Summary

The primary purpose of this position is: This position is coded as Green Door, providing support to various Special Access Programs. To serve as Strategic Program Analyst, HQ USAF Deputy Chief of Staff (DCS) Studies Group (AF/A3Q), by contributing expertise to the Director.

Duties

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• Serves as Strategic Program Analyst, Headquarters Air Force DCS Studies Group. Advises SECAF, CSAF, AF/A3 and other DoD leadership, to include MAJCOMs and COCOMs, on highly complex planning matters related to national security activities. Responsible for knowing, assessing, advocating, articulating and advancing positions based on complex, technically oriented, long term research crossing the spectrum of military capabilities. Responsible for the research, formulation, preparation and validation of complex studies relating to national security, participating in discussion and coordination of activities with other departments and agencies, representing USAF, other Services, DoD and the U.S. Government in interagency consultations. Represents the directorate and coordinates among senior members of the Air Staff, representing the position of the SECAF and CSAF. Recommends, establishes, revises, and reviews mission objectives, policies, priorities, procedures and organizational structure for the division, as necessary to foster mission accomplishment, promote team building, and identify/implement quality improvements. Sets and adjusts short-term priorities, and prepares schedules based on consideration of difficulty of requirement and assignments such that the experience, training, and abilities of the directorate are effectively utilized to meet organization and customer needs. Ensures compliance with regulatory, security, and legal guidance.
• Provides technical advice and staff support to the DCS, Operations (AF/A3). The incumbent is a member of a professional team responsible for support and technical advice to the AF/A3 and other Senior USAF leadership on highly complex planning matters related to national security activities. Recognized expert in the field who analyzes and assesses all products submitted by the organization, coordinates the validity and accuracy of the information with Air Force assets, DoD agencies, and other national-level organizations. Participates in national-level studies to provide a basis for long-range planning and programming of mission activities, the impact to existing mission sets, and coordination across the spectrum military options. Serves as the designated senior directorate level representative in senior-level interagency and interdepartmental committees and working groups with respect to mission activities. Develops plans, procedures and goals for integration of branch activities into the mission set.
• Conducts analysis on Air Force strategic problem sets through close coordination with elements of the DoD, Joint Staff, other Services and Agencies. The incumbent directly assists the DCS, Operations (AF/A3) to identify, develop and coordinate proposals and planning issues within USAF, the Joint Staff, staffs of the Services, DoD, and other departments and agencies. Responsible for knowing, assessing, advocating, articulating and advancing positions based on complex, technically oriented, long-term research crossing the spectrum of joint military capabilities. Responsible for the research, formulation, preparation and validation of complex studies relating to national security, participating in discussion and coordination of activities with within USAF, the Joint Staff, staffs of the Services, DoD, and other departments and agencies. The incumbent will participate in organizing working groups, special study task forces, research teams, and provides professional advice to senior leadership of supporting organizations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
• This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Advance in hire may be authorized if there is demonstrable proof provided on your resume
• Leave accrual may be authorized upon request
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Employee must obtain and maintain a TS-SCI security clearance and access to Special Access Programs.
• Work may require travel away from the normal duty station on military and commercial aircraft.
• A Bachelor's Degree or higher in Military or Political Science, International Affairs or National Security and Strategic Studies is highly desired.
• Military education level I (War College) is highly desired.
• The employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• This is a centrally managed position.
• This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to random testing for drug use.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-13, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes mastery of advanced management and organization principles and practices for a variety of special access programs; and knowledge of planning, programming, and budgeting regulations, guidelines, and processes; and knowledge of Department of Defense and Air Force planning, acquisition, and management processes to provide guidelines and advisory services in support of long-range Air Force war, mobilization, exercise, deployment, and similar operations planning efforts. Expert knowledge of military command structure, missions, programs, and organizational relationships and program goals and objectives, the sequence and timing of key operational events and milestones, and methods of evaluating the effectiveness of planning actions as related to actual events. Very high degree of skill in analyzing and comparing cost benefits, risk analysis, cost projections, budgetary trade offs, fiscal strategies, and programmatic factors to produce fully justified options that can be presented to higher levels of management for use in defending fiscal decisions. Ability to plan, organize, develop studies or projects and to negotiate effectively with management to accept and implement recommendations, where the proposals involve substantial Air Force resources, require extensive changes in established concepts and procedures, or may be in conflict with previous programming actions.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-13 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-14 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Comprehensive knowledge, extensive experience, and proven expertise in Air Force special access program capability requirements and their factors/considerations, analysis of same, determination of improvement options for execution, and related policy/guidance. Typically there is a direct, even critical relationship between the possession of subject-matter expertise and successful performance of analytic assignments.

2. Commanding knowledge of DoD, Joint, and USAF structures, missions, programs, policies, and organizational relationships for facilitate effective advancement of Air Force capabilities. Staff experience at MAJCOM, HQ USAF, CJCS and/or OSD is essential and mandatory.

3. In-depth knowledge of Air Force operations that enables the incumbent to analyze, articulate and advocate for SAP capabilities in support of mission objectives. Prior experience in an Air Force, OSD, COCOM or equivalent organization supporting SAP mission execution is mandatory.

4. Ability to plan, organize, evaluate, and present highly complex technical material or highly complex issues that may have controversial findings or both, using appropriate language with executive level leadership at all levels of the DoD.

5. Ability to exercise judgment in all phases of analysis, ranging from sorting out the most important problems when dealing with voluminous amounts of information to ensure that the many facets of a proposal are explored, to sifting evidence and developing feasible options or alternative proposals and anticipating consequences.

6. Ability to plan, organize, evaluate, and present highly complex technical material or highly complex issues that may have controversial findings or both, using appropriate language with specialists and/or non-specialists, facilitating the ability to formulate a decision. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in order to articulate and advocate AF positions with respect to mission set, direct staff studies for general officer review, and facilitate the condensing of extremely technical input into layman's terms without altering basic content. Knowledge of the programs or organizations and activities to assess the political and institutional environment in which decisions are made and implemented. Ability to work effectively under the pressure of tight time frames and rigid deadlines. Skill in leading small, expert groups to generate ideas in support of highly complex Department of Defense initiatives.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to uphold