (Local Arts Agencies and Challenge America Fast Track) you
will report directly to the Deputy Chairman for Programs and Partnerships and serve as
the agency’s nationally recognized expert and authority for the Local Arts Agencies field
and the Challenge America Fast rack funding category. The incumbent also serves as
supervisor of the Local Arts Agencies and Challenge America Fast Track discipline
specialists.
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), an independent Federal agency and the
official arts organization of the United States government, supports excellence in the
arts, both new and established; brings the arts to all Americans; and provides
leadership in arts education. We are motivated by the vision of a nation in which artistic
excellence is celebrated, supported, and available to all Americans. If you share our
vision, and are excited by the possibility of making a difference in the cultural life of the
Nation, please consider joining us.
The NEA is a mission-driven organization with a generous benefits package: paid
vacation, sick days, holidays, health and life insurance, and an excellent retirement
package.
Visit our website at http://www.nea.gov/ for more information about the NEA.
Key Requirements:
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U.S. Citizen or National
Resume and supporting documents (See How to Apply)
Suitable for Federal employment (See What to Expect Next)
Registered for Selective Service, if applicable (See Other Information)
Overnight travel is required.
Major Duties:
As the Discipline Director, your responsibilities include:

Serving as the Agency’s nationally recognized expert and authority for the
Challenge America/Locals fields in discussions throughout the agency
including collaborations with other Divisions.

Providing national leadership and direction concerning Agency
assessments of funding and other assistance for the fields of Challenge
America/Locals. Studying and analyzing conditions and trends as they
relate to and affect the areas of Challenge America/Locals and formulates
and recommends appropriate grant programs and leadership initiatives for
groups and organizations in those areas.
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Ensures accomplishment of unit’s objectives through combined technical
and administrative direction of subordinates through planning/assigning
work, setting priorities, evaluating performance, identifying developmental
and training needs, and recommending or taking corrective action.

Reviews proposals from Challenge America and Local Arts Agency
constituents, manages panel review process for applications, proposes
funding amounts, presents grant recommendations for consideration by
the Chairman, Senior Deputy Chairman, Deputy Chairman for Programs
and Partnerships, and to the National Council on the Arts.
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Acts as the Arts Endowment’s representative on matters affecting the
Challenge America/Locals fields. Participates in meetings and
conferences addressing Challenge America/Locals issues. Prepares
materials for such purposes as National Council on the Arts meetings, prescreening or panel review meetings, agency publications, budget
submissions and Congressional hearings.
Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a comprehensive knowledge of the Local Arts Agencies field,
as well as a broad knowledge of current artistic trends to address the diverse,
multidisciplinary constituents who apply under the Challenge America Fast-Track
category. This includes in-depth awareness of organizational and artistic issues, and
public and private sector funding opportunities, needed to represent the organization to
various audiences. Candidates are also required to have full expertise that will enable
them to provide input and recommend responses to agency/organization legislative,
policies, and procedural proposal; explain, support and defend agency policies and
initiatives; and develop, interpret, advocate, and justify innovative funding measures for
the field.
Substitution of education for experience is not applicable.
How You Will Be Evaluated:
APPLICANTS: You must address the following KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities)
listed below:
1. Knowledge of the Local Arts Agencies field and the Challenge America Fast
Track funding category, including trends, organizational and artistic issues, and
public and private sector funding.
2. Knowledge of Federal grant-making processes to achieve agency/Organization
plans and goals, as well as assist with the development of funding and related
opportunities for the Local Arts Agencies field and Challenge America Fast-Track
funding categories.
3. Skill to communicate orally to convey the agency’s/organization’s position on
issues, including those of a sensitive nature, and to explain, support, and defend
the agency’s/organization’s policies and initiatives.
4. Skill to communicate in writing to present the agency's/organization’s position on
issues, particularly those of a sensitive nature; and to provide input and
recommend responses to agency’s/organization’s legislative, policy, and
procedural proposals.
PLEASE NOTE: It is important that you provide a narrative statement explaining how
your background meets the above listed Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Failure to
provide the information requested will result in the disqualification of your
application.
Benefits:
The National Endowment for the Arts offers a comprehensive benefits package that
includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and
participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.
The following Web address is provided for your reference to explore the major benefits
offered to most Federal employees: www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei61.asp
Other Information:
The materials you send with your application will not be returned.
Veterans Preference: Applicants who claim 5-point veterans’ preference must submit a
DD Form 214, Report of Separation from the Armed Services. Persons who claim 10point veterans’ preference must provide a completed form SF-15 and other supporting
documents.
Forms and information on the Veterans' Preference Act may be obtained at the Federal
Job Information Center, Office of Personnel Management or at http://www.opm.gov/
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective
Service and will be required to complete a Certification of Registration confirming their
selective service status.
How to Apply:
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Submit your application to be received by 5:30pm (eastern time) on the cut-off
dates stated in the announcement.
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Your application package must include:
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Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF-612), or a resume, or any other
written application format of your choice.
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Responses to the KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities).
Submit your application citing vacancy announcement NEA-PL-10-1002- (EX) via
any one of the following means:

Mail, Commercial Delivery, or Hand Delivery to:
National Endowment for the Arts
Office of Human Resources
Attn: Candace Samuels
1100 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Room 627
Washington, DC 20506
OR
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Email to: EX1002@arts.gov
All electronic applications must be submitted using Microsoft Word, Word
Perfect, or PDF format.
OR
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Fax to: (202) 682-5708
What To Expect Next:
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We will review your application material to ensure that you meet the basic
qualification requirements.
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We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications and may
interview the best-qualified applicants.
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A tentative job offer is typically made within 45 days after the deadline for
applications.
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You will need to undergo a background investigation, with successful results,
before you can be appointed to this position.
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You will be notified as to the status of your application.
EEO Policy Statement: http://www.usajobs.gov/eeo
Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement: http://www.usajobs.gov/raps
Veterans Information: http://www.usajobs.gov/vi
Legal and Regulatory Guidance: http://www.usajobs.gov/lrg