# Announcement Plain-Language Decoder

Translates a full USAJOBS announcement into plain language, pulling out what the job actually requires, who can apply, and what the key deadlines and steps are. Use it when you open an announcement and the government language makes it hard to tell whether you qualify or what to do next.

## Prompt

## Context
You are helping [APPLICANT NAME], a [BRANCH OF SERVICE] veteran or transitioning service member, read and understand a USAJOBS job announcement. The applicant is trying to figure out what the job requires, whether they are eligible to apply, and what steps to take before the deadline. The full announcement text is pasted below.

Applicant background: [APPLICANT BACKGROUND SUMMARY]
Announcement text: [FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT]

## Task
Read the full announcement and produce a plain-language summary with these sections:
1. What the job is: the role, the agency, the location, and the pay band or grade range, in two to three plain sentences.
2. Who can apply: list each hiring path the announcement is open to, in plain language. Note which paths veterans typically qualify under and which require specific documents.
3. What the minimum qualifications are: education, experience, and any specialized experience statement, in plain terms. Flag the specialized experience requirement specifically as it is the most common screen-out.
4. What documents you need to apply: list every document the announcement requires, with a note on where veterans typically get each one.
5. Key dates: application close date, any other deadlines mentioned.
6. What happens after you apply: the evaluation process the announcement describes.
7. Plain-language alert: any unusual requirement, restriction, or eligibility condition that is easy to miss.

## Standards
- Use only what the announcement text says. Do not add requirements or benefits not stated in the announcement.
- Translate jargon: write "competitive service" as "the standard federal hiring track," write "non-competitive appointment" as "a hiring path that lets you be hired without competing against other applicants," and so on. Define every term the first time it appears.
- Do not determine whether [APPLICANT NAME] qualifies. That is a screen, not a decode. The decode tells them what the standard is so they can check themselves.
- Do not promise selection, a referral certificate, or an interview. Federal hiring is competitive and no outcome can be guaranteed.
- If the announcement is missing required sections or is ambiguous on a key requirement, flag that gap. Tell the applicant to contact the HR point of contact listed in the announcement, not to assume.
- Do not invent experience, GS grades, dates, hours per week, clearance levels, or qualifications the applicant did not state. If a specific named input is missing or ambiguous, ask before drafting.

## Variables

- APPLICANT NAME
- BRANCH OF SERVICE
- APPLICANT BACKGROUND SUMMARY
- FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

## Input checklist

- [ ] Paste the full USAJOBS announcement text, including the qualifications, how to apply, required documents, and evaluation sections. Do not summarize it.
- [ ] Write a short honest summary of your background: branch, years of service, job series or military occupational specialty, education, and any civilian work experience.
- [ ] Save a copy of the announcement before the close date. USAJOBS removes announcements after they close.
- [ ] Privacy and OPSEC: remove your Social Security number and personal data before pasting any DD-214 or service record, and never paste classified or operationally sensitive details.
- [ ] Note the HR point of contact listed in the announcement. You may need to call or email them to resolve anything the announcement leaves unclear.

## Verification checklist

- [ ] Confirm the hiring paths listed in the decode match what the announcement actually says under "This job is open to." Do not assume veterans preference applies to every announcement.
- [ ] Locate the specialized experience statement in the raw announcement and compare it word for word to what the decode summarizes. That statement is the primary screen-out point.
- [ ] Check that every required document listed in the decode appears in the announcement's "Required Documents" section. Missing one document is a common reason for automatic disqualification.
- [ ] Verify the close date and time zone. Federal announcements often close at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, which may be earlier than you expect if you are in another time zone.
- [ ] Confirm the grade range and pay table are correctly pulled. GS pay varies significantly by locality and the announcement will name the specific pay scale that applies.
- [ ] If the announcement lists a duty location that requires a specific clearance, confirm that requirement is in your notes before investing time in the application.
- [ ] Do not treat the decode as a legal determination of eligibility. If you have questions about whether you qualify under a specific hiring authority, contact the agency HR office listed in the announcement.

## Sample output

Sample output. Generated by AI from sample inputs:

Announcement decoded: Logistics Management Specialist, GS-0346-09/11, Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, TN. Announcement number: VA-26-TN-12345.

What the job is:
This is a full-time permanent position managing supply chain and logistics operations at a VA medical center in Nashville. The grade range is GS-9 to GS-11, meaning the agency may hire at either level depending on qualifications. Pay in the Nashville locality ranges from approximately $55,000 to $85,000 depending on grade and step.

Who can apply:
The announcement is open to three groups. First, federal employees in the competitive service (people already in federal civilian jobs on a permanent basis). Second, veterans hiring path (veterans who served on active duty and were discharged under honorable conditions, which includes transitioning service members within 120 days of separation). Third, military spouses. If you are a transitioning service member or veteran, the veterans hiring path is almost certainly the one you qualify under. You will need a DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, Member 4 copy) to claim this path.

Minimum qualifications:
For the GS-9 level, you need either a master's degree, or one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 level federal work. For GS-11, you need either a Ph.D., or one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9. The specialized experience statement reads: "Experience coordinating the movement, storage, and accountability of supplies or equipment; analyzing logistics data to identify process gaps; and preparing written reports for management review." This statement is the key screen. Your resume must demonstrate this experience in your own words.

Documents required:
- Resume (federal format, no page limit, must include hours per week for each position)
- DD-214 Member 4 copy (to claim veterans preference or veterans hiring path)
- SF-15 Application for 10-Point Veterans Preference, plus supporting documents, if you claim a disability rating or other 10-point preference
- Transcripts if you are using education to qualify

Key dates:
Application close: July 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

After you apply:
The announcement states that HR will review applications for minimum qualifications first. Applicants who meet minimum qualifications and are among the best qualified will be referred to the hiring manager. The announcement uses category rating, meaning you will be placed in a Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified category based on your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Veterans with preference points are placed ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category.

Plain-language alert:
The announcement states that self-certifying a clearance level you do not hold will result in disqualification. Also, the assessment questionnaire asks you to rate your own experience on a scale of 1 to 5. Your resume must support every rating you select. Rating yourself higher than your resume supports is a fast path to being rated ineligible.

## Customization notes

This prompt works across all GS series and agencies. For merit promotion announcements (open only to current federal employees or veterans with non-competitive eligibility), the hiring path section will look different from an open competitive announcement. For Senior Executive Service positions, the qualifications structure changes significantly and this prompt will flag that. If you are applying under a specific hiring authority such as Schedule A for people with disabilities, add that context to the applicant background summary.

---

From The Federal & GS Job Search Library at vetslearn.com/libraries/federal