School Support Assistant

Role overview

This position supports school operations at a Department of War Education Activity school in Grafenwöhr, Bavaria, Germany. The role focuses on safety, security, supply management, and administrative coordination to keep school resources organized and compliant.

Key duties

• Help oversee school safety and security programs so they remain aligned with DoWEA and installation requirements.
• Act as the custodian for school property, maintaining continuous inventory control for non-expendable items and durable supplies.
• Keep all supply activity entered into an automated tracking system and retain both electronic and paper records for a complete audit trail.
• Use supply and logistics systems for requisitioning, stocking, storage, recordkeeping, and item issuance.
• Review and adjust stock levels for approved items available through the supply system.
• Check and log serial numbers when goods are received, and barcode items as needed.
• Prepare, edit, and route school support requests to the Area Director’s office for purchasing supplies and equipment.
• Support Area and District staff during physical security inspections and help confirm that required safeguards are in place.

Conditions of employment

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service requirement.
• U.S. citizenship is mandatory.
• Pay must be handled through direct deposit.
• A one-year trial or probationary period may be required.
• Final appointment depends on a suitability and fitness review, including a background investigation.
• This role requires a Tier 1 investigation with childcare checks because it involves contact with children and youth under 18.
• Applicants must meet the requirements of DoD Instruction 1400.25 Volume 1230 for employment in foreign areas and return rights.
• Individuals hired from the Continental United States, along with eligible U.S.-citizen family members, must obtain official passports before overseas departure.

Eligibility and qualification rules

Only applicants who fall under one of the listed employment authority categories may apply. Eligible groups include current DoWEA civilian employees, current DoW civilian employees, domestic defense industrial base or major range and test facilities base civilian workforce members, overseas family member appointments, family member preference candidates, interagency career transition assistance candidates, land management workforce flexibility act eligibles, military spouse preference candidates, non-DoW transfers, priority placement program eligibles, veterans employment opportunity act eligibles, and certain reserve, guard, and disability-retirement preference categories.

To qualify, candidates must meet the stated education and/or experience requirements. The position is based on specialized experience rather than education substitution. Qualifying experience for GS-06 includes one year of work involving supply tracking and ordering, conducting inventories, and coordinating equipment repair or maintenance. Experience from paid, unpaid, volunteer, and service-based work may count if it is relevant and clearly described in the resume. Applicants using experience must show that they meet the requirements; education cannot be substituted for experience for this grade.

Applicants who have held a GS position within the last 52 weeks must have completed 52 weeks of federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent GS-05 level.

Priority Placement Program applicants may claim preference, but that preference is considered only at the full-performance grade level.

Working conditions

The job is partly desk-based, but it also requires frequent movement and physical handling. Employees should be prepared to walk, bend, stand, carry or lift items up to 40 pounds, lift boxes weighing 40 pounds above shoulder height, and load or unload vehicles. Equipment for heavier lifting is available.

Additional information

• Selection may be limited by Department of War referral rules for displaced employees.
• Pay includes locality pay or a local market supplement where applicable.
• More than one vacancy may be filled from this posting.
• Applicants must follow Exceptional Family Member Program requirements as applicable.
• Only U.S. citizens who are not considered ordinarily resident under the relevant Status of Forces Agreement are eligible.
• Ordinarily resident status depends on host-nation rules and may affect eligibility.
• Pay retention may be offered for some overseas hires, but not as an incentive for moving between overseas jobs.
• Applicants currently overseas and subject to the five-year overseas rotation rule must have enough time remaining to complete the initial tour.
• Waivers for the five-year overseas service limitation may not be granted.
• Applicants in the fourth year of an overseas assignment cannot be selected unless a waiver is approved.
• Foreign-area benefit eligibility for candidates recruited outside the U.S. will be determined at hire.
• The initial overseas tour length is 36 months.
• Family member appointments end based on the sponsor’s rotation date and may not extend beyond two months after family-member status ends for reasons such as PCS, divorce, or a child aging out at 23.
• Family member preference applies only when the family member physically resides with the sponsor.
• Applicants are expected to support efficient government service, uphold the rule of law, and respect the Constitution.
• Host-country laws or international agreements may affect a same-sex spouse or domestic partner’s ability to accompany the employee or receive certain benefits.
• If a family member needs medical or dental care overseas, the employee is responsible for arranging and paying for that care.
• Civilian access to military medical and dental facilities is space-available and reimbursable only.
• Host-nation medical and dental care may be the only option in some locations, and availability will vary.
• Applicants with family members who have special medical needs should confirm that those needs can be met before accepting the position.

Reasonable accommodation and assessment notice

Applicants who need reasonable accommodation for online assessments may request one through the online application process before starting the assessments, with supporting documentation submitted in time for review. If found eligible for the position, the applicant will receive access to the assessment after the accommodation decision is made. When the assessment link is issued after the announcement closes, all assessments must be completed within 48 hours.

Trial and overseas service notes

This is an overseas role with specific service limitations and family-status rules. Appointment conditions may depend on residence, sponsor status, rotation timing, and eligibility under overseas employment regulations.